1. What is the Canterbury Science fair? It is a competition for all secondary students (Yrs 9 -13) throughout Canterbury to compete against each other for the prize of producing the best Science Fair presentation … by carrying out experiments to test an idea or invention

2. Why do a Science Fair Project? To let you and some friends investigate something in the outside world that interests you! And even more when you enter the regional Science fair competition! Money Did you know that you can earn money by winning the school science fair?

3. Yeh But How much? At a regional level winning exhibitors receive $500 for their school. And you could receive: $700 for 1st place $400 for 2nd place $300 for 3rd place But how many hundreds of entries are there? You may be surprised! – last year there were only a total of 19 entries.

4. Plus loads of other prizes In the school fair $30 for 1 st, $20 2 nd, $10 3 rd at each year level In the regional fair big fee reductions at Canterbury, Lincoln and CPIT Plus hundreds of prizes in particular areas eg using flour, to do with the environment, etc

5. And of course it looks impressive on a CV when you go for a job! Or applying for a scholarship or other opportunity

6. What is involved in entering the Canterbury Science fair? First thing you (or a group of up to 3 people) need to do is think of an idea that interests you You then need to talk with your Science teacher to see if the idea is suitable and how you would go about completing your investigation Then you need to do some trials to see if you can actually do the investigation You need to then develop a hypothesis or aim (what is it you are trying to find out?)

7. What is involved in entering the Canterbury Science fair? You then need to keep a log book ideas and trials you intend to complete You also must keep any results in this log book too. When you have completed enough fair tests to get a result you need to workout what in fact you found – How did your results relate to your hypothesis or aim? You then need to make a visual presentation for your project using cardboard exhibit sheets (available from Warehouse Stationary to present your project in a manner that will impress the judges

8. It should look something like this!

9. Something Like this!

10. Dates! The school Science fair is on Friday 27 th July … week 2 term 3 The Canterbury regional Science fair is on 26 th and 27 th August

11. What to do Now: Decide who is going to work in your group Choose a leader Think of idea related to fabrics Try a Google search for “ flame resistant fabrics science fair” or “ fabric insulation science fair” or something similar

12. Visit the Science Fair website http://www.canterburysciencefair.co.nz/ Look at the prize list, key dates, entry requirements etc.

13. The leader then reports to your teacher who is in the group and what your topic will be … your teacher will discuss with you whether your topic is possible to do at school Draw up a list of materials you will need … try and find as many of these yourself from home. Make a list of any you cannot supply and give to your teacher