1. Crystal Lake Science and Engineering Fair

2. Benefits
Science projects provide opportunities for individual students to use scientific principles and techniques to investigate real world problems, not just read or watch what someone else has done.
Science experiments can be developed in almost any area of interest:
Robotics
Cooking
Sports
Music
Art
Technology

3. Follow A Timeline Don’t wait until the last minute!
Leave plenty of time for the experiment, study, or survey.
Make a list of due dates for all parts of the project to ensure completion by teacher’s deadline.

4. Choosing A Topic Identify a problem Keep student’s interest in mind
Real-life problems are strongly encouraged
Usually based on inquiry from everyday activities
Keep student’s interest in mind
Think about current events (ex: oil spill)
Look at local issues (ex: hurricanes, flooding)
Ask yourself “What am I comparing?” and “How will I measure that?”
Take a science fair project that has been done before but change one of the variables

5. The Scientific Method

6. Examples of Well Done Projects
Which octane makes the lawnmower run the longest?
Will a structure with a crossbeam support more mass than the structure without it?
Go with the Flow: Increasing the Efficiency of the Tesla Turbine to Reduce the Cost of Cleaner Energy Generation from Natural Gas
Full tuition scholarship from FIT!
*A Magnetic Brush that Cleans Solar (PV) Cells from Dust and Sand without the Use of Water*
Original, upper-level science thinking,
can be expanded upon

7. Less Effective Project Ideas
Which brand of popcorn pops the most kernels?
Which paper towel absorbs the most?
Which brand of gum has the longest lasting flavor?
Which type of balloon holds air longest?
Product brand comparisons,
low level of scientific thinking

8. Project Ideas and Resources
Juliantrubin.com – Click on Projects
Sciencebuddies.com – Click Project Ideas
INTEL ISEF Project Database of Past Entries
Discovery Education Science Fair Central
Sciencenewsforstudents.org
Fisher Scientific
Google Science Fair Tool Kit

9. Google science fair toolkit
Use the Generator to access resources tailored for you. generator/en/
Helpful worksheets:
Where does an idea come from?
How do I turn an idea into a project?
Ages 13-14: Inspiration, Research, and Planning Framework (skip page 1)

10. Official Rules and Safety
No experiments on animals, bacteria, or mold allowed to enter Crystal Lake Middle School Science Fair. 
Avoid being disqualified
Some projects require special forms and can’t be conducted at home by the student
Read the ISEF and SSEF rules at :
Not sure if experiment is allowed or if additional forms are needed? Try using the Rules Wizard. 

11. The Research
This is Background Research about the science topic that includes your project (electromagnetism, chemical reactions)
It helps you make an EDUCATED guess or hypothesis and analyze your results.
A bibliography must be included to show sources used – try to have at least 3 to 5 sources
The correct format is APA
Try websites like

12. The Abstract The abstract is a brief summary of the entire project
This may be the first and most important part a judge looks at!
Focuses on purpose, procedure, data, and conclusion
It must be on the approved form available at:

13. ABSTRACT FORM

14. Project Data Book These are kept throughout the entire process
Similar to a diary or journal
Must be in pen and all entries dated
Digital Notebooks are now allowed.
Includes:
Preparations
Detailed notes on progress
Labeled drawings
Problems/errors
Data

15. The Display Board Clear title All required material on board
Font size adequate for short distance
Trim and titles look neat

16. ON THE DISPLAY BOARD: Title Define a Problem (Purpose Statement)
Hypothesis
Variables, Constants, & Control Group
Data Table, Graph, and Data Analysis
Materials, Procedure, & Abstract
Conclusion
Application
Recommendations
Pictures with captions

17. Engineering Display Board
No Independent Variable
Trying to solve a problem through creation and invention
Prototype of Engineering Projects needs to fit within your board display space

18. The Display Board Don’t have title take up too much space
Remember, the science fair is a research-based project, not an art contest!
No choking hazards or potentially dangerous materials on board

19. Display Board Examples
Unclear title
Title takes up too much space

20. Data and Data Analysis
Data Analysis – How certain are you about your data? Need a statistical response.
Identify patterns, any data errors, and possible causes
Explain results and implications/meaning of data
Data Table needs a title, both variables, multiple trials, metric units, and an average
Graph must have title, both axes labeled with variables (IV on x-axis, DV on y-axis), units, and a key

21. Recommendations
Any problems or variables that may have had an adverse effect on the experiment
Recommendations for modifications or improvements
Justify them

22. Sometimes the best projects have results that are not expected.
Don’t Worry!
OH NO!!!
My hypothesis is wrong!
Sometimes the best projects have results that are not expected.

23. Project Evaluation Criteria
Scientific thought
Hypothesis and Conclusion must relate
Thoroughness
Clarity
Board
Communication
Answering questions
Creative ability and originality
Well-formed and thought out hypothesis
Research-based
If-then-because

24. Most Importantly Encourage your young scientist
Assist in getting supplies, organizing research, and conducting experiment
Keep up with the due dates