Secrets of a GREAT Secrets of a GREAT Science Fair ProjectScience Fair Project

… and how parents can help

Dr. O.C. Lam

Really!

Because a Science Fair is

FUN

Why do a Why do a Science Science

Fair?Fair?

Advice from Participants at Advice from Participants at the International Science & the International Science &

Engineering FairEngineering Fair“Don't be afraid to try something even though it might not work. Let your imagination run wild and be creative.“

Top 3 students at the Intel ISEF. Each received a $50,000 scholarship.

Advice from Participants at Advice from Participants at the International Science & the International Science &

Engineering FairEngineering Fair

“Read science magazines... and research on the Internet to see what is currently being done in science. Always choose a topic that interests you and make sure whatever you choose is possible to do in time and with the equipment available. “

Advice from Participants at Advice from Participants at the International Science & the International Science &

Engineering FairEngineering Fair

“Ask your science teacher for help. Don't be shy--call professors at local universities or even E-mail them. “

More advice to students at http://www.sciserv.org/isef/students/tips_advice.asp

Cash AwardsGreat prizesScholarshipsSummer positionsCredentials for college

admissionsMeet famous scientistsDevelop friendships

with people you meet

Five Types of ProjectsFive Types of Projects

Inquiry ProjectEngineering ProjectComputer Science

ProjectMathematical

ProjectTheoretical Project

Inquiry ProjectInquiry Project

Data driven. Analysis and application of that

data.

Demonstration projects, library research or informational projects, explanation models or kit building ARE NOT appropriate for research based science fairs.

Engineering Engineering ProjectsProjects

"Scientists try to understand how nature works; engineers create things that never were."

An engineering project should state the engineering goals, the development process and the evaluation of improvements.

Engineering ProjectEngineering Project

Ask "How can I make this better?" Do background research Build and test a prototype Consider reliability, repair &

servicing. Retest and redesign as necessary.

Product testing. Present results

Computer Computer Science ProjectScience Project

Often involve creating and writing new algorithms to solve a problem or improve on an existing algorithm. Simulations, models or 'virtual reality' are other areas on which to conduct research.

Mathematical ProjectsMathematical Projects

These involve proofs, solving equations, etc. Math is the language of science and is used to explain existing phenomena or prove new concepts and ideas.

These projects may involve a thought experiment, development of new theories and explanations, concept formation or designing a mathematical model.

Theoretical ProjectsTheoretical Projects

GETTING GETTING

STARTEDSTARTED

• Hardest part of the project• How do you start? Brainstorm with friends. Choose a limited subject. Make sure it’s interesting to you• Ask a ‘testable’ question• Go to Science Buddies for help: Go to Science Buddies for help: http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/recommender_register.php

• Asking for people’s preferencesAsking for people’s preferences• Topics for people to recall things from the pastTopics for people to recall things from the past• Effects of colored light, music, etc. on plants, Effects of colored light, music, etc. on plants, blood pressure, memory, emotions, etc.blood pressure, memory, emotions, etc.• Astrology, ESP, Handwriting analysisAstrology, ESP, Handwriting analysis• Projects with dangerous, illegal, or hard to find Projects with dangerous, illegal, or hard to find itemsitems• Studies involving drugging, pain, or injury to Studies involving drugging, pain, or injury to vertebrate animal.vertebrate animal.• Study creating physical or psychological risksStudy creating physical or psychological risks• Collecting tissue samples from humans or Collecting tissue samples from humans or vertebrate vertebrate animals.

BAD BAD PROJECTS!BAD BAD PROJECTS!

• Measure quantitative changes to Measure quantitative changes to important variables. important variables. • Controlled experimentControlled experiment• Safe experimentsSafe experiments• Materials and equipment which are Materials and equipment which are available and reasonable in costavailable and reasonable in cost• Sufficient time for experiment - including Sufficient time for experiment - including practice and learning how to do practice and learning how to do fundamentals (such as growing plants)fundamentals (such as growing plants)• Project meets all the rules for the science Project meets all the rules for the science fairfair

Good ProjectsGood Projects

Go to the library or internet to learn more about your topic

Ask Who, What, Why, When, Where, How or What if

Look for unexplained or unexpected results

Network and talk to teachers & professionals in the field.

Organize everything you have learned about your topic.

At this point narrow your thinking by focusing on a particular idea.

Think of this as your roadmap

Develop a time line to manage your time efficiently.

Remember you need to fill out forms and review the Research Plan with your sponsor. Some projects need prior Scientific Review Committee (SRC) or Institutional

Review Board (IRB) approval. Allow time to experiment and collect data. You need time to write a paper and put

together a display or 'board'.

Give thought to experimental design. Make sure you include sufficient numbers in both control and experimental groups.

Once finished with the experimental design fill out the appropriate forms.

Obtain a signature of approval from your adult advisor.

Determine if additional forms and prior approval are needed.

Test your hypothesis through experimentation and analysis of data.

Use graphs to help see patterns in the data.

Draw conclusions based on experimental evidence.

Prepare your report and exhibit.

Keep detailed notes of every experiment, measurement & observation in a log book. Do not rely on memory

Judges love logbooks! Do not Judges love logbooks! Do not copy to create a neat log. Wecopy to create a neat log. We like stains, mark-throughs, etc.like stains, mark-throughs, etc.

Use data tables or charts to record your quantitative data.

•Examine and organize your findings.

•Use graphs to make 'pictures' of data. •Identify patterns from the graphs

Statistically analyze your data using statistics that you understand.

Did the variable tested cause change?What are patterns from graph analysis? Never alter results to fit a theory. It’s OK if results do not support the hypothesis.

Think of practical applications. How would you improve the experiment?

Research paper explains the theory behind your experiment and why your experiment turned out the way it did. It should include:

History of similar experiments or inventionsDefinitions of important words and

concepts related to the experimentAny mathematical formulae needed to

describe experimental results.

Overall, judges look

for:

well thought-out research

the significance of your project in its field

how thorough you were & your log book

• No memorized speeches

•Don’t be nervous, we understand about interviews

•Speak confidently about your research

•Judges often ask questions such as "What didn't you do?" and "What would be your next step?"

During the interview:During the interview:

What to Bring to the Fair:What to Bring to the Fair:

Project Notebook (Include originals of abstracts, required forms, research paper, or report)Bound Log Book

(pages dated & written in ink)

Visual Display

Isn’t success enough of a reason to do this?

Then….JUST DO IT!

Tips for ParentsTips for Parents helping with your helping with your

child’s projectchild’s project

Give encouragement, support, & guidance. Make sure the work is primarily the work of

the child. Realize the main goal of a science fair

project is to help your child use and strengthen the skills he or she has learned and develop higher-level skills. The main goal should not be the ribbon or prize.

Tips for ParentsTips for Parents helping with your child’s helping with your child’s

projectproject Provide transportation to libraries,

nature centers

Locate Internet access, either at home or at a school or library

Help your child design a project that is safe and properly supervised

Tips for ParentsTips for Parents Helping your child with THEIR Helping your child with THEIR

projectprojectHelp plan a reasonable timeline to

prevent a last minute project. Some projects may take 6 to 10 months. Allow at least 12 weeks to conduct an experiment and prepare the presentation

Do not get upset if your child doesn’t win a prize at the science fair. The skills gained are worth all of the effort.

Tips for ParentsTips for Parents Helping your child with THEIR Helping your child with THEIR

projectprojectHelp your child begin to plan for next year.Feel a sense of pride and accomplishment

when the science fair is over. You and your child have earned it!

In May 2010, the best and In May 2010, the best and brightest science students in brightest science students in the world will be gathering in the world will be gathering in San Jose, California to San Jose, California to participate in the Intel participate in the Intel International Science and International Science and Engineering Fair. You could be Engineering Fair. You could be there!there!