St. Jerome Catholic School
Science Fair Project Guide
2014-2015
Important Dates:
Topic Selection Due: Friday, October 6th
Subtopic Selection Due: Friday, October 10th
Research Paper Rough Draft Due: Friday, October 24th
Research Paper Final Draft Due: Thursday, October 30th
Binder and Journal purchased: Friday, November 7th
Binder Check # 1: Purpose, Hypothesis: Tuesday, November 11th
6th/7th Binder Check # 2: Materials, Procedures: Tuesday, November 18th
8th Binder Check # 2: Materials, Procedures: Tuesday, November 25th
Journal Check #1, Binder Check # 3: Tests and Variables: Tuesday, December 2nd
Journal Check # 2: Tuesday, December 9th
Journal Check # 3: Tuesday, December 16th
Journal Check # 4: Tuesday, January 6th
Completion of 3 trials: Friday, January 9th
Binder Check # 4: Observations and Data Analysis: Tuesday, January 13th
Journal Check # 5, Binder Check # 5: Conclusion and Error Analysis: Friday, January 16th
Science Fair (journal, binder, board): Thursday, January 22, 2015
Winners Announced: Friday, January 23rd
Diocese of Oakland Science Fair: Saturday, February 7, 2015
Scientific Method Sections
Purpose:
 State your problem (what you are trying to solve) in the form of a question or
statement.
 This should be one sentence. Example: The purpose of this experiment is to
determine if a hot, cold, or room temperature environment will affect the height of a
ball bouncing.
• Don’t make your sentence too complicated – keep it simple. Don’t explain ‘how’ you
will perform your experiment, just ‘what’ you are going to do.
Hypothesis :
The hypothesis is an educated guess about what you think will happen after you
complete your three trials. It follows the following format:
“If ___________________ [I do this] ____________________,
then ______________[I think this will happen] __________________.”
Materials
• You must include all materials that will be required to perform the experiment.
• Be sure that all measurements are specific and given in the metric system and Celsius
degrees.
Procedure
• The procedure is a detailed step-by-step process, similar to a recipe. Include as much
detail as possible about measurements and techniques.
• Tell “how” to set up you experiment. Be very literal and specific - don’t assume or
skip any detail, no matter how small. For example, “open the bag and use your
fingers to take out one lemon”. Act it out if your need, then write it all down.
• Each experiment must contain 3 trials. The trials should not be run on the same day.
Experimental Design
Variables:
Independent Variable: variable that is changed by scientist. Your
experiment should have only one independent variable.
Dependent Variable: variable that the scientist observes for
changes. The variable must be able to be measured. The change to
the dependent variable is caused by the change to the independent
variable.
Control Variable: these are all the parts of the experiment that the
scientist wants to remain constant so that they don’t interfere with
the results of the experiment.
Tests:
Control Test: the part of the experiment where the independent
variable is not changed, but the dependent variable is observed and
measured.
Experimental Test: the part of the experiment where the
independent variable is changed and the dependent variable is
observed and measured.
Ex: Pea Plant Experiment
Purpose: The purpose of this experiment is to see if mineral water will have
an effect on the growth of a pea plant.
Hypothesis: If a pea plant is given mineral water, then it will not grow as fast
as a pea plant given tap water.
Variables:
Independent Variable: type of water
Dependent Variable: plant height (how tall it grows)
Controlled Variables: type of pea plant, soil type, pot size, sunlight
exposure
Tests:
Control: normal growing conditions for a pea plant (tap water)
Experimental: mineral water given to pea plant
Observations
• Write down observations in your journal while you conduct experiment and observe
your results.
• Be sure to separate Trial 1, Trial 2 and Trial 3 observations.
• Use your 5 senses to make observations. Record the observations in your journal.
• Be specific in your measurements, i.e., the plant grew 3 cm. Always use the metric
system.
• Take pictures of your setup and experimental results. These can be used on your
Science Fair Board.
Data Analysis
• You will generate a graph to depict the quantitative and or qualitative observations
made during your three trials. The x-axis represents the independent variable,
and the y-axis represents the dependent variable.
• Be sure your graphs match your observations and results. Please type all graphs, do
not hand draw them.
• You should have data for each trial, as well as a graph or chart depicting an average of
all three trials.
• We will spend time in class reviewing how to create graphs in Microsoft Excel
Conclusion:
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Restate your hypothesis.
State whether you supported your hypothesis or not.
Briefly explain the results of your experiment.
Begin the last sentence with, “If I were to conduct this experiment again, I would…”
Error Analysis:
• In your journal, write down all information or changes to your project as it
happens. This will help you to write your error analysis.
• Almost every experiment will have errors or revisions to the original procedure.
• Give a brief explanation of the errors in your experiment, and how they could be
corrected.
Science Fair Journal, Binder, and Board
The Science Fair journal, binder, and board are the three aspects of your project that
will be used to calculate your Science Fair grade. These three items will be displayed on
the day of the Science Fair. During the next three months, there will be journal and
binder checks. These checks are used to help keep you on task as you work on your
project. Name should not be displayed on any item!
Journal
The Journal is an important part of any research project. It is a detailed account of every
phase of your science fair project.
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Use a lined composition notebook
Write your Science Fair number on the front cover of the journal
All entries should be hand written, not typed, and always in pen.
Date every entry. Write in brief, concise statements. There is no need for full
sentences, but each entry should contain at least 3-5 statements.
• The journal should follow the scientific method (Start your first entry with the
purpose of your experiment. After include your hypothesis, materials,
procedures, trials and variables, and observations as you complete each trial)
• Make sure to include any changes made to the procedures or materials list, or any
mistakes or errors in the procedure.
• Record all observations made during your experiment.
Binder
The Binder is a 1/2”, 3 ringed binder with a clear plastic sleeve on the front cover. The
binder should contain tabs for each part of the science fair project, and include a Table
of Contents. Please write your Science Fair number on the front of your binder.
Sections of Binder (tabs)
Purpose
Hypothesis
Materials
Procedure
Variables and Tests
Observation of 3 Trials
Data Analysis of 3 Trials
Conclusion and Error Analysis
Board
The Science Fair Board is a 36” by 48” tri-fold board that is used to display all elements
of your project. The board will also display any pictures or images that relate to your
project. If pictures are used, no faces can be visible. Please write Science Fair number on
the back of your board!