science fair student packet

8/9/2019 Science Fair Student Packet

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Science Project Elements

Your project should include the following elements: Purpose, problem,hypothesis, research, materials, procedure, data/results, conclusion, and

variables/constants.

Purpose: Why did you do your project? What was the point of your project?

Explain why this project is important to you.

Problem: What specifically are you trying to discover by doing your project?(You should state your problem in the form of a question.)

Hypothesis: This is what you thought would happen with your project before yodid any experimentation. Your hypothesis is a guess based on what you alreadyknow.

Research: When you do research on your project or use information from a

source other than your experiments, write down where your information camefrom and what you learned from your research.

Materials: This is a listing of all materials you used in your project during theexperimentation phase. Make sure you include quantities/amounts. (Do notinclude materials used to create your project display)

Procedure: This is a step-by-step break down of how you did your experiments.Example: First I.. Next I.. Or you can number the steps.

Data/Results: This is what you discovered as you were doing your experimentsOften times this is displayed in a chart, table or graph form. Report the resultsexactly the way you recorded them.

Conclusion: This is where you tell what you learned from your experimentationand whether or not your hypothesis was correct (right) or incorrect (wrong). If itwas correct tell why. Use evidence and facts to back up your statements. If youhypothesis was incorrect state why, and again use evidence to back it up.

Variables: This is something that you do, that you expect will affect the result oyour experiment.

Constants: These are the conditions that stayed the same for each part of theexperiment.


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Making It Look GreatThe Science Fair display represents all the work that you have done. It should

consist of a backboard and anything that represents your project, such as models made,

items studied, photographs, surveys, and the like. Here are a few helpful hints

to keep in mind as you create your display:

zExhibits will be confined to table space measuring 24 front to back, 48 side to side,and 72 tall. Remember to review the list of prohibited items.

zA three-sided backboard is usually the best way to display your work.

zYour science fair project must have a title. Make it simple and catchy. Examples:

Gummy in my Tummy, Wild Wake-Ups, Wet Strength, and Are You Heart Smart?

zEach component of your science fair project (purpose, hypothesis, experimentation, etc.)

must be clearly labeled. Type the words, if possible, or use a stencil to write them neatly.

zMake the project title stand out by using larger letters for it and smaller letters for the

component headings.

zThe title and other headings should be neat and large enough to be read at a distanceof about 3 feet.

zLimit the number of colors used. It is best to use one or two colors on your display.

zBy using construction paper to mount your written sections of the project, you draw

interest to your display.

zDisplay photos, charts, and models representing the experiment and results.

zUse rubber cement if possible. Unlike glue, you will be to able reposition items if necessary.

White school glue also tends to wrinkle paper.

zYou want a display that the judges will remember positively. So before you glue everything

down, lay the board on a flat surface and arrange the materials a few different ways.Pick your favorite and rubber cement away!

One Great Way to Display Your Project:

Title of ProjectPurpose:

Hypothesis:

Experimentation:

- Materials- Procedure

(Also include

drawings or

pictures)

Conclusion:

Results:-photos

-graphs-charts

Journal

Research:


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Writing Your Report

By now you have completed your experiment. Now you must organize the information and results intoa report. Your report must be in a folder or binder. It can be typed or neatly written. The report shouldinclude:

Cover Title Page Include the title of your project, your name, school,and your grade.

Next Table of Contents List the sections of your report.

Page 1 Purpose: Use the purpose question on which you based yourexperiment. It should be brief - three sentences or les

Page 2 Research: Include background information about topics which arrelated to your experiment. You should discuss topicswhich will help the reader to better understand yourpurpose, hypothesis, and conclusion. You may refer tyour experiments purpose and hypothesis.

Page 3 Materials: List the materials used.Constants: List the constants of the experiment.Variables: List the variables of the experiment.Procedure: Explain step-by-step what you did in your experiment

Page 4 Results: This section is organized into graphs, charts, tables,or day-to-day logs.

Page 5 Conclusion: Write down what you think your data proves. Was you

hypothesis correct? Give recommendations andsuggestions for others who may want to experimentwith your topic.

Page 6 Works Cited: Follow the Works Cited guidelines on page 7.

YOU MUST HAVE AT LEAST 2 REFERENCES!


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Works Cited Page

Your project will need to include a Works Cited page. A Works Cited page is a list of the sources youconsulted to help you with the project. You will need to follow the MLA Handbook of Style to cite yoursources. Below are the methods to use for books and websites:

Books:

Last name of author, first name. Title. Place of Publication: Publisher, Year ofPublication.

(Example:)

Fisher, Doug. Science Experiments using Electricity. New York: Scholastic Press,2000.

Websites:

Website Title. Date website was created. Sponsor of website. Date website was accessed bystudent. Website URL address.

(Example:)

Abraham Lincoln. 29 April 2003. The White House. 24 January 2008.http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/all6.html.

- - - - - - - -

To help you with your Works Cited page, you may go to the following website:http://www.easybib.com/

Once there, this website will ask you to select a source (i.e. website, book, magazine), thenselect its format (how did you find it?). After you select one of these, push next to begin fillingin the information about the material you used. Most of the information will be found on the titlepage or on the back of the title page if you used a book. If you are citing a website, theinformation should be on the home page of the site.

science fair student packet

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