Science Fair Projects

The Steps for a Successful

Science Fair Project

The Scientific Method

You should always follow the 9 steps of the scientific method when doing a science project to be successful.

Step 1 – Select a Topic

Selected Topic

A. Student

What is my interest?

B. Parent

Will I be able to help?

C. Teacher

Is the project on level?

Step 1A: Select a Topic - Student

What are my interests?What would I like to learn about?Do I have a question about something?

Where to look for topics?

Science Fair book

Internet

Teacher

Does my project meet the rule requirements?

Step 1B: Select Topic - Parent

Could I help with the selected topic?Has the teacher approved the project?Does the selected project meet the rule

requirements?Do we have the needed materials for the project

or know where to purchase or borrow?Help set a timeline for my child. Is my child meeting the deadlines of the teacher?

Step 1 C: Select Topic - Teacher

Is the project at the student’s ability level?Does the project meet the rule

requirements?Is there parent approval?What is the timeline for each step?Locate needed resources for students.Are the students meeting the timelines?

Data/Project Log - REQUIRED

The log starts on the date you select and it is approved by the teacher

Each new entry must be datedThis log is HANDWRITTEN – not typedALL observations and measurements are

to be recordedRemember all measurements are metric

Step 2 Identify the Problem

This is a sentence or question about the problem.

Example: “What type of container will keep my soda cooler longer?”

Or “I would like to compare the temperature of a glass bottle of soda to a can of soda.”

Step 3 Collect Background Information

RESEARCH about Project Media Center

Minimum of 10 references

BOOKS: Encyclopedias

Topic Books Magazines/Newspapers

INTERNET: Websites Search by Topic

CD ROM: Grolier

Compton

Research Paper/Notebook - REQUIRED

Must be written in your own words. Do not just print the pages from the computer.

– Research your topic in books and online– Make notes as you gather background information for the

research paper– Paraphrase what you read in your OWN words– Research paper may be typed or handwritten– You are to have a minimum of five sources– Must list your sources in the bibliography in the correct format

Step 4 Form a Hypothesis

A hypothesis is a statement of what you believe will happen in the experiment. This statement is based on the research you have done.

Do not start with “I think.”

Examples: “The can will keep the soda cooler longer than the plastic or glass bottle.” OR

“If soda is placed in can, then the soda will stay cooler longer than in plastic or glass.”

Step 5 Design an Experiment

Materials List:

All materials needed to conduct the experiment:

Paper

Pencil

Ruler

Measuring cup

Etc.

Procedure: The procedure is a step

by step set of directions on how to do the experiment. Use metric measurements.

Step 1 – gather all materials

Step 2 – set up experiment

Etc.

Step 6 During Experiment

During the

Experiment

Observe: Watch

Look

Record: Notes

Journal/Log Results

Analyze Data: What have I

learned from the results?

Step 7 Repeat the Experiment

The experiment should be repeated at least 5 times.

This is done in order to prove the results as true.

Step 8 Drawing A Conclusion

This is a sentence that states what did happen during the experiment. What did you learn from the experiment?

Example: “The can kept the soda cooler longer than the glass bottle.”

Explain here why this happened.

Step 9 Application

What can the results be used for?How can I use the knowledge I have

gained from the experiment?How will I use what I have learned?How can others use the information I

have gained from the experiment?

The Display Board

Title/Question

Graphs

Charts

Pictures

Hypothesis

Procedure

*Abstract

(Required)

Data/

Results

Conclusion

Application

Notebook and Log

Required

2006-07 Websites

 1)      Science Fair Center - www.sciencefaircenter.com/science_fair_planning.tpl?cart=11249928173913392#12)      Science Fair Center for nonscientist parents – www.sciencefaircenter.com/science_fair_basics.tpl?cart=112499281739133923)      What Makes a Good Science Fair Project? www.usc.edu/CSSF/Resources/Good_Project.html 4)      Discovery School .com – http://.school.discovery.com/sciencefaircentral/5)      Elementary Projects (Grades 4 - 6) - http://www.cdli.ca/sciencefairs/elem.html6)      Science Projects 13.01 - http://members.ozemail.com.au/%7Emacinnis/scifun/projects.htm#N427)      IPL – Science Fair Resource Guide - www.ipl.org/youth/projectguide/8)      Successful Science Fair Projects - http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/fair.html9)  Science Fair Prep - www.cyberbee.com/science/prep.html10)  Steps To Prepare A Science Fair Project(Cyber Fair) - www.isd77.k12.mn.us/resources/cf/steps.html11)  Science Fair Ideas – USGS – www.earthquake.usgs.gov/4kids/sciencefair.html12)  Yahoo – Ask Earl - http://yahooligans.yahoo.com/content/ask_earl/20020123.html13)  Agricultural Ideas for Science Fair Projects - http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/kids/fair/ideasframe.htm14)  Lycos Search - http://search.lycos.com/?src=sf&loc=sem&query=science+fair+project+ideas&nlubid=115)  Science Fair Resource Center - http://www.hallbar.com/sciencecenter.html16)  Science Fair Links - http://www.rcs.k12.va.us/csjh/sciencefair.htm 

Good Luck

You are able to be successful!