SCIENCE FAIR PROJECTS
Tips for a Successful Project
How to Identify a Good Topic
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Topic has to be narrow, specific.
Topic must be realistic, practical (do you have
access to the equipment, etc.).
Topic must survive constraints from rules and
regulations.
Topic must match your interests!
Types of Projects
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Models
 Most
have limited creativity!
 An example of a creative model would be a design for
a more efficient airplane that would include
experiments supporting the theory behind the model
design.
Types of Projects
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Surveys
 Be
aware of rules!
 Before drawing conclusions use math (statistics) to
analyze your results.
 Use data tables and/or graphs over a period of time
in order to use extrapolation.
Type of Projects
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A repeat from the past
 An
example would be an illustration of a scientific law.
 This type of project might lack creativity!
 Look for an original application rather than a repeat.
 View things from a different angle!
 For example: write a computer program to simulate
Mendel’s genetics.
Types of Projects
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Original Investigation
 This
is the most difficult to plan or conduct!
 It requires more library research, more critical thinking
and lab work, but is also the closest to a scientific
approach.
Planning For Your Project
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Document what you read
 Use
index cards in a library search!
 For Books: Record author’s name, title, publisher, date
of publication
 For Magazines: Record author’s name, title, journal
name, publisher, volume number, and page number(s).
 For an Internet Source: Record author and URL.
Example of a Scientific Bibliography
Magazines
Young, M., “Pinhole Optics,” Applied Optics,10, 2763 (1971).
Fitch, J. M., ”The control of Luminous environment” Scientific
American, 219, 190 (Sep .1968).
Prigo, Robert, Bachman, C.H., “some observations on the process
of walking,” Physics teacher.14. 360 (1976).
Example of a Scientific Bibliography
Books
Goldstein, Herbert, Classical Mechanics, Addisson-Wesley,
Reading, MA (1950), p.308.
Uvarov, Boris, Grasshoppers and locusts: a handbook of general
acridology, Cambridge University Press, London vol.1 (1977)
p.479.
Plan Your Equipment
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Be realistic! Cut down on expenses.
If you can construct some of your own equipment to
gather data, this is a plus because you demonstrate
creativity.
You may make the measurements at school by
making arrangements with a teacher.
Plan for Safety
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Avoid disease causing organisms, explosive gases,
and/or dangerous chemicals!
If your project presents any safety concerns, make
certain to work under the supervision of a qualified
scientist.
Always share your project with your science sponsor
at school! He or she will inform you about safety or
refer you to someone who can advise you.
Plan Your Time
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Keep a book where you will record your data and
an agenda, list of supplies, bibliography, etc.
Plan your time for each part of your project.
Set a realistic timeline, as well as a deadline.
This will train you in learning responsibility and
organization.
The Scientific Method
All science fairs (and all of science-hence the name!) follow these simple steps. Don’t
get overwhelmed, it is a way to organize your thinking. It’s logic, not an exam.
1.Observations - this is what you
learn from your research and
experience about what you are
interested in
2. Hypothesis – a question that you
form based on your observations
that you want to test to prove or
disprove
4.Test the Experiment – Use your
design and see what happens. Make
sure to take good notes of what you do
and what happened
3. Design an Experiment – think of
how you want to test the hypothesis,
gather the materials you need, and
think of the steps you need to take.
5.Accept or reject results – These are
your conclusions based on your
experiment combined with your
research
Then…
6. Go back and make a new hypothesis
based on these conclusions
Scientific Method
Hypothesis (Your Purpose)
Should be one, clear and brief sentence based on the
information gathered during research. The hypothesis is
followed by a brief statement explaining or justifying this
purpose.
Do not consider your experiment or project a failure if your
investigation does not confirm your hypothesis. Just say that your
hypothesis is not verified in your conclusion. The important point
is to arrive at the truth. You may suggest further research or
include a second phase in your project if the time permits.
Forming a hypothesis or stating the purpose
Hypothesis: A trial solution to a research
problem. The data you acquire through
experimentation can be used to support or
refute the hypothesis. It does not matter if
you prove it is right or wrong, so long as
you stick to the topic.
Sample Hypotheses
- The ingestion of caffeine increases
the heart rate of Daphnia sp.
- Hard materials are more effective at
reducing sound levels than soft
materials.
Tips!
Be specific in stating your hypothesis or purpose, but don’t be overly wordy
Think 2 sentences maximum. If you need more space to describe the problem,
you’re making it too complicated, simplify!
Your Experiment
Outline steps: keep design as simple as possible (the
more complicated, the greater the chance of error).
Types
1) qualitative: careful observations without getting
involved in measurement or statistical analysis.
2) quantitative: measurements and collection of
numerical data (use the metric system); best type of
data because it permits you to use mathematics to
establish relations; not based on opinions, but facts.
The Control Experiment
You will need to include a control set-up as well as an experimental set-up in your
experimental design. The control and experimental set-ups are exactly the same
except that the control set-up does not contain the independent variable (the thing
that you have changed for your experiment).
Example:
Hypothesis: Plants grow better in green
light than in regular light.
Experimental set-up: Plants grown in
green light and watered and fertilized in the
same way as plants grown in regular light
(the control). All other variables, such as
type of soil, the amount of humidity, the air
temperature, and the light exposure are
kept the same for both the experimental
set-up and the control set-up
Don’t forget to Rinse and Repeat!
The more times you repeat an
experiment and obtain the same
results, the more statistically valid
your results are.
Doing Your Experiment
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Include a control: vary the experimental conditions; if
the outcome is caused by another factor, this will
allow you to single out the results.
Keep accurate and regular records.
Objectivity: Do not discard a result that is not in
agreement with the rest of the study. Lone results
may be due to faulty or contaminated samples, math
errors, or give a clue to some interesting discovery.
Analyzing Errors
Ask yourself these questions:
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What were the limitations of your experiment?
How were extraneous variables minimized?
What went wrong? What went right?
How might you improve your experimental design in future studies?
Write up answers to these questions in your report along with the rest of your data.
Results
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Keep a notebook for recording any information,
observations and data (in tables, graphs, etc.). Do
not use scrap paper - use photographs, drawings,
diagrams, etc.
You must never commit results to memory.
Looking for trends and forming a conclusion
- Did you collect enough data?
- Which variables are important?
- How do your results compare with
other studies?
- Do your results seem reasonable?
- Are there any trends in your
quantitative/qualitative data?
- Do your results support your
hypothesis? If not, why not? Has
your experiment tested your
hypothesis?
Remember to keep an open mind about your findings. Never change or
alter your results to coincide with what you think is accurate or with a
suggested theory. Sometimes the greatest knowledge is discovered
through so-called mistakes.
Your Conclusion
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Must come directly and solely from the data in your notebook.
If you cannot arrive at any conclusion from your data, find a
different approach to your experiment.
Must be clear and concise. Do not hesitate to present all the
conclusions your data can support (especially if your project
has several phases).
Do not reach a conclusion that is not supported by your data!
The conclusion should suggest a direction for further study.
Writing the research paper
Your report will provide interested readers with a comprehensive look at
your topic and research. Your paper should include information collected
during the research as well as a complete description of your experiment,
data, and conclusion.
A good research paper
Should be written in the past tense and
have the following components:
-Title and/or Title Page
-Abstract, Summary Page/Index
-Introduction, including Literature Review
-Hypothesis or Statement of Purpose
-Materials and Experimental Methods
-Data and/or Results
-Discussion and Analysis of Data or Results
-Conclusions
-Acknowledgements
-Bibliography
Also, it is helpful to make a
summary of your report with
bullet points so your judges
can quickly and easily see your
main points.
What To Include In Your Report
A Title
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Do not be vague.
Include both the dependent and independent
variables in your title.
In an engineering project, the title might be the
name of your design or your design versus its
performance in a given environment.
Writing the Abstract
Once you’re done with the experimentation, it
is time to summarize!
The abstract is the last part of the project
report to be prepared, and it is written after
the project is completed. An abstract is a
short summary of your project that informs
the reader what the project covered, and
what has been accomplished.
An abstract should include:
- A statement of purpose or a hypothesis.
- The experimental design, descriptive outline of the
procedures or methods.
- A summary of results.
- Your conclusion.
- Application of the research project, if you have
space, and your ideas for future studies.
In total, the abstract should be a paragraph, not a page
The Abstract
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The abstract is the summary of your scientific report.
Make certain that you write the abstract only after
you write the report so you may stick to the
essentials.
State Your Purpose
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Be brief! You want to familiarize the reader with
the problem you are intending to solve.
Explain what impact your investigation may have on
scientific or technical knowledge.
Explain Your Methods
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This is your procedure.
The materials you use.
This is the step-by-step investigation.
Follow-Up With Results
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These are your observations.
Your observations will be recorded in sentences and
paragraphs. Be clear concise simple and accurate.
You may use photos or schematic illustrations.
Record in tables and/or graphs.
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Graphs take a primordial place in the way the scientific community
communicates information .
They are almost always included in any scientific report.
Organization of Data in a Table
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The independent variable is written in the first
column.
For example: when you walk, the distance you walk is changing as a
function of time (D = f (t). Time is the independent variable and distance is
the dependent variable.
The time data will be in the first column and the distance data in the second
column.
Note: As shown in the next slide, if an SI unit is named after a person, it
has to be capitalized. The unit of current is named after the scientist
Ampere and the unit of potential is named after the scientist Volta. The
equation is V = R (I). The amount of volts depend on the amount of
current.
Example of a Data Table
Note: the independent variable is placed in the first column.
Current (Amperes)
Potential (Volts)
0.12
1.2001
0.14
1.3358
0.18
1.7871
0.20
2.0004
0.25
2.4715
Example of a Graph
Growth rate of Beans Plant
9
8
y = 0.4734x + 0.7195
R2 = 0.994
7
Growth (cm)
6
5
4
3
2
y = 0.2264x + 0.0629
R2 = 0.9966
1
0
0
2
4
6
8
10
Time (days)
Roots (cm)
Stem (cm)
12
14
16
Example of a Graph
% Light at Pecan Island on Dec 21 2000 and on June 21 2002
100
% Light (Relative Scale)
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
0
5
10
15
Time 21
(hr)
% light on December
20
25
% light on June 21
30
Analyze Your Results
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Establish relationships or proportionality factors.
Determine how data are mathematically related.
 The
variables are directly proportional (straight line: y
= mx +b).
 The variable are inversely proportional (hyperbola: y
= k/x).
 The variables vary as a square function (parabola: y =
ax2 + bx+ c).
Conclude Your Report
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Use your analysis to establish conclusive statements.
The conclusion should always include suggestions for
further research to solve the problem or look at it
from a different angle. (What new problems or
questions were uncovered by the project?)
Include Your References
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This is your bibliography
Your Board Display
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The Exhibit Size is Limited!
76 cm (30 inches) deep, front to back.
122cm (48 inches) wide, side to side.
274 cm (108 inches) high, floor to top.
Projects exceeding these dimensions are
automatically disqualified!
Presenting Your Project
Introduce yourself. Give the title of your project.
Explain your purpose. Summarize any background
information. Discuss briefly how you developed
an interest in the topic.
Explain how you proceeded. Use your display to
support your explanations.
Preparing your project board & visual display
The following items are part of the project board:
- Title
- Introduction or Background
- Problem or Purpose
- Hypothesis
- Procedure or Experimental Design
- Materials Used
- Results (Data, charts, diagrams, etc.)
- Analysis
- Conclusions
- Applications
- Future Applications or Future Research
Rules of thumb: Your project title and section headings on your board should be
large enough to be easily read from 6 feet away. The regular text displayed on your
board should be readable from a distance of 3 feet.
Make it easy for the judges and others to assess what you have done: if they don’t
understand it, they cannot tell if your work was great or not.
Example of Board Layout
http://school.discoveryeducation.com/sciencefaircentral/Science-FairPresentations/How-to-Create-a-Winning-Science-Fair-Display-Board.html
Citing Sources:
Avoiding Plagiarism in Scientific Work
When using the work of other scientists, you must document their contributions by
citing your sources of information. Scientists use the American Psychological
Association (A.P.A.)
For more details you may want to consult
“A Writer’s Reference” by Diana Hacker, or
Purdue University’s APA Style Guide
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/
In text example:
Internet source: Author, date, and state “Internet”
(Martin and Stephen, 2000, Internet) OR (Compost and
Worms, 1952, Internet)
Examples of Displays
Examples of Displays
Examples of Displays
Examples of Displays
Oral Presentation
Below are some key points to a good presentation
- Be positive and confident of your work. You have worked hard and know your
project better than anyone else.
- Practicing ahead of time in front of a mirror, family members and friends,
- Try not to read from a script.
- Dress appropriately and neatly.
- Keep eye contact with your listeners during your
presentation.
- Use your board/poster as a prop and tool to help
you present you work.
- Present your work enthusiastically.
Judge’s Pet Peeve: Judges will ask you
questions. If they ask you something you don’t
know, tell them you don’t know. Don’t try to make
something up on the spot. It’s ok if you don’t
know. It’s not ok if you make up things you never
read!
Presenting your Project
Emphasize results and conclusions. Point to your
exhibit to support your logic. This will help as you
present your project logically and sequentially.
Tell about applications or suggestions for further study
or suggestions to improve your project.
Invite questions from the judges.
Additional Tips
Practice makes perfect!!!!!
Practice in front of friends, teachers, parents.
Do not antagonize the judges!
Do not chew gum, wear extravagant clothing, etc.
People are impressed with good manners!
Additional Tips
Do not stand between the exhibit and the judges, but on
the side. Give them a copy of your abstract, peak
their interest, and maintain interest by periodic eye
contact.
Point to lab apparatus, charts, and photographs on
display. This will allow you to describe your project in
an appropriate sequence. Do not read directly from
your project. You should know what you are talking
about! This is your project!
Judging Criteria
Scientific Content and Application
Does the project have a clear hypothesis? Is the
problem specific and well stated? Are all variables
recognized and defined? If a control was necessary, was it
included? Is the data sufficient and relevant?
How do you communicate scientific thought? Do you use
scientific language, tables ,charts, and/or graphs? Is your
analysis based upon mathematical relationships? How did
you arrive at your conclusions?
Did it include ideas for further research? Does it contain
a bibliography?
Judging Criteria
Creativity and Originality
Did you construct a piece of equipment?
How did you get the idea for your project?
Judging Criteria
Thoroughness
Are your conclusions based on a single experiment or do you
have enough repetitions to obtain sufficient data?
Did you look at all possible approaches?
For more science fair information
Websites:
Massachusetts State Science and Engineering Fair
www.scifair.com
The MSSEF Student Guide: "How To Do A Science Fair Project” is posted here.
Additional resources for science fair information are listed on the
MSSEF website.
Science Buddies
www.sciencebuddies.org/
Dr. Shawn’s Science Fair Projects
www.scifair.org
Reference Books:
Bochinski, Julia. 1996. The Complete Handbook of Science Fair
Projects. John Wiley and Sons. New York.
Brisk, Marion. 1994. 1001 Ideas for Science Projects. Simon and
Schuster. New York.