1. Science Fair Information

2. Introduction
All Stockbridge Middle School students must choose between doing either a National History Day Project or a Science Fair Project.

3. What is a Science Fair Project?
A journey of scientific inquiry
Students answer a scientific question by conducting an experiment.
The process ends with a showcase event that shows students that their work matters to the school community.

4. The Scientific Method Ask a Question Do Background Research
Construct a Hypothesis
Test Your Hypothesis by Constructing and Completing an Experiment
Record and Analyze Your Data to Draw a Conclusion
Communicate Your Results

5. Requirements Log Book Final Science Fair Paper
Backboard if selected for School Fair

6. Logbook You need a composition notebook
Label your logbook: name, teacher’s name, topic, and grade
Number all pages in your logbook
Always date every entry
Write in blue or black ink ONLY!!!
This should be used during all phases of your project.

7. Logbook Make a table of contents Write one entry every day
Include a reflections section in your logbook
Always include any changes made to procedures in the logbook
Include any and all observations during your experiment

8. Logbook Answer the following questions: What did I learn today?
What happened during my experiment?
What are the procedures of my experiment?
What did I observe today with my experiment?
What research did I find today?
What sources did I use today?

9. Choose a Topic Two things are very important:
1) Think of a topic that interest you
2) Think of a testable question about that topic
Remember you are becoming a scientist
Example: What is the effect of ______on_______?
This topic should be written in a question format.
-Students are not permitted to perform experiments that involve mold or harming a living organisms.
-All experiments must include 3 trials

10. Choose a Topic
Once you find a general topic that interests you, complete the Science Fair Topic Approval Form
A scientific question usually starts with:
How What
When Who
Which Why
Where

11. Example Topics When is the best time to plant soy beans?
How does water purity affect surface tension?
When is the best time to plant soy beans?
Which material is the best insulator?
How does arch curvature affect load carrying strength?
How do different foundations stand up to earthquakes?
What sugars does yeast use?

12. Do Research
Once your teacher approves your topic, conduct background research on your topic. Write down all of your sources in your Log Book and cite your references. If source is online, scroll to the bottom of articles to check the references. Interview experts about the topic.
The more you know about a subject, the easier it will be to write your hypothesis and complete your research plan.

13. Form a Hypothesis This is an educated guess
This is an answer to your science fair question
Your hypothesis should be written in an “If/then” statement
If I add different types of water to soil, then the distilled water will cause my plants to grow faster.”

14. Do background research.
Collect information.
Define what to look for.
Look in a variety of sources.
Key Goal: Obtain enough information to make a prediction of what will happen in the experiment.
We will give students a worksheet to help them collect information. For example, one of the tables on the worksheet will help them brainstorm possible questions. Then students are asked to go through and pick the most relevant ones.

15. Do background research, continued
Organize research.
With organized research that is based on questions, the writing will flow.
Use multiple sources, no copying.
Writing should be focused on the project.
This is a key opportunity for the student to learn about ethics and how to avoid plagiarism.

16. Construct a hypothesis.
What is a hypothesis? An educated guess about the answer to a question.
If/then: If I do [this], then [this] will happen.
“If I increase the temperature of water in a cup, then the more sugar will dissolve.”
No notes.

17. Construct an experiment.
Process
Design an experimental procedure.
Steps and materials should be spelled out.
No notes.

18. Write your Research Plan
The plan is to include:
A. Project purpose and background information
B. Research Question, Hypothesis, Expected
Outcomes
C. Procedures, Risks and Data Analysis
D. Bibliography
No notes.

19. Do your experiment AFTER YOUR RESEARCH PLAN IS APPROVED
Expectations
It’s ok if the first experiment goes wrong and you have to modify the procedure.
It’s ok if the experiment disproves the hypothesis.
Safety, safety, safety!
It takes time!
No notes.

20. Analyze the data and draw a conclusion.
Example of a graph that draws a conclusion:
How wind generator power changes with wind speed. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 20 30 40 50 60
Wind Speed (m/sec)
Power (kW)
The graph shows that the power a generator is able to produce increases by the cube of the wind speed.

21. Writing the final paper
The paper will contain all the parts of the experiment.
The paper must be 3-5 pages not including the following:
Cover page
Abstract
Table of contents
Acknowledgements
Sources/bibliography

22. Final paper sections Cover Page Table of contents Abstract
Background information (Introduction)
Question and Hypothesis
Experiment and Data
Materials
Procedures
Data/Analysis
Conclusions
Acknowledgements
bibliography

23. Communicate results.
You can find this diagram and a lot of helpful information about display boards at
The display board tells a story from left to right, generally on three panels. It mimics the steps in the scientific method and is a combination of written material, as well as photos, charts, diagrams, and graphs.

24. Backboard Everything must be typed…..NO TAPE!!!
Limit the number of colors on board
DO NOT handwrite on board…EVERYTHING MUST BE TYPED!!!
NO GLITTER or GLITTER GLUE

28. Website www.sciencebuddies.org www.sciencebob.org
Use the following websites for help: