Helping a Child with His or Her Science Fair Project

www.societyforscience.org

www.sciencefair.usm.edu

Mississippi Region VI Science & Engineering Fair

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

• 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

Your Job as a Parent

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

The Scientific MethodThe Scientific Method

Ask a Question

Do Background

ResearchConstruct Hypothesis

Experiment-Test

HypothesisAnalyze Data Draw Conclusions Report Results

(Was your Hypothesis Correct?)

Remember

Even if you disprove your Even if you disprove your hypothesis, your experiment is hypothesis, your experiment is

probably still valid.probably still valid.

• 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 Always obtain the appropriate approvals before starting your research approvals before starting your research including:including:

Develop a Research Plan

• Complete the required forms required by your school (Parent or Guardian must sign)

• Write the abstract

• Put Safety First!

Develop a Research Plan (continued)

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 AbstractPurpose of the ExperimentAn introductory statement of the reason for investigating the topic of the project. A statement of the problem or hypothesis being studied.

Procedures UsedA 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/ResultsThis 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.

ConclusionsConclusions 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 PhotographsRemember!

•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

5 feet long

3 fe

et

wid

e

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).

JournalBy

John Smith

Do Goldfish Blow Bubbles to Breathe?The

goldfish is a very interesting fish that requires minimal care. Etc. Etc. Etc.

MATINGGoldfish 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.SPAWNINGGoldfish spawn in summer. Eggs are laid among aquatic plants.EGGSOver 100,000 small (1 mm in diameter), sticky Goldfish eggs are released by the female. The eggs hatch 1 week later.JUVENILESYoung Goldfish attach themselves to aquatic plants for a few days until their yolk sac has been absorbed by them.

When your goldfish blows bubbles in the water it means that your goldfish is bubbling air in water. Ref: Wiki

ReportBy

John Smith

What’s not right?

Name of

Student

Award

Not Experime

nt

Glass/Water

Animal

Fish Food

Good Exampl

e

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

Prepare the Presentation

• 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

Talk about your project

What is wrong with this exhibit?

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 teacherISEF rules and regulation

Develop a hypothesis

Write a detailed research plan

After approvals, begin your experiment

Make observations/collect data

Student Checklist

Interpret the observations/data

Draw conclusions

Finalize presentation

Write abstract

Create the exhibit boardDisplay and Safety Regulations

Practice presenting your work and prepare to answer questions

Present the project

Make observations/collect data

Student Checklist (continued)

Code of ConductStudents

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 pre-approved 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.

•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 (Students)

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 Failure to Follow the Rules Could Lead to the Rules Could Lead to the Removal of the Student Removal of the Student and the Project from the and the Project from the

CompetitionCompetition

• 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

Your Job as a ParentAfter the Science Fair

Excellence in Marine Sciences Award

Projects relating to Marine or Coastal Environmental Issues may be eligible for this special monetary award!

Rules and GuidelinesIntel ISEF Rules and GuidelinesCompleting 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 WizardAsks questions about your planned project and tells you which forms you need to complete.

Overview of Forms and DatesProvides a brief explanation of each form in the Rules and Regulations, and when it should be completed.

Common Scientific Review Committee (SRC) ProblemsSummarizes SRC reviews leading up to the 2005 Intel ISEF, with pointers about what NOT to do.

Web LinksScience project informationhttp://www.societyforscience.org/isef/primer/index.asp

Rules and Guidelineshttp://www.societyforscience.org/isef/about/ rules_regulations.asp

Writing an abstracthttp://www.societyforscience.org/isef/students/abstract.asp

Display and Safety Regulationshttp://www.societyforscience.org/isef/students/ aff_regulations.asp