Tips for a Winning Tips for a Winning Science Fair ProjectScience Fair Project

Choosing a TopicChoosing a Topic

InvestigateInvestigateThe best projects are the ones that interest The best projects are the ones that interest

you!you! If you assume you know the answer…you If you assume you know the answer…you

don’t really have a question.don’t really have a question.Be sure a variable is tested.Be sure a variable is tested.

Choosing the ExperimentChoosing the Experiment

Consider the Consider the following…following… MaterialsMaterials Variables (must be a Variables (must be a

controlled experiment)controlled experiment) TimeframeTimeframe Repeat a minimum of Repeat a minimum of

FIVE times.FIVE times. Make sure results are Make sure results are

measurable.measurable.

ResourcesResources

http://www.all-science-fair-projects.com/http://www.all-science-fair-projects.com/category0.html category0.html

Search the internet for science Search the internet for science experiments related to hobbies/interests.experiments related to hobbies/interests.

PURPOSEPURPOSE

PurposePurpose: The reason why the student is : The reason why the student is conducting this research and doing this conducting this research and doing this experiment.experiment.

What lead the student to this experiment?What lead the student to this experiment?Noticed a problem to be solved.Noticed a problem to be solved.Great interest in topic.Great interest in topic.

PROBLEM (Question)PROBLEM (Question)

ProblemProblem: The question telling what the : The question telling what the student is trying to find out.student is trying to find out.

EXAMPLE: How does increasing the EXAMPLE: How does increasing the incline of a ramp affect the distance a incline of a ramp affect the distance a marble travels?marble travels?

RESEARCHRESEARCH

Focus on topic/subtopicsFocus on topic/subtopics Have similar tests been done before?Have similar tests been done before? ResourcesResources

EncyclopediasEncyclopedias Newspaper/Magazine articlesNewspaper/Magazine articles BooksBooks InternetInternet ***Remember to cite all sources used***Remember to cite all sources used

Take notes!!Take notes!!

Writing the Research PaperWriting the Research Paper

Take notes during research.Take notes during research.Organize your notes by similar information Organize your notes by similar information

(subtopics) to form paragraphs.(subtopics) to form paragraphs.Make sure you use your own words!Make sure you use your own words!

HYPOTHESISHYPOTHESIS HypothesisHypothesis: An educated guess about the : An educated guess about the

outcome of the experiment (before doing the outcome of the experiment (before doing the experiment). experiment).

MUST be written AFTER research and BEFORE the MUST be written AFTER research and BEFORE the experiment.experiment.

Use information from your research to support your Use information from your research to support your hypothesis.hypothesis.

Example HypothesisExample Hypothesis

If the incline of a ramp is If the incline of a ramp is greater, then the marble greater, then the marble will roll further. I base will roll further. I base this on…this on…

SUBJECT(S)SUBJECT(S)

Explain what organism, item or parameter Explain what organism, item or parameter the student is testing. Any matter, living or the student is testing. Any matter, living or nonliving is the subject.nonliving is the subject.

Example: MarbleExample: Marble

VARIABLEVARIABLE

VariableVariable: The item that the student : The item that the student changes purposely.changes purposely.This is the specific thing being This is the specific thing being

manipulated/tested.manipulated/tested.Only test 1 variable.Only test 1 variable.

Example: Incline of rampExample: Incline of ramp

CONTROLSCONTROLS

Control(s)Control(s):: The parameters you keep the same The parameters you keep the same so that the experiment is valid. so that the experiment is valid.

The items that do The items that do notnot change during the change during the experiment that test the hypothesis.experiment that test the hypothesis.

Example:Example: Ramp sizeRamp size Ramp materialRamp material MarbleMarble Release point of marbleRelease point of marble

MATERIALSMATERIALS MaterialsMaterials::

A bulleted list of any supplies needed for the A bulleted list of any supplies needed for the experiment.experiment.

Be sure to include the quantity of any items listed. Be sure to include the quantity of any items listed.

Example:Example:1 Hot Wheels ramp1 Hot Wheels ramp1 marble1 marble3 Encyclopedias3 EncyclopediasMeasuring tapeMeasuring tapeTapeTape

PROCEDURESPROCEDURES

ProceduresProcedures: Step by step instructions of how to : Step by step instructions of how to perform the experiment.perform the experiment. detailed so that someone would be able to repeat the detailed so that someone would be able to repeat the

experiment. experiment. Use numbers to list steps beginning with a verb (like Use numbers to list steps beginning with a verb (like

in a recipe).in a recipe). Do not use pronouns in listing the steps.Do not use pronouns in listing the steps. It is highly recommended to use the metric It is highly recommended to use the metric

system.system. Each experimental trial must be done at least three Each experimental trial must be done at least three

times to increase the validity of the results.times to increase the validity of the results.

Example Procedures:Example Procedures:

1.1. Place the one end of the ramp at the edge of an Place the one end of the ramp at the edge of an Encyclopedia.Encyclopedia.

2.2. Tape in the ramp in place.Tape in the ramp in place.3.3. Hold the marble at the top of the ramp and release.Hold the marble at the top of the ramp and release.4.4. Observe the marble roll down the ramp and record the Observe the marble roll down the ramp and record the

distance it travels in cm.distance it travels in cm.5.5. Repeat steps 1-4 2 more times. Calculate the average.Repeat steps 1-4 2 more times. Calculate the average.6.6. Repeat steps 1-5 with 2 stacked Encyclopedias.Repeat steps 1-5 with 2 stacked Encyclopedias.7.7. Repeat steps 1-5 with 3 stacked EncyclopediasRepeat steps 1-5 with 3 stacked Encyclopedias..

DATA NOTEBOOKDATA NOTEBOOK

Record your observations of each trialRecord your observations of each trialseeing, hearing, smellingseeing, hearing, smelling

Include the date and time on each page.Include the date and time on each page.Use a separate page for each trial.Use a separate page for each trial. Include pictures (illustrations or Include pictures (illustrations or

photographs)photographs)

Recording DataRecording Data

Use the metric Use the metric system.system.

Find the most Find the most appropriate formatappropriate format Data table (best to Data table (best to

start with)start with) Line graphLine graph Bar graphBar graph

Make 2 charts/graphs for Make 2 charts/graphs for the board.the board.

Example Data Table:Example Data Table:

# of # of EncyclopediasEncyclopedias

Trial 1Trial 1 Trial 2Trial 2 Trial 3Trial 3 AverageAverage

11

22

33

ConclusionConclusion

What was the outcome?What was the outcome?Was the hypothesis supported or rejected?Was the hypothesis supported or rejected?Write a complete sentence, restating the Write a complete sentence, restating the

question.question.Explain your answer.Explain your answer.

ApplicationApplication

How does it apply to our lives?How does it apply to our lives?

RecommendationsRecommendations

What would you change?What would you change? Ideas for future experimentation.Ideas for future experimentation.

The BoardThe Board

Follow order in Follow order in packet…exactlypacket…exactly

Neatness Counts!Neatness Counts! Watch SpellingWatch Spelling Make it eye Make it eye

catching…but don’t catching…but don’t over decorate.over decorate.

The Written ReportThe Written Report

Follow guidelines in packet.Follow guidelines in packet.Different page for each item.Different page for each item. Include every item in the right order.Include every item in the right order.

PresentationPresentation

PracticePractice Be enthusiastic!Be enthusiastic! Know your project…Know your project…

every step!every step! Body languageBody language

Stand straightStand straight SmileSmile Eye ContactEye Contact Be confidentBe confident

Questions????Questions????

miranda.carpenter@imagineschools.commiranda.carpenter@imagineschools.com