1. Success at the Science Fair
Andrea Berninger

2. ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW
Congratulations!!! You are embarking on one of the most exciting, challenging, and fun projects in Elementary School!!
A science fair project is all about answering questions to something you have always been curious about.
Everything you need to know is in this Powerpoint
If you have ANY questions, concerns, or fears about your project, just find me and I will help and guide you in any way that I can!
Good luck and contact me if you need me ext. 2044
Andrea M. Berninger

3. Steps in the Scientific Method
Problem- What are you trying to answer and what are you wondering about in the natural world?
Research- Use textbooks, articles, and the Internet to come up with at least 8 sentences about your topic.
Hypothesis- What do you think, based on your research, will happen when you complete your experiment? If I do __________, then this will___________ because________________________
Materials- Make a list of what you will need in order to conduct your experiment.
Procedure- The steps I used to conduct my experiment.
Results- Numeric data you collected while doing your
experiment.
Conclusion- Reflect on your hypothesis and what happened in your experiment.

4. Problem or Question
Think of something that you are curious about in science Make sure it involves a topic that is interesting to you Is your question something that has puzzled you or made you wonder? Did you read something that you want to prove or disprove to be true?
???? Think about :
Can I test my question?
Can my results be measured?
Do I have enough time to complete my project?
Will I be able to find enough research on the topic?

5. Research
Find background information for researching your topic. Use the library, trade books, articles, and the Internet to help find some relevant information. The research you include on your board should include at least 8 sentences with relevant information on your topic.

6. Hypothesis
Use your research to form your hypothesis to make an educated guess.
Your hypothesis is a statement of how you think the experiment will turn out.
Use the “If __________________ then ____________________________ because ________________________ format.

7. Materials
List all of the materials needed to complete the experiment. Be specific about type, size, brand, etc. Your list should be itemized like a shopping list and it should be either numbered or bulleted.
(Example)
Tap water
Dish soap
Drinking glasses, cups, or small bowls (2)
Spoon
1 cc syringes (2)
Penny
Paper towel or dish towel
Lab notebook

8. Procedure
The procedure is a very detailed description of each step of the experiment. Write out each step of your experiment. Remember to number each step and clearly explain what to do. You should be very clear when writing your procedure. A scientist should be able to perform the experiment just as you did by following your directions.

9. Variables Independent Variable
Something that is changed by the scientist.
Something that is tested
Something that is manipulated
Controls
A variable that is not changed
Also called constants
Allows for a “Fair Test”
Dependent Variable
Something that might be affected by the
change in the independent variable
What is observed
What is measured

10. Results
Use sentences, charts, tables, and graphs to represent your data. In other words, your data should be quantitative and qualitative.
Your data should be organized .
Your data should be graphed.
Quantitative data uses numbers, standard metric units, and scales.
Qualitative data uses words and descriptions.
Describe the trends or patterns found in the data. Include comments or reasons for the trends or patterns. Along with tables and graphs, include sentences describing the trends and patterns.
Temp. Change in Celsius

11. Conclusion A conclusion tells what happened and what you learned.
Restate your hypothesis
Clearly relate your conclusion to your data
What was learned?
How does what you learned relate to life?
youngsciencegi.wikis

12. Display Board Your Display Board should be: Neat Colorful Creative1
Display Board
Your Display Board should be:
Neat
Colorful
Creative
Original
Displayed following the steps of the Scientific Method
4 feet in height, 3 feet in width when opened, and 12 inches deep
Self Standing.
Projects must be constructed and developed by the STUDENTS
Help must be limited to ADVICE ONLY

13. Science Fair Log
Your Science Fair Log is like a science diary that you maintain from start to finish. Using a binder allows you to insert pages easily and you have the ability to include tabs.
The notebook represents all of your:
Thoughts,
Questions
Written work
Data
Research
Steps of the Scientific Method from start to finish
You don’t necessarily have to write neatly on EACH page, however date each page.
Organize the pages according to sequence and the steps of the scientific method.
YOUR SCIENCE LOG MUST BE DISPLAYED WITH YOUR SCIENCE BOARD . The log is not on the board, but it is included in front of the board.

14. Summary or Abstract
A summary or abstract is a very brief summary of the most important parts of the project. Write one or two sentences about each step of the scientific method that you used while you worked on your project.

15. Prohibited Items
Students are NOT ALLOWED to experiment with the following which are dangerous:
Firearms
Knives
Any item that may be considered a weapon
Fireworks
Explosives
Controlled substances
Prescription drugs
Alcoholic beverages
Tobacco

16. Project Guidelines and Restrictions
Projects Involving Non-Human Vertebrates
A Designated Supervisor Form is required
Any DEATH in any vertebrate animal is NOT permitted to be entered.
Behavioral Studies should be limited to pets or farm animals
Projects Involving Invertebrates:
Must have a clear purpose
Must have scientific significance
Invertebrates must be treated humanely