Page 1/ Endeavour’s 2017 Science Fair
SCIENCE FAIR INFORMATION
DATES TO REMEMBER
(Please register to become a member of our PTSA at and receive all pertinent Science Fair information.)
-Online Registration and Pre-ordering of Display Boardswill begin Monday, January 9 and end on Sunday, January 29at
-The Display Boards will be available for pick-up during the first week of February (They are not allowed on the bus). Parents will be informed of exact dates and time by Email, and Science Fair updates will be posted at and our PTSA’S fortnightly, The Jaguar Print.
-Students will set up their projects in the School Gym and adjacent Hallways onThursday, March 2 between 5 and 7pm.
-On Science Fair Day-Friday, March 3, during regular school hours, students would present their projects to our Judges and take a Class tour of the Fair.
-We invite all our student families to join us during Family Science Night on March 3 between 5 and 8 pm.It is an excellent opportunity to view our student projects, and students to enjoy a few Science programs with Pizza and Ice Cream available for purchase.
Any Questions, please write to us at
CONTENTS
GUIDELINES………………...... Page 4
To our Students-Please Read…………………………………..Page 5
PROJECT CHOICES
- SCIENTIFIC DRAWINGS………………………………………....Page 6
-SCIENTIFIC MODEL OR COLLECTION……………………………………Page 7
- DEMONSTRATIONS………………………………………………………….Page 8
-OBSERVATIONAL REPORT………………………………………………….Page 8
- ENGINEERING PROJECTS…………………………………………………..Page 9
- RESEARCH PROJECTS………………………………………………………Page 9
- SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION…………………………….Page 10
- Validate the Topic…………………………………………….Page 16
-Sample SF Timeline…………………………………………...Page 17
-PROJECT DISPLAY…………………………………………Page 18
-ORAL PRESENTATION…………………………………….Page 20
-SCIENCE FAIR RESOURCES……………………………....Page 21
-Picture Gallery………………………………………...... Page 23
GUIDELINES
-Register in January and if you may, purchase a display boardbetween January 9 and 29 at Sale of Display Boards helps mitigate the costs involved with the Science Fair.
-Students may enter an individual or a group project; they may choose to work alone, with their classmates, friends or their siblings.Merlin and Grade 5 students are required to work on an individual science project which must include the Scientific Method. They will be guided and graded by their respective Classroom Teachers.
-Electricity will be available but no gas or water outlets will be available.
-Science Fairs involve self-directed learning. Parents may assist their children with ideas, help them visit the library or search online for information about the topic they choose, obtaining necessary supplies, assist in organizing materials and assuring safety standards are met, proof reading the display, and explaining how to prepare a good visual display board.
But it is important that students feel ownership of their work.Students ought to have the knowledge of how the project was done, be clear about what was learned and have the experience of completing the project.
-Endeavour’s Science Fair is non-competitive pursuing scientific thought and exploration in our students.
- Proper attention to safety is expected of all participants. Students ought to have Adult Approvaland Supervision at home when working with human subjects, controlled substances, hazardous substances or devices, potentially hazardous biological agents and need to only display their projects with photographs and pictures at school.Please email us if your project involves insects, fish and lower species at .
-Do not delay getting started. The science fair project should be a fun learning experience.
To our Students-Please Read
-All experiments should be supervised by an adult.
-Never eat or drink during an experiment and try to keep your work area tidy for safety’s sake.
-Wear protective goggles when doing any experiment that could lead to eye injury.
-Do not touch, taste, or inhale chemicals or chemical solutions.
-Animals are not allowed to be used in experiments. Do not perform an experiment that will harm a person.
-Always wash your hands after doing the experiment, especially if you have been handling chemicals.
-Dispose waste properly.
-Any project that involves drugs, firearms, or explosives are NOT permitted.
-Use safety on the Internet! NEVER write to anyone without an adult knowing about it. Be sure to let an adult know about what websites you will be visiting, or have them help you search.
-If there are dangerous aspects of your experiment, like using a sharp tool or experimenting with electricity, please have an adult help or have them do the dangerous parts.
Thesemay not be displayed. Living organisms -sharp items such glass, syringes, needles- dry ice or other sublimating solids – fire/flames or highly flammable display materials- preserved animals -human or animal parts or body fluids- laboratory/household/dangerous and toxic chemicals- Poisons, drugs, hazardous substances or devices - hazardous bacterial/viral cultures.
PROJECT CHOICES
LABELED ORIGINAL SCIENTIFIC DRAWINGS
A plant, insect, or crystal…/ Cross-section of an object
A drawing/or a sketch ought to be accurate, big, colorful and detailed. Parts must be labeled and the project must include a paragraph describing the drawing.
SELF-MADE3-DIMENSIONAL SCIENTIFIC MODEL or COLLECTION
E.g., Model of an atom/ structure of Carbohydrates or lipids/ skeletal framework of the upper arm/ Human DNA/types of Rocks/types of Dinosaurs. Include a title and a paragraph explaining the project.
The Water Cycle
Earthquake safe homes
A plant cell
DEMONSTRATIONS OF A SCIENTIFIC PRINCIPLE (that is safe to be performed at school).
E.g., Ballast tanks/Archimedes principle in a submarine, a windmill motor. Display must include a paragraph explaining the scientific principle. Show how the demonstration works on the day of the fair.
Density of Liquids-a simple demo
OBSERVATIONAL REPORT
Record results using a graph or a table and then write about the results. Include photographs, a video, or drawings.
E.g., an original observation report of an ecological area …
Recording/mapping of specific plants, trees and animals in the neighbourhood
Observing the types and numbers of birds attracted to different types of bird feeder designs/food.
ENGINEERING PROJECTS
Think of and design a solution (which may or may not work) to a problem/feature, to solve or create and design something new. Once you have a plan of thought/ idea, work through the engineering design process to complete the design.
Ask: what are the constraints of this project? How have other people solved a problem like this? How will I know when my design successfully solves the problem?
Imagine: all the possible solutions to the problem. Make sketches.
Plan: Choose the one design most likely work. Gather the materials.
Create: Build it!
Test: Test the design. Has it solved the problem? Does the technology do what was expected?
Improve: What may be done to make the model better or actually make it work?
RESEARCH PROJECTS
If the question requires using the library, internet, interviewing, etc, prepare a complete and well-organized report, including a bibliography. Create a display to show the findings.
E.g., how industrial acetone was produced by bacterial fermentation of maize and horse chestnuts.
How does storm water runoff to prevent flooding in your city?
Air pollution in your state/any state and what steps are being taken to clean up?
Environment Conservation and Preservation in the neighbourhood.
SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION
Examples of scientific investigations:
What is the effect of ______on ______?
What is the effect of colour on human emotions/memory/food taste?
Or how does the ______affect the ______?
How does music affect learning or talking to plants affect plant growth?
Which/What ______(verb) ______?
What plants grow well on sandy soil or which bacteria favour door knobs?
Create a Science Journal/notebook for hand-written observations (which may be kept beside the Display Board)
- Written descriptions/notes on preparations, progress, problems encountered …modifications made.
- Record all measurements and results.Make entries on the day data was observed/obtained.
- Preparedtables/charts/graphs
- Labelled sketches and drawings.
- Insert photographs where possible.
- Information on resources used, books, articles, and websites…
A science fair project usually begins witha Question. This might be based on an observation made or a particular topic that is of interest. The Question needs to be about something that can be measured and will typically start with words such as what, when, where, how or why.
E.g.,
Researchthe topic. Once the topic is chosen, it is important to research the materials/information available on the subject. By finding out as much information as one can, an understanding of the problem can be gained and helps to form an hypothesis.
Read books, magazines, encyclopedias and the internet on the subject. Make sure this information is up-to-date (usually not older than 5-10 years).
Talk with people who are knowledgeable about the subject (under Adult/Parental Supervision).
Topic:What is the effect of more wheels on a skateboard?
What to Research? Newton’s laws of motion and the laws of friction.
Collect Facts. Write each fact down in your own words on a single sheet of paper and cite sources/information to support each fact. Next, arrange them in an order that makes sense and should help arrive at an hypothesis.
Without making notes, one may leave out some important information.
An Hypothesis states what is expected to happen on investigation, based on the facts/knowledge collected.The hypothesis should be a simple statement that expresses what will happen.
Hypothesis is written in the ‘if…then…because’ format.
After the experiment is completed, it may turn out that the ‘guess ‘was wrong. That’s alright! Hypotheses are ‘informed or educated guesses’, on what the answer to the research question would be…
E.g.,
Experimental Design or Procedure or a method to investigate, to find the answer to the problem.
This must be a detailed list of step-by-step directionspresented in numbered order. Anyone who reads themmust be able to duplicatethe investigation and obtain results. Each step must begin with a verb, such as cut, measure, pour, etc.
Determine the variables
- Controlled Variables: What will be kept constant during the experiment.
E.g.,IF testing the effect that water has on plant growth,The plants being tested ought to be in the same conditions- soil, type of plant, type of location, amount of light, etc. These are the controlled variables.
- Independent Variable: What will be changing in the experiment? The only variable that would change from plant to plant would be the amount of water it receives. The independent variable is the factor that is being tested.
- Dependent or Responding Variables: What will be measured or observed.
The results of the test would be the dependent or responding variables. Knowing what the variables are is very important in order to collect data and interpret results.
E.g. Variables in an experiment
Think of the measurements or methods of observation. Data or the Results can be quantitative or qualitative.
- Quantitative Data: Numbers or quantities that are measured, using measurements, timers, a weighing scale, standard unitrulers, meter tapes, thermometers, graduated beakers, or measuring cups. Include specific measurements in size/quantity with units.
- Qualitative Data: Descriptive words to state properties such as appearance, texture, taste, smell and sounds. Drawings and photographs are also qualitative data.
List all the materials needed with size/quantity and units.
A Sample Procedure
Collect all materials needed for the project.
Perform the experiment.
Collect and promptly record Data.Try to repeat the investigation more than once to verify the results.
Sample Data Table
After gathering data, Analyze it. To present evidence to others that ‘a change’has occurred, the data (results) need to be interpreted. How does one know it did work or didn’t work?
“What trends are there in the data? What does it mean?” Look for patterns.
Most scientists use tables, graphs and other organizers to make the results easy to read, and recognize patterns that might be occurring in the results. Remember a table or a graph ought to benefit the project and help understand the results.
Sample Graph
Draw a Conclusionand organize the results of the experiment using the prepared graphs and charts.
•State the hypothesis
• State whether the hypothesis is correct or incorrect
• Use the data to explain
• State what was learned from the experiment
• Explain what may be done differently next time. Include information that could have affected the results such as errors, environmental factors and unexpected surprises.
Link to Examples of a Scientific Investigation
Finally, describe what was learned with a Display/presentation board, using evidence from the investigation…using charts, graphs, photos, and neat lettering.
The notebook will entail an initial/final draft of the project, results obtained, explanation (analysis) of the results and a sketch for the display/presentation board. Keep the display board in mind along the way with photographs, sketches and handwritten notes.
Validate the Topic
TIME: / Between now and the date of the Science Fair, is there enough time to complete the experiment.MATERIALS: / Is it possible to obtain the materials that will be required? What will the cost be?
SAFETY: / Are the tools and other materials safe to use?
Will an adult be available to help with anything that might not be safe to do alone? Any allergic substance?
APPROPRIATENESS: / Is the topic something that the student can understand? Will the research require reading material that is too hard?
Adult needs to approve the project!
Sample SF Timeline
-Decide on a topic-do a background research on topic -Formulate hypothesis & project design-Determine and purchase materials required / Dec 26-Jan 13
-Register and Pre-order a Display Board / Jan 9-Jan 13
-Set up project and begin to collect data / Jan 13-Feb 3
-Shop for project display supplies
-Prepare project Display / Feb 6-Feb 17
-Prepare for oral presentation / Feb 20-24
-Deliver presentation display at school / March 2(5 to 7pm)
Notes
PROJECT DISPLAY
This diagram shows the possible positions of the various parts required on a project display board.
HELPFUL HINTS FOR A DISPLAY
- A good title should simply and accurately state the research.
- Words/lettering must be large enough to read from 3 feet away.
- Include every category-Hypothesis, Procedure, Materials etc.
- Use neat, colorful, charts and graphs to present the project. Label graphs, charts, diagrams and tables.
- If possible, add photographs or pictures to provide a visual account of the important parts/phases of the experiment.
- A glance should permit anyone to quickly locate the title, experiment, results and conclusion. People usually read from left to right. Be sure to include Your Name and Grade/Teacher.
A free-standing part of the experiment could be placed in front of the display board. (Optional)
Please avoid molds, bacterial-viral cultures, preserved specimen, live animals, dangerous and prohibited chemicals, explosives, corrosives, or dangerous objects, such as matches or demonstration volcanoes.
ORAL PRESENTATION
Practice the Presentation as many times as possible. Use family, friends, or pets as a ‘practice- audience’. Use index cards as a reminder for main points while presenting. But try not to read out directly from the index cards. Show enthusiasm!
- Stand still and to the side of the display board.
- Introduce oneself
- Speak loud, slow and clear.
- Maintain eye contact with the Judge.
- State the title of the project.
- Briefly explain why the project was chosen.
- Briefly summarize procedures and explain the results using the data displayed. While explaining results, use the appropriate units for scales, weights, measurements and terms for equipment used.
Point to the figures on the Board while explaining tables, graphs, diagrams.
- State the conclusion. If possible, explain how the project may be improved.
- If acceptable and possible, Dress well, your display chronicles your hard work and you may want to represent it well.
- Try to answer any questions that are asked about your project and not to worry if you are unable to…it happens!
All science projects must go home with each student or a friend after Science Night on March 3.
Good luck!
SCIENCE FAIR RESOURCES
: Includes cool project ideas, a science fair handbook, reviews of students' experiments, and more from Discovery
Science resource for home that gives you labs to try and 400 helpful links all related to science
Use the topic selection wizard to help you figure out what science projects interest you most. Once you have a topic, get help doing research, setting up the experiments, and completing them.
ideas from every science topic from Astronomy to Zoology
Guide to projects, topics, experiments, and tips for successfully completing a science project, including the six steps of the Scientific Method.
Gives a thorough and detailed description of the steps to a successful science fair project
A website from USC that gives advice for students and parents for a Science Fair.
Advice from a science fair judge on what makes a good project.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We are very grateful to varied and reliable sources for the above Science Fair material and this information has not been written of our own accord. Thank You.
Endeavour’s 2017 Science Fair Team
2016 SCIENCE FAIR