Science Fair Project Guidelines

  1. Pose the question: what, how, why, etc.
  1. Research the topic: Find out all you can about the subject. Suggested resources are libraries, teachers, or experts. Keep a list of all the sources and a bibliography. Write a research paper, which will be included in your notebook. The report must be written in your own words. It is not just a collection of information downloaded from the internet, photocopied from reference books or copied from encyclopedias.
  1. Formulate the hypothesis (if…..then)

Do not include any pronouns in your hypothesis

  1. Identify the variable. Use only one variable
  1. Design the experiment:
  2. What will be the procedure?
  3. What kinds of instruments will be used?
  4. What is the desired measurement precision?
  5. What will be the format of the data?
  6. What will be the control?
  7. What will be the variable?
  8. Repeatability of the experiment- you must repeat the experiment three to five times to validate results.
  1. Identify needed resources:
  2. What equipment is needed?
  3. Where can it be obtained or where is there access to it?
  4. What supplies are needed?
  5. Where can they be obtained?
  6. What will be the cost?
  7. What is the source of funds?
  8. Where can the advice of experts be obtained?
  1. Use technology
  2. Are there computer spread sheets, graphing programs, etc. available for collection and analysis of data? All graphs must be done on the computer.
  3. Photographic presentation- you must take photographs at each step of your project and include typed labels (photographs are a requirement)
  1. Keep a notebook! The notebook must include the following:
  2. Research and background with bibliography
  3. Problem or question you are going to investigate
  4. Hypothesis
  5. List of supplies and approximate cost
  6. Experiment procedure- list of all steps either in numbered or bullet format
  7. Raw data- this is the “journal” of your experiment where you record your measurements and observations etc. (hand written)
  8. Charts and graphs
  9. Conclusion-this must be based on your experimental data
  10. Application or relevance
  11. Abstract
  1. Conduct the experiment and obtain data
  2. Keep all data in chart form
  3. Use only metric units (SI units)
  1. Analyze the data
  2. Use statistical procedures (i.e. graphs, charts, photographs, diagrams, tables, etc)
  3. You must have charts and graphs

(charts of data for each trial with each variable, graph for each variable and an average graph)

  • All charts, graphs and photographs must have a title or caption
  1. Conclusion
  2. Based on your experimental data write the conclusion
  3. Compare it to your hypothesis
  1. Application/Relevance
  2. How can other people, society, industry, or other scientists use this project information?
  3. Is there a practical application of this information?
  1. Abstract
  2. Follow format on handout

The attached page will tell you the correct way to present your information on your science project backboard. All projects must be presented on a three-sided backboard. The title must be on a title header board. Remember: ALL PAPERS, GRAPHS, PHOTOGRAPHS, TITLES, AND HEADINGS, MUST BE BACKED BY A CONTRASTINGCOLOR BEFORE THEY ARE GLUED ON TO THE BACKBOARD! ALL PICTURES, GRPAHS, STATEMENTS, PARAGRAPHS, ETC. MUST BE CUT NEATLY AND GLUED ONTO THE BOARD STAIGHT. ALL PAPERS AND GRAPHS MUST BE DONE ON THE COMPUTER AND PRINTED OUT. NO HANDWRITTEN PAPERS OR GRAPHS ALLOWED!!

Your science project presentation board must include the following (in this order) and must be typed written (no hand written captions, data charts or graphs)

  • Problem
  • Hypothesis
  • Procedure
  • Data
  • Charts, Graphs, & Photographs
  • Conclusion
  • Application/Relevance
  • Abstract

The title must be in the form of a question and on a title header board. Print using a large font so that the title stands out. (Do not handprint title) You must back the title papers with colored paper. DO NOT GLUE WHITE PAPER ONTO WHITE PAPER!!!

Directions for Project Board Assembly

All papers, graphs, photographs etc. must be backed with a contrasting color of paper, even is the backboard is not white. Limit your color scheme to three colors. No handwritten captions or graphs are allowed on the board.

Title Board

  1. Title board is required
  2. 4-line heading glued on back*

Left wing

  1. Problem
  2. Hypothesis (absolutely NO pronouns) IF---THEN---
  3. Procedure –imperative form

Number or bullet each step

Center board

  1. Data charts with title and units indicated for all measurements
  2. Graphs (required)

All axes labeled

Graphs titled

Include a graph for each individual variable

Final graph that shows the comparison of the average for each trial

  1. Photographs- required to show each major step of experiment

All photographs must have a caption that explains what is shown in the picture ( Is it the variable or control, what day or week etc.)

Right wing

  1. Results

Write a brief summary (2 or 3 sentences) of the experimental results

  1. Conclusion

Compare with hypothesis

No pronouns

  1. Relevance/Application (choose one term)
  2. Abstract – no pronouns – follow directions

Placement of Heading

  1. Type name on 4” x 4” white paper, 24 point font, 4 lines*

Last name, First name

Science- Period__

Date Project Due

Teacher’s name

  1. Close project board
  2. Glue onto the upper corner of the right wing (must be done at home before you bring your board to school)

If you have too many graphs or pictures for the center board, you may put the data chart at the bottom of the left wing.

Select a font size for printed pages that is large enough to be read easily when it is glued on the board. Your science project display does not include plants, Petri plates, animals, etc. All documentation of your experiment is through photographs. Be sure to take pictures of your experiment at various stages. Graphs, charts, and photographs will chronicle and explain the steps of your project to those who view it.

NOTEBOOK GUIDELINES

The notebook must be a flat type of folder with prongs. Do not use a binder.

The following is the correct order of pages that must be included in your science project notebook.

  1. Title page – include title of project, name, period and date
  1. Abstract
  1. Problem
  1. Hypothesis
  1. Material List
  1. Experiment procedure
  1. Raw data (journal of your experimental data)

Keep hand writtenlog of your data

Include measurements in SI units, observations, etc.

Date each entry

  1. Final data charts (copies of the charts that are on the board)
  1. Graphs (copies of the graphs that are on the board)
  1. Extra photographs that don’t fit on your board – be sure to include captions
  1. Conclusion
  1. Application or Relevance
  1. Research Report
  1. Bibliography

The notebook will be enclosed in an envelope and secured to the outside of the middle of the left wing using clear packing tape.

ABSTRACT

MAKE THE TITLE INFORMATIVE AND SPECIFIC

The title identifies the important contents of the paper and orients the reader by specifying the writer’s major findings of perspective. Your title should indicate the major focus of your study.

SUMMARIZE THE MAJOR POINTS OF THE PAPER

The abstract is a short passage (usually 250 words or less) that appears just after the title and author(s) and summarizes the major elements of the paper: objectives, methods, results and conclusions. It is written as a single paragraph. When you write your abstract, list one by one, all the important points covered in your experiment. Write in complete sentences. Do not write in first person. It is not a list of the steps you followed.

BE SPECIFIC AND CONCISE

As a summary, an abstract must be both informative and brief. Avoid general, descriptive statements that merely hint at your results. Be concise. Can you say the same thing with fewer words?

MAKE THE ABSTRACT STAND ALONE AND STILL MAKE SENSE TO THE READER

Like the title, the abstract must be independent: readers should be able to understand it without being familiar with the details of the study. Omit abbreviations (except widely known ones such as DNA), and use only those technical terms likely to be familiar to your audience. If certain abbreviations of specialized terminology are absolutely necessary, then explain them. Do not refer to materials that may be inaccessible to your readers, such as your tables and figures, and avoid reference to other literature.

DIRECTIONS FOR WRITING ABSTRACT

  1. Type the title of the abstract using all capital letters.
  2. Type name of student author followed by the name of your teacher followed by (teacher) in parentheses. See example below.
  3. Type name and address of school.
  4. Single space all typing.
  5. Write abstract as one paragraph. Starting with three-space indentation.

SAMPLE ABSTRACT

EFFECTS OF SUGARS ON SEA URCHIN FERTALIZATION. Suzie Scientist and D. Shah (teacher). PortolaMagnetCenter, 18720 Linnet Street, Tarzana, CA91356.

This study examined the question of possible sugar involvement in sperm-egg interaction in the sea urchin Lytechinus pictus. Eggs and sperms were incubated with or without 0.1M D-glucose, or D-galactose or D- mannose for 10 minutes at 15° C in pH 8.0 artificial seawater and percent fertilization was recorded. Each experiment was repeated 6 times. D-Galactose reduced the fertilization rate to 51%+/-4%, while control values were 97%+/-3%. D-mannose and D-glucose reduced the fertilization rate to 82%+/-6% and 91%+/-2% respectively. The results suggest that D-galactose is the most likely of the three sugars tested to play a role in sperm-egg interaction in Lytechinus pictus.