Science Fair: From Horror to Happy in Four (or so) Easy Steps  1.Choose a kid friendly question (and help the kid answer it!). What are your child's interests?What are your child's interests? What has your child been studying in science?What has your child been studying in science? If it’s over their heads, it’s out of their mind.If it’s over their heads, it’s out of their mind. 2.Start early and follow a reasonable timeline. Remember - three times is a charm.Remember - three times is a charm. 3.Let the question guide the project and the data guide the answer. It’s ok if it doesn’t turn out the way your child hypothesized; that’s science!It’s ok if it doesn’t turn out the way your child hypothesized; that’s science!

Science Fair: From Horror to Happy in Four (or so) Easy Steps  4.For the judges… The title should be the question that’s being investigated.The title should be the question that’s being investigated. Focus on neat and “followable”. If you have to make it pretty, do it with data display and relevant digital pictures.Focus on neat and “followable”. If you have to make it pretty, do it with data display and relevant digital pictures. Include the data and an explanation of what it means. (Check out this site for making graphs: )Include the data and an explanation of what it means. (Check out this site for making graphs: ) Focus on science fundamentals.Focus on science fundamentals. Follow the rules!Follow the rules!Follow the rules!Follow the rules!

The Rules A few surprises… Your project may NOT have plants or plant parts with it. Your project may NOT have any food with it. Your project may NOT have any water with it. Your project MAY have teeth, hair, nails, or dried animal bones with it. I don’t know what that last project is, but I’m glad that I’m not involved. The bottom line (Get it?! The bottom line!): Take pictures.

Title in the Form of a Question Results This tells us what happened. This should include evidence of at least 3 trials and can contain both quantitative (numbers) and qualitative (observations) results. This is a good place for pictures. Data This section should include labeled tables and/or graphs. This is a good section in which to garner higher presentation points with good looking, color graphs. Sites such as s/createAgraph/default.as px are a good source. s/createAgraph/default.as px Purpose/ Problem What is the student trying to find out? Research This can be experiential. “I have noticed that when….” Hypothesis What do you think will happen? This should be testable and based on the research! Procedures This is what you did. This should be listed out step- by-step. Variables should be noted. Materials Listed alphabetically. This section could be in the middle column, too. Summary of Results/ Discussion The data in a nutshell. What does it all mean? Conclusion What did you learn? Was the hypothesis supported or not? What would the student do differently next time? What other experiments would the student like to do based on these results? Acknowledgments This is where you credit the people that helped (parents, teachers, etc) by telling what part they played in the project. This can also serve as a place to reference items utilized for the research section.

EX: Do males or females have better hand-eye coordination ? The purpose of my science fair project is to see if males or females have better hand-eye coordination. I am interested in this topic because my dad thinks that he is a better driver than my mom is. He always says that this is because men have better hand-eye coordination. I think that the information that I get from this project might help us to settle their issue.

Hypothesis Based on your research, what do YOU think? In your mind, formulate a hypothesis based on your research.

Procedures 1.Ask 4-6 friends or family members to help. No fewer than 2 of each gender! 2.Share your hypothesis (this one keeps you honest). 3.Perform experiment.

Procedures 1.Have on member hold the cardboard piece at the edge of the table so that the slot is overhanging. 2.One member (the catcher) of the team puts their fingers at the edges of the slot. 3.Another member will put the meter stick at the opening of the slot and drop it. 4.The catcher tries to catch the meter stick as quickly as possible. 5.Repeat 3 times and record/ average results. 6.Rotate positions.

VARIABLES!!! Manipulated/ Independent (the one that we change): people who are doing the experiment – specifically gender Dependent/ Responding (what changes because of our change): how far the meter stick falls (time to catch) Controlled (the things we keep the same): test, materials, etc.

Trial 1Trial 2Trial 3Average Name 1 Name 2 Name 3 Name 4

Materials 1.Chart paper 2.Markers 3.Meter stick 4.Standard cardboard piece GO!

Research Experience 1.Game “For real” research – books, articles, online (be careful on this one!) 1.Insurance stats 2.Piloting

Results, Data, Summary Pictures Data tables Notes Graphs No opinions – just the facts!

Conclusion BASED ON YOUR DATA was your hypothesis supported or not? What would you change next time? Your thoughts

Acknowledgements My teacher Books or websites used for ideas or research Thanks parents, students, etc.