Tennessee Christian
Preparatory School
Science Fair 101
Upper School
2013
Dear Parents,
A critical thinker never stops inquiring about the natural
world, and specifically about their role in the world our Lord
has created. Science is the natural subject in which inquiry
meets action. At Tennessee Christian Preparatory School, we
want our young scientists to be able to explore, to inquire, and
to reason in the field that is sometimes overly saturated with
post-modern thought. We want our students to delve into their
areas of interest while directing them on a path of inquiry that
develops their mind, body, and soul to bring honor to God.
Science Fair is one such avenue which permits students to
learn a subject while diving into specific depths which are of
interest to them. We not only want our students here at TCPS
learning from excellent instructors; we want them working
independently to create, to think, and to dream.
We have created a three-tiered approach to Science Fair. First,
students will earn a grade in the classroom. Second, students'
projects will be judged by local professionals; this is where
they can earn an award. Third, we strongly encourage (and in
some cases, require) students to take their projects to the
regional competition. As of the writing of this document, we
are using the Regional UTC Science Fair as the third tier of our
science fair programming. We believe this approach meets our
students' needs as well as challenging our students to meet
tomorrow's challenges by equipping the mind, body, and soul.
Our science department is pleased to offer this informative
packet to you. We hope that the content will make the
preparation process enjoyable and much less complicated. If
you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact Ms. Angie
Kesley, Science Department Chair.
Soli Deo,
Audri Wood, Upper School Principal
Table of Contents
Science Fair

Topics

Guidelines

Sample

Display

Grading Sheet

Judging Criteria

Calendar

Chattanooga Regional Science and Engineering Fair

UTC Timeline
SCIENCE FAIR TOPICS
BIOCHEMISTRY
•
General Biochemistry
•
Metabolism
•
Structural Biochemistry
Sample experimental topic: Fertilization and Plants
CHEMISTRY
•
General Chemistry
•
Inorganic Chemistry
•
Organic Chemistry
Sample experimental topic: Distillation of Water
COMPUTER SCIENCE
•
Artificial Intelligence
•
Networking and Communications
•
Computational Science, Computer Graphics
•
Software Engineering, Programming Languages
Sample experimental topic: Computer Passwords
EARTH AND PLANETARY SCIENCE
•
Climatology, Weather
•
Geochemistry, Mineralogy
•
Paleontology
•
Tectonics
Sample experimental topic: Create a Heat Detector
ENGINEERING: ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL
•
Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering
•
Mechanical Engineering
•
Robotics
•
Thermodynamics, Solar
Sample experimental topic: Solar Energy
ENERGY AND TRANSPORTATION
•
Aerospace and Aeronautical Engineering
•
Aerodynamics
•
Alternative Fuels
•
Fossil Fuel Energy
•
Vehicle Development
•
Renewable Energies
Sample experimental topic: Airplanes
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
•
Bioremediation
•
Ecosystems Management
•
Environmental Engineering
•
Land Resource Management, Forestry
•
Recycling, Waste Management
Sample experimental topic: Cleaning Oil Spill
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
•
Air Pollution and Air Quality
•
Soil Contamination and Soil Quality
•
Water Pollution and Water Quality
Sample experimental topic: Oxygen and Photosynthesis
PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY
•
Astronomy
•
Atoms, Molecules, Solids
•
Instrumentation and Electronics
•
Magnetics and Electromagnetics
•
Optics, Lasers, Masers
Sample experimental topic: Build an Electromagnet
PLANT SCIENCES
•
Agriculture
•
Ecology
•
Genetics
•
Photosynthesis
Sample experimental topic: Stemless Flowers
*Topics examples listed were copied from the
sciencefairadventure.com website.
SCIENCE FAIR PROJECT GUIDELINES
Each student should choose a topic of interest from the supplied list
and design an experiment. The project should be displayed on a
trifold board in accordance with the following criteria:
1.
TITLE-(5 points)
2.
PROBLEM/QUESTION- Your science fair project starts
with a question. This might be based on an observation you have
made or a particular topic that interests you. Think what you hope to
discover during your investigation, what question would you like to
answer? Your question needs to be about something you can
measure and will typically start with words such as what, when,
where, how or why. (5 points)
3.
HYPOTHESIS- Using your background research and
current knowledge, make an educated guess that answers your
question. Your hypothesis should be a simple statement that
expresses what you think will happen. (15 points)
4.
VARIABLE- Choose one factor or condition that is present
only in the experimental group. (5 points)
5.
PROCEDURE- Create a step by step procedure and
conduct an experiment that tests your hypothesis. The experiment
should be a fair test that changes only one variable at a time while
keeping everything else the same. Repeat the experiment a number
of times to ensure your original results weren’t an accident. Include
the materials you used. Note that you should write this as a list of
numbered steps rather than in paragraph form. Illustrate the steps
with as many visuals (drawings or color photos) as possible to help
explain what you did and what happened. (20 points)
6.
RESULTS- Collect data and record the progress of your
experiment. Document your results with detailed measurements,
descriptions and observations in the form of notes, photos, charts
and graphs. Include a statement of the outcome supported by charts
and graphs. (20 points)
7.
CONCLUSION- Describe the observations you made
during your experiment. Include information that could have
affected your results such as errors, environmental factors and
unexpected surprises. Include a statement of your conclusion based
on the outcome of your investigation; an explanation of whether your
conclusion supports your hypothesis or not. (10 points)
8.
ABSTRACT- An abstract is an abbreviated version of your
science fair project final report; a 250 word summary of the
investigation. (20 points)
POINTS will be deducted for the following:
9.
Misspelled words and incorrect grammar
10.
Neatness and promptness
THIS project will total 100 points. Each project should reflect the
grade level of each student. Projects will be displayed at the TCPS
Science Fair. Certain projects will be selected to be entered in the
Chattanooga Regional Science Fair in the spring.
SCIENCE FAIR PROJECT SAMPLE
Title: Bubble Life & Temperature
Problem/Question: The purpose of this project is to determine if
temperature affects how long bubbles last before they pop. (This can
be stated in the form of a question).
Hypothesis: Bubble lifespan is not affected by temperature.
Experimental Procedure:
Materials:
identical clear jars, preferably with lids
bubble solution
measuring spoons
thermometer
stopwatch or clock with a second hand
Use your thermometer to find locations that are different
temperatures from each other. Examples might include outdoors,
indoors, in the refrigerator, and in the freezer.
Alternatively, you could prepare water baths for your jars by filling
bowls with hot water, cold water, and ice water. The jars would be
kept in the water baths so that they would be the same temperature.
Label each jar with either where you are placing it or the temperature
Add the same amount of bubble solution to each jar. The amount you
use will depend on how large your jars are.
You want enough solution to totally wet the inside of the jar and form
as many bubbles as possible, plus still have a little liquid remaining
at the bottom.
Place the jars at the different temperatures. Give them time to reach
the temperature (maybe 15 minutes for small jars).
You are going to shake each jar the same length of time and then
record how long it takes for all of the bubbles to pop. Once you
decide how long you are going to shake each jar (e.g., 30 seconds),
write it down. It's probably best to do each jar one at a time to avoid
getting confused about starting/stopping time. Record the
temperature and the total time it took for the bubbles to pop.
Repeat the experiment, preferably a total of three times.
Results: Data
Construct a table listing the temperature of each jar and the time that
the bubbles lasted.
Calculate the average time bubbles lasted for each temperature. For
each temperature, add up the time the bubbles lasted. Divide this
number by the total number of times you took data.
Graph your data. The Y-axis should be the length of time your
bubbles lasted (probably in seconds). The X-axis will show increasing
temperature in degrees.
Did the temperature have an affect on how long the bubbles lasted?
If it did, did they pop more quickly in warm temperatures or cooler
temperatures or was there no apparent trend? Did there seem to be a
temperature that produced the longest-lasting bubbles?
Conclusions
Was your hypothesis accepted or rejected? Can you propose an
explanation for the outcome?
Do you think you would get the same results if you tried different
brands of bubble solution?
Most liquids will form bubbles if shaken. Do you think you would get
the same results with other liquids?
Temperature affects the humidity inside the jars and thus how long
bubbles last. The relative humidity inside closed jars is higher at
warmer temperatures. What effect do you think this had on the
outcome of your experiment? Would you expect different results if
the humidity was constant throughout the experiment? (You could
do this by blowing bubbles into open jars using a straw and recording
the time it takes for the bubbles to pop.)
Can you name some examples of foams and bubbles that you
encounter in everyday life? You use dishwashing liquids, shaving
creams, shampoo, and other cleaners. Does it matter how long the
bubbles last? Do you think there are any practical applications for
your experiment? For example, do you think your dishwashing liquid
is still working after all the bubbles have popped? Would you choose
a cleaner that didn't produce bubbles or lather?
Temperature & Humidity - Things to Think About
When you increase the temperature of the bubble solution, the
molecules in the liquid and the gas inside the bubble are moving
more quickly. This can cause the solution to thin faster. Also, the film
that forms the bubble will evaporate more quickly, causing it to pop.
On the other hand, at warmer temperatures the air in a closed
container will become more humid, which will slow the rate of
evaporation and therefore slow the rate at which the bubbles will
pop.
When you lower the temperature you might reach a point where the
soap in your bubble solution becomes insoluble in water. Basically a
sufficiently cold temperature might keep the bubble solution from
forming the film needed to make bubbles. If you lower the
temperature enough, you may be able to freeze the solution or freeze
the bubbles, thus slowing the rate at which they will pop.
Displaying the Project: Key Info
For your science fair project, you need to prepare a display board to
communicate your work to others. You may use a standard, threepanel display board that unfolds to be 36" tall by 48" wide.
Organize your information like a newspaper so that your audience
can quickly follow the thread of your experiment by reading from top
to bottom, then left to right. Include each step of your science fair
project: Abstract, question, hypothesis, variables, background
research, and so on.
Use a font size of at least 16 points for the text on your display board,
so that it is easy to read from a few feet away. It's OK to use slightly
smaller fonts for captions on picture and tables.
The title should be big and easily read from across the room. Choose
one that accurately describes your work, but also grabs peoples'
attention.
A picture speaks a thousand words! Use photos or draw diagrams to
present non-numerical data, to propose models that explain your
results, or just to show your experimental setup. But, don't put text
on top of photographs or images. It can be very difficult to read.
Your name should be on back of the display board.
SCIENCE FAIR PROJECT GRADING SHEET
TITLE
_____pts/5
PROBLEM
_____pts/5
HYPOTHESIS
_____pts/15
VARIABLE
_____pts/5
PROCEDURE
_____pts/20
RESULTS
_____pts/20
CONCLUSION
_____pts/10
ABSTRACT
_____pts/20
All spelling and grammar correct
- ____pts
Neatness and promptness
- ____pts
Total points
COMMENTS:
_____pts
TCPS SCIENCE FAIR JUDGING CRITERIA
SCIENTIFIC APPROACH
1.
Clearly stated purpose, objective and hypothesis
____yes
____no
2.
Sufficient repetitions, trials, and sample size
____yes
____no
3.
Controlled, accurate, measurable observations
____yes
____no
4.
A test for the accuracy of data
___yes
____no
5.
Conclusions clearly based on the collected data
____yes
____no
6.
Research into existing knowledge
____yes
____no
PRESENTATION
1.
Information presented in an orderly manner, with clear data
and results
____yes
____no
2.
Exhibit is self-explanatory
____yes
____no
3.
Student has “ownership” of the topic and project
____yes
____no
Comments:
TCPS SCIENCE FAIR PROJECT CALENDAR OF
ASSIGNMENT DATES 2013-2014
Wednesday, September 11
Topic Due – On an index card, have the name of the topic of your
project. Turn this in to your science teacher.
Wednesday, September 18
Problem Statement Due – On an index card, have the statement or
question you will be investigating. Turn this in to your science
teacher.
Wednesday, September 25
Hypothesis Due – On an index card, write what you believe the
answer to your question or problem will be. Turn this in to your
science teacher. YOU SHOULD BE IN THE BEGINNING STAGES
OF YOUR EXPERIMENT. YOUR EXPERIMENT SHOULD BE
FINISHED OR IN THE FINAL STAGES BY THE TIME YOU WRITE
YOUR ABSTRACT…….
Wednesday, October 2
Update Due – On an index card, write 2-3 sentences about your
experiment up to this point. Turn this in to your science teacher.
Wednesday, October 9
Experiment Update Due – On an index card, write 2-3 sentences
about your experiment up to this point. Turn this in to your science
teacher.
Wednesday, October 23
Abstract Due – A 250 word summary of your experiment, typed,
must be turned in to your science teacher. The abstract will be
graded by the science teacher for content and the English teacher for
grammar and spelling. It will then be returned to be corrected and
added to your display board.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6
SCIENCE PROJECT IS DUE
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7 and FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8
SCIENCE FAIR PRESENTATIONS – Projects will be presented to a
panel of academic experts in but not limited to those with scientific
expertise.
Chattanooga Regional Science & Engineering Fair
The Fair’s primary goals are to promote an interest in science and to
nurture the development of scientific talent in young people
throughout our region. It is co-sponsored by the Chattanooga
Engineers Club and The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga,
Continuing Education.
These dates are based on the 2012-13 Calendar and are subject to
change. However the event occurs during the same time frame each
year. The dates are not posted until our school year begins. They
will be relayed to you at that time.
The Chattanooga Regional Science & Engineering Fair is for
Individual students in the 6-12 grades or teams of 2 or 3.
Students must have either a parent or teacher sponsor.
Each student, individual project or Team project, must submit an
Entry Form by 5:00 pm EST on Friday, February 15, 2013 in order to
have a project in the 2013 Fair.
In addition, Senior Division (9-12 grades) students must submit
additional forms available in the links on the left of this page.
Entry Fee is $10 per person, even if you are part of a team project.
Checks Made Payable to Chattanooga Regional Science Fair.
Exhibit Information
Exhibitors must provide their own table for display. The exhibit
cannot measure more than 30" Deep, 48" inches wide and 108"
inches high, including table.
There should be no identification of Student by name, school or
Photograph on a project.
All exhibitors must follow the display and safety regulations set forth
by the ISEF. These rules will explain what substances are allowed on
your exhibit.
UTC Science Fair Timeline
Deadline for Entry Forms:
Friday, February 15, 2013, 5:00 pm
Registration of projects in MaClellan Gymnasium:
Tuesday, March 12, 2013, 2:00 pm- 8:00 pm
Judging day (Fair is closed to the public):
Wednesday, March 13, 2013, 9:00 am- 4:00 pm
Fair is open to the public:
Thursday, March 14, 2013, 9:00 am- 5:00 pm
Awards ceremony in MaClellan Gymnasium on UTC's Campus:
Thursday, March 14, 2013, 6:00 pm
Removal of projects. Any remaining projects are discarded.
Thursday, March 14, 2013, 1 hr. after ceremony- 9:00 pm
MORE INFORMATION AND FORMS FOR ENTRY ARE
AVAILABLE ON THE CHATTANOOGA REGIONAL SCIENCE &
ENGINEERING FAIR WEBSITE.
These dates are based on the 2013 UTC Science Fair dates.
Science Fair Contacts:
Angie Kesley
akesley@tcspk12.org
Brian Stockton
bstockton@tcpsk12.org
Audri Wood (Principal)
awood@tcpsk12.org
Vision: Tennessee Christian Preparatory School will serve students and
families by providing a quality college preparatory education from a
Christian worldview.
Mission: Tennessee Christian Preparatory School provides a quality college
preparatory education from a Christian worldview and equips students for
tomorrow's challenges by educating the mind and the soul.
TENNESSEE CHRISTIAN PREPARATORY SCHOOL
4995 N. Lee Hwy
Cleveland, TN 37312
www.tcpsk12.org
423.559.8939