1. Leesylvania Elementary School
How To Survive a
Science Fair Project
Leesylvania Elementary School
Science Fair
October 5, 2015

2. Why do we do Science Fair projects?

3. Demonstrations vs Experiments
Shows a scientific concept and how it will work.
May be interesting to view, but does not provide new information.
Includes models.
Experiments
Follows the Scientific Method
Identifies a problem.
How will ___ effect ___.
Requires a hypothesis.
Can be measured.
Are supported by data.
Provides new information.

4. Scientific Method Question Hypothesis Materials Variable Procedure
Data
Results
Conclusion

5. Identifying a Question Due October 8th
Choose a topic that interests you.
Narrow the topic to a specific focus in the form of a question. (What is the effect of ______ on ______?)
Make it simple and manageable.

6. Form a Hypothesis Due October 8th
Is an educated guess determined by your research on the topic. (A prediction.)
Shows the relationship between the variables.
(If _______then _______ because _______)
Tells what results you expect from the experiment.

7. Variables Due October 8th
Independent Variable (manipulated variable) is the variable that is purposely changed in an experiment.
Dependent Variable (responding variable) is the variable that is measured in an experiment.

8. Constants Due October 8th
The parts of the experiment that stay the same.
The only thing that is different is the independent variable (what the scientist is testing.)

9. Materials Due October 27th
List of all materials used to complete the experiment.
Include amounts!

10. Procedure Due October 27th
List the specific procedure used in sequence.
Give details. (Another scientist should be able to follow these directions and repeat the experiment.)

11. Data Due November 10th Record observations. Perform multiple trials.
Organize data
Chart/table
Graphs
Photos

12. Analyze the Results
Make connections and interpretations from the data recorded.
Ask yourself:
Are there any patterns?
What facts were produced?
Do the results support the hypothesis?

13. Formulate a Conclusion Due November 17th
Write in paragraph form.
Was my hypothesis correct? Why or why not?
Provide information related to the original question.
Describe what you learned from the experiment.
Tell what you would do differently if you were to do it again.
Describe how the conclusion is useful.

14. Categories
Animal Sciences Behavioral and Social Sciences Chemistry Computer Science Earth and Space Sciences Engineering and Mathematics Environmental Sciences Medicine and Health Physics Plant Science

15. Science Project Due Dates
October Question, Hypothesis and Variables
October Research/Bibliography
October Materials and Procedure
November 10 Data
November 17 Conclusion
November Final Project Board
December 2-3 Science Fair Judging
NOTE: late submissions will result in a penalty. Please return signed sheet stating you have seen due dates.

16. Any Questions? Make sure to check out the example boards
Thank you in advance for all of the support you are providing at home!