For Students and Parents
Step(s)
Due Date
Signed Parent Contract
Students will go over the
introductory packet on the
Science Fair with their
parent(s). Parent Signature
required.
Tuesday December 7th*
Step 1
Topics/Potential Hypothesis
• The specific question the
student will be
investigating in the
science fair project. (Or,
fOT an engineering
project, detine the
pi'oblem.)
Friday December 10th*
Step 2
Materiais/VariabIes/Procedures
• A detailed list of the
Thursday December 16th”
materials that will be
used to conduct the
experiment and the
detailed steps that will
be followed while
conducting the
•
Step 3
experiment.
An explanation of which
factor(s) will be changed
while conducting the
cxperiment and a
hypothesis on the
resulting impact of the
change.
Conducting the Experiment
Data Table/Ana1ysis
•
Minimum Trials: 3 runs
of experiment. If
students are working
*dates/assignments subject to change
Friday
January 7, 2022
with plants, they should
have 3 plants for each
variable tested.
Step 4
Research Paper & Bibliography
(Works Cited)
• The Research Paper is a
roadmap of the rescarch
questions that need to be
answered. The
Bibliography is a list of
the sources that will be
used to answer the
research questions.
Source Requirement: at
least 3 offline sources
including one
encyclopedia. Only 1
online source may be
used.
Thursday January 13, 2022
Step 5
Presentation Board
Construction
January 21, 2022
•
You should have a 35.5” K
44" tri fold board. Can be
found at Dollar General,
Family Dollar, Dollar Tree)
School Science Fair
Students will display and
present their projects. Judges
will score projects and winners
may advance to the Regional
Science hair.
MS:
Tuesday February 1, 2022
HS:
Wednesday
February 2, 2022
Green & Gold Room
Regional Science Fair
Qualifying students may
advance to the Louisiana
Regional Science Falr, held at
Dossier Civic Center
*dates/assignments subject to change
Thursday-Saturday
February 24-26, 2022
Bossier City Civic Center
Science Fair Topic Agreement Form
Student Name:
Science Fair Topic:
Date:
I understand that I am responsible for completing a Science Fair Project. I
leave discussed my project with my parent(s)/guardian(s) and they have agreed that
it is an acceptable projcct. The sciercc fair project will require work outside of thc
school day and I accept the responsibility of carrying out experiments away from
the school campus.
Student Signature:
Parent/Guardian Signature:
State the Problem
Welcome to the GIANT Science Fair! The first step of the scientific method is to state
the problem. There are multiple things you want to keep in mind when doing this.
‹
Choose a problem that interests you. Science fair projects follow the scientific
method, but are not necessarily ‘science-y.’
2. Your teacher will ASSIGN your topic to you in class. Take time to research a
topic. Keep an open mind. Involve your parents. Talk it out.
3. Your topic WILL be testable! You are not building a time machine or a volcano.
4. Your problem should not be subjective. Which jeans are most comfortable? This
question is subjective, every person will have their own measure and own
opinion.
5. Keep paper work in mind!!! You will be responsible for this. Projects that test
humans or involve bacteria have paperwork that must be filled out and signed by
a medical doctor. This is your responsibility if you are assigned one of these
projects.
6. Some categories are more popular than others are. If you plan to compete, you
may want to consider this when completing your project. You will be assigned a
topic based on the class you take (i.e. Robotics, Environmental Science,
Write a Research Paper and Form a
Hypothesis
I-he purpose of writing a research paper is so that you are able to make an
educated guess as to the answer of your problem. It is of the utmost importance that
your research backs up your hypothesis. When you present your project, you will need
to explain how you arrived at your hypothesis.
Do not research your question! If your problem is “Can toothpaste remove stains
from clothing?" do not research this question. You are not reporting on some else's
hypothesis, you are making your own. If this were your problem, you would research...
What removes a stain? How soap works. What type of solutions remove stains?
What type of solution is toothpaste?
Research takes time. Read a lot. If you don't understand what you're reading,
get something else. Ask for help. Make sure your paper is in your OWN words!
Plagiarism is defined as three or more words in the same order as another author.
This is cheating. If you can't put it in your own words, then you don't understand it well
enough. Read more.
Your research paper should begin with a thought provoking statement or
question. Ever get a stain on your brand new shirt? Use this opening paragraph to
introduce the problem and why it is interesting or important. The body of the paper
should include scientifically factual points that will combine to give you your hypothesis.
Non-polar substances dissolve non-polar substances. Oil, grease and lipstick are
non-polar substances. Soap works because it has a nonpolar end (of a molecule) that
dissolves the grease and a polar end that dissolves in water. Toothpaste also has a
polar end and a nonpolar end. The paper ends with your hypothesis. I believe that the
non-polar end of toothpaste will dissolve a grease stain much like soap does. You may
only use “I” statements in the opening and closing paragraphs. The body of your paper
are facts you have researched.
Experiment Plan
The experiment plan is something with which most students will need help. The
following is an example of the format of an experiment plan that includes rules for
writing it.
Name
Title: Think of a clever title
Problem: Type your problem here. Meke sure you write it as a question.
Hypothesis: Yotir hypothesis should be between one and two paragraphs. It depends or the
project. Make sure you defend your h tl3Dsis. The lerigth pf the hypothesis ts in no way
related to the quality of the project. I"ve read completely w'onderful three sentence
hypothesis and completely terrible two paragraph hypothesis. Length does cot equate to
quality.
Materials:
This must be a list
It mtlst be numbered
Noi bulleted, numbered
List everything you will seed lot the experiment
Will you need a pencil?
A tiotebook‘?
Test subjects?
When in doubt, list it
Take nothing for granted
This must be a list
This must be numbered
Not bulleted, numbered
You do not need to write iii sentences
Be as specific us possible
Assume the person doing the experiment eff of your instructions knows nothing
Explain everything
You can say things like “Repeat steps 3-11 with lemon juice”
The first sttp should be “research topic”
The aecond step should be “collect materials”
The last step should be “analyze data”
The purpose of the experiment plan is to leave a ‘ptan’ in case anyone ever
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The Experiment
Here are some tips to help you have a successful experiment experience...
1.
Take pictures
2.
Keep a journal. Write everything down. Everything.
3.
The more data the better!
4.
Something didn't go right? Write it down. Try again.
5.
You must collect numerical data in some form! If you are giving a survey, you
need to find a way to convert this into some type of ‘score.’ Numbers are
necessary.
6.
All measurements MUST be metric! If you need help converting, see me!
Depending on the experiment, if it requires you to ‘rate’ something for
numerical data, consider having others do this ‘rating’ for you. Example:
Which laundry detergent works best? Create a rating scale of how ‘clean’
pieces of cloth are after washed in different detergents, then have other
(multiple) adults rank them using your scale. This prevents you from having a
biased opinion. Judges like this.
8.
Experiments must have a control or be controlled. What does this mean? If
you're measuring how urine affects the growth of grass, you need ‘control’
pots that will not receive any urine. If you're seeing how the air pressure within
a soccer ball affects how far it will go when kicked, you need to create a
mechanism that will ‘kick’ the ball with the same amount of force each time.
Judges almost always ask about how you controlled your experiment. Put
some thought into it.
9.
The DOCUMENTATION: This almost deserves its own category. You MUST
have a raw data tracker (you may want to use a notebook, journal, or binder
with notebook paper). A raw data tracker is hand written. Put the DATE on
every entry. Write down everything... what you did, what happened, what
worked, what didn't, how you'll change it, NUMBERS!, write down ANYTHING
you measured. Never erase anything. Scientists never erase. If there is data
you won't use, strike it with ONE line. ALL of your measurements should be
hand written in your raw data tracker. You'll use this tracker to make your data
tables and graphs.
Analyze Data
Everyone must make data tables and graphs using the data they collected. Consider
adding columns to your data table that include averages, percent increases and
percent decreases.
Be sure to make appropriate graphs. Different types of data lend themselves well to
line graphs, bar graphs and pie charts. Every project is different. See me if you're not
sure which to make.
• Line graphs are typically used to show growth over time
• Bar graphs are typically used to compare totals
• Pie charts are typically used to show percent of a whole
When making your graphs, be sure to consider what colors your board will be.
Draw a Conclusion
The following is a list of questions you want to address in your conclusion.
1. What happened in your experiment?
2. Was your hypothesis correct or incorrect?
3. Did anything occur during your experiment that you suspect may have altered the
results?
4. Why do you think you got the results that you got?
5. Did anything surprise you about the results?
6. If you were to do this experiment again, would you change anything?
7. How could you make this experiment better?
8. What extensions can you offer to this experiment?
9. Why are your results important?
10. Do you think your results are conclusive? Do you think they ‘proved'
anything? Why?
11. How are your results useful in real life?
12. How can we use these results to better our lives or society?
The Abstract
There are some specific rules for your abstract. It must be Times New Roman font,
size 12, double spaced, and less than 250 words.
So what is it? It is a general overview of your entire project. Where you got the idea,
the problem, hypothesis, how you experimented, the results, and their importance.
Include as much of your conclusion as you can with staying under the word limit.
The abstract isn't a step of the scientific method by itself, but it is important. Your
abstract will go in the upper left corner of your board. You will also need extra copies
to set out in front of your board. When you're done presenting your project to your
judge and you've asked if they have any questions (and answered them) you'll hand
them a copy of your abstract to take with them. When the judges sit down to score the
projects and place them, your abstract is the one piece of your project they will have to
look back on. Make it good. You may write it in first person.
Tips for your Board
Don't put anything on your board until you have everything for your board. Use rubber
cement. Buy rubber cement now. The stores run out come Science Fair season.
Elmer's glue doesn't work. You'll think it's working, and then the day of the fair stuff will
start falling off everywhere.
Pick two to three major colors and one to two minor colors. Choose wisely and stick to
them. White will almost always be a major color because paper is white. If you use
too many colors the board will look messy. Studies show that black, white, and red
together make up the most eye-catching combination.
Be creative. Think of your board as a giant scrapbook page. Consider a border. Tilt
background paper. Add different patteFned paper. Layer.
Be neat. Be neat with the glue and use a paper cutter, not scissors.
Some cool things I've seen in the past...
A board turned into a cow (No joke, it had a tail and spots and a head and everything!)
A board with the silhouette of a bride and groom behind everything
A board with all the graphs printed on photo paper
A board that had drawings of chicken eggs rolling down the sides of the board
Give yourself two full weekends to create your board. You've worked for 4 */2 months
on this project, do your project justice.
Make a cool cap. Put time into it.
Pictures: Mount them. All of them. Give them all captions. Use phrases like ‘Photo
taken by scientist's parents” or “Photo shows scientist measuring growth. Photo credit:
Scientist's teacher”
Board Layout
Abstract
12 pt. Times New Roman,
dcudle spaced
250 words or less
Problem
Mounted Pictures
with captions here
Hypothesis
Procedure
Data Tables here/
possibly some graphs,
CO lclusion
depending on your
project
you nave oodies of grapns, data or pictures, consider putting tnem all into a Dook ano
setting that out, too. If you grow plants, bring them. If you have pictures on a lap-top,
bring it and put it on a slideshow. If you measured muffins on a triple beam balance,
bring a muffin and set it out on a triple beam balance. If you grew plants, bring a long,
fake vine and drape it over your board. You chose 2 main colors for your board?
Great! Now find an outfit that matches your board and wear it. Bring dress up clothes
to school and change immediately after school. You'll have plenty of time. Brush your
teeth. Look professional and act professional. Don't goof off, you're a scientist
defending his/her work.
You've worked on this project for AWHILE and put together a stellar board. Now is
your chance to defend your work and explain why YOU have the best project. The
judge doesn't know you, so if you're normally shy, they would have no idea. Don't be
shy. Speak loudly, make eye contact, and introduce yourself. Shake their hand. Be
enthusiastic. They know nothing about your project, so explain everything. Don't read
off your board! In general, you want to explain your project using the scientific method.
Follow your board from left to right. Point things out on your board, mainly pictures and
graphs. When you get to the end of the scientific method and you have nothing else to
add, ask if they have any questions. They will probably have several. Answer them to
the best of your ability and be honest. If you don't understand their question, then say
that. If you just don't know the answer, then say that. If you have a guess, then say
that. Do the best you can. Smile. When they're done answering questions, thank
them and hand them a copy of your abstract. Stay at your board. You may be getting
multiple judges. I will dismiss you when you're done. Your parents are not welcome to
judge. They will be free to go see all of the boards during Open House.
Be a Good Sport
You won? Congratulations! That is wonderful! Thank everyone that helped you. Thank
your parents. Thank your teachers.
Science Fair can be very competitive. You didn't win? It's okay. You worked hard and
hopefully learned something along the way. Now go congratulate your friend that won.
It's okay to be sad. It is completely understandable. It's personal. You pour yourself into
your project. Not everyone wins. Don't blame the judges, the order you presented in,
your untimely cold, the weather, forgetting your lucky socks, your parents, or yourself.
Be a good sport. Don't let that define who you are as a person. Life isn't about what
happens, it's about how we react to what happens.
State the Problem
These are problems I am interested in...
2.
3.
4.
5.
My approved problem is...
Things I will need to research...
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
How I might experiment...
Name:
Class Period:
Date:
Science Fair Step 1
Below you will fi// ouf he following d/anks in regards to your upcoming science fair project. Each step will be an
individual grade class grade and your final project will count as a test grade.
1. Topic (Examples: biology, chemistry, physics):
(1Opts)
Here are some helpful websites when looking
httos.//sciencebab com/sciei›ce-fair-ideas/ideas/
hftos //www. education. com/science-Fa/r/
Environmental Science Sites
en
ts
htt
-ide
ent
-f
httDs //www.eoa.gov/students/science-fair-environmental-nroiect-ideas
htto://www.sciencefairadventure.com/EnvironmentaIScience.aspx
Chemistry
httD’//www.sciencefairadventure com/Chemistry.asnx
httD://www.all-science-fair-proiects.com/cateqory39.html
2. Write three potential hypotheses. Remember it has to be something you can prove in an
experiment that you will actually do. (Unless you plan on spending a lot of money on
supplies I would pick something that involves household products.) (2?i pts)
YOUR TEACHER WILL PICK THE BEST ONE (you may not have one that someone
else has already gotten approved):
a.
b.
C.
3. Explain why you chose this question below / why is it important (15ptsj:
4. List which potential materials you will need (Spts):
5. Research some background on this:
a. What is the general belief on this topic / what is already known about this? (20pts)
i.
Why / how do you know this? (20pts)
6. List all of your sources (Spts) YOU MUST HAVE AT LEAST 3 SOURCES:
Name:
Class Period:
Date'
Science Fair Steg 2
Below you will fi// out the following blanks in regards to your upcoming science fair project. Each step will be an
individual grade class grade and your final project will count as a test grade.
PART A
List what your different variables are(Y Spts}:
Controls:
Independent:
Dependent:
PART B
Procedures (50pts):
List all of the steps in detail ( the more specific the better) below. YOUR STEPS SHOULD BE CLEAR ENOUGH
THAT SOMEONE ELSE CAN FOLLOW THEM AND GET THE SAME RESULTS.
PART C
Data Table: Your data table should be written in a way that is easy to read. Each trail should have a clear box
indicating th at your resul ts are (35pts).
Also remember to take pictures of your experiment and results for you visual presentation. There should be at least
one picture for each trial as well as the control.
Example:
Trial 1
Trail 2
Trail 3
control
First measurement
Second measurement
Third measurement
What measurement I
started with
Science Fair Step 3
Below you will fill out the tollow'ing blanks in regards to your upcoming science fair project. Each step will be an
individual grade class grade and your final project will count as a test grade.
Data Table: Your data table should be written in a way that is easy to read. Each trail should have a clear box
indicating that your results are (35ptsj.
Also remember to take pictures of your experiment and results for your visual presentation. There should be at least
one picture for each trial as well as the control.
Example:
Trial 1
Trail 2
Trail 3
CODtFO)
First measurement
Second measurement
Third measurement
What measurement YOU
started with (This is the
measure used for
comparison)
Name:
Class Period:
Date:
Science Fair Step 4
Below you will till out the following blanks in regards to your upcoming science fair project. Each slep will be an
individual grade class grade and your final project will count as a test grade.
Written Report
On a separate document complete the following using information from the past 2 steps:
Title Page - this should be a page with just the title or your experiment, your name, class period, and school
Table of Contents - this page should list the following page titles as well as page numbers
Page 1 - Statement of Purpose
this should include the following information from step 1
Hypothesis (for a scientific investigation)
Reason for picking this hypothesis
All Research
Page 2 - Experiment
Materials (step 1)
Procedure (Step 2)
Observations and Results (step 2)
Page 3 - Conclusion
Using RACE write a paragraph summarizing what happened and what the answer to your
hypothesis is
Page 4 - Bibliography / Acknowledgements
List all of your sources
Acknowledgements and thanks to anyone who has helped you with this project
Additional FORMAT:
Page numbers as footnotes
1” margins
Times New Roman 12pt Font
MLA citing
Double spaced
Your report should be in a page protector
Name:
Class Period:
Date:
Science Fair Step 5
Below you will fill out the following blanks in regards to your upcoming science fair project. Each step will could as an
individual grade clnss grade and your dna/ project will count as a lest grade.
Vis uals
You should have a 35.5" x 44" trifold with the following information visible in a PRINTED, NEAT, and READABLE
fashion.
Title of your experiment (1Opts)
Name and School [Spts)
Hypothesis (TOpts)
Materials (Spts)
Procedures (I Opts)
Data table [20pts)
Conclusion (20pts)
3 Visuals (additional visuals will result in extra credit) \ 20pts)
In addition to the display you should have at least 1 3D visual. The grade for this will go into your final
presentation at the science fair. This object can be anything from the final project to some of the materials used or
even an object referenced in your research/background section.