Science Fair Logbooks

Keeping a Logbook

One of the most important aspects of doing a science fair project is documentation.

Every experiment should be reproducible and the entries in your notes should be sufficient for someone else to reproduce the experiment.

Keeping a Logbook

You will work out your thinking and the development of your problem in the notebook.

The scientific notebook is a bound or spiral book with pages that are not removable.

The validity of your documentation partly depends upon insuring the work has not been tampered with or pages removed.

Setting up a Logbook

Step 1

Write your name on the front inside cover of the logbook. Use a pencil to record all information in the log book.

On Page 1 write:

Your nameYour partner’s name (if you are in a team)Title of your projectGoshen Elementary SchoolTeacher: Ms. N. Jones

Step 2 Number the front of every page in order at

the upper corner.

25

Step 3

Leave Page 2 blank.

BLANK

Step 4

On Page 3-4, write the Table of Contents:Table of Contents

ExampleChoosing a Project…………… Page 5Literary Research……..……. PageDaily Log………………...……. PageExperimental Research..…….Page

Step 6

Choosing a Project – Page 5 Record all project ideas. For your accepted topic provide:

A project overview of your topicProblem (in the form of a question)Hypothesis (If… then…)

Step 7

Literary Research Record any reference sources used for your

research paper. Add your research paper into this section. Leave a couple pages to include any future

research that needs to be recorded (websites, books, notes, etc.).

Step 8

Daily Log Record what you do every time you work

on your science fair project. Start each entry on a new page. Date each entry.

Step 9Experimental Research Add your procedure into the beginning of this

section. This section includes:

DataObservationsGraphsAnalysis of your results after each trial

General Guidelines

Record everything - no detail is insignificant.

Cross out mistakes with a single line (do not cover up the entire entry – whiteout, marker, etc.).

General Guidelines

Tape, staple, or glue computer print-outs, photographs, etc. into the logbook.

You should take pictures throughout the experimentation phase of your project for your logbook and display board. Do not include faces on your pictures.

General Guidelines

Research: List the websites, articles or book used as resources to complete the project.

Have Have Fun!!!!Fun!!!!