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2013 Science Fair Packet Page 1
Name: __________________________________________
Grade/Teacher: __________________________________________
2013 CARVER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SCIENCE FAIR PACKET
Welcome to the world of wonder and science! Through a Science Fair project, you can learn
about science and experiments. We hope you will find this project interesting and rewarding. In this
packet you will find information on how to select, conduct, display, and present a project.
The Carver Science Fair will be held on Tuesday April 2nd
in the Carver Gym.
The following is a proposed schedule of the event:
April 2 8:15-9:15 am - Science projects may be set up in the gym
April 2 ALL DAY - Projects on display and judging
1:30-3:30 pm--Classroom visitations
6:00-7:30 pm--Science Fair Open House, visitation by public
7:30 pm -- Clean up and take projects home
If you have any questions, please contact Holly Rome (651-714-5115, [email protected]) or
Lisa Swanson (651-702-8276, [email protected]).
This packet as well as additional Science Fair information will be posted on the Carver Website.
2013 Science Fair Packet Page 2
INTRODUCTION
Science1 is defined as “a branch of study concerned with observations and classification of facts.”
A Science Fair is an exhibit of student-made projects in the area of science. Deciding to
participate in the Carver Science Fair is the first step in developing your science project. The next steps
are as follows:
Select a science topic of interest and develop a project about that topic. Your science project
topic may be anything that you are interested in learning more about. Your project type may
be an experiment, demonstration, model, science collection, report, or invention.
Gather information by reading, experimenting, observing and/or talking with adults and
recording that information. Keep a “Laboratory Notebook.”
Construct a display with accompanying graphs, diagrams, models, pictures, and written/typed
materials to describe the project and findings.
Bring your project to the Carver Science Fair.
During the Science Fair you will be asked to discuss the project with judges, teachers, and
fellow students.
STAY ORGANIZED WITH A SCHEDULE
This may be the first time you have attempted a long-range project, so it is very important to
make a schedule and stay organized. Science fair projects often require several weeks for completion.
Don’t let a due date that is many weeks away throw your planning off--there are many things to do.
There is no substitute for good planning. So, set a schedule, get organized, and have fun.
Throughout your project keep a journal - your journal is like a diary of your scientific
investigation. This journal can be a spiral notebook or loose-leaf paper in a 3 ring binder. Write down
notes about everything you have learned, document your observations, the problems you encounter and
the progress of your investigation. Record the books or web sites where you obtained your information.
Your journal contains your rough notes and is not to be redone. Bring your journal to the fair and have
it with your display. The judges at the Science Fair may wish to look through your journal. Your journal
should include:
1. Your topic, purpose, hypothesis (if doing an experiment)
2. The goals of your project and the steps you are going to take to complete your project
3. Detailed day-to-day notes on the progress of your project
a. What you are doing each day (observations, progress, etc.)
b. Problems you have with your investigation
c. Things you would change if you were doing this investigation again
4. Step-by-step instructions of your work
5. Lists of materials needed and used
6. Record notes from references (bibliography) – books, magazines, web sites, and people – and a
record of the locations where you obtained this information.
7. Any drawings or photos that you aren’t using on the display that might help explain your work
1 Definition from “Merriam-Webster Dictionary”.
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CHOOSING A PROJECT TYPE
There are two main things you need to decide on when you are choosing a Science Fair project: a
project type and a project topic. There are six project types you can choose from for your science
project:
1. Experiment – answer a question or solve a problem. If you choose an experiment, be sure to
follow the scientific method
2. Demonstration of a scientific principal– explain how something works or why something
happens the way it does.
3. Model – create a model of a scientific area (i.e., solar system, human eye).
4. Collection – display a scientific collection.
5. Report – research a scientific topic and compile a report on the topic
6. Invention – create a product for which you see a need
SELECTING A TOPIC
The best science project for you is the one you are interested in and excited about.
Make a list of ideas that interest you in your journal - brainstorm and think of everything. Then
start looking project ideas for these areas. Cross out the ideas you decide not to do and add more ideas
as you find them.
Once you have narrowed down to one idea, start on a clean page in your journal and start writing
down the steps you are going to go through to complete your project. As your project is carried out, you
will observe, experiment, and draw conclusions based on your results.
Safety should be kept in mind when you pick a project. You should not plan to use poisons,
explosives, high voltage, or harmful bacteria. Experiments on animals are all right as long as the animal
is not injured or harmed in anyway. You cannot dissect, starve, or mistreat any live animal. If you want
to include any live animals as part of your presentation at the actual science fair, you must get
permission to do so ahead of time. Contact Ms. L. Swanson at [email protected] or 651-702-8276.
To help you narrow down a topic, this section includes a list of some of the fields of science and
project ideas. The intent of this list is to help spark an idea for an area of interest, feel free to use one of
these ideas or create your own. Make sure the project is age appropriate, not too easy or too hard.
SAMPLE PROJECT IDEAS:
1) Formal Sciences – Mathematics & Logic
Make a logic puzzle
Compare English and metric units
How do scientists measure very small or extremely thin items?
2) Natural Sciences
a) Biology
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Select and identify a tree in your backyard or neighborhood to study
Read all about growing and caring for plants
Make your own terrarium
How is the growth of beans affected by different fertilizers?
Label the parts of a flower.
Set up and study an ant farm
Find some birds’ nests and study the different kinds
Which dog food does your dog like best?
Study gerbils in a maze
Investigate and learn how plants help animals
Observe animals and write a report
Study a wild animal; study animal habitats
Find and observe different spider webs
Study butterflies
Classify the fish found in Minnesota lakes
b) Chemistry
Make silly putty
Make slime
How could you blow up a balloon with household products?
Which detergent removes grass stains best?
Which detergent removes grease best?
c) Physics
How is sound produced?
Write a report on airplanes
Pick a planet and read and report all about it
What type of material is the best insulator?
Make a model of our solar system
Study the planets, sun, or other astronomical feature
Study how the rotation of the earth makes the sun appear to change its position in the sky
Find out the history behind the constellations and draw some pictures or make models
Study the composition of the stars and find out about the different kind of stars
Is there life on other worlds? Create your own imaginary world and the life on that world
Journal your family’s electrical use; how can you save energy?
Compare past and present electrical inventions
How does a microscope or a telescope work?
How does a camera work?
d) Earth Science
Grow some crystals
How does the temperature of water affect the freezing time?
Why does it rain?
What shape of glass causes water to cool off fastest?
Display your rock collection; label your rocks and where they are from
Study the effects of carbon dioxide on the environment; how can we reduce our CO2 output?
What causes air pollution? How can we reduce it? What is smog doing to our environment?
What’s in the soil?
Study how things decompose and how long it takes for our garbage to decompose
How much water do you use in your home in a day, a week, a month?
How can we conserve water?
What is acid rain?
Test a variety of water and/or a variety of ways to remove contaminants from the water
Develop a model showing the water cycle
Study how rain forests affect our water supply
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Study the rainfall in different areas and what type of vegetation grows there
Study the formations found in caves
Study dinosaurs
Study earthquakes; what is plate tectonics?
Make a model volcano
3) Engineering and Technology
Demonstrate how a bicycle works
Build a rocket and launch it
Build a circuit to run a fan
Develop an electrical circuit to turn things on and off
Research an automobile’s energy usage
Explore alternative energy sources
Make a robot
How does a computer work? How does an analog clock work?
4) Medical and Health Sciences
Study fingerprint types and identify your type
Write a report on the food pyramid and give examples of healthy meals
How does the heart work?
What medicine works best for headaches?
What is your immune system and how can you improve it?
Study and identify the different minerals we eat and drink
How does the respiratory system work?
How does the heart work?
What is genetics? What is DNA? What are recessive and dominate genes?
What are the best foods to keep you healthy?
What causes tooth decay?
5) Agricultural Sciences
What does a forester do?
How do foresters help forests?
What is deforestation?
6) Social Sciences
Collect your recycles for 1 week and weigh them at the end of the week
What is in your garbage and how can you reduce your garbage?
7) Humanities
Study an ancient civilization and write a report
What languages are spoken in the USA?
What languages are spoken in other countries?
Are TV commercials louder than regular programs?
Measure the frequency and length of TV commercials during your favorite shows
Study ancient civilizations
What was it like to live in Ancient Greece, Medieval Europe?
2013 Science Fair Packet Page 6
Websites
The best source for an extensive list of science project ideas is the World Wide Web. If you do a
search on “Science Fair Project Ideas,” you will find web sites dedicated to science projects. Some web
sites will even give you step-by-step procedures for conducting science projects. Here are a few of the
web sites:
http://www.terimore.com/
http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_ideas.shtml
http://www.education.com/science-fair/elementary-school/
http://chemistry.about.com/od/sciencefairprojects/a/sciproelem.htm
http://www.science-ideas.com/elementary-projects.htm
http://www.hometrainingtools.com/science-projects/c/1072/
http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/projects.html
EXPERIMENTS
2
We encourage every student to consider an experiment project type. Experiments are fun to do,
talk about, and show off. When conducting an experiment, you need to follow the scientific method.
The Scientific Method3
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. These carefully selected changes are called “variables.”
The scientific method will help you to focus your science fair project question, construct a
hypothesis, design, execute, and evaluate your experiment. Even though we show the scientific method
as a series of steps, keep in mind that new information or thinking might cause a scientist to back up and
repeat steps at any point during the process. Your results may even cause you to rethink your
hypothesis. That is okay, it is all part of the scientific process.
Also, don’t ever think of your experiment as a failure. It your results do not match your
hypothesis - that is okay. Sometimes they don’t. That is when a professional scientist will go back and
rewrite their hypothesis and start experimenting again. There is no such thing as a failed experiment.
They are all successes as long as you follow a well thought-out and developed process.
2 Examples in this section were pulled from “Science Fair Materials” from Meadowview Elementary by Craig Evenson 3 Excerpts from: http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_scientific_method.shtml
2013 Science Fair Packet Page 7
Steps of the Scientific Method
1. Ask a question (Topic and Purpose):
The scientific method starts when you ask a question about something that you observe: how,
what, when, who, which, why, or where? In order for the scientific method to answer your question, it
must be about something that you can measure, preferably with a number. This question is the topic of
your project and it becomes the title for your project.
During this step you should also define the purpose of your project. Write one to three sentences
explaining why you are doing this investigation.
2. Do background research (Bibliography/References):
Rather than starting from scratch in putting together a plan for answering your question, you
want to be a “savvy” scientist by using library and internet research to help you find what has already
been done in your topic, to find the best way to do things, and to insure that you don't repeat mistakes
from the past.
Keep track of your references. You will need to put these together in a Bibliography and
include it in your final project. List alphabetically all books, articles, people, or other sources used for
researching. Some examples of how to write a bibliography are as follows (list alphabetically by
author):
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Author’s Last name, first name, title of book, city, publisher, date published
Author’s Last name, first name, “article title,” magazine, pages, date issued
Web site address, title of web site article, date the web site was accessed
3. Construct a hypothesis:
A hypothesis is an educated guess about how things work. Ask yourself the following question:
"If I do this, then this will happen."
You must state your hypothesis in a way that you can easily observe and measure. Your hypothesis
should be constructed in a way to help you answer your original question. Here are some examples of
some hypothesis for different questions.
Question: Does light affect the way plants grow?
Hypothesis 1: Plants will grow toward the light. OR
Hypothesis 2: Plants will grow away from the lights. OR
Hypothesis 3: Light will make no difference in the way plants
grow.
Question: What materials will a TV remote penetrate?
Hypothesis 1: Solids, such as wood, cardboard, or metals will not allow penetration of a
TV remote. OR
Hypothesis 2: Flexible solids, such as plastic bags or fabric, will allow penetration
4. Test your hypothesis by doing an experiment (Materials, Variables & Procedure):
Your experiment tests whether your hypothesis is true or false. It is important for your
experiment to be a fair test. You conduct a fair test by making sure that you change only one factor
(variable) at a time while keeping all other conditions the same. You should also repeat your
experiments several times to make sure that the first results weren't just an accident.
When setting up an experiment, pay attention to the following items:
a) Materials
b) Variable
c) Step-by-step directions (Procedure)
2013 Science Fair Packet Page 9
a. Materials
List all of the material used in your investigation. Include what, how much, and what kinds of
materials you used. Keep track of the quantities of each item that you used. The following table is an
example of a good material list and a poor material list.
GOOD MATERIAL LIST POOR MATERIAL LIST
3 – 15x15 cm square each of Brawny, Gala,
Scott, and generic paper towels
Paper towels
250 mL graduated beaker Measuring cup
750 mL water at 20o C Water
1 – 20 x 20 cm square cake pan Container
Celsius thermometer Thermometer
Clock with a second hand Clock
b. Variables
A variable is the factor that you will be changing during your experiment to help answer your
question and ultimately help to prove or disprove your hypothesis. There are three different types of
variables:
1. Manipulated variable – this is what you change on purpose in an investigation
2. Responding variable – this is what changes by itself because you manipulated (changed)
something in your investigation
3. Variable Held Constant – everything else in your investigation must be held constant (kept the
same); this is also called control
Make sure you are only changing one manipulated variable at a time. Keep everything else
constant and determine what the response is. The response will be the results of your experiment.
Repeat this scenario several times to make sure you receive the same results. After you have completed
one group of experiments with a set of manipulated variables, you may conduct a second set of
experiments with a different manipulated variable. The following is an example of what the different
variables mean in an experiment:
Question: Do all brands of paper towels absorb the same amount of water?
Manipulated Variable: Brands of paper towels
Responding Variables: Amount of water that is absorbed by each towel
Variables Held Constant: Size of paper towel
Amount of water poured on each towel
Temperature of the water used
Container towels are placed in
Method of pouring
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c. Step-by-Step Directions
Write the step-by-step directions of your experiment. These directions are like a recipe and
anyone who reads them will be able to duplicate your experiment and have the same results. Here is an
example of step-by-step directions:
Question: Do all brands of paper towels absorb the same amount of water?
Directions:
1. Cut 3 15 x 15 cm squares from each brand of paper towels
2. Label each cut piece with brand name
3. Pour 50 mL of 20o C water into 20 x 20 cm square pan
4. Place one square of generic brand paper towel into water and pan
5. Leave for 30 seconds
6. Remove paper towel
7. Measure water remaining in pan and record
8. Dry the cake pan
9. Repeat steps 4-8 for each brand of paper towel
10. Repeat entire process twice more for each brand of paper towel
5. Analyze your data and draw a conclusion (Results and Conclusions):
Once your experiment is complete, you need to collect your measurements and analyze them to
see if your hypothesis is true or false.
To help you analyze your results, draw graphs, charts, or illustrations. Consider taking photos
during your experiments and use them to help analyze your results and for your display. When drawing
a graph, plan your graph carefully so that your data will be evenly distributed across the horizontal and
vertical axes. You may use bar graphs, line graphs, pie charts, or any other drawing that shows your
data best.
When you feel your experiment is complete, it is time to write your conclusions. Before you
start writing your conclusions, carefully examine all of your data, graphs, charts, tables and photos. Ask
yourself the following questions:
1. Did I get the results I expected to get?
2. Were there any unexpected problems or occurrences that may have affected the results of my
investigation?
3. Did I collect enough data? Were there enough trials? Enough samples?
4. Do I need to revise my original hypothesis? (If you write a revised hypothesis, DO NOT use it
to replace your original hypothesis for this project!) Keep your original hypothesis and talk
about your revised hypothesis. This is part of learning the scientific method.
Your conclusions should include:
1. A statement of support or of non-support of your original hypothesis
2. A description of any problems or any unusual events that occurred during your experiment
3. What you would do differently next time
4. A revised hypothesis if your experiment results did not support your original hypothesis.
2013 Science Fair Packet Page 11
An example of a conclusion is as follows:
Question: Do all brands of paper towels absorb the same amount of water?
Hypothesis: The cheaper the paper towel, the less water it will absorb.
Conclusion: The data collected does not support the original hypothesis. The cheapest paper
Towel (generic) did not absorb the least amount of water. The higher priced
paper towel (Brawny) did not absorb the most. My revised hypothesis is the
price of the paper towels does not affect the amount of water absorbed.
6. Communicate your results:
To complete your science fair project you will communicate your results to others in a display.
Good Experiment Topics vs. Poor Experiment Topics
Be careful and selective when choosing a topic. Make sure that you choose a topic that will allow
you to answer some very clear and specific questions that you have asked. Here are some examples of
some good topics and some poor topics.
Good Topics Poor Topics
1. Do different colored mints dissolve at the same
rate?
This is a good topic because it requires
experimentation that you can do yourself. You
must use the scientific method in completing this
project.
1. How volcanoes erupt?
This topic will not allow experimentation without
visiting real volcanoes. Making a model that
erupts is a model and demonstration, not an
experiment.
2. What surface do mealworms prefer?
This topic suggests the use of an experimental
method. Asking a question is a good approach
toward developing your topic.
2. Microscopes
The topic is too general. Telling how a
microscope works is a report, not an experiment.
3. Do all brands of paper towels absorb water at
the same rate?
This is an experiment where only one variable is
being manipulated at a time.
3. Do different brands of paper towels soak up
different temperatures of water at the same rate?
This topic needs to be narrowed down to one
investigation. Only one variable should be
manipulated in an experiment. (Or at least only
one at a time).
2013 Science Fair Packet Page 12
DISPLAYING A SCIENCE PROJECT
The purpose of your exhibit is to show the results of your project to the public and the judges as
clearly and attractively as possible. Plan your display as carefully as you have planned your project and
your oral presentation. Your science projects will rest atop tables or may be on the floor if they are very
large. The following list contains items that must be present in your display area.
Your display must include:
o The title of project
o Your name, grade, and teacher
o An explanation of your project (purpose)
o Hypothesis (if doing an experiment)
o The procedure you took to answer your questions - list of materials used, step-by-
step directions, variables, include a bibliography
o The results of your project
o Your conclusions
o Charts, diagrams, graphs, or pictures helping to explain your project
Additional Display Suggestions:
The display board construction should be durable. Use stiff cardboard, wood, or tag board. The
tri-fold cardboard displays sold at most craft stores are a good choice.
Your display should cover only one specific topic.
Make the title large. The title should be very noticeable.
Your display should be neatly organized and easy to understand.
Your display should be accurate and as complete as possible. Check for spelling errors.
Make the display attractive. Use color.
Place your display items in front of your display board. These might include your collection,
model, demonstration, etc.
Place your journal and written report (if one has been written) on the table.
Your project should explain itself through the pictures, diagrams, and other data on display.
Display some of the equipment or specimens, if possible.
Below is a diagram of one possible display layout.
2013 Science Fair Packet Page 13
YOUR PRESENTATION TO THE JUDGES
The Science Fair Projects will be judged. However, the main purpose of this Science Fair is to
provide an opportunity for you to showcase your interest in science. The judging will be in three main
areas: 1) oral presentation, 2) display, and 3) content. Every participant will receive a ribbon for
participation.
During the judging you will present an oral presentation on your project. Have fun with it and
show the judges how much you learned. Your presentation should begin with introducing yourself and
your project to the judges, then continue with a description of your project, and conclude with what you
learned. The judges will ask you questions about your project during and after your presentation. Be
friendly and smile, speaking clearly and loudly enough for the interviewer to hear; remember you are the
expert on your topic. Practice your presentation at home and write some notes to help you remember
what you would like to say.
PROJECT CHECKLIST
Check when
completed
Suggested Steps to a Successful Science Project
Choose a topic and Project.
Decide on the purpose of your project.
Describe what you will do (Do you need to check with an adult? )
Write an objective title.
State a hypothesis.
Keep a journal of your thoughts
Research: Collect information and research materials and record your sources.
Collect materials needed for your project or experiment
Conduct Experiments – make sure you plan on enough time to conduct each
experiment.
Take notes in your journal.
Collect and check your data (answers) to see that your experiments are working.
Write a rough draft of what you have done.
Get opinions from a parent or other adult on what you have done.
Chart your results. Graph your data. Look for patterns in your answers.
Take notes in your journal in what you have done and on what you have learned.
Write a summary of your experiments, research or invention..
Finish your reports. Write a conclusion about your results.
Create a display – Be Creative.
Make sure the topic and your results are easy to understand.
Prepare a 1-2 minute oral presentation of your project for the judges.
Practice, practice, practice your presentation. Have others ask you questions about
your project.
Bring your project to school to set up.
2013 Science Fair Packet Page 14
May my parents help?
The majority of the work for a science project should be done by you, the student. You should do
all of the research, reading, experimenting, observing, and writing. However, your parents may
encourage, advise, provide assistance, and offer suggestions regarding technical matters. Parents should
help clarify complicated information and/or redirect to more simplified research. Also, parents should
help you follow standard safety practices when working on these projects. Parent approval and
supervision is required for these projects. But, above all, this is meant to be a fun, family activity.
Safety Rules & Regulations, Use of Animals
Safety should be kept in mind when you pick a project. All projects should be safe for yourself,
for the visitors to the Science Fair, and for the subjects of your experiment if it involves live animals.
The best rule is to use common sense and, if not sure, ask Ms. L. Swanson at [email protected] or
651-702-8276. Below is a list of safety dos and don’ts:
1. You should not plan to use poisons, explosives, high voltage, or harmful bacteria.
2. Experiments on animals are all right as long as the animal is not injured or harmed in any way.
3. You cannot dissect, starve, or mistreat any live animal.
4. You must get permission before bringing live animals to the fair. For permission, contact Ms. L.
Swanson at [email protected] or 651-702-8276.
5. Please make sure any liquids are in tightly sealed containers.
6. While at the fair, if your demonstration involves liquids, make sure you bring tarps and towels to
protect and clean up the gym floor.
7. If you are exhibiting spoiled foods or any type of cultural growth, make sure they are in a sealed
plastic container.