Science Fair 2010

Science Fair General Information 
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It’s science fair time again. All sixth, seventh and eighth grade students are required to  
participate. The purpose of the science fair is for students to experience the scientific method and explore subjects of interest. The science fair project provides the opportunity to practice project management skills that students will use throughout their lifetime.  
 
The science fair project will require a large amount of time. One key to a successful project will be planning in manageable parts. There are due dates to help students manage the project.  
 
This year the process will consist of the following sections:  
 
1.  Acknowledgement Form-parent and student must sign and return this form that they have reviewed all the science fair information and calendar.   
2.  Proposal Form-Ms. Bhakta must approve the proposal.   
2.  Keep a Logbook-this composition style book is a diary to record all activities and time spent on science fair. 
3.  Experiment Update Form-summary of library research progress. Use the library and Internet for Background Research-record bibliography information and brief summary in logbook. Record specific facts and information on loose-leaf or note cards. Research is used to understand the experiment topic and explain it in the Introduction and Final Report. A library fieldtrip is planned for each class in the months of Nov/Dec.
4.  Introduction and Bibliography
5.  Final report-complete report on your science fair project.  
6.  Display Binder and Backboard-Final display for the science fair.  
 
All the required information and forms are available online on the school website. 
If students do not have internet access at home, let me know and I will give them a hard copy of all the forms.  A calendar summarizing important dates is also available to print.  
You may want to make several copies of this calendar to post in different places.  
 
I look forward to an interesting and successful science fair. 

Ms. Bhakta Science Fair Instructions & Guidelines

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Students may browse the Internet, science books and magazines. Some books are available for use in the classroom. Students may discuss topics with parents, family friends and acquaintances with experience in areas that interest the student. Any non-parent mentors should be listed on the proposal form. Projects must be experiments. Students will not receive approval for building models, equipment or setting up demonstrations. The experiment should answer a question. It should test a cause and effect relationship. The experimental question should have a form similar to “What is the affect of increasing (or decreasing) the amount of (your independent variable) on (your dependent variable)?”Students will need to identify all variables (factors that might affect or change the results). The experiment will test the affect of one variable (independent variable) on the factor you are measuring for your resultsdependent variable). All other variables (constants) must not change during the experiment. All experiments must have a control or standard for comparison. The control will be a zero quantity of your independent variable. Successful experiments have results that can be measured and expressed as numbers. Only metric measurement units will be allowed. A reference sheet for metric measurement is included in the science fair information pages.

Proposal:  All proposal forms should be submitted on or before October 22, 2009. Proposals that are not approved will be returned with suggestions for resubmitting. Proposals that are accepted will be kept and an acceptance note will be sent home. The proposal form includes the experimental question your experiment is designed to answer. The experimental question
should have a form similar to “What is the affect of increasing the amount of (your independent variable) on (your dependent variable)?” There should be increasing or decreasing amounts of your independent variable. The hypothesis is different from the experimental question because it offers a logical answer to the question, based on the background research. The experiment tests if the hypothesis is correct. A very successful experiment may prove the hypothesis is incorrect! The independent variable, dependent variable, constants and control must be identified for this form. A method for measuring the dependent variable for results must be clearly explained. Materials needed for the experiment must be listed. In your logbook, specifically describe all materials and equipment. (Example: brand, lot number, expiration date, etc.) When you purchase supplies, buy more that enough to avoid switching batch or lot numbers.Logbook:  All students must have a composition book to use as a logbook for only science fair work. The logbook is a diary of all activities and work related to the project. Logbooks show the scientific community the experiment was your own work and completed in sequence. Logbooks will be part of the project grade and checked in class on scheduled days (see calendar).A standard composition book will work well. Only use one side of the paper. Each page should be numbered. Pages should never be ripped out. Write in pen. Initial and date each entry. Mistakes should be crossed out with a single line across. Please initial and date any changes. Ring binders, spiral notebooks and loose-leaf are not acceptable.

 

Science Fair Forms

Science Fair Receipt of Information Form

Science Fair Proposal Form 

Science Fair Experiment Update Form

 

 

Your science fair display represents all the work that you have done. It should consist of a backboard, the project report, and anything that represents your project, such as models made, items studied, photographs, surveys, and the like. It must tell the story of the project in such a way that it attracts and holds the interest of the viewer. It has to be thorough, but not too crowded, so keep it simple.A three-sided backboard is usually the best way to display your work. Sturdy cardboard or other heavy material is easier to work with and is less likely to be damaged during transportation to the fair. Wooden panels can be cut and hinged together. Some office supply stores sell inexpensive premade backboards. If these are not available in your area, you can order inexpensive premade backboards from science supply companies. Purchased backboards generally come in two colors, black and white. You can use a different color by covering the backboard with self-stick, colored shelving paper or cloth. For items placed on the backboard, select colors that stand out but don’t distract the viewer from the material being presented. For example, if everything is in fluorescent colors, the bright colors, instead of your work, will be what catches the eye.The title and other headings should be neat and large enough to be read at a distance of about 3 feet (1 m). A short title is often eye-catching. You can purchase, at office supply stores, self-sticking letters of various sizes and colors for the title and headings and stick them to the backboard. You can cut your own letters out of construction paper or stencil the letters for all the headings directly onto the backboard. You can also use a word processor to print the title and other headings. The following headings should be used:

 

• Problem
• Hypothesis
• Experiment (materials and procedure)
• Data
• Results
• Conclusion

 

The project title should go at the top of the center panel, and the remaining material needs to be placed neatly in some order. Figure 7.1 shows one way of placing the material. The heading “Next Time,” though not always required, may be included if desired. It would follow the conclusion and contain a brief description of plans for future development of the project. You could include this information in the conclusion rather than under a separate heading.You want a display that the judges will remember positively. So before you glue everything down, lay the board on a flat surface and arrange the materials a few different ways. This will help you decide on the most suitable and attractive presentation. Figure 7.1 shows what a good display might look like. 

Figure 7.1: Example of a Good Display

 

Do’s and Don’ts 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. If possible, make the models match the color scheme of the backboard.Do attach charts neatly. If there are many, place them on top of each other so that the top chart can be lifted to reveal the ones below.Do balance the arrangement of materials on the backboard. This means evenly distributing the materials on the board so that they cover about the same amount of space on each panel.Do use rubber cement or double-sided tape to attach papers. White school glue causes the paper to wrinkle.Don’t leave large empty spaces on the backboard.Don’t leave the table in front of the backboard empty. Display your models (if any), report, copies of your abstract, and your journal here.Don’t hang electrical equipment on the backboard so that the electric cord runs down the front of the backboard.Don’t make the title or headings hard to read by using uneven lettering, words with letters of different colors, or disorganized placement of materials.Don’t hand-print the letters on the backboard.Don’t attach folders that fall open on the backboard.Don’t make mistakes in spelling words or writing formulas.

 

Important Dates for the Science Fair- 

Due date for Science Fair Topics October 22, 2009 (during science class) Science fair proposal form & receipt due. 

Log books check dates:  I will be checking in from time to time to make sure you are working on your experiment.  Dates I will be checking for Logbooks/pictures/ research etc… will be:  

11/12 science fair check 1

12/8 science fair check 2 update form due

1/7  science fair check 3

1/14  Bibliography is due 

If you need any help or advice on your science experiment, I will be happy to help you please let me know at least a day or two in advance so we can make arrangements. Good luck.