Getting Ready for the 2011 Cragin School Science Fair

Choosing Your Topic

The purpose of a science fair project is to answer a question about your topic through experimentation.  You will create an experiment.  You will need to choose a topic, and then narrow it down to a specific question that you can investigate.  If the question has to be investigated to find the conclusion, it is an experiment.  

If you already have an idea of what you want to investigate, that’s great.  If you cannot decide on a topic or if you need more information, begin by looking at other resources (such as books, magazines, the Internet, etc.) or by talking to people.  Since you will be spending a great deal of time on this project, you should pick a subject you are genuinely interested in. Remember, you can ask your parents for advice or encouragement, but this is your project.  

Examples of Good Science Fair Topics

Good science fair topics can be stated as a question that can be answered only by experimenting.  Here are two examples:

(1) “Which Breakfast Cereal Soaks Up the Most Milk?”

This could be a good topic because it suggests an experiment will be done to arrive at the conclusion. It will need measurements. Asking a question in the title of the project is a good approach to developing your topic.

(2) “How Music Affects Plant Growth”

This could be a good topic because it also suggests experimentation.  The student must use the scientific method to demonstrate and reach a conclusion. It will have numerical data and measurement.

Examples of Poor Science Fair Topics:

(1) “Volcanoes”

This topic is too broad.  If the student makes a model that erupts as part of his/her topic, then he/she is doing a demonstration, not experimentation.  This would only become an experiment if the student experiments with different chemicals to see which will make the volcano erupt best.

(2) “How Electricity Works”

This again, usually results in a demonstration, not an experiment.

Phase I: Getting Started

You will need to choose a topic for your project. What kinds of things do you wonder about? One of these things can become a science project topic. 

You probably ask questions all the time. “Do you really have more germs on your hands before you wash them?”, “Are cats smarter than dogs?”, “Do most toys live up to the advertising on TV?’, “Are vegetables really better for you than candy?”.  

Before you begin an experiment, you should take the time to learn more about your project topic.  Scientists keep notebooks of the information they learn. You will keep a notebook too! Find books as well as people to talk to about your topic.  Look for ideas on the Internet.  Keep track of your resources, as you will need to list these for your project.

Phase I: Begin Your Research Plan

(Plan using these guidelines)

1.  What is the purpose of your project? In this section, present the ideas behind your research. Why is the research being done?  What is the reason for your research? What are you trying to find out?

2.  What is your question? Your science fair project will answer a question about your topic. You want to pick a project topic that you will enjoy working on. So think of a question that you REALLY want to know the answer to.

3. What is your hypothesis? After you learn more about your topic, what do you THINK the answer to your question might be? This is your hypothesis. It's an informed guess. A hypothesis is not a question. It is a statement of what you think is true, based on your research, for example: Washing hands in warm water kills more germs than washing hands in cold water, Cats sleep more than dogs, You can't tell the taste of a soft drink with a blindfold. Your hypothesis might be true or it might not be true. Perform your experiment at least three times to make sure the results are consistent.  

4.  What are your Independent, Dependent, and Constant Variables? 
Independent--there should be only one independent variable that is being changed.
(examples--slope of a ramp, kind of fertilizer, volume of music)
Dependent--dependent variables need to be accurately measured and written down accurately and neatly.
(examples--distance a drop of water travels, heights of plants, temperature of different surface colors)
Constant--variables should be constant in both control and experiment
(examples--temperature, humidity, light)

5. Describe in detail the procedure you will use to conduct your experiment. Methods to be used in the research should be presented in detail.  Keep a notebook. Notebooks help you to keep track of your information and resources.  It should be very clear that you know exactly what you are to do before you begin to research your project. You may not change from your approved plan unless you have the written approval of the teacher.

5. What resources are you using? This is your “Bibliography”. List the books, articles, website sources, papers and people that were used in preparation for your project.  Each reference should contain the author, title of the resource, publisher, date of publication, and pages used. (see the Cragin School Website for examples of Bibliographies: http://edweb.tusd.k12.us/Cragin ) Southern Arizona Regional Science and Engineering Fair (SARSEF) asks for 3 major sources.  List them alphabetically.  For example:  Herbert, Donald and Hy, Ruchlis, (1968) Mr. Wizard’s 400 Experiments in Science, Book Lab, p.18.

Phase II: Understanding the Scientific Method

Your science project is an investigation that will use this scientific method to discover the answer to your question. Before starting your project, you need to understand the scientific method. The scientific method is a "tool" that scientists use to find the answers to questions. It is the process of thinking through the possible solutions to a problem and testing each possibility to find the best solution. The scientific method involves the following steps: create a question, make a hypothesis, list  the materials, describe the procedure, record the results and make a conclusion.

    The Scientific Method

·        Problem Statement of Question

·        Hypothesis

·        Materials and Procedure

·        Results and Data

·        Conclusion

·        References (Bibliography)

Purpose of your project – This should be decided before you start your experiment.  Write two or three sentences to describe the purpose and to help you to focus. You will also be able to create a brief, clear title easily.

Please note:

·        All experiments must use the scientific method.

·        All participants must complete the Research Plan before your research.

          The following is an explanation of each step in the scientific method.  You may wish to use these notes as you begin your experiment, as well as when you are making your report.

Step 1: Ask the Question 

Ask the question that you are trying to answer.  It will help you get your thoughts together so that you can concentrate.  This question form will help to remind you that you must do some sort of investigation or experimentation.

Step 2: Make a Hypothesis

Make a hypothesis or an educated “guess” about the outcome of your investigation.  Write down what you think will happen in your notebook.  This will give you a working idea, which will help you to decide on an approach to your problem.  The hypothesis needs to be written down before you begin experimenting. 

Step 3: List the Materials and Procedure

List the materials you intend to use in your experiment/investigation.  Like a recipe for a cake, the materials and ingredients you use, need to be written specifically.  Keep in mind that amounts are important.  For example:

Poor List                                  Good List

Water                                               25 liters of water

Thermometer                                    1 thermometer (0-100 degrees Celsius)

Popcorn                                            25 kernels Jiffy Pop

 Describe the procedure you will use in your experiment. Be sure to list each step in the order that you will do them. Do not leave out any details. Someone else should be able to follow your procedure and come up with similar results.  

Step 4: Results and Data

Record the results of the tests and procedures you followed in Step 3.  Record in your notebook the results of your tests and observations in detail as you perform them.  If you are detailed and accurate with your notes, you will avoid errors due to loss of memory. You will have a permanent record to recall and study later when making conclusions. Records can be done using graphs, tables, charts, notes or on tape recordings 

Step 5:  Make a Conclusion

Make a conclusion based on the results you got in Step 4.  Now look at your hypothesis.  Were you correct?  How do your results prove you were right or wrong?  How can you re-test your hypothesis to further prove or disprove your conclusions?  If you were wrong, your conclusions should prove why. 

Step 6: References (Bibliography)

List the books, articles, website sources, papers and people that were used in preparation for your project. Each reference should contain the author, title of the resource, publisher, date of publication, and pages used. (Refer to #5 on page 4 of this handout).

Note: Project Boards are creative masterpieces. All are different, yet all contain these fundamental (basic) steps.

Remember: Being "wrong" is okay! You were looking for answers and making observations, not taking a test! If you have a student advisor, he/she can  help you to make this clear. Wonderful discoveries can occur when mistakes happen!

Phase III: Setting Up Your Display (Do a "Rough Draft" first!)

The purpose of your display is to communicate the results of your experimentation clearly and attractively.  Your display must also be strong enough to withstand many days of viewing by hundreds of people. There must be a notebook with your work.  These are some suggestions to help you put it all together.

1. DO NOT PUT YOUR NAME ANYWHERE ON THE FRONT OF THE PROJECT OR ON YOUR NOTEBOOK. Instead write your name, grade, teacher, school and category on a 3 X 5 index card that can be securely fastened to the back of your project. If you use a photo, black out identifying features on any faces.

2. Make the title large, clear and neat.

3. Labeling should be neat and informative.

4. Make your project tell a story of your experimentation.  Be sure to include a clear statement of your purpose, materials, procedures, results, and conclusions. If you have a student advisor, he/she can help you.

5. NEATNESS COUNTS! Use your best handwriting, type, use cut-outs, or use the computer.  Make it easy to read and carefully organized.

6. Use color!  Project appeal is important.

7. Projects must be self-supporting. (Display boards will be given to you for no cost when you turn in your Display Board Rough Draft.)

8. No animals are allowed and no electricity will be provided.

9. Your Research Plan must be with your display  (Cover your name on this plan.)

10. A report is also required. This is a written report of your scientific experiment. This will be part of your notebook. (Cover up your name on the cover of your report.)

Maximum dimensions of the display board:

76 cm (30 in.) deep, front to back
90 cm (36 in.) wide, side to side
106 cm (42 in.) high, table top display

The Judging Criteria

The judges will use the following criteria to judge our elementary projects.

1. NOTEBOOK

 Is there a notebook?! (Cover your name with masking tape)

2. DESIGN OF THE PROJECT

a. Is the problem clearly stated?

b. Is the hypothesis clearly stated?

c. Is the materials list detailed and complete?

d. Is the procedure written out clearly?

e. Are the results explained?  Is the data clear?

f. Is the conclusion stated?  Is it logical?

g. Is the way of handling the problem unique or creative?

h. Is there logical scientific process in this experiment?

3. OVERALL PRESENTATION

a. What is the overall appearance of the display?

b. Is the project readable? 

c. Are there visual aides?

d. Is the project free standing?

e. Is the name card on the back?

f. Is the display within the guidelines for maximum size (30 inches deep, 36 inches wide from side to side, and 42 inches high)?

g. What is the scientific quality of the experiment?

Display and Safety Regulations These

Research Plan 

This completed form is required for ALL projects!
If you need a copy of this form, please get one from Mr. Richter.

Student's Name: ________________________
Grade: ________  Class: _________________ 
Title of Project: __________________________________  
Proposed Starting Date: ____________  
Proposed Finish Date: __________ 

Your student advisor (optional): _____________________________

Your project partner(s): _________________________________

1. What is the purpose of your project?

2.  What is your question?

3.  What is your hypothesis?

4.  Describe in detail the procedure you will use to conduct your experiment.

5.  What resources are you using? You will list these resources later in your bibliography.

Approval of Student, Parent/Guardian and Teacher

Student:  I understand that I am responsible for conducting all the work for this experiment and creating the display.  

_________________________________________  date  __/__/__
(Student’s Signature)

Parent/Guardian:  I agree to support and encourage my child with this project.

_________________________________________  date  __/__/__
(Parent/Guardian’s Signature)

Teacher: I have read the proposal and agree that it would be an interesting and valuable project.

_________________________________________  date  __/__/__ (Teacher’s signature)  

Cragin Elementary School Webpage
Michele K. Harbour, Webmaster