1. Science Fair Parent Workshop
Eugenia B. Thomas K-8 Center
2015 Upper Academy Information

2. Purpose
The Science Fair gives students the opportunity to apply the scientific method learned in school to explore Science beyond the classroom.
The scientific method is a process for experimentation that is used to answer a question:
Problem
Hypothesis
Test (Experiment)
Results
Conclusion

3. Assignments
A schedule of assignments outlines the due dates for every assignment.
Students will receive a grade for each assignment as well as a grade at the end for the completed project, report, and presentation.
Assignments will be graded using a District-based Rubric.
Due to the District’s Digital Convergence, the 6th-8th grade students will be creating their project via Discovery Board Builder on the Student Portal.
We encourage parents to guide and assist their children with the project, but allow them to do most of the work on their own!

4. Problem Statement
Select a topic from various Science Fair websites such as or
The problem statement is written in the form of a question.
A good topic can be investigated (tested) and contains variables.
A poor topic is merely a demonstration or is too general.
Problem statement must be approved by the teacher before continuing with the project.

5. Background Information
Research information on the topic by reading:
Books,
Magazine articles,
Internet articles,
Interviewing someone knowledgeable about the topic,
After researching the information, write several paragraphs that summarize the information that was found (see teacher for details)
Students CANNOT turn in copies of the articles. They must summarize the information in their own words.

6. Bibliography
Make a list of all the references used for the Background Information.
Students MUST use the correct format:
Located in Science Fair handbook
Students should have at least 3 references.
Only one resource may be an Internet site.

7. Hypothesis
The student will predict what is going to be the results of the investigation.
The hypothesis should not be changed if it is incorrect.
The hypothesis is just an educated guess.
Must be stated using “if”, “then”, “because” statement.
Example: “If Brawny, Viva, and Bounty paper towels are tested for their absorbency, then Bounty will absorb the most water because it has more layers of paper towel than the other towels tested.

8. Materials List all of the materials used to conduct the investigation.
The size and quantity MUST be included.
Measurements MUST be written using metric units (Examples: cm, m, mL, L)

9. Procedures List the steps taken to conduct the investigation.
Each step must begin with an action verb.
Do not use words such as “I” or “me”.
Must be written in the form of instructions as though someone were going to follow them; just as
you would write a recipe.

10. Variables These are all the factors that affect the investigation.
There are three types of variables:
Test Variable (Manipulated Variable): what changes in the experiment in order to see a change,
Outcome Variable (Responding Variable): what happens by itself because of the change,
Variables Held Constant: whatever stays the same.
The variables MUST be placed on the display board.

11. Data Students will gather information during the investigation.
Data MUST be quantifiable (numerical data).
Students may keep a log of their information that includes specific details of the progress of the project (include dates, measurements, etc…).
The information MUST be displayed in a graph according to the data collected.

12. Results
Students will write what happened at the end of their investigation.
Results must be quantifiable (include their data in their explanation).

13. Conclusion Middle School Science Fair Conclusion
Ask yourself these questions before writing your conclusion:
What was investigated?
Was the hypothesis supported or not supported by the data?
What were the major findings?
How did your findings compare with other researchers?
What possible explanations can you offer for your findings?
What recommendations do you have for further study and for improving the experiment?
What are some possible applications of the experiment?

14. Title Middle School Science Fair Title
Title must be in the following format:
The effect of (the test variable) on (the outcome variable).
Example: The effect of the brand of paper towel on the amount of water that is absorbed.

15. Abstract Summary of the entire project.
Students do not include any new information. They just put together the different components that have already been completed in the previous sections.
The abstract must be on the display board in the lower left hand corner.

16. Middle School Abstract
The abstract consists of three paragraphs:
Purpose of the Experiment
An introductory statement of the reason for investigating the topic of the project.
A statement of the problem or hypothesis being studied.
Procedures Used
A summarization of the key points and an overview of how the investigation was conducted.
An abstract does not give details about the materials used unless it greatly influenced the procedure or had to be developed to do the investigation.
An abstract should only include procedures done by the student. Work done by a mentor (such as surgical procedures) or work done prior to student involvement must not be included.
Observation/Data/Results
This section should provide key results that lead directly to the conclusions you have drawn.
It should not give too many details about the results nor include tables or graphs.
Conclusions
Conclusions from the investigation should be described briefly.
The summary paragraph should reflect on the process and possibly state some applications and extensions of the investigation.
No more than 250 words.

17. Display Board (No required order for secondary projects except for the Abstract in the lower left hand corner)

18. Oral Presentation
During the week that the Display Board is due, students will be required to present their projects orally to the class.
It is important that students follow the guidelines in the handbook to ensure that they meet all of the requirements for this assignment.
Students MUST NOT read the information from the board. They need to address their classmates and maintain eye contact to demonstrate their knowledge of their project.

19. District Deadline for Secondary Projects
The top three Middle School Projects chosen to be part of the District Science Fair must turn in their project forms to Mrs. Inguanzo-Perez by December 8, 2015.
Teachers will give these students more information as we come closer to the due date.

20. Questions / Comments
The Science Fair Student Handbook is available on our website:
Thank you for supporting your child to ensure their success in our Science Fair!