Science Fair Projects
Parents,
Your child will be participating in the A. L. Williams annual
Science Fair. They will be responsible for picking an interesting
Topic, creating a research Question or Problem, constructing a
Hypothesis, Researching their topic, developing a Procedure,
performing the Experiment (the experiment should be repeated at
least 3 times if not more), evaluating the Results, composing a
Conclusion, Writing the information, and Building their display.
All students Kindergarten through 2rd grade will perform a class
project with their teacher who will guide them through the
scientific method. All 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students will be
performing their own individual science projects. All projects will
need to be displayed on a science display board along with a
logbook complete with detailed information on the trials of the
experiment. Each project board should include the following
things: Title of the project (come up with a clever name),
Question, Hypothesis, Procedure, Problem, Variables,
Graphs/Charts/Pictures, Data Results, Conclusion- stating
whether or not their hypothesis was correct. The attached packet
includes forms that each student must fill out, a research plan to
help students stay on task, a paper that explains what can and can
not be displayed, a rubric on how each project will be graded, ideas
for projects, and help on how to go about setting up your project.
The due date for all projects is the week of January 19, 20, & 21.
All 3rd, 4th and 5th grade projects will be judged by your student’s
homeroom teacher. The top projects from each class will go on to
be judged by members of the community. Tuesday, February 2nd
we will hold the Science Fair during the PTO/SAC meeting. The
final students and their projects will be awarded that night. All
projects K-5th grade will be displayed in the media center and
throughout the school during the week of February 1st -5th. This
project will need the help and guidance of all parents. We want
this to be a fun and exciting adventure for all who participate.
Thank You
Mr. Ballenger
Fifth Grade Science Teacher
Science Fair Coordinator
Science Fair Research Plan
This is a guide for your project. Signatures are
required for each section. All information should be
documented in your logbook. See rubric in the back
for what will be required and graded.
Students Name____________________________________ Period_____
Topic
(Title of Project)
What topic interests you?
Due by: 11/2-11/6
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
Parent signature_______________________________________________
Problem
(Question or Wonder statement)
Can any part of the question be measured, if not,
it is a question science can’t answer, either
rephrase it or choose another question.
Ex. How will _________________ affect ________________?
Variable Result
Or
How will the effects of _________________ on ______________
Variable Result
affect _________________ when __________________?
Variable Result
Due by: 11/2-11/6
(In your logbook show evidence that you have researched the problem.)
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
Parents signature______________________________________________
Hypothesis
(Your Prediction)
What do you think may be the answer to your question?
The hypothesis is the possible answer you will try to
prove or disprove.
Ex. (Based on what I have observed and read, I believe that the
highest amount of fertilizer will achieve the most growth of
(The variable to be changed) (What you will be measuring)
tomato plants because fertilizer has been shown to
(Test Subject)
increase the growth of plants.
(Effects on the test subject)
Due by: 11/16-11/20
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
Parents Signature____________________________________________
Procedures
What you are doing in numbered step-by-step directions
Due by: 11/30-12/4
Materials List:
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
Step-By-Step Directions
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
Parents Signature _______________________________________
Variables
Variables are things that affect the experiment. The
variable is one factor you wish to change or use in
different amounts in the experiment. Everything else is
controlled. In a controlled experiment everything is given
the exact same conditions except for one.
Independent variable- The variable that is purposefully
changed. (Color of birdseed)
Dependent variable- The variable that is observed that
changes in response to the
independent variable. (Number seeds
eaten and color)
Controlled variables- The variable that are not
changed. (location, time, number of
seeds set out etc.)
Example: How will the color of birdseed affect the number
of seeds eaten?
The variable is the color of the seeds.
Due by: 11/30-12-4
Independent variable
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
Dependent variable
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
Controlled Variables
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
Parents Signature___________________________________________
Conclusion
(What happened in the experiment?)
In your logbook you need to document at least 3 trials and what
happened.
Do your results agree wit your hypothesis?
Tell what you learned.
Include Application In The Conclusion
*What can the results be used for?
*How can I use the knowledge I have gained from the
experiment?
*How will I use what I have learned?
*How can others use the information I have gained from the
experiment?
Due by: 1/11-1/15
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
Parents Signature__________________________________________
All Finished Projects Are Due
1/19-1/21
A logbook should be kept throughout the project
documenting your progress. Notes from your first
thoughts of the project, to the trials of each experiment
and their results, to the conclusion of the project
should be kept in a logbook. Make sure to date each
entry. Once you know the outcome of your
conclusion and your experiment is complete, the data
organized and analyzed you can begin writing your
report.
Parts of the Written Report
Your report should be neat and it should include
all written and visual material.
Title page
Table of Contents
Question or problem State the question or problem
Hypothesis State the hypothesis
Procedures Describe the procedures in
detail, number the steps.
Include diagrams photos,
drawings of equipment
designed.
* Materials List all materials used.
* Variables and Controls List the variables and
controls. Explain their role in
the experiment.
* Results Present all the data, Include
charts, graphs, tables, and
photographs.
* Conclusion Write about what happened
and what was learned.
* Acknowledgements Identify who helped with the
experiment and thank them.
* Bibliography Include all the references
used.
Build Your Display
The purpose of your display is to summarize your
project and to advertise your hard work.
Make it eye catching!!
(The display is a three sectioned, free- standing backboard
made out of foam board, cardboard, pegboard, corkboard or
plywood.) You may purchase a science board through
the school store.
Your display should include:
* Title Make it an attention grabber
* Problem or Question
Cont. on next page
* Hypothesis
* Variables
* Procedures
* Results With data graphs pictures…
* Conclusion Stating whether your hypothesis was
correct.
Example:
Title
Purpose
Or Results
Problem
Pictures
Graphs
Hypothesis
Tables
Data
Independent
Dependent Drawings
&
Controlled
Variables Place these materials in
sequential order. Back your
paper with a different color.
Make your display neat and eye Conclusion
Materials catching!!!
&
Procedural
Steps
Number your
Steps
All projects should have a logbook, a written or
typed report, and a display when turned in to your
teacher.
The Following Items May Not Be Displayed on
Project Boards
Any living organisms- plants or animals
Anything, which was once living, including parts of them
Food
Soil or waste samples
Liquids- in any type of container
Dry ice or anything similar
Sharp items
Flames or anything highly flammable
Empty tanks
Any type of glass item or container
Batteries with open tops
Awards, medals, business cards, etc.
You May Display
Pictures of your experiment in progress- you can be in the pictures.
Electrical circuits of 12 volts or less
Models made of paper, cardboard, etc.
Web- Resources
You should be able to google science projects/fair and find
many good ideas.
Mad Scientists- http://www.madsci.org/
Discovery Education-
http://school.discovery.com/sciencefaircentral/
Steve Spangler Science-
http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/experiments
International Science and Engineering Fairs- http://www.sciserv.org/isef/
State Science and Engineering Fair- http://www.floridassef.net//
Sample Bibliography
Books
Author’s last name, first name. (Copyright date). Title of
book. City of Publication: Publisher.
Example:
Flower, John. (1986). How to grow Petunias. Boston:
Webster Printing Company.
Magazines
Author’s last name, first name. (year published, month).
Title of article. Title of magazine, page numbers.
Example:
Plant, Alice. (1986, July). How Fertilizers Help Plants.
Botanical Journal, pp. 12-14.
Internet
Name of person (or group) who provides the information.
“The title of the page you are looking at.” Internet
Address. Date page was posted, updated, or read.
Example:
Boston Public Library. “Using the Internet for School
Reports.” http://bpl.org/KIDS?Evaluate.htm. July, 2001.
Judging Rubric
Due Dates
1. All due dates are met. 7 pts_____
2. Log book is present and complete 6 pts_____
3. Report is present. 6 pts_____
4. Board is present. 6 pts_____
Total 25 _______pts
Project Board
1. Project board is neat and creative. 8 pts_____
2. Does the project board have all required
information: the topic, problem, hypothesis,
procedure, variables, conclusions and graphs,
pictures, or charts displayed? 8 pts_____
3. Is the problem and hypothesis stated clearly? 8 pts_____
4. Is there a procedural plan with numbered steps 8 pts_____
5. Are the independent variables, dependent variables,
and controls clearly stated on the board? 6 pts_____
6. Are the results clearly stated in graphs, pictures,
or charts and support the conclusion? 6 pts_____
7. Does the conclusion reflect what the problem
and hypothesis stated? 6 pts_____
Total 50 ________pts
Report
1. Is the report neatly typed or written? 7 pts_____
2. Is the report presented in an orderly and
sequential manner? 6 pts_____
3. Correct spelling, capitalization, punctuation 6 pts_____
4. Title page and bibliography is present and
complete. 6 pts_____
Total 25 ________pts
Total pts__________ Grade_____________