SUNSET PARK'S ANNUAL
SCIENCE FAIR

Science Fair projects can be a positive experience whereby parents act as coaches to help children learn to use the scientific method of investigation. These projects will help the children put to use many of the skills that are being developed in the math and science programs at school. They will also enable students to use thinking and questioning skills that are necessary for life.

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Table of Contents

What is a Science Project?
What is not a Science Project?
Sample Topics!
Project Display Board!
Project Content!
Judging Criteria!

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What is a Science Project?

1. Choose a problem to solve.

2. State your problem as a specific question.

3. Research your problem.

4. Form a hypothesis.

5. Plan your project.

6. Set up a time schedule.

7. Make a list of all the materials you will need.

8. Collect all your materials.

9. Conduct your experiments, several times.

10. Record the data. (Use metric measurements where possible.)

11. Organize the data in a more orderly form.

12. Draw conclusions from the data.

13. Prepare your report, graphs, drawings, and diagrams.

14. Construct your science fair display.

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1. a collection of related or unrelated objects

2. a list of things

3. a report not supported by data or an experiment

4. a model, illustration, or piece of equipment unrelated to an experiment

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These are suggested topics for a science fair project. Please do not think that any of these is a required topic, but perhaps they will give you an idea of the kind of thing that is appropriate for children in elementary school.

• Can the design of a paper airplane make it fly farther?
• Which dish soap makes the longest lasting suds?
• What percentage of corn seeds in a package will germinate?
• Does a plant need some darkness to grow?
• Which metal conducts heat best?
• For how long a distance can speech be transmitted through a tube?
• What materials provide the best insulation?
• Does the color of a material affect its absorption of heat?
• Does sound travel best through solids, liquids, or gases?
• Do sugar crystals grow faster in tap water or distilled water?
• Can same-type balloons withstand the same amount of pressure?
• What type of soil filters water best?
• Does the length of a vibrating object affect sound?
• What keeps things colder-- plastic wrap or aluminum foil?
• Do different types of soil hold different amounts of water?
• Will adding bleach to the water of a plant reduce fungus growth?
• Does water with salt boil faster than plain water?
• Will more air inside a basketball make it bounce higher?
• Does the color of light affect plant growth?
• Does baking soda lower the temperature of water?
• Which brand of popcorn pops the most kernels?
• Which brand of popcorn pops the fastest?
• Which kind of glue holds two boards together better?
• With which type of battery do toys run longest?
• Which paper towel is the strongest?
• Does a ball roll farther on grass or dirt?
• What holds two boards together better-- a nail or a screw?
• Does the shape of a kite affect its flight?
• Does an ice cube melt faster in air or water?
• Does sugar prolong the life of cut flowers?

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Project Display Board

Problem Statement (The question you are asking and trying to solve.)	Project Title (Should not take up more than 1/3 of the center section.) Controls / Variables   Data (Pictures, Charts, Data Tables, Diagrams, Proof of doing the project) Use metric measurements.	Results (A statement as to what you found according to your data. No interpretation thereof.)
Hypothesis (The answer you think you will get for the above question.)		Conclusion (Your interpretation of what your data is telling you. Also answering the question- "Why did I get the results I got?" Relate your results to your hypothesis.)
Materials (A list of everything you used.)
Procedures (Step by step explanation of what you did, used, and how you used it.)		Application (Answers the questions "What value are your findings to society?" and "How can your findings be used to benefit society?")
Abstract / Bibliography (Required placement) (A 250 word or less summary of your entire project. List a minimum of 3 references used in doing your project.)		Acknowledgments (A "thank you" list of all those who helped you with your project.)

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Project Content

A Science Fair project has three parts: a report, a free-standing display board, and exhibit materials.

Choosing a Topic

A good topic has a problem that can be answered only be experimenting. If a topic is broad or general, you will find it too difficult to produce reliable results.

Title

The project title should give information regarding the topic being studied. It may consist of the actual problem statement, in which case it should be in the form of a question. It should be short (10 words or less), neatly lettered, and easy to read.

Poor title: Soap Powder (too general)

Corrected title: The Cleaning Power of Various Soap Powders

Problem Statement

The problem statement is always written in the form of a question. The question tells what the student plans to investigate. It may be used as the title.

Poor problem statement: How does soap work? (not explicit)

Corrected problem statement: Which soap powder works best in removing catsup stains?

Background Information

This information will not answer the problem statement. It will only serve to help the student understand the topic. For example, the student may read about soap and its ingredients, about any other tests that may have been conducted, or about stains and their removal. The student will still have to perform the experiment to obtain the answer to the problem statement. Books, encyclopedias, magazines, or experts in the field can provide background information to help the student understand his or her topic. All material should be summarized and written in the student's own words and not copied from the resource materials.

Hypothesis

The hypothesis consists of a statement regarding the student's "guess" about what the outcome of the experiment will be. The guess is based upon the background information that was gathered by the student.

Example: The student believes that soap X will remove the catsup stain faster than soap Y.

Experiment

The student is now ready to describe the various aspects of a scientific experiment.

• Materials: There should be a list of all materials and supplies that were used in the project. Quantities and amounts of each should also be indicated. Preferable, this information should be in column form.
• Procedures: The procedures should be listed step by step, in the same manner as the materials. Amounts involved should be included. There should always be a number of trials (at least three). There should only be 1 variable.

Example: 1. Five pieces of cotton from a white shirt were placed on a table.

2. One drop of catsup was placed on each piece of cotton.

• Control: There should always be a control with which results can be compared. A control is the part of an experiment that is held constant.
• Variables: These are all factors that affect the investigation. A manipulated variable is the item that is intentionally changed in order to test it. A responding variable is what changed in response to the manipulated variable.
• Data: All information that is collected should be presented in an easy-to-understand manner. Graphs, charts, or pictures can be used to show the reader what the student observed during the experiment. The data may be in the form of quantitative information (e.g., numbers), or it may be qualitative information (e.g., warm-cool, attitude). There is an emphasis this year on using metric measurements. Be sure to use metric measurements to list amounts or anything that you measure.
• Results: The student should state the findings of the experiment based upon the data that has been observed and analyzed.

Example: According to the data, Soap X worked in 25 minutes while it took Soap Y...

• Conclusions: A statement on whether or not the results supported the hypothesis should be made. The student should discuss how specific data from the experiment supported the hypothesis, and describe problems that might have affected the results.

Example: Soap X worked twice as fast as Soap Y in removing the catsup stain. The hardness of the water may have affected the results because...

The conclusion should begin with a statement on whether or not the results supported the hypothesis. Include a description of how specific experimental data supported the hypothesis. Students should explain why the events they observed occurred. Using the word "because" is a good way to turn an observation into a conclusion.

• Abstract: This is a short synopsis (a short review of the main points) of the entire project. It must include purpose, procedure, and results. Elementary students should probably be limited to 100 words or less.
• Applications: Have the student make a statement on why the research was important.
• Acknowledgments: (optional) The student should give credit to anyone who may have helped during the experiment. This may include the student's parents, teachers, etc.
• Bibliography: The bibliography should list all printed materials the student researched in carrying out the project. All references should be listed. Appropriate format should be used.

Example: Author's last name, first initial. Title of the book, publisher, year published, where published, pages used.

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Judging Criteria

Creativity and Originality

• Creative / Original Idea; Creative Use of Material; Creative / Original Approach

  • Is the project creative?
  • Has the student approached the topic from an unusual angle?

Scientific Process

• Title, Problem Statement, Hypothesis, Materials, Procedure, Data Collection, Results, Conclusion

  • Does the project contain all of the sections listed above?
  • Is the problem statement in the form of a question?
  • Does the hypothesis make a guess at the outcome?
  • Are all of the materials listed?
  • Are all the steps of the experiment listed in the procedure?
  • Is there adequate data collection?
    

• Organization / Presentation of Data; Interpretation and Analysis of Data; Results; Conclusion; Applications

  • Is the project well organized?
  • Are there graphs and/or diagrams?
  • Are the results interpreted from the data?
  • Is the conclusion based on the data and results?
  • Is the conclusion connected to the problem statement?
  • Does the project state any useful applications based on the research?

Technical Skill

• Student's contribution to and gain from project; Accuracy and/or precision

  • Is the project student made?
  • Did the student learn from the experiment?
  • Are the measurements accurate and precise?

Thoroughness

• Knowledge of the project and general area investigated; Problem coverage and apparent completion

  • Does the entire project have complete coverage of the topic?
  • Did the student ask a question, research it, experiment to find conclusions, and come to a reasonable conclusion?

Presentation

• Organization, Clarity, and Appearance of the display

  • Is the display neat and orderly?
  • Is the handwriting legible?
  • Are the sections labeled?
  • Are the diagrams labeled?
  • Are words spelled correctly?

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