Science Fair Ready, Set, Go!

Timeline and Dates February 28 Entry Forms due for Southern Appalachian Science and Engineering Fair April 7 Southern Appalachian Science and Engineering Fair (SASEF) project setup and judging April 9SASEF Awards Ceremony Jefferson County Schools has formed a partnership with the Appalachian Electric Cooperative for the Science Fair.

Encourage Students and Parents to Utilize the Web Page

Forms Entry form Junior Research Plan Entry Fee

Role of the Teacher You are an advisor. Recognize the need for active student involvement. Respect student ideas and help steer them in the correct direction. Praise and encourage students. Advise students of resources available.

Tips for the Students A Science Fair project is an investigation – not a demonstration. There is a question that must be answered. If they have a demonstration in mind, help them to alter the thought process to asking a question: What is in _______? Why does this happen? Can I do this a better way? How does temperature change the behavior?

Components of a Project Question or Problem Hypothesis – If – then format Methods Materials Results – drawings, pictures, graphs, tables Conclusion DO NOT use I, we, you!

Variables The independent variable is the one that is changed by the scientist. In an experiment there is only one independent variable. The dependent variable changes in response to the change the scientist. Experiments also have controlled variables. There should be a Control. No experimental treatment is applied. Constants are conditions that remain the same for all parts of the experiment, such as measuring the water, always by a window, same position in the room, etc.

Display Board Arrange information so that it is easy to read and flows in a logical order. Top to bottom and left to right.  Presentation boards (32” x 48”), awards, etc. may be ordered from EPI. ( or

Examples No living or dead organisms in the display (plants or animals).

Sample Materials List ( From Science Buddies) CD player & a CD (low drain device) Three identical flashlights (medium drain device) Camera flash (high drain device) AA size Duracell and Energizer batteries AA size of a "heavy-duty" (non-alkaline) battery (I used Panasonic) Voltmeter & a AA battery holder Kitchen timer

Sample Procedure ( From Science Buddies) Number each battery so you can tell them apart. Measure each battery's voltage by using the voltmeter. Put the same battery into one of the devices and turn it on. Let the device run for thirty minutes before measuring its voltage again. (Record the voltage in a table every time it is measured.) Repeat #4 until the battery is at 0.9 volts or until the device stops. Do steps 1–5 again, three trials for each brand of battery in each experimental group. For the camera flash push the flash button every 30 seconds and measure the voltage every 5 minutes. For the flashlights rotate each battery brand so each one has a turn in each flashlight. For the CD player repeat the same song at the same volume throughout the tests.

INTRODUCTION BACKGROUND PROBLEM HYPOTHESIS PROCEDURE DATA RESULTS MATERIALS CONCLUSION ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Board Titles Print on Card Stock Select the color needed Use Rubber Cement Use a paper cutter