Embedded Files
Setting up Your board
Setting up Your board
** If you don't have labels yet, you can find generic labels here! Download and print your labels. Choose the type of project you are doing, and the type of font you like. You may not need all the labels on each page. **
Experiment Labels ( Bangers Font )
Experiment Labels ( Impact Font )
Experiment Labels ( Cambria Font )
Demonstration / Model Labels (Impact)
Demonstration / Model Labels (Bangers)
Ideas!
Ideas!
Do you need an idea for your science fair project this year? What are you personally interested in learning more about? What are you curious about? Click on the links below to get some ideas.
Sites to visit for help:
Stay on Track
Stay on Track
A timeline that might help you keep on track.
2021-22 Suggested Schedule
Listed below are the Friday dates for the after school science fair program, but it can be used by anyone.
Nov: Download the entire Science Fair packers and read it over. Start thinking about your TOPIC and generating Questions.
Nov: List of Topics. Keep going over questions (Open-ended questions). Discuss the different project types and what is right for you Topic and Question.
Dec: Purchase your science fair board. Turn in your SF Entry Form to your teacher early so they can check it over.
Dec: Consulting Experts and Research.
Jan.: Collect your data from experiments. Review your notes from your research. Keep working on your model or demonstration.
Jan. : Build your science fair board. Print the handout labels or create your own labels. Hint: use Post-it notes to organize your board before glueing anything down. Get it all set up and add your finalized notes.
End of Jan/Early Feb. :. Your teacher may want you to bring it in early. Watch your teacher's timeline.
Do I choose a model or an Experiment? Help!
Do I choose a model or an Experiment? Help!
Not every topic or project lends itself to conducting an experiment. Not every question can be answered by building a model. Which way of showing your learning should you choose for your science fair project?
Here are some helpful ideas:
If you like to build and make things, you may want to choose a model. If your question or topic lends to showing your learning and understanding with a physical model, then BUILD A MODEL.
Examples of model projects:
What is inside a plant cell? Build and label the parts of a plant cell.
How does a battery work? Build a model battery and explain how it works.
Do you have a question(s) about a topic and want to learn more, then a RESEARCH PROJECT might be right for you. You will need to keep good notes and write down where you got your information.
Examples of a research project:
How do horses communicate with each other? Research how horses communicate with other horses. Can we learn how to better communicate with horses by understanding how they communicate with each other? Yes! So conduct a RESEARCH PROJECT!
Experiments are a lot of fun. Choose an EXPERIMENT if you want to test a hypothesis. Experiments require you to understand the various steps involved. The Aquarian Science Fair handout can help you with the parts of an experiment.
Examples of Experiments:
What common sled is the fastest? Test 5 different sleds on the same hill to see which is the fastest.
When is the best time to train my dog? Test training your dog at different times OF the day, and before and after meals, exercise, and play.
Let your questions and your passions guide to the right project type for you.
What is Data and how do I display it?
What is Data and how do I display it?
Conducting experiments should yield data. What is data and what is the best way to display it on your science fair board?
Analyzing data
Analyzing data
So I have a lot of data, and I put it into a graph. Now what? What does it all mean?
Once you've collected your data, the second step is to organize it in a way that is easy for you and others to read/see. Tables, charts, and graphs are common tools to use for showing data. After your data is easy to view, what did you learn from the data? Analyzing data can be tricky, and fun. Before you get started, go back to your initial question. What did you set out to prove, or learn? How does your data support or disprove your hypothesis? How does you data answer your question?
What is a conclusion? isn't it just saying what I learned?
What is a conclusion? isn't it just saying what I learned?
Well, sort of. Your conclusion is for an experiment should address your question and hypothesis. Did you prove or disprove your hypothesis? What did you learn from your experience? What would you do differently if you had more time or resources? What was your overall impression of your discoveries?
If you built a model, what did you learn that you didn't know going into the project?
My teacher said to list my sources. How exactly do I do that?
My teacher said to list my sources. How exactly do I do that?
Your teacher is correct. Start by keeping a science journal/notebook dedicated to your science fair project. Write down every resource you use, every book you read, every website you visit. If you are just skimming, you don't need to write it down. But if you take notes from a book, you should write down the title and author.
more...
Did you consult an expert?
Did you consult an expert?
Consulting an expert is required for a research project. Your "expert" should be a person who knows a lot about the topic. Set up your interview or list of questions early and thoughtfully.
Depending on your topic, you should find a person who can answer your questions.
Example: If you want to learn which horse is best for the beginning rider, you won't want to ask a horse biologist. Instead, find a horse trainer.
Next, write up your questions and be prepared to record their answers.
Contact your
Four ways to consult an expert:
Fave-to-face Interview
A Zoom or Video Call Interview
A Phone Interview
An Email
Almost There! Last thing to do, Prepare your Presentation
Almost There! Last thing to do, Prepare your Presentation
You've done the research, experiment or model and made your board beautiful, now it's time to prepare your presentation. What will you say?
Practice, practice, practice!!!! The more times you practice talking about your project, the smoother and better it will be.
Use your board as notes - BUT DONT READ IT!!! Judges want to hear what you did and learned, they can read your board by themselves. You are the star!
To make a good presentation you should be able to:
Describe your project and why you picked it.
Tell what you did and what happened or describe your model and what you learned. Be detailed here and use your board as your visual and reminder (or make note cards). But the best presentations can be done even without your board. This shows that YOU know your stuff!
End with what you might do differently if you did it all again. Where or how could you make it even better?
Then, thank your judge and ask if they have any questions.
BONUS POINTS: Introduce yourself and shake your judge's hand in the beginning.
You've got this! Practice, practice, practice!!! The more you do the better you're presentation will be!
The Big Day, what to expect.
The Big Day, what to expect.
What to expect on the days leading up to the science fair and on the big day. Also, how should you prepare for the interviews with judges?
Before the big day:
Turn in your project to your teacher on time. You may be practicing presenting your project in class.
Double-check that you science fair board is complete. There is help in the packet. Check for spelling, punctuation, and capitalization. Also, is your title and hypothesis clearly stated on the board - along with your name!
Get lots of sleep the night before!
The BIG DAY!
Don't forget your notes. Your project might be at school, but if you prepared speaking notes, you may have them at home.
Get a healthy breakfast to start you day.
If you haven't brought in your board, bring it in and deliver it to the gym before school starts. Be patient, there will be a line.
When your class is called, be prepared to give your presentation twice. You might be speaking to an adult that you know, or one you've never met. Introduce yourself by saying hello, followed by your name. Speak clearly. Don't rush through your presentation. Use your board to help guide you. Point to the different parts as you explain them. Share your feelings about the project, and other thoughts that you have not shared on the project board.
Be respectful of other students and don't linger in the gym after you've presented twice. There will be a time for you to view the science fair after presentations are over.
Where can I go for help?
Where can I go for help?
Report abuse