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Science Fair Booklet PDF Print E-mail
Written by Deb Dommel   
Article Index
Science Fair Booklet
Step 1 Choosing A Topic
Step 2 Background Research
Step 3 Designing Your Experiment
Step 4 Preparing a Proposal
Step 5 Conducting the Experiment
Step 6 Analyze Your Data
Step 7 State Conclusions
Step 8 Recommendations
Step 9 Scientific Paper
Step 10 Writing the Abstract
Step 11 Create Your Display
Step 12 Oral Presentation
Appendices


#1 Science Fair Proposal

INTRODUCTION
Should include one or two paragraphs describing why you selected this topic/experiment

QUESTION
Be specific.  Your experiment should be able to answer this question.  Use the format suggested in the Step 1, number 3.  (Maybe you could link to that section - or not I don't know what is best.)

HYPOTHESIS
What do you think will be the answer to your question.  What do you think will be the results of your experiment.
The hypothesis has two parts:
  1. The condition (If)
  2. The prediction (Then)
VARIABLES
  • Manipulated Variable (also called the Independent variable) - The one thing in your experiment that you are changing
  • Controlled variables (also called the constants) - All the things that you are going to keep the same
  • Responding variable (also called the dependent variable) - What you are measuring
MATERIALS
A list of all things needed to complete the experiment.  Use a bullet list.

PROCEDURES
Numbered steps to be followed to complete the experiment.  Should be specific enough so that someone else could repeat exactly what you do.

BIBLIOGRAPHY  
See sample entries listed below #3.


#2 Scientific Paper

Title page
Include title of experiment, name of event and date

Introduction
One or two paragraphs describing why you selected this topic/experiment

Question

Hypothesis

Background
A one to two page report that provides information about your science fair topic

Materials/Supplies 
Written in paragraph form

Procedures
Written in paragraph form - NO PRONOUNS.

Analysis/Data/Graphs
In addition to graphs and charts one or two paragraphs describing what happened and what it means  The paragraph should refer to the charts and graphs as well as state what they show in averages, medians, modes, etc.

Conclusions
What do your results mean, was your hypothesis correct or incorrect?

Plans for Future Research

Bibliography  
On a separate sheet of paper, see below



#3 Bibliography


Canton, Bruce.  The Army of the Potomac: Glory Road.  Garden City:  Doubleday, 1952.
(Book author.  Title.  City of publication:  Publisher, copyright.)

Graham, D. K. "Battle of Gettysburg."  Hobbies, Sept. 1974:    157-158
(Author of article.  "Title."  Magazine Title, date of publication:  page numbers)

Scifair.org.  National Science Teachers Association.  14 Sept.  1995  <http://www.scifair.org/
(Title of home page.  Sponsor of site.  Date of access  web address)

"Wars."  Encyclopedia Britannica.  1988 ed.
("Title of Article."  Title of Encyclopedia.  Copyright.)

Williams, T. Harry.  "Civil War."  World Book Encyclopedia.  1976 ed.
Author of article.  "Title of article."  Title of Encyclopedia.  Copyright.)

Note:  If entry goes to a second line - indent the line standard indent space.
            Single space within entry. 
            Double space between entries.


#4 Science Fair Display Board

Display Board Size 48" x 36."  No Top Title Panel

Title
Catchy, Specific, Largest type or letters

Question (Problem)

Hypothesis

Materials & Procedures
List of all materials used, Directions for any equipment made, Step by step procedures in numbered form

Graphs/Tables
Display data gathered in appropriate graphs and tables that are labeled appropriately

Analyzed Results
Summary paragraph explaining results

Conclusions
Paragraph stating what results mean.  Was the hypothesis correct?

Bible Verse
Verse that relates to the project, either directly or in principle  Include a 1 or 2 sentence explanation of how the verse relates to the project.

Acknowledgements
Document any written source that was instrumental to the project Acknowledge any person who gave help in completing the project

Additional Display Items

Logbook
Journal that was kept while working on the experiment
At the end include:
List of Variables that could not be controlled in the experiment
List of Mistakes done during the experiment with an explanation as to why the variable could not be controlled
List of Things that could be done differently if the research project were to be continued or redone

Scientific Paper
Placed on display table

Abstract
Placed on display table 

Photographs
Can be placed on display board, in log book or on table, wherever is most appropriate

General Notes for your display:

  • Neat and easy to read
  • Well organized
  • Error free
  • Name should not be on anything in display


#5 Abstract

A brief summary of the entire project that gives an overview of the project without reading the complete research paper or examining your visual aid in detail
Maximum 250 words
Purpose of the experiment (question)
Why did you choose this topic?  What did you hope to accomplish?

Hypothesis

Procedure
Summary paragraph of procedures used

Analyzed Data
Summary of all data in paragraph form

Conclusions
Summary of what data means, was the hypothesis correct

May include:
Brief summary of background information
Possible research applications

Should not include:
Acknowledgements
Work done by mentor

 #6 Oral Presentation

Introduction
How you got interested in the topic, background information on topic, independent and dependent variables

Question

Hypothesis
Give your hypothesis and background information to support it

Procedure
What you did, when and how

Results
Explain tables and recorded observations, explain what they mean and why you got the results you did

Conclusions
Brief concise statement of conclusions, how you arrived at it and evidence to support it

Be prepared to discuss: 
  • Variables that could not be controlled
  • Mistakes made during the experiment, and how they could have been corrected
  • Things to do differently if the project were redone
  • Ideas, problems or questions that could be developed for future research
Science Fair Basics



 
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