1. Science Fair Projects Presented by Sean Mulvanity, Ed.D Teacher Specialist for Science, SCCPS Adapted from Janice VanCleave’s Science Fair Handbook

2. Steps of a Science Fair Project 1.Scientific Method Research, Problem, Hypothesis, Experimentation, Conclusion 2.Topic Research Project Types, Three Steps to a Topic, Research a Topic, Topic Ideas 3.Project Research Primary Research, Secondary Research 4.Project Report Title Page, Table of Contents, Abstract, Introduction, Experiment and Data, Conclusion, Sources, Acknowledgements

3. Steps of a Science Fair Project con’t 5. The Display Helpful Hints, Do’s and Don’ts, Safety 6. Presentation and Evaluation Judging Information, Do’s and Don’ts at the Fair

4. Scientific Method The process of thinking through the possible solutions to a problem and testing each possibility to find the best solution. Research Problem Hypothesis Project Experimentation Project Conclusion

5. Research The process of collecting information from students’ experiences, knowledgeable sources, and data from exploratory experiments. Do use many references from printed sources Do gather information from professionals – professors, media specialists, and scientists

6. Problem An “open-ended” scientific question to be solved Example – “How does light affect the reproduction of bread mold on white bread? Do limit your problem Do choose a problem that can be solved experimentally

7. Hypothesis An idea about the solution to a problem based on knowledge and research Ex. “I believe that bread mold does not need light for reproduction on white bread. I base my hypothesis on these facts: 1. Organisms with chlorophyll need light to survive. Molds do not have chlorophyll. 2. In my exploratory experiment, bread mold grew on white bread kept in a dark bread box.”

8. Hypothesis con’t Do state facts from past experiences or observations on which you base your hypothesis Do write down your hypothesis before beginning the project experimentation Don’t change your hypothesis even if experimentation does not support it.

9. Project Experimentation The process of testing a hypothesis using variables The independent variable is the variable that you change The dependent variable is the variable that is being observed, which changes in response to the independent variable The controlled variable is not changed by the student

10. Project Experimentation con’t Do have only one independent variable during an experiment Do repeat the experiment more than once to verify your results Do have a control Do have more than one control, with each being identical Do organize data

11. Project Conclusion A summary of the results of the project experimentation and a statement of how the results relate to the hypothesis. Don’t change your hypothesis Don’t leave out experimental results that do not support your hypothesis Do give possible reasons for the difference between your hypothesis and the experimental results Do give ways that you can experiment further to find a solution

12. Topic Research Project Types Three Steps to a Topic Research a Topic Topic Ideas

13. Project Types An Investigation – ex. How long does it take the heart to return to normal after exercise? Construction of a Kit or Model – ex. A model of a solar home Demonstration of a Scientific Principle – ex. Measuring lung capacity

14. Three Steps to a Topic 1.Think of a topic you’re interested in. ex. People, animals, plants, rocks 2.Try to focus on one aspect of one topic. ex. People: What makes a person an adult? Animals: How can I best train my pet? Plants: How can plants best be protected from animals? Rocks: What do the different colors in rocks mean?

15. Three Steps to a Topic con’t 3. Now use the same idea, but be more specific. Ex. People: How do third graders compare with adults? Animals: Does the length of an animal training session make a difference? Plants: Can companion planting protect beans from beetles? Rocks: How do you detect minerals in rocks?

16. Research a Topic Look closely at the World around you Choose a topic from your experience Find a topic in Science magazines Select a topic from a book on Science fair projects or Science experiments

17. Topic Ideas Categories Astronomy; Biology: Zoology, Ecology, Microbiology; Earth Science: Geology – (Fossils/Archeology, Mineralogy, Rocks, Seismology, Volcanology), Meteorology, Oceanography, Paleontology; Engineering; Physical Science: Chemistry, Physics – (Electricity, Energy, Gravity, Magnetism); Mathematics

18. Topic Ideas con’t Great Project Ideas –How does the color of a background affect its absorption of solar insulation? On which foods does fungus grow best? How are teeth affected by fluorides and acids? Is there a relationship between phases of the moon and our weather? What kind of soil is best for water retention? Will antacids help soil polluted by acid rain?

19. Project Research The process of collecting information from knowledgeable sources. How successful you are with your project will depend largely on how well you understand your topic. Primary Research – information you collect on your own: Exploratory experiments, surveys, interviews and responses to letters/emails Secondary Research – information/data that someone else has collected: book, magazine or periodical, newspaper, encyclopedia, software package, document from online service

20. Project Report The written record of your entire project from start to finish. Title page, Table of contents, Abstract, Introduction, Experiment and Data, Conclusion, Sources, Acknowledgements

21. Display Board Do use computer-generated graphs Do display photos representing the procedure and the results Do use contrasting colors Do limit the number of colors used Do display models when applicable Do attach charts neatly Do use rubber cement or double sided tape to attach papers

22. Display Board con’t Don’t leave large empty spaces on the backboard Don’t leave the table in front of the backboard empty Don’t make the title or headings hard to read by using uneven lettering, words with letters of different colors, etc… Don’t hand-print the letters on the backboard Don’t make mistakes in spelling words or writing formulas

23. Display Board con’t

26. Questions?