Science Fair
What is a science fair?
How can you help your child?
Why a Science Fair Project?
1. Work across the curriculum.
2. Conduct independent research.
3. Utilize the scientific method.
4. Develop writing skills.
5. Employ mathematical and analytical skills.
6. Give oral presentations.
7. Find the answers to their own questions.
8. Carry an idea through to completion.
9. Work to deadline.
10. Respect humane and safety considerations.
11. Document procedures.
12. Create artistic displays.
13. Integrate into one activity all of the skills that are usually taught separately.
Why a Science Fair continued…
What Does a Science Fair Project Contain?
1. A Notebook.
2. A display/backboard.
3. Apparatus.
Rio Seco Science Fair Project Guide
• RSSFGuide2009-2010.doc
How Do I Start?
One of the hardest parts of the science fair project is coming up with the idea. What are you interested in? Is there a question you’ve always wanted to know the answer
to? Is it testable? Is it measurable?
How to get ideas:
1. Look on the internet on science fair idea websites..
http://www.sciencebuddies.com/
Science Fair on About.com
2. Look in the science textbook. Many labs can be converted into science fair projects.
a. Are You Getting Your Vitamins? (8th grade textbook P. 324) – testing beverages for Vit. C.
b. Which antacid neutralizes stomach acid with the smallest number of drops? (8th grade P. 280)
c. What factors affect the speed of rotation of a lawn sprinkler? (8th grade P. 423).
d. How can cut flowers stay fresher for a longer period of time? (7th grade P. 27).
e. Is there a relationship between exercise and the amount of carbon dioxide you exhale? (7th grade P. 128).
3. Go to the Santee library and check out a science fair ideas book.
4. Borrow a science fair book from Dr. Shevinsky.
What’s Next?Once you have picked the project you’re interested
in it’s time for background research.
What is the science behind your project? Use the science textbook, encyclopedia, and then, maybe, the internet. Students must use at least two print resources for their research.
If you have used an idea from the textbook the background research is the chapter and section where the idea was found.
Some good web sites:
http://www.howstuffworks.com
http://www.ask.com
http://www.sciencebuddies.com/
For chemistry experiments:
http://www.chem4kids.com
Plan the ExperimentWhat materials do you need?
What procedure are you going to follow?
a. Plan a controlled experiment with only one manipulated variable.
b. There must be at least one responding variable which is measurable.
c. What is the control?
d. How many times will the experiment be repeated? (number of trials?)
Does temperature affect a chemical reaction?
Problem: Does changing the temperature of a solution affect the amount of carbon dioxide produced when mixing baking soda and vinegar?
Hypothesis:
Suggested Materials:
Baking soda Ice cubes
Vinegar Thermometer
Bottle Measuring spoons
Balloons
Microwave
Procedure (Suggested, can be modified)
1. Take a 1 liter bottle, add 500 ml room temperature vinegar to the bottle.
2. Add 5 ml. baking soda to a 9” balloon.
3. Put the balloon on the bottle and shake the baking soda into the vinegar.
4. After the solution stops bubbling measure the circumference of the balloon in cm.
5. Repeat steps 1-4 9X at room temperature.
6. Repeat steps 1-4 10X at 50°C.
7. Repeat steps 1-4 10X at 5°C.
Perform the Experiment.At home, under adult supervision. Forms are needed for:
•Hazard form to use bacteria, mold, fungi, chemicals, fire – anything which not handled properly can cause injury.
•Certificate of compliance of research involving humans – for projects involving human subjects/interviewees.
•Forms at http://www.gsdsef.org.
•No experiments using vertebrate animals (can be discussed).
Present the Experiment1. Charts – data must be quantitative (NUMBERS), units must be METRIC (cm., grams, mL, °C).
Temp. Circum. Of balloon
2. Graphs-manipulated variable on x-axis, responding variable on y-axis.
RespondingVariable(what was measured)
Circum. Of
Balloon (cm)
Manipulated (what was changed)Variable (Temp.)
Results
A narrative of the data, written in complete sentences. A retelling of the numbers in the charts and graphs.
For example: At 25°C the average circumference of the balloon was…
ConclusionAn explanation of the data. Was the hypothesis supported by the data or not? Were any problems encountered while performing the experiment? Explain the data using what was learned from the background research. For example: There was more CO2 produced at room temperature than in the cold. Most chemical reactions work faster at warmer temperatures than cold temperatures because molecules move faster at warmer temperatures than cold temperatures.
Works Cited
At least 5 references. Listed in alphabetical order according to MLA standards. (See Science Fair Project Guide.)
Standards for Judging1. Creativeness – originality of problem,
uniqueness of approach, ingenious use of equipment and materials.
2. Scientific Thought – depth of study and effort in employing scientific procedures in the solution of a clearly defined problem.
3. Thoroughness – the study is complete within the scope of the problem. Scientific literature has been searched, experiments have been repeated, careful records have been kept.
TimelineAssignment Due Date:
1. Idea for project October 27
2. Background Research November 15
3. Problem & Hypothesis November 19
4. Experimental Design November 29
5. Data December 6
6. Results & Conclusion December 13
7. Abstract December 15
8. Report January 18
8. Backboard January 31
9. Rio Seco Science Fair February 3-4
10. Judging for GSDSEF February 14-15
11. SSD Science Fair TBA
12. GSDSEF March 22-27
Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair
www.gsdsef.org
Projects to Avoid
Ideas for projects
Rules and regulations
Standards for judging
E-mail: [email protected]
