1. Suggestions for Your Science Fair Project
Steps to create a great science project and board.

2. Village Science Fair
We follow the Austin Energy Science Festival guidelines.
Village Fair will be Friday, Jan. 25, 2013
To enhance your science board, you may bring your experiment or project to the Village Fair.

3. Choose a Type of Project
Collection – items that are organized into groups according to their similarities and differences. They must be labeled. Collections are good projects for grades K–3.
Demonstration-shows how or why something works the way it does. This information can be found in a book; the facts are known.
Experiment- Decide on a problem and solve it using the scientific method.
(an experiment is a 5th grade requirement)

4. Think About What Interests You!
Decide on a problem to solve.
What interest you? This might help you decide.
Research the internet for science fair ideas.
Make sure you can test your problem with scientific evidence.
How long will your experiment take and do you have enough time?

5. Scientific Journal A
A science journal is useful to keep notes for the project.
You may use a spiral notebook, composition book or staple pages together for the journal.
(reduce, reuse, recycle- save money)

6. Journals
You will use this notebook to write down everything you do during the project. Use your journal for ideas, brainstorming and note taking. Write the date every time you use the journal and what you did during the experiment. Sometimes, drawing pictures helps you better understand your experiment.

7. Your Journal Journals are for your records
Keep a journal to record dates, data, observations….
Add illustrations and research from books, internet or discussions with specialist.
Include vocabulary you learned during research.

8. A Few Guidelines for the Fair
Do not do a project that involves mold or bacteria, firearms or any other dangerous substance.
Grades 3–5 are eligible to participate in the Austin Energy Regional Science Festival if they are selected at the Village Fair.
Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd are encouraged to enter the Village Science Fair.

9. Criteria for Judging Demonstration, Model or Collection
Title – Student states project title
Research Report – Student provides background information about the topic.
Conclusions – Explain what was learned
References and Acknowledgements – Student credits all sources including who took the photos for the project.

10. Doing an Experiment? Use the scientific method to answer your question
Remember: A demonstration shows how something works- your project needs to answer a question.
Demonstration: How does a rainbow form? Experiment: Can you form a rainbow by using a liquid other than water? (Austin Energy Regional Festival)

11. Scientific Method for Experiments.
If doing an experiment, your board must have:
Title
Problem
Definitions
Hypothesis
Background Information
Materials
Procedures-list steps of the experiment and include pictures if possible
Results- charts, graphs, photos and all observations
Conclusion
References and Acknowledgements

12. Problem To test your problem, you will need equipment.
Do you have the equipment
and
can you test it ????

13. Hypothesis Your Prediction
A hypothesis is, "What do you think will happen during the experiment?” Make a prediction based on what you know about your problem. This is a great time to do more research on your topic.
Research your problem and decide what might be a possible outcome.

14. Science Journal
Begin a scientific journal for all data and observations. This journal is a written record of what you are doing. Keep it accurate and organized. Record dates and times for accurate records.
Enter your official hypothesis in the journal.

15. Science Journal Keep all notes of what occurs during your experiment.
Add information, descriptions of experiment, explaining what worked and did not work during experiment.
Draw diagrams of experiment.
Be accurate with all data.
Use metrics for all measurement .
Research information that may help you better understand your problem; add research to journal

16. Background Information
What does all the research say about your problem.
This will be added to your science board.

17. Definitions
Add definitions to your journal that will help you better understand your problem.
Explain the meaning and add to the science board and journal.

18. Materials
List all materials you will need to make this experiment successful.
Include your location if you need a specific area to work on your experiment.
Add all material to science journal.

19. Have fun learning about the problem.
Procedures
Keep your journal near by to add daily information
Keep all your variables controlled except for the one variable you are testing.
Allow plenty of time for experiment to be completed.
Begin your experiment.
Have fun learning about the problem.

20. Variables
Controlled Variables- things done in the experiment that stay the same- do not change during the experiment
Manipulated Variables- things you change
What you are testing during the experiment.
Example: Will rain water or tap water make a plant grow taller?
Everything will stay the same- same plants, amount of water, sunlight, location. The only variable changed is the rain water.

21. Procedures Repeat the experiment many times for more accurate results.
Include all trials and outcomes in the science journal.
Photos and drawings are a big part of record keeping.

22. DATA RESULTS
Collect as much information as possible and add to the science journal.
Interpret all your data to answer your problem.
Distinguish between your controlled and manipulated variables.
Add charts, tables or graph to display your outcome. This will help the judge better understand your results.
Photos can demonstrate the before, during and after of the experiment.

23. Conclusion Explain the outcome to your problem.
Was your hypothesis correct.
What did you learn from this experiment.
Explain how you could do the experiment differently.

24. References and Acknowledgements
Give credit to all people who helped you with the science experiment
List all references used during research.
List all people who took photos of the experiment.

25. Science Board Keep It Organized

26. Photos and Charts are an Important Part of the Data

27. Neatness Counts

28. Good Luck
May Science
always
be with
YOU!