Grassy Lake Elementary

Student and Parent

Science Project Handbook

Adapted from the

LakeCountyRegional Science and Engineering Fair

Elementary Handbook 2008

By Mrs. Carmody

PROJECT DISPLAY

Board Dimensions

Open: 48” wide x 36” high

Folded: 24” wide x 36” high

PROJECT CATEGORY DESCRIPTIONS

BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES:

This includes any projects that deal with humans, animals, or plant studies.

Students are not allowed to conduct mold/bacteria experiments!

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES:

This is any study that deals with pollution of air, water, or land. It is also any study dealing with energy conservation.

PHYSICAL SCIENCES:

This is any study of the laws of matter including chemicals, light, sound, magnetism, the earth, and the stars.

CONSUMER SCIENCES:

This is any study involving the comparison of products for quality, durability and value.

ELEMENTS OF A SUCCESSFUL PROJECT

PROJECT NOTEBOOK - This must be written in the student’s own words and handwriting. This is a rough draft of the project. It can be a spiral or notebook paper in a 3-prong folder. The notebook must include the following:

a.Question or Problem

b.Background Information-Several paragraphs of information about the project topic.

c.Hypothesis-Statement about what you believe will happen.

d.Materials-List all items used in the experiment.

e.Procedures-Step by step explanation of the experiment. Repeat your experiment 3 times (conduct 3 trials) to be sure your results are valid.

f.Results / Observations and/orData – Listen, look & use your senses to describe what happens during your experiment. Write downyour observations & all measurements. Include dates if your project took days or weeks to complete. Draw a table or graph.

g.Conclusion-A sentence or two explaining what did happen.

h.Application-A paragraph explaining: What I learned? What could the results be used for? How could I use the knowledge I have gained from the experiment? How could others use the information?

i.Research – all sources used in your experiment and research must be listed in your project notebook on the last page.

DISPLAY BOARD - Make it easy to read and find your results. Typed titles and information are preferred but not required.

A well done display:

  1. Has a title question
  2. Uses photographs, drawings, pictures, graphs, charts, and/or diagrams to describe the experiment (pictures of people or animals are NOT allowed on the board)
  3. Is organized, easy to read and understand
  4. Is eye-catching, neatand colorful

THE FOLLOWING ITEMS MAY NOT BE IN FRONT OF OR ATTACHED TO YOUR DISPLAY BOARD.

THESE ITEMS WILL BE REMOVED IF BROUGHT TO THE FAIR.

Pictures of people or animals

Any living or dead organisms – plants or animals

Anything which was once living, including parts of them

Food – for human or animals

Soil or waste samples

Liquids – in any type of container

Dry ice or anything similar

Sharp items or sharp edge items

Flames or anything flammable

Empty tanks or containers

Any type of glass item or container

Batteries with open tops

Awards, medal, business cards, etc

YOU MAY DISPLAY:

Pictures of your experiment in progress

Electrical circuits of 12 volts or less.

Models made of paper, cardboard, etc.

WEBSITES FOR GREAT IDEAS

1)Science Fair Center-

2)Science Fair Center for nonscientist parents –

3)What Makes a Good Science Fair Project?

4)DiscoverySchool .com

5)Elementary Projects (Grades 4 - 6) -

6)Science Projects 13.01 -

7)IPL – Science Fair Resource Guide -

8)Successful Science Fair Projects -

9) Science Fair Prep -

10) Steps To Prepare A Science Fair Project (Cyber Fair)-

11) Science Fair Ideas – USGS –

12) Agricultural Ideas for Science Fair Projects -

13) Lycos Search -

14) Science Fair Resource Center -

15) Science Fair Links -