Science Fair
February 12, 2015
Dacula Classical Academy
www.daculaclassicalacademy.com
P.O. Box 986, Dacula, GA 30019
(678) 377-0080
Revised 07/15/2014
Purpose
The purpose of the Science Fair is to stimulate interest in science beyond the traditional
classroom. By participating in the fair, students will have the opportunity to apply the many
skills they are learning in various academic subjects. It is Dacula Classical Academy’s goal that
this experience will not only prepare students for future studies but also inspire interest in
science.
Grading
All Comprehensive students in 3rd through 12th grade taking an academic science class are
required to participate in the Science Fair unless given special permission to be exempt by the
director. Tapestry students are also invited and encouraged to participate. The Science Fair
project grade (see page A-10 under “Final Grade”) may be counted by the science teacher as a
test grade. See attached rubrics on pages A-6 through A-9 for grading and judging standards.
The final grade will be compiled by averaging the scores of the three rubrics (Investigative
Report, Scientific Investigation, and Exhibit). See page A-10 for a sample grading summary
sheet. Language Arts teachers in elementary and middle school may use the grade given on
the Investigative Report rubric for a test grade.
NOTE: The entire project should be typed in a standard 12 point font
such as Times New Roman, Arial, etc…
Science Fair Project
The Science Fair project involves researching a topic, writing a research paper, developing a
hypothesis, conducting an experiment to test the hypothesis, compiling the results in a lab
report and a formal presentation of the project. There are four stages to the Science Fair
project that will be evaluated.
I.
Preapproval – Topic area for research, Purpose, and Hypothesis. (Due 10/17/2014)
II. Research Paper- based on general information about the chosen topic. (Due 11/21/2014)
III. Lab Report -
containing purpose, hypothesis, results from experiment, observations, a
summary and a conclusion. (Due 1/16/2015)
IV. Exhibit – Research Notebook with the Research Paper, Lab Report, Display Items and a
Board Display. (Due 2/12/2015)
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Science Fair Time Line
To Be Turned In:
I. Preapproval
II. Research Paper
III. Scientific Investigation
IV. Exhibit
 Topic
 Research Question
 Possible Hypothesis
 Research Paper typed
and 12pt font, double
spaced
 Bibliography

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Lab Report
Purpose
Hypothesis
Procedure
Observations
Summary
Conclusion
Research Notebook
Display Board
Display Items
Due Date
Grading
Rubric
Friday,
October 17
Complete form and
turn in by due date
Optional Rough Draft:
Friday, November 15
Friday,
November 21
Friday,
January 16
Thursday,
February 12
A-6
A-7
A-8
A-9
The Science Fair Project Manual is
available in its entirety on Engrade
All students will need to print the complete manual from Engrade
The Topic Preapproval Form is attached for your convenience
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I. Preapproval
A. Choose a Topic - The first step in a successful science fair project is to choose a topic
that is interesting.
First consider the different areas of science; biology or life
sciences, weather, rocks and minerals, aero dynamics, energy, space, plants, animals, etc
then choose what area of science is to be studied. Sometimes a little research is needed
on the topic to be able to make a good decision or develop a purpose for the experiment.
That is why it is a good idea to start gathering sources of information at this point. The
actual research paper is done a little later.
Suggested ideas for topics can be found at the following sites:
 http://www.all-science-fair-projects.com/
 http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_ideas.shtml?From=Tab
 http://chemistry.about.com/od/sciencefairprojects/Science_Fair_Projects.htm
B. Purpose – The purpose of the experiment guides the whole process.
It can be stated
as a research question or a simple statement. It is easier to create a hypothesis by
answering a research question. An example of a research question for the topic of germs
spread by the hands might be "Does washing with soap and water get rid of germs better
than hand sanitizer?"
C. Hypothesis - At this point a hypothesis is needed to start an investigation. A working
hypothesis may be stated until the research paper is completed. After the research paper
is completed there is more “education” to base an educated guess on. The hypothesis
submitted at the preapproval stage may be changed or adjusted after the research paper is
completed.
A hypothesis is a statement based on the research question such as "Hand washing with
soap and water eliminates more germs than hand sanitizer." Notice - the hypothesis is not
a question, it is a statement. The research question is restated in the form of a statement
that implies the answer to your research question.
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II. Research Paper
A. Research Paper - The students will need to gather as much information about their
topic as possible. The more they know about their topic, the easier it is to develop a
hypothesis and plan experiments. Once they have researched the topic they will need
to write a formal research paper. The length of the research paper and number of
resources required may be found in the following table.
Research Paper
A page is defined as typed, double spaced, 12 standard font, with 1” margins
Elementary
Middle
High School
3rd - 5th
6th - 8th
9th - 12th
Research Paper
Minimum
1 page
or
250 words
1½ pages
or
400 words
2 pages
or
500 words
Bibliography
# of Sources/
Variety
2
3
4
Grading Rubric
Sample
A-6
A-6
A-7
Grade
Due Date
Friday, November 21
For feedback on your paper you may turn in a rough draft by
Friday, November 14
Remember a formal research paper is never written in first person. That means do not
use the words “you” and “I” in your paper. Also remember to use the style and structure
you have learned from IEW.
B. Bibliography / Parenthetical Documentation - The Bibliography should list
all the materials a student consulted in writing the paper. Items should be in
alphabetical order in standard MLA format. See pages A-2 through A-3 for guidelines
and sample format.
NOTE: High school students must include parenthetical documentation in their
research paper along with a Bibliography (See page A-4).
Plagiarism is not permitted. Plagiarism is presenting writings done by someone else as
your own while failing to cite the source either deliberately or accidentally. Student’s
research should acknowledge all material quoted, paraphrased, or summarized from
any published work. High School students will need to provide parenthetical
documentation along with their bibliography. See page A-4 for more information on
parenthetical documentation and plagiarism. Younger students will just need to
provide a bibliography.
Following are some web sites to further assist you in writing a Research Paper:
 http://owl.english.purdue.edu/
 http://webster.commnet.edu/apa/
 http://www.crlsresearchguide.org/
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III. Scientific Investigation
A. Revisiting the Hypothesis - Once the research has been completed and the
research paper has been written it might be necessary to revise the hypothesis. If
new information learned has caused your first idea for a hypothesis to change now is
the time to adjust the hypothesis to match your new knowledge or your original
hypothesis may still be appropriate. In the example hypothesis “hand washing with
soap and water eliminates more germs than hand sanitizer” this hypothesis would not
need to be adjusted after researching germs and the importance of clean hands. But
if the hypothesis was “hand washing does not eliminate germs from the hands” it
would need to be adjusted after researching germs and the importance of hand
washing. The more knowledge you have on a topic the better you are able to make a
good hypothesis.
B. Procedure - The procedure should describe step-by-step how you are going to
perform your experiment to test your hypothesis. It should be written in a logical
step by step manner. The following information should be included: step by step
description, variables, materials needed and time table of the entire experiment.
The information below gives an explanation and examples for each section based
on question and hypothesis on page 4.
1. Procedures - A step-by-step description of the experiment that will be used to test the
hypothesis. The more detailed the steps are, the better your experiment will go.
Example:
a). Prepare 21 culture dishes to collect germ cultures
b). Have 10 people volunteer
c). Take a culture sample from each person by having them press their hand into a
culture dish
d). etc….
2. Variables – a characteristic that can change in an experiment due to a cause.
There are three types of variables; control, independent, and dependent.
Control variable is kept the same throughout the experiment. In the experiment
the control is the characteristics before anything is done. The culture sample
before the hands are washed or sanitizer is used is to show there are bacteria on
the hand before anything is changed.
Independent variable is the characteristic that is changed for the experiment. It is
the cause agent in the experiment. Washing the hands or using the sanitizer is
the change made.
Dependant variable is what changes in the experiment due to the cause. It is the
effected of the cause. The sample growth after the hands have been washed or
sanitized is the response to the change made.
3. Materials - A list of all materials needed to complete the experiment. Your list should be
very specific and include everything you use to conduct your experiment.
4. Time Table - An estimated plan of how long it will take to do the experiment and how
many times the experiment will be done.
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Preparation time
Duration of experiment
# of times experiment is repeated
1 hour
30 minutes
10 times
C. Lab Report – The lab report starts with a brief explanation of the purpose of the
experiment then a step by step of how the experiment will be carried out. Notes and
observations of the experimentation are carefully recorded. Everything that happens
before, during and after the experiments should be included. Taking pictures during
the process also helps document the experiment. The more details that are included
in the lab report, the easier it will be to write the summary, conclusion and create the
display. The lab report should include, but is not limited to:
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Purpose – Why is this experiment important
Hypothesis – An educated guess as to what could happen.
Procedure – A step by step plan of the experiment
Sketches - Sketches and drawings are also helpful in recording information.
Observations – Describe (color, shape, size, texture, smells, and measurements.
Summary – written description of the observations.
Mistakes/Accidents – List any mistakes or accidents that occur.
Conclusion – How the data supports or refutes the hypothesis.
All the parts above should be in the Lab Report
See link to Sample Student Science Fair Project on Engrade
D. Conduct Experiment - The next step of the scientific investigation is to conduct
the experiment. Repeating the experiment several times insures that the
observations are correct.
E. Observations - As the experiment is conducted, list all observations. This list is
used to write the paragraph summary, and to determine if the experiment proves or
disproves the hypothesis.
F.
Summary- A summary is just a simple paragraph explanation of the observations
of the experiment. It is in paragraph form and may include graphs, charts, and
tables. This is written in the lab report and is found on the display. Graphs, charts,
and tables add a great deal to the display.
G. Conclusion - The final step is to write a conclusion of the experimental
process. This is a paragraph based on the results, analysis, and summary of the
experiment. Briefly restate the experimental process, materials used, and number
of times performed. Be sure to include variables and control, and list any
changes or problems that may have occurred during the investigative. Make a
clear statement indicating whether or not the experiment agreed or disagreed
with the hypothesis. Sometimes the results disprove the hypothesis rather than
confirm it.
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IV. Exhibit
A. Research Notebook – is a neat presentation of the students research paper
and Lab investigation. To make the anonymous the notebook should be compiled of
copies of the work, not the actual graded reports. The students will be given an
identification number at the time of check-in for the fair. Therefore, no names should
appear on any of the students work, only the identification number. Students should
compile and label each of these sections neatly in the Research Notebook to be
displayed as part of their science exhibit:
1. Research Paper
2. Lab Report
3. Conclusion
B. Display Board
1. Board - The Display Board is the visual focal point of the science fair project that
should summarize the entire project. The student’s goal should be to make the
board attractive without including so much information that the display becomes
visually crowded and unappealing. The ideal display board is freestanding,
three-sided, and made out of cardboard and can be found at any craft store. It is
lightweight yet sturdy and comes in a variety of different colors. The display
board should not be larger than 35” x 45” in size. See page A-5 for display board
samples and dimension requirements.
2. Titled Sections - The board should have the following sections clearly labeled:
a. Title – Should be short (10 words or less), neat, and easy to read.
b. Purpose – What the student is seeking to investigate.
c. Hypothesis – An “educated guess” about what will happen.
d. Procedure – A step by step plan of the experiment.
e. Variables – Changing factors or characteristics in the experiment.
f. Results – Tables, graphs or charts proving or disproving the hypothesis.
g. Conclusion – statement of agreement or disagreement with the hypothesis.
3. Lettering - Proper and neat lettering can add much to a display by conveying an
important message. It is important that the lettering is neat and the proper size
(font should not be smaller than size 20). The title should have the largest
lettering font, with the supplemental sections in a slightly smaller, yet readable
font. Spelling, grammar, and punctuation should be error free.
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C.
Display Items
The Display items will be placed in front of the display board. They are used to
enhance and draw interest to your exhibit. Some guidelines for display items:
1. They can be the materials used or produced in the experiment or a replica of
the experiment. Remember space is an issue so keep it small.
2. Item(s) should not be breakable, hazardous, or dangerous. Feel free to
consult your teacher or administration on any questionable items.
3. Any smelly, moldy, or decaying items should be tightly sealed in a plastic bag
or plastic container.
4. Please have any item(s) that need electricity or are in question approved by
staff. Electricity will not be available.
5. No Live animals please.
► NOTE: The Research Notebook, Display Board, and Display Items are due the
day of the Science Fair on Thursday, February 12. See page A-9 for Exhibit Grading
Rubric.
V. Science Fair Day
Students should bring in their projects on the day of the Science Fair, Thursday,
February 12, between 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. and take them to the lunchroom. Students
will be given a student number to put on their board and notebook to keep projects
anonymous. Tables will be assigned by age groups: Elementary, Middle School, and
High School. Students should not take their project home until after 12 p.m. on Friday,
February, 13. All projects will need to be taken home at the end of the day.
Certificates/Placement Ribbons
All students participating in the fair will be given a participation certificate. First, Second, and
Third place ribbons will be given in each of the following categories:
Elementary ~ 3rd- 5th grades
Middle School ~ 6th – 8th grades
High School ~ 9th – 12th grades
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