2015 Central Virginia Science Fair Challenge Grades 5 through 8
Student/Teacher/Parent Guidelines- Please make sure all participating students receive a copy.
Safety:
The experiments recommended to be judged at the regional level must be conducted under adult supervision and use only materials approved by student’s school science guidelines.
Experiments using LIVE vertebrate animals, pathogenic bacteria, bacteria &fungi or Human Subjects are NOT eligible for the competition. Projects submitted must be evaluated at the school level to be recommended for the regional competition.
Poster: (written project paper is encouraged by not required)
Size requirements –
Suggested size is 20 x 30 inches
Must stand up by itself
Maximum size is 36 inches wide x 48 inches tall
Headings include -
Title
Purpose
Hypothesis/Variables tested
Background Information/Concepts to understand
Method used (flow Diagram or written description with pictures)
Results must have written explanation with graph or table showing data collected, pictures
Discussion/Conclusion
References-minimum 2 (Internet sources acceptable if approved by teacher)
Student Name or Names for Team Project (Team must not exceed two students)
PLEASE NOTE: Chemicals, liquid, hazardous devices or living specimens are NOT allowed to be displayed with the poster. All projects will be screened at check-in. Violations will not be judged. This is a safety issue. Model size should not exceed 2’x 2’x 2’.
Judging Criteria for Awards
Note: 5th Grade Students will be recognized but not judged
Poster Display (25%)
Do the display board and written materials demonstrate the student(s)' understanding of the research conducted? (as applicable to the 6th-8th grade science understanding)
Is the poster neatly constructed?
Is the material presented in a logical, orderly manner that is easily interpreted?
Communicating with the Judges (75%)
Do the students explain the experiment clearly?
Do the students understand the concepts of the experiment?
Do the students see the practical application of the experiment?
Are the students comfortable in conversing about their projects and science concepts?
Awards
For the Students
Students must be present to be judged for awards.
Local Awards in Physical and Biological Sciences Categories will be given.
Prizes will be awarded to winning individual categories and teams.
All students receive a certificate of participation.