Science Fair ProjectsUpdated January 14, 2008What do you find interesting?•Explore topics using a directory site such as Kids Click (http://www.kidsclick.org/)•Try the Discovery School site:http://school.discovery.com/sciencefaircentral/•There a several more sites available for science fair ideas. There is a Word List on the school‟s share drive.There are certain steps you have to follow to do an experiment:•Yes, the word is EXPERIMENT…•Demonstrations are not true Science Fair projects.•If you want a ribbon*, do not do a demonstration.•Volcanoes, solar systems, how something works or how it‟s made, etc…are demonstrations.(*Ribbons will be for First, Second and Third Place.)Step One: Observation•I‟ve noticed that….•Why is that like that?•I wonder if…?•How come…?•Which one…?These are the types of questions you should be asking yourself about something that puzzles or interests you.Step Two: Develop Your Question•This could be used as your title.•This shows the direction your project is going.Samples: •How much weight can a can take before it is crushed?•Which brand of peanut butter has more sugar?•Which brand of batteries lasts the longest?Step Three: Answer Your Question•This is your HYPOTHESIS•It is an „educated guess‟. That means it is based on observation and research of some sort. •Example: I think that the most expensive light bulbs will last the longest. (What would have been the question to this?)Step Four: Design Your Experiment•Don‟t conduct your experiment only once. The judges want to see lots of data.•You may not get the same results and need several attempts to see a pattern or definite answer.•List the steps for completing your experiment.•Don‟t do your experiment the night before it‟s due. Good data collection should take several days for most experiments.Step Five: Collect Your Data•Take your data and display it in some sort of chart.•Use your best handwriting (use a ruler when drawing graphs or charts) or use a computer.•Use of color will make it more interesting to look at.Step Six: Analyze Your Data (results and conclusion)•Was your Hypothesis correct?•Were you wrong?•Why?•What did you learn?•How can you apply the information in real life?(Note: It‟s okay to be wrong as long as you show that you have learned something.)How Your Science Boards Need To Be Set Up•This is a general view of a good project. The inclusion of a model is misleading, as that would be a demonstration. However, the order of the science board is correct. Other titles could include Problem, Variables, Present, Past, Future, Recommendations, Photographs, Application, Bibliography and Abstract. The steps should be in order starting on the top left panel and proceeding to the right.Graphic taken from: http://192.107.108.56/portfolios/l/lautz_s/Science%20Fair%20Handbook/displayboard.htmlwith permission.Other Things To Consider•Make sure your science teacher approves your project before you do it.•Don‟t use any people or animals in your experiment. You can‟t see who is the fastest cousin in your family and you can‟t even experiment on something as simple as earthworms. The only live thing you can use in an experiment are plants.•Don‟t have any hazardous materials as part of your display such as chemicals, medicine or food.•Don‟t use any photos that have faces or identifying characteristics. The judges can‟t know who you are. They must remain objective.•Don‟t use real names in any of your data or reports. (“My mom helped me”, instead of “Mrs. Jane Smith helped me do this project.”)•If you do any research, cite your sources!•Be as neat as possible. Messy presentations are a real turn off for the judges.Ask Ms. McCracken, Mrs. Hamlett, Mrs. Wilkins, Mrs. Miles, Mrs. Duncan or Mrs. Sanford for any help if you need it.Science Fair projects are due on February 19th .The judging will be on February 21st.Displays will go home the afternoon of February 22nd.Project boards and titles can be purchased from Mrs. Cindi Jacobs.Good Luck!!!