School Science Fair Project Expectations
*The topic for the project is open ended. (On the following page are some possible ideas to get you started. You can choose one of those, or your own.) There are endless possibilities. Be creative!
*Your project must include one variable (A variable is an element of feature that is able to change)
For example: 3 plants (all the same type) grown in different places- the variable for this project would be the place you grow them, because that is the one thing that you would change within the project
*Students may work independently or in groups of no more than 3 people.
*No one will be allowed to purchase a science kit to use for the project.
*No volcanoes!!!
* Student’s final project should be presented on a tri-fold board.
*All parts of the scientific method should be present and clearly labeled on the board.
*Any additional materials and finished products (what was used to perform their experiments) will be placed in front of their board on the presentation table.
*Student’s name (first and last) and teacher’s name should be printed clearly on the back of the board as well as anything not attached to the presentation board.
*Please do not bring in water or other liquids that could spill (take any necessary pictures ahead of time and attach them to your board).
*Important Note: The projects may be displayed for several days depending on your child’s teacher. Therefore, no animals or “sentimental” items should be used, as it is possible that these may not be returned.
****DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE!!!!!!!****
You will need time to plan, choose a variable to observe, observe changes, collect data from observations, and create an appealing final display!
Keep this sheet as a reference as you work on your project! Be creative and have fun scientists!
The Scientific Method
Students must follow the scientific method for their project. Each step will include a written product. The method is as follows:
1.Question- Consider a question to investigate. The question must be able to be proven. Your question should start with: Which will. . .? How will . . .? What will happen if. . . ? When. . .? It is important to choose a question that is clear, contains only one variable, and that can be answered using observations.
Example: Which laundry detergent works the best on removing tough stains?
2. Hypothesis- What will happen? State your hypothesis (educated guess about the answer to the question). This hypothesis should be based on research about the topic. This should be written in this form:
“I believe. . . because. . .”
Example: I believe that Tide laundry detergent will work best because there are more ingredients that fight stains in Tide laundry detergent than any other detergent
3. Materials- This is a list of materials required for the investigation.
Example:
Materials:
- 9 strips offabric(3 strips with a smudge of clay, 3 strips with grass stains, and 3 strips with a ketchup stain) for each of the 3 types of laundry detergent (27 total strips of fabric)
- 3 Capfuls of each type of laundry detergent (Gain, Tide, and Purex)
- Washing machine (wash with a regular was load)
- Water (used to fill washing machine)
- Clothing line (or something to hang up strips of wet fabric)
- Camera to record results
- Chart to describe results
- Tri-fold board (to display results)
- Pencil/pen/computer to create data and record results
4. Procedure- This is a numbered set of instructions (steps taken) in completing the experiment. These should be written so that someone else could conduct the exact same experiment. Don’t forget to say how many times the test should be performed (a minimum of 3 times is required).
Example:
Procedures:
- Cut 9 pieces of 100% white cotton fabric that is 12 inches long and 2 inches wide for each detergent to be tested (Tide, Gain, and Purex)
- Label each piece of cloth with the type of detergent and the type of stain it will have on it.
- Then make a smear mark of each type of stain (1 inch in length on each of the 9 squares, making sure each stain is about equivalent in size)
- Let them dry hanging up.
- Put one capful of detergent into the washing machine.
- Put the 9 stained piece of cloth into the washing machine.
- Wash and rinse the pieces of cloth in cold water on the regular cycle in the washing machine.
- Put the clothes into the dryer for 30 minutes or until they are dry.
- Repeat steps 1-8 using different detergent and 9 new pieces of cloth.
- Repeat step 9 with all the remaining detergents.
5. Observations- As you carry out the steps of your procedure, it is very important to record all observations. Pictures may be used in addition to the required written observations (collect and organize data in lists, drawings, tables, or graphs).
6. Conclusion- A statement that summarizes the findings of the investigation. It also indicates whether or not the hypothesis was supported by the observations. It should reference the original hypothesis.
Example: The results of my experiment didn’t support my original hypothesis that Tide laundry detergent was the best. Gain laundry detergent worked the best. The results really surprised me because I always thought that Tide was the best.