Science Fun NightHow do I create an “Award-

Winning” Science Fair Project?

Oakland Elementary SchoolPresented by

Miss Lockridge, Mrs. Mayfield and Mrs. McKelvey

Why Should You Do A Project?

• You will learn to think like a scientist.

• You will learn to do experiments.• You can choose something that

you want to learn about.• Doing a project can be lots of fun!

Science Fair Categories• Behavioral/Social Science- Anything that deals with the way a

person, animal, substance, or machine reacts under given circumstances. Example: Which Dog Food Do Dogs Prefer?

• Biology- Anything that deals with the science of life-growth, reproduction, origin, structure, development-plants, humans, and animals. Example: How Long Does it Take a Caterpillar to Change into a Butterfly?’

• Chemistry- Anything that deals with the structure, composition, and properties of substances. Example: What is a Solution?

• General Science- Deals with consumer Science. Example: Which Paper Towel is Worth Your Money?

• Mathematics/Computer Science- Anything that deals with a quantity, mathematical operation, or the computer. Example: How does the Wattage of Light Bulb Affect Energy Use?

• Physics- Anything that deals with motion, matter, energy, and their interactions. Example: Which type of Battery Makes Cars Run the Longest?

What Do Judges Look For in a Science Project?

• Scientific Thought (30 points): Does the project follow the scientific method? Is the problem clearly and concisely stated? Are the procedures appropriate, organized, and thorough; results accurate and complete; conclusions based upon the results? Does it represent real study and effort?

• Creative Ability (30 points): Does the project show original thinking or a unique approach? Does it demonstrate ideas arrived at by the student?

• Thoroughness (10 points): Does the project tell a complete story? Does it explain what the student learned? Did the student use the literature? Is a list of references or bibliography available?

• Clarity (10 points): Are the problem, procedures, results, and conclusions presented clearly and in a logical order?

• Dramatic Value (10 points): Are all parts of the project well done? (exhibit, paper, abstract, log of work, etc.) Is proper emphasis given to important ideas?

• Technical Skill (10 points): Does the project show effort and good craftsmanship by the student? Has the student acknowledged help they received from others? Is the written material both organized and accurate?

Choosing a Topic

• 1. What are you curious about? • 2. Decide what you’re curious

about, then focus on something in particular.

• 3. www.sciencebuddies.org

Project Ideas

• How long does it take the heart to return to normal after exercise?

• What do elementary students fear the most?• What age group has the best memory?• Which fruit drinks have the best nutrition?• Under what kind of light does a plant grow

better?

Plan It Out

• Allow plenty of time to experiment and collect data - even simple experiments do not always go as you might expect the first time, or even the second time. Also leave time to write an abstract and put together an exhibit.

Choosing Your Title

• Your title must be in the form of a question.

• It asks what you are wanting to know.

Title

How Does the Speed of the Meteorite Affect the Diameter of the Crater?

State the Purpose…

• Think of the reason you’re doing your project.

• What do you want to discover?

Purpose

My purpose is to determine if the speed of the meteorite affects the diameter of the crater upon impact.

Hypothesis

• A hypothesis is a thoughtful guess about what you think will happen when you do your experiment.

• A hypothesis should always be made before you start your experimenting.

Hypothesis

If the speed of the meteorite is faster, the diameter of the crater will be bigger.

Materials

• Think of everything you will need to conduct your experiment.

• Make a list of these materials. Don’t leave out anything.

• Be sure to include measurements.

Materials

• 3 tennis balls• 12 pounds of flour• Large, deep container• Metric ruler• Meter stick• String• Data table

Conduct Experiment

• Test your hypothesis carefully.

• Record everything you do.

• Draw or take pictures (student must not be identified) and make graphs.

*All projects MUST have some type of chart or graph.

PROCEDURE

• The procedure is the steps you must follow when you conduct your experiment. The procedure should be numbered and in order.

Procedure• Step 1: Fill container with flour• Step 2: Shake the container to make sure flour is distributed evenly• Step 3: Label tennis balls as 30 cm, 60 cm, and 90 cm• Step 4: Use the meter stick to measure the height from which to drop

each tennis ball• Step 5: Drop the first tennis ball from the height of 30 cm• Step 6: Carefully remove the tennis ball labeled 30 cm from the

container without disturbing the crater left behind• Step 7: Use string to measure the diameter of the crater• Step 8: Measure the length of the string in centimeters with a metric

ruler• Step 9: Record diameter on data table• Step 10: Shake the container to make sure flour is distributed evenly• Step 11: Repeat steps 5-10 for the 60 and 90 cm tennis balls• Step 12: Create a graph of the data recorded

CHARTS, GRAPHS, TABLES

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EastWestNorth

RESULTS

The results is the section that tellswhat happened when you did yourexperiment.

Results

In our experiment the data showed that an object dropped from a higher distance increased its speed, making the diameter of the crater larger.

CONCLUSION

• Analyze your data and decide if your hypothesis was correct.

• The conclusion should also tell what you learned when you did your experiment.

• In your conclusion you should also tell what you would do differently if you had this project to do over.

Conclusion

Our data supported our hypothesis by showing if the speed of the meteorite is faster, the diameter of the crater will be bigger.

References and Acknowledgements

• It is permissible to receive help.• If you receive help, the

Acknowledgement part is where you thank everybody or give credit.

• You should tell who helped you, and how they helped. (EXAMPLE: I want to thank my dad for helping me cut the pieces of wood.)

• You should list websites and resources that you used to complete your project.

• This is also included in your report.

Displaying Your Work

• Your display should be attractive and interesting for the judges to see your results. Make good use of your space. Make headings stand out. Draw graphs and diagrams clearly with correct labels.

N o Project Display May Contain Any Of The Following Objects:

• 1. Live plants or animals• 2. Human or animal fluids or body parts• 3. Dried plant material: insect, shell, or

fossil collections are permissible• 4. Any food for humans or animals• 5. Drugs of any kind, including such

non-prescription items as aspirin or toothpaste 6. Chemicals of any kind (exceptions include minerals or crystals, natural or grown by the student)

Continued…• 7. Soils or wastes• 8. Portrait photographs, name, or address

which clearly identify the contestant are forbidden. Photos showing the contestant involved in the project are acceptable.

• 9. Dangerous materials (weapons, poisons, sharp edges, needles, syringes, pipettes, unshielded live electrical wires, compressed gas tanks, matches, flames, lasers,etc.) Bare wire and exposed switches may be used in circuits of 12 volts or less.

• Name, grade level, teacher’s name and school can be placed on the back of the display board.

Abstract

• An abstract is a general summary of your project. It is 3-4 sentences explaining the main parts of your experiment.

• Your abstract should be placed in a folder, not attached to your display board.

WRITING THE REPORT• If your project is chosen to go to the Regional

Upstate Science Fair, you will have to write a report!

• Your report should restate your project on paper.• It should include: purpose, hypothesis, procedure,

results, and conclusion.• Here is where you talk about your experiment.• Use library books, encyclopedias, magazines,

newspapers, etc., to find information about your subject.

• You should read about your subject, then write a report in your own words. DO NOT copy the information word for word.

• A report can be done on the computer or hand written.

PAST PROJECTS

Projects are due February 4at 9:00 am.

Thank you for coming tonight!

Good luck!