Helping a Child with His or Her
Science Fair Project
Mississippi Region VI Science
& Engineering Fair
www.sciencefair.usm.edu
www.societyforscience.org
Why should my child do a
science fair project?
•Integrates skills and arts
•Prepares students for public speaking
•Prepares students for defending one’s work
•Provides self validation and excitement
•Opens doors of opportunity
•Evaluated by top scientists
•May provide cash payoff
•May be Required by the teacher
Your Job as a Parent
• Provide encouragement and supplies
• Remind yourself “it is the child’s project!”
• Provide transportation to gather research
• Allow Internet access
• Help design a project that is safe and properly
supervised
• Help at the local school fair
• Prepare a mutually agreed upon (you and child)
timeline depending on when the project is due
Remember! This is not a
competition among parents.
Science Fairs are learning
experiences for the students that
promote higher learning skills.
Cheer
Helping Your Child Choose a Topic
•Become familiar with the Scientific Method
• Pick a topic that interests your child
• Could it benefit your community?
• Can it solve a problem?
• Don’t be afraid to try something new
• Read science magazines to learn current science
• Make sure you have the time and equipment for
the topic
• Read about the subject and talk to people in
that field
Project Categories
• Animal Sciences
• Behavioral and Social
Science
• Biochemistry
• Cellular & Molecular
Biology
• Chemistry
• Computer Science
• Earth Science
• Eng. Electrical &
Mechanical
• Eng. Materials &
Bioengineering
•Environmental
Management
•Environmental
Sciences
•Mathematical
Sciences
•Medicine and Health
•Microbiology
•Energy &
Transportation
•Physics and
Astronomy
•Plant Sciences
Remember
A Science Fair Project is more
than just an informational poster
report—the simplest experiment
will get more attention than the
most beautiful poster
The scientific method is a process for
experimentation that is used to explore
observations and answer questions.
Scientists use the scientific method to
search for cause and effect
relationships in nature.
In other words, they design an
experiment so that changes to one
item cause something else to vary in a
predictable way.
http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_scientific_method.shtml
Ask a
Question
Do Background
Research
Construct
Hypothesis
ExperimentTest Hypothesis
Analyze Data
Draw Conclusions
Report Results
(Was your Hypothesis
Correct?)
The Scientific Method
Remember
Even if you disprove your
hypothesis, your experiment is
probably still valid.
Develop a Research Plan
Write a detailed research plan describing how
you plan to conduct your research (How will you
answer your question?)
•
• Form your hypothesis (an educated guess)—
If I do this then something will happen
• Develop a procedure
• Always obtain the appropriate approvals
before starting your research including:
Develop a Research Plan (continued)
• Complete the required forms
required by your school (Parent or
Guardian must sign)
• Write the abstract
• Put Safety First!
General Judging Criteria
• Creative Ability
• Scientific Thought or Engineering
Goals
• Thoroughness
• Skill
• Clarity
• Teamwork if Applicable
Keep a Journal of Your
Observations and Results
Writing an Abstract
Purpose of the Experiment
An introductory statement of the reason for investigating
the topic of the project. A statement of the problem or
hypothesis being studied.
Procedures Used
A summarization of the key points and an overview of how
the investigation was conducted. An abstract does not give
details about the materials used unless it greatly influenced
the procedure or had to be developed to do the
investigation. An abstract should only include procedures
done by the student. Work done by a mentor (such as
surgical procedures) or work done prior to student
involvement must not be included.
Writing an Abstract (continued)
Observation/Data/Results
This section should provide key results that lead directly
to the conclusions you have drawn.
It should not give too many details about the results nor
include tables or graphs.
Conclusions
Conclusions from the investigation should be described
briefly.
The summary paragraph should reflect on the process and
possibly state some applications and extensions of the
investigation.
Display and Safety
Regulations
Document your Procedures with
Photographs
Remember!
•Many items are not allowed on the
presentation board or table, so it is
best to take pictures of your
procedures as you go
•Parents do not forget to take
pictures of your students performing
their procedures
•Written permission required from
people in photos (other than student)
Exhibit Space Regional Fair
3 feet wide
5 feet long
Table
(size should be no
more than 3’ x 3’)
Student
Space
International Table: 76 cm (30in) deep; 122 cm (48in) wide;
274 cm (108 in) high, including table.
Table height should not exceed 91 cm (36in).
What’s not right?
Award
Do Goldfish Blow
Bubbles to Breathe?
Not
ExperimentMATING
The
Goldfish mature when they are only 10-15 cm
long. They spawn in pairs and their mating
behaviour includes chasing. Females become
very fat when their abdomens are swelled with
their eggs.SPAWNING
Goldfish spawn in summer. Eggs are laid among
aquatic plants.EGGS
Over 100,000 small (1 mm in diameter), sticky
Goldfish eggs are released by the female. The
eggs hatch 1 week later.JUVENILES
Young Goldfish attach themselves to aquatic
plants for a few days until their yolk sac has
been absorbed by them.
goldfish is
a very
interesting
fish that
requires
minimal
care.
Etc. Etc.
Etc.
Glass/
Water
Journal
Ref: Wiki
Fish Food
Report
By
John
Smith
When your
goldfish blows
bubbles in
the water it
means that
your goldfish
is bubbling
air in water.
By
Animal
John
Smith
Good
Example
Prepare the Presentation
Create the exhibit board (Display and Safety Rules)
• Appealing to the eye
• Explain what was done and discovered without being wordy
• Use photos/pictures, diagrams, subtitles
• Use color and arrows to separate ideas
• Avoid expensive tools – be artistic and show your involvement
• Clearly outline the project – how it works, and was created
• Don’t crowd your board
Talk about your project
• Be
able to explain your project - rehearse
• Looking good doesn’t necessarily mean it is good
• Keep it neat/clean
• Relax and enjoy
the experience
Student Checklist

Find a topic that interests you
 Narrow topic to a specific problem
 Develop an experiment to solve the problem
 Discuss the project with your parents and teacher
ISEF rules and regulation
 Develop a hypothesis
 Write a detailed research plan
 After approvals, begin your experiment
 Make observations/collect data
Student Checklist (continued)

Interpret the observations/data
 Draw conclusions
 Finalize presentation
 Write abstract
Create the exhibit board
Display and Safety Regulations
 Practice presenting your work and prepare to
answer questions
 Present the project
 Make observations/collect data
Code of Conduct
Students
Will treat the other participants in the fair with
courtesy and respect. No swearing.
Will remain near their projects in their assigned aisle at
all times except during scheduled breaks or during preapproved restroom visits.
May play board or card games and talk quietly with
nearby students as long as they do not interfere with
the judging process.
May use personal stereo and game devices as long as
they are used with earphones or in a silent mode.
•Will obey the instructions of all the Science Fair staff
and judges.
Code of Conduct
(Students)
•Will not steal from other participants in the fair.
•Will not harass other participants in the fair.
•Will not leave the science fair without their parents or
sponsors.
•Will not block the aisles with their personal gear.
•Will not use or possess cell or digital phones, walkie
talkies, two-way radios or other communication devices
on the floor of the science fair.
•Will not use toys such as yo-yos,
balls or other projectiles
•Will not run or participate in other forms of horseplay
on the exhibit floor.
•May not bring food and drinks to snack on. Students
will only be able to visit the snack bar during their lunch
break.
Code of Conduct (Parents)
• Provide your child with a hearty breakfast before
the event, so they won’t get hungry during the event
• Help your child set up the exhibit
• Then leave and go to the designated waiting area
• Do not communicate with your child during the
judging
• Do not try to influence the judges
• Remove all disallowed items immediately
• You may be a judge, but not in your child’s category
• Attend the awards ceremony with your child
• Do not disturb the ceremony if you disagree with
the results
• Help your child with the project, but do not do it
for him or her (The judges can tell if the student
did not do it)
Failure to Follow the Rules
Could Lead to the Removal of
the Student and the Project
from the Competition
Your Job as a Parent
After the Science Fair
• Don’t get upset or worry about awards,
and please attend the award ceremony
• Remember—not everyone can win
• Plan for next year (continuing projects)
• You and your Child should feel pride
and accomplishment no matter what the
outcome
Excellence in Marine Sciences Award
Projects relating
to Marine or
Coastal
Environmental
Issues may be
eligible for this
special monetary
award!
Rules and Guidelines
Intel ISEF Rules and Guidelines
Completing Paperwork
Properly completing all of the paperwork is a necessary and
important part of completing your science fair project. These links
can help steer you in the right direction.
Intel ISEF Rules Wizard
Asks questions about your planned project and tells you which
forms you need to complete.
Overview of Forms and Dates
Provides a brief explanation of each form in the Rules and
Regulations, and when it should be completed.
Common Scientific Review Committee (SRC) Problems
Summarizes SRC reviews leading up to the 2005 Intel ISEF, with
pointers about what NOT to do.
Web Links
Science project information
http://www.societyforscience.org/isef/primer/index.asp
Rules and Guidelines
http://www.societyforscience.org/isef/about/
rules_regulations.asp
Writing an abstract
http://www.societyforscience.org/isef/students/
abstract.asp
Display and Safety Regulations
http://www.societyforscience.org/isef/students/
aff_regulations.asp