3. Some Rules No models can be entered unless it explains the experiment. No models can be entered unless it explains the experiment. No inventions as well. No inventions as well. No hard copies of the science fair manual No hard copies of the science fair manual All participants are invited to the county fair- not just the “ winners” from school. Will be held at the Science Center. All participants are invited to the county fair- not just the “ winners” from school. Will be held at the Science Center.

4. Choose a topic. Ideas can be found in: Science text books Library Science magazines

5. Read about your subject of interest. Read about your subject of interest. The more you find out about the subject, the more ideas you will form on what experiment you can do. The more you find out about the subject, the more ideas you will form on what experiment you can do. Include the title of the books you use in your research in your project journal. Include the title of the books you use in your research in your project journal.

6. Your journal is your project. Your journal is your project. Begin your journal when you first begin to think of ideas. Begin your journal when you first begin to think of ideas. Explain why you chose the idea you did. Explain why you chose the idea you did. Keep adding to your journal as you work on your experiment. Keep adding to your journal as you work on your experiment.

7. The question needs to be written this way: What effect does x have on y? My question? What effect does the shape of a magnet (x) have on the number of paper clips it can pick up (y)?

8. What do you think the answer will be to your question? Record this PREDICTION in your journal. My hypothesis: I think the shape of the magnet will effect the number of paper clips it can pick up.

9. What will you do to find out the answer to the question? Think about the materials you will need and the procedure you will use. Write all of these in your journal.

10. My test: I will use a flat bar magnet, a round magnet and a horseshoe magnet. I will use small paper clips. I will hold the magnets above the cup of paper clips and count the number of clips the magnet has picked up. I will record the numbers in a data table. I will repeat the test on each magnet 10 times. My test: I will use a flat bar magnet, a round magnet and a horseshoe magnet. I will use small paper clips. I will hold the magnets above the cup of paper clips and count the number of clips the magnet has picked up. I will record the numbers in a data table. I will repeat the test on each magnet 10 times.

11. My materials list: 1 flat bar magnet 1 round magnet 1 horseshoe magnet 3 paper cups 25 small, metal paper clips 25 small, metal paper clips

12. My procedure: Put paper clips into a cup. Hold a magnet 5 cm. above the cup. Count the number of paper clips the magnet has picked up. Repeat 10 times. Repeat this procedure with the other 2 magnets.

13. Important thoughts: CONSTANTS: (what will you keep the same between tests?) VARIABLES: MANIPULATED: (what will you change) RESPONDING: (what changes as a result of the experiment)

14. My experiment: CONSTANTS: size of paper clips size of magnets weight of magnets distance the magnet is from the cup

15. MANIPULATED VARIABLE: types of magnets. RESPONDING VARIABLE: number of paper clips picked up by the magnets.

16. Use a data table to keep track of the results of your tests. Remember to use metric measurements whenever needed. Write in your journal how the tests went- any problems, changes, unexpected events?

18. Use the data from your experiment. Use the data from your experiment. Average the results for each test. Average the results for each test. Decide which kind of graph you need (most will be bar graphs- line graphs are only used when you are measuring growth or distance over time.) Decide which kind of graph you need (most will be bar graphs- line graphs are only used when you are measuring growth or distance over time.) The responding variable goes up the side, the manipulated goes across the bottom. The responding variable goes up the side, the manipulated goes across the bottom.

20. What did you find out? (Tell us the answer to your experimental question). What did you find out? (Tell us the answer to your experimental question). Real life application/ conclusions. Real life application/ conclusions. How can your results be used in the real world? How can your results be used in the real world? If you could repeat this experiment, what would you do differently? If you could repeat this experiment, what would you do differently? Conclusion- did the data support your hypothesis?

21. My experiment showed there was no difference between the magnets and their ability to lift paperclips. My experiment showed there was no difference between the magnets and their ability to lift paperclips. This information could be used in businesses that use magnets- they can use the shape that fits best in their machines. This information could be used in businesses that use magnets- they can use the shape that fits best in their machines.

22. If I do this experiment again, I will put the magnets at a 10 cm. height to see if there is a difference in attraction. If I do this experiment again, I will put the magnets at a 10 cm. height to see if there is a difference in attraction. In conclusion, my experiment does not support my hypothesis. In conclusion, my experiment does not support my hypothesis.

23. Must contain all parts and include the project diary (the judges really do read them) Must contain all parts and include the project diary (the judges really do read them) Check for errors; misspellings, punctuation, etc. Check for errors; misspellings, punctuation, etc. You may include photographs, diagrams and illustrations. Decorative border adds to appearance. You may include photographs, diagrams and illustrations. Decorative border adds to appearance.

24. Student name and teacher name MUST be on the back of the board. Student name and teacher name MUST be on the back of the board. Pictures should not identify the child. Pictures should not identify the child.

25. A rubric is used to determine a score for each project. A rubric is used to determine a score for each project. The child will be given an opportunity to defend their project to the judges. The child will be given an opportunity to defend their project to the judges. The judges will be students from Osceola High School. The judges will be students from Osceola High School.

28. Good Luck !!