Guidelines for Display Board Science Fair 2012-2013 Guidelines for Display Board

Abstract: This is a summary of the project. The abstract includes the question/problem, the project’s purpose, the hypothesis, as well as a summary of the experiment, results, and conclusion. The abstract should be 250 words or less.

Experimental Design Problem Hypothesis Independent Variable Materials

Experimental Procedures: List, in sequence, the procedure that you will follow when conducting the experiment. Make sure to number the steps. Write the procedure clearly enough for someone else to accurately duplicate the experiment.

Data/Results: This is information that tells what data was collected. Data/Results may include short paragraphs, charts, tables, and pictures (drawings or photographs). Remember to include labels for the charts and tables. Concise captions are appropriate for charts, tables, and pictures as well. If photographs are used, they must not show the faces of any students.

Analysis: A brief analysis of the data/results should be included. This is where you look at the data and put it into another form (like a graph) for easy interpretation; where you make connections and put information gained in the experiment together.

Conclusion: This is where you state what you discovered from doing your experiment. Did the results confirm or reject your hypothesis? Either confirmation or rejection is acceptable; however, it is important that you explain how your data supports your conclusion.

Future Research: If your data confirmed your hypothesis, what new questions did your research raise? What information could be pursued in future projects? If you disproved your hypothesis or if you were unable to draw a reasonable conclusion from the data you collected, how would you change your methods to re-evaluate your hypothesis?

Bibliography: List author, title, page numbers, and publisher for all materials you have referenced in your project. For internet sites, list web address, date accessed, and title of site.

Title: A catchy title will draw people to the display. Students should decide on a title early in their project; perhaps after formulating the hypothesis or planning the experiment. Many students use their project question as their title. The title should be printed in a size large enough to be easily read from a distance of 6 to 8 feet.

Abstract Tips 5 pieces: Introduction.-the purpose for doing your science fair project. Why should anyone care about the work you did? You have to tell them why. Did you explain something that should cause people to change the way they go about their daily business? Motivate the reader to finish the abstract and read the entire paper or display board. Problem Statement. Identify the problem or the hypothesis you investigated. Procedures. What was your approach for investigating the problem? Describe the most important variables if you have room. Results. What answer did you obtain? Be specific and use numbers to describe your results. Conclusions. State what your science fair project contributes to the area you worked in. Did you meet your objectives?

Sample Abstract #1 This project looks at which AA battery maintains its voltage for the longest period of time in low, medium, and high current drain devices. The batteries were tested in a CD player (low drain device), a flashlight (medium drain device), and a camera flash (high drain device) by measuring the battery voltage (dependent variable) at different time intervals (independent variable) for each of the battery types in each of the devices. My hypothesis was that Energizer would last the longest in all of the devices tested. The experimental results supported my hypothesis by showing that the Energizer performs with increasing superiority, the higher the current drain of the device. The experiment also showed that the heavy-duty non-alkaline batteries do not maintain their voltage as long as either alkaline battery at any level of current drain.

Things to Avoid Avoid jargon or any technical terms that most readers won't understand. Avoid abbreviations or acronyms that are not commonly understood unless you describe what they mean. Abstracts do not have a bibliography or citations. Abstracts do not contain tables or graphs. If you are working with a scientist or mentor, your abstract should only include procedures done by you, and you should not put acknowledgements to anyone in your abstract. Abstract tips taken from http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_abstract.shtml

Question/Problem (Purpose): State the question or problem you are trying to solve as clearly as possible. Hypothesis: Write out your hypothesis, educated guess, as clearly and specifically as possible. Be sure to explain why you believe your hypothesis to be plausible.

Materials: List the materials that you will use in the experiment.