TEAGUE ELEMENTARY SCIENCE FAIR

ABOUT THE SCIENCE FAIR A project is required & will be graded Projects will be completed at home Safety procedures should be followed Students will complete a journal, no display board Best 6 projects will go on to the district science fair

CHOOSE A TOPIC Choose a topic that is interesting to you or something you would like to know more about. Choose a topic that is easily tested; no models or demonstrations *Beware of Google searches *

Choose a Topic

PROBLEM The problem should be written as a question. What do you want to find out? The question should be testable; do an experiment to find the answer. –Good: What melts faster in the sun, red or purple popsicles? –Bad: Why are stars white? Something must be measured (metric)

Problem

RESEARCH Students must do research to learn more about their topics A minimum of 3 sources must be used Use a combination of websites and print resources (books, magazines, etc.) –Teague LibraryTeague Library Expert interviews are optional Gather 3 facts from each source

BIBLIOGRAPHY List the sources you used to get information about your project. You must have a minimum of three different references. Use at least 1 print source and at least 1 internet source.

HYPOTHESIS The hypothesis is a predication of results after doing research and before running tests. It is more than just “an educated guess.” It must be based on your reading and research. Based on your reading and research, what do you think will happen? Question: Does light affect plant growth? Hypothesis: If my plants receive no light, then the plants will not show a difference in growth.

VARIABLE What is being changed in the experiment –Choose only 1 –Ex: color of popsicle, type of liquid, structure/design, etc. You must have a variable – no variable = demonstration

CONSTANTS Things you keep the same during the experiment –Ex: location, amount of water, size of containers, beginning mass, time of day, etc. Everything other than your 1 variable should remain constant

CONTROL A sample that is treated the same as all the rest of the samples, except it is not exposed to the variable –Ex: slide the book with nothing wrapped around it; freeze uncolored water You will not always have a control, but it can make a project better

PROCEDURE Your step by step directions are like a recipe. Anyone who reads them should be able to duplicate your investigation and get the same results. Steps should be listed and numbered

MATERIALS List all materials used in your investigation. Include what, how much, and what kinds of materials you used. Keep in mind quantities are important. Be sure to use only metric units. Example: 250 ml graduated beaker 750 ml water 20° C Clock with second hand

DATA Data refers to information gathered during your investigation. It should include all observations and measurements from your tests.

DATA SHOULD INCLUDE: Tables to show measurements collected. Day-by-day notes detailing your observations in complete sentences. Any photographs or drawings that you feel might help explain your work. Charts or graphs to display your results.

GRAPH YOUR DATA The data collected in your project should be displayed in graphs and charts that are both easy to read and show the data accurately.

RESULTS What actually happened in your experiment –Ex: The milk froze first, followed by the soda and juice.

CONCLUSION This is your answer to the problem you tested. The conclusion should relate directly to your hypothesis. What did you learn from your tests/experiment? –Ex: My hypothesis was incorrect. The lemon juice cleaned the penny the best. The more acidic the liquid, the better it cleans the penny.

REAL WORLD APPLICATION Relate your project to the real world. Describe any action or impact your results might have on everyday life. –How is your project related to your everyday life? –How is your project related to real world industries and processes? Ex: Since darker colors absorb more light, I should wear lighter colors when I want to stay cool.

SCIENCE FAIR PROJECT DISPLAY Only students going on to the district fair will make a display board. TITLE PROCEDURE DATA RESULTS PROBLEM HYPOTHESIS MATERIALS CONCLUSION APPLICATION BIBLIOGRAPHY JOURNAL

THANK YOU FOR COMING!