Casis Science Fair 2011-2012
A Guide to a perfect Science Fair Experience
Scientific Method
For your science fair project, you will be following the scientific
method.
What type of science are you most
interested in?
Science
Definition
Examples
Biology
science that deals with life or living matter
botany (plants), zoology (animals), humans
Chemistry
science that deals with composition and
property of substances and matter
environmental pollution, food science, liquid
study
Physics
science that deals with matter, energy, motion,
and force
electricity, forces and motion, astronomy,
thermodynamics (heat)
Earth Science
science that deals with the earth, its
composition, or any of the changing
aspects
geology (rocks & minerals), temperature,
oceans, weather
Microbiology
science that deals with the structure and
functions of microscopic organisms
bacteria, fungus, yeast
Environmental Science
science that deals with conditions of the
environment and effects on organisms
air pollution, global warming, water pollution,
soil pollution
Engineering
science that deals with practical application
such as design, manufacture, and
operations
buildings, bridges, towers, roads
Select a Topic
Select a topic that genuinely
interests you.
MAKE SURE IT IS A TOPIC
YOU CAN INVESTIGATE.
Where can I find ideas for
Science Fair Projects?
 Watch commercials on TV. Test their claims.
 Think about current events. Look in the newspaper.
 Check the science section of our library media
center.
Then figure out, what is the PURPOSE?
 Why is this a project worth doing?
 Why are the results important?
 Who would want to know the results?
Create a Testable Question
 What is the effect of ____________ on _______________?
• How/to what extent does the _____________________ affect
___________________?
In order to get an exemplary score on
your question and problem, you must…
 Title
Write the title in the form of a question with correct writing
mechanics.
 Problem
Write the complete problem as a question, including the
information that led you to ask the question. Correct
writing mechanics.
Sample Question and Problem
 Title:
 What is the effect of the size of a pumpkin on the
number of seeds a pumpkin has?
 Problem:
 Every year my family roast pumpkin seeds in the
fall for us to eat during the holidays. Since we
would like to have the largest quantity of seeds
possible, I wanted to know, what is the effect of the
size of a pumpkin on the number of seeds it has?
Now that you have created a question,
time to research your question.
When you are researching remember:
 You are not looking for the answer to your question
 You are gathering information that is already known
about your topic.
 Use lots of different resources like books, magazines,
and the internet.
 When you come across words that are new to you or
you think a younger student might not understand, add
it to your definition list.
 Remember, all of your work has to be written in your
own words.
In order to get an exemplary score on
your background information and
definitions, you must…
 Background Information
 Include details which show that you gathered
information and learned about the topic(s) in the
project, referring to specific references. Correct
writing mechanics.
 Definitions
 Define all key vocabulary for experiment and research.
You should understand the definitions. Correct writing
mechanics.
Sample research found and how to write in
your own words. Remember to write down
where you found your information!!!
 Here are the basic types of Pumpkin: "Curcurbita" is the family of plants
that the pumpkin belongs to. This species also includes squash, watermelon,
and cucumbers. Focusing specifically on the pumpkin varieties, there are a
number of species (sub-groups):
 Cucurbita Moschata-- This group includes the pumpkins frequently used for
commercially canned pumpkin. They tend to be oblong pumpkins and have
tan skin. Other members include:
 Winter Crookneck Squash
 Butternut Squash
 Cushaw Squash
 Cucurbita Pepo- - These are the Jack-o-Lantern varieties you most
commonly see, and the cute little pumpkins that fit in the palm of your hand.
Common pumpkin varieties include Connecticut Field pumpkins, Howden
pumpkins, and Howden Biggie pumpkins.
The slide before contained background information
found on Google. Here is a sample of it in my own
words as well as definitions:
 Background Information:
 There is a wide variety of pumpkins that are harvested
each year. The kind of pumpkin commonly seen during
the fall is called the Cucurbita Pepo and they come in a
wide variety of sizes.
 Definitions (found on dictionary.com)
 Cucurbita Pepo – noun a coarse vine widely cultivated
for its large pulpy round orange fruit with firm orange
skin and numerous seeds; subspecies of Cucurbita pepo
include the summer squashes and a few autumn
squashes
Hypothesis
 A hypothesis is an idea about the solution to a
problem, based on information from books or other
sources. A hypothesis is an educated guess. In
science, a hypothesis must be tested with an
experiment to prove (or disprove) the prediction.
 You do not need to include “I think” because your
hypothesis is your thinking.
Exemplary Hypothesis and a Sample
 In order to get a 4 on your hypothesis…
The hypothesis is an “If … then….” statement. The
hypothesis is testable. The hypothesis is linked to
background information. Correct writing mechanics.
 Sample Hypothesis
 Since I know pumpkins come in a variety of shapes and
sizes, If I compare the quantity of seeds from a variety of
sizes of pumpkins, then the pumpkins with a larger mass,
circumference and volume will have a higher quantity of
seeds.
Experimental Procedures
 To receive an exemplary score…
 Experimental procedures are quantitatively and/or
qualitatively expressed and are listed step by step.
Includes complete materials list and correctly
identifies dependent and independent variables.
 Quantitatively means you are describing or measuring of quantity (how
many seeds, how long will something take, how many times, etc)
 Qualitatively means you are measuring the quality of an object or item
(which item cleans the best, strongest item, toughest, ect)
Example Experimental Procedures
Procedures for Measuring the amount of seeds in a pumpkin
•1st – Collect 8 different sized pumpkins and measure their circumference, mass,
and height. Record information
•2nd – Carefully cut open one pumpkin at a time and collect all the seeds in a bowl.
•3rd – Once all the seeds have been removed from a pumpkin, count the number of
seeds it contains and record quantity.
•4th – Repeat steps two and three for the remaining 7 pumpkins. Continue to record
data.
Materials List
Variables
•8 different Pumpkins
•Independent – the size of the pumpkins
•Carving knife
•Dependent – the number of seeds inside each
pumpkin
•Bowl for seeds
•Paper and Pencil for
observations
•Control – the counting of all seeds, both small
and large, the knife and technique for cutting and
counting seeds
Variables
 Variables are the things that have an affect on the experiment.
 The independent variable is the one condition that is changed
in the experiment. It is the factor that you are comparing or
testing. What may affect the results of my experiment? Choose
one variable to change and keep the others the same.
 The controlled variables are the conditions that need to remain
the same during the experiment so they do not affect the results.
 The dependent variable is what happens in the experiment
because of what was changed. It’s what you are observing.
Data/Observations
 It is easier to understand the data if it is put into
a table or graph. Create a graph in Microsoft
Excel and import it here.
 Make sure all data is clearly labeled.
Conclusion
Type a brief summary here of what you discovered based on the
results of your experiments. You need to indicate whether or not the
data supports the hypothesis and explain why or why not.
Works Cited
Be sure to include print and electronic
sources and put them in alphabetical order.