SV
Sun Valley Science Fair
for Honors Biology
January 31, 2012
Sun Valley Science Fair
Goals:
1. To foster an enthusiasm for science and learning.
2. To encourage the pursuit of academic achievement and science related careers.
Eligibility
All honors students will participate.
Category Descriptions:
The Life Science category includes biology, botany, behavioral sciences, microbiology, health, and zoological
experiments. The Earth Science category includes meteorology, geology, astronomy and oceanography
experiments. The Physical Science category includes chemistry, physics, energy, consumer science, materials
science, and engineering experiments. The Environmental Science category includes ecology and environmental
sciences experiments. These are not exhaustive descriptions. Many projects could be placed in multiple
categories. Please choose the one you feel best describes the experiment.
Entry Format:
The Sun Valley Science Fair is a poster presentation science fair. Students will be judged solely on the poster
presented. There will be no judge interviews. Since it is the goal of the fair to participate in regional and
international fairs, the rules, forms and formats are in keeping with guidelines of the Intel ISEF handbook. All
forms required to participate in the Delaware County and ISEF fairs should be completed and the requisites for
both should be followed.
Poster
The maximum dimensions for any project display is: depth (front to back): 30 inches or 76 centimeters, width
(side to side): 48 inches or 122 centimeters and height (floor to top): 72 inches or 183 centimeters. Posters
must be free standing, wall space will not be provided. Displays must clearly list the following components: title
that states the problem/question, hypothesis, materials, experimental procedure, results & data, conclusions,
and a bibliography. There should be no artifacts, models or equipment with the poster other than the abstract
and log book. Students’ names should be placed on the back of their display boards and on their logbooks.
School names must NOT be displayed at all.
Abstract
Students must complete a 250-word, one-page abstract that should be displayed on or with the project board.
The abstract must include: the purpose of the experiment, description of the procedures utilized, a summary of
the data and results, the conclusions, It may also outline any possible research applications. The abstract should
not include: acknowledgments, work or procedures done by the sponsor or mentor, reference to previous work
or science fair projects and self-promotions and/or external endorsements.
Log Book
All students must keep a log book throughout their research project. The log book must be displayed with the
project board at the fair.
Fair Date
 January 31, 2012
Location
 Sun Valley High School
 Cafeteria
Set up
 Friday, January 31, 2012
 Period 6 & 7
Judging
 4:30pm – 7:00pm
Public Viewing and awards
 7:00pm -9:00 pm
*All project boards need to be removed from Cafeteria by 9:00 pm on January 31, 2012
Sponsors
The Sun Valley Science Fair is sponsored by the Sun Valley Science Department. Fair is in line with rules
and procedures as outlined by the Delaware Valley Science Fair (DVSF). Judging will be conducted by
committee of volunteers from science and education institutions from the region.
Timeline
Month
November 4th
Teacher Responsibilities
Student Responsibilities
Review information packet and
requirements with students
Select a topic/Scientific question
Distribute entry forms
Early November
Review topics with students
Before 11/18/11
Make suggestions/suggest resources
Research topic/background
information and form a hypothesis
Record in lab book
Distribute necessary forms for
behavioral and animal experiments
Mid November
Review experimental designs prior to
students beginning experiments
Complete and return ALL necessary
forms to teacher
Develop Research plan with
experimental design that test
hypothesis
Follow forms located in packet
Late November
Check on student progress with
experiment
Check lab books and discuss any
concerns
Continue working on experiment
Record materials, lab procedures in
lab book for teacher check
Have up to date data in lab book for
discussion
Early December
Collect Science Fair Forms
Discuss abstract
Late December
Provide time for peer review of lab
report and abstract
Research project should be complete
and data should be in lab book.
Start working on abstract
Students will review each others
abstracts. Make any changes
necessary to abstract, lab book and
lab report
Early January
Collect lab reports and abstracts for
review
Students should complete display
boards. Make any revisions to lab
report and abstract
Mid January
Work with any students still needing
assistance
Make time to meet with teacher for
additional help with display board
and/or reports
January 30 -31,
2011
Discuss board set up and judging
Students will set up boards during
period 6 & 7 on January 31, 2011
Judging
Student projects will be evaluated by the judges using the criteria outlined below. Students scoring the
highest average scores will be awarded first place, second highest will be awarded second place and third
highest will be awarded third place.
1. Problem/Title
 Problem is a question that can be answered through
experimentation
 Clearly Stated Problem in Title
 Title is distinguished and visible
2. Background
 Background is thorough and related to problem
 Background consists of age appropriate material
 Background utilizes proper scientific vocabulary
3. Hypothesis
 Developed based on the background reading and
identifies independent and dependent variables
4. Experimental Procedure
 Provides a detailed description, diagram or photographs
explaining experimental set-up
 Materials utilized clearly explained
 Detailed explanation of experimental procedure in an
orderly and logical manner
 Tests for the hypothesis
 Tests for one independent variable
 Includes use of control variables and constants
 Demonstrates student’s ability to carry out experimental
procedure to an age-appropriate level of precision
5. Data & Results
 Ran sufficient trials (at least 3)
 Data organized into tables and charts
 Graphs used to demonstrate trends in data
 Visual evidence of observations provided
6. Conclusions
 Conclusions derived from organized and summarized
data
 Data supports conclusions
 Conclusions clearly relate back to hypothesis and
background research
 Student addresses any issues with experimental design
flaws
7. Log Book
 Original, handwritten and bound logbook
 Provides detailed entries describing procedures,
observations, data, conclusions, failures and successes
Superior
Above
Average
Average
Below
Average
Poor
Criteria
No
Evidence
Judging Rubric
0
1
2
3
4
5
0
1
2
3
4
5
0
2
4
6
8
10
0
5
10
15
20
25
0
4
8
12
16
20
0
4
8
12
16
20
0
3
6
9
12
15
8. Abstract
 Contains all required aspects
 Summarizes project concisely and accurately
9. Ingenuity & Creativity
 Investigated an original question
 Utilized an original approach or technique
 Presented new or unique ideas
 Presentation was aesthetically pleasing without being
distracting
10. Visual Presentation
 Project displayed in a logical and organized manner
 All visual aids (photos, charts & graphs) used enhanced
the presentation and were required
11. References
 5 or more references were utilized
 All references were properly sited
 All references were age appropriate
Notes/General Comments
Positive Attributes:
Opportunities for Improvement:
0
2
4
6
8
10
0
2
4
6
8
10
0
3
6
9
12
15
0
3
6
9
12
15
Required Forms
ALL student applications MUST include the following completed documents:
1) The Sun Valley Science Fair Student/guardian signature page
2) Research Plan.
a) This plan must be typed and include the following
i) Research Question
ii) Hypothesis/Problem/Engineering Goals
iii) Method/Procedures
iv) Bibliography – with a minimum of five major references
3) All schools are required to submit the completed school form with the Father Judge Science Fair Application
and research plan for each student’s project.
Additional Forms
Other forms are required for entrance into the Delaware County and the Intel ISEF fair. These may be necessary
depending on the nature of the project. The ISEF Handbook is available at
http://www.societyforscience.org/isef/document. These forms include but are not limited to:
1) Checklist for Adult Sponsor (Form #1)
2) Student Checklist (Form #1A)
3) Approval Form (#1B)
a) Sections 1a and 1b
4) Regulated Research Institutional/Industrial Setting Form (#1C), for experiments conducted in a location
other than at school, at home, or in the field.
5) Qualified Scientist Form (#2), for experiments involving human subjects, vertebrate animals, potentially
hazardous biological agents, and DEA controlled substances.
6) Risk Assessment Form (#3), for projects using hazardous chemicals, activities or devices.
7) Human Subjects Form (#4), for research involving human subjects.
8) Vertebrate Animal Form (#5A), for research involving vertebrate animals that is conducted in a NonRegulated Research Site.
9) Vertebrate Animal Form (#5B) for research involving vertebrate animals that is conducted at a Regulated
Research Institution.
10) Potentially Hazardous Biological Agents Risk Assessment Form (#6A), for research involving
microorganisms, DNA, fresh/frozen tissue, blood and body fluids.
11) Human and Vertebrate Animal Tissue Form (#6B), for projects using fresh/frozen tissue, primary cell
cultures, blood, blood products and body fluids.
12) Continuation Projects Form (#7), for projects that are a continuation in the same field of study as a previous
project.
Resources:

Delaware Valley Science Fairs: http://www.drexel.edu/dvsf/index.htm

The Intel® International Science and Engineering Fair® (Intel ISEF):
http://www.societyforscience.org/isef

George Washington Carver Fair: http://www.temple.edu/carversciencefair

Science Buddies: http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/teacher_resources.shtml

Science Fair Central: http://school.discoveryeducation.com/sciencefaircentral

Google Science Fair: http://www.google.com/events/sciencefair

Sun Valley Science Fair
Student and Parent Signature page
1. Student Last Name______________________________________First Name__________________________________
2. Who do you plan to work with?
Partner Name_________________________________________________________________________________________
Partner Name__________________________________________________________________________________________
**Please take notice who your child decides to work with. The group will need to get together outside
of school to complete the project. Choose accordingly.
** We have read the Science Fair requirements as outlined in this packet and understand that
participation is mandatory. I understand that although some class time will be designated to Science
Fair, much of the project will be done at home.
*** BOTH SIGNATURES ARE REQUIRED***
STUDENT’S Signature________________________________________________________________ Date: ________________
GUARDIAN’S Signature________________________________________________________________ Date: _____________