Highlander Science Fair Timeline: 25-26
Work on coming up with your idea for your project. Great resources are looking at what is currently being done in science (Links below). What interests you? What are you interested in learning more about? Is there a problem you are interested in solving?
If you are totally unsure of what you are wanting to do, open Wikipedia and begin reading about things that interest you in science or engineering. Everything is hyper linked here. While Wikipedia will not be accepted as one of your official sources, it is an excellent resource to help you funnel into topics you are interested in.
While the website Science Buddies is tempting to use as a resource, your project will be better and will stand out at competition more if it is original to you!
Tasks to Complete:
Setting up a research journal. This should be a living document where you work through your entire project. It does not need to be perfect. Document your research process and ideation process here. Do not think of this as a final presentation document but evidence of your work through the process.
Begin coming up with your idea for your project.
Strongly suggest that you come up with about 5 testable questions you are interested in pursuing.
Meet with your mentor (Mrs. Beineman) to discuss your plan.
TWHS students - this can be via email, or if you would like a virtual meeting that can be scheduled also
McCullough students - this can be during advisory, before school, or after school with an appointment. This could also be virtual in the evenings if scheduled.
Resources:
Science News: Current science research
SN Explores: Current science research written for middle school (excellent resource for junior high)
Science and Engineering Fair of Houston (SEFH): linked resources for STEM Wizard as well as project ideation
Teach2Learn Workshops at McCullough: Take advantage of the mentorship of high school students who have demonstrated success in science fair! These will occur every 2 weeks on Mondays in B110 after school.
ISEF Rules: all projects must comply with the ISEF rules and guidelines for science research
As you finalize your project idea, whether it is a testable question or an engineering solution, you will need to complete background research. That research needs to relate to your project. For instance, if you are studying the impact of pollution on brine shrimp, you will need research on the care and keeping of brine shrimp, the types of pollution that would be experienced, etc. Your research does not have to be a massive paper, but it needs to be thorough. You will need to summarize this in your own words.
There are ethical ways to use AI to help you through the research process. However, having AI “write” your research is not one of them. Having generative AI summarize an article in an easier to read format, when cited in your bibliography, great! Having generative AI give topics to cover for a research plan growing plants with radiation, when cited in your bibliography, good. Main takeaway? Cite it!
STEM Wizard is the website where your research will be tracked, all safety forms will be completed, and projects will be approved. If your project requires human participants, you will need IRB approval. If your projects requires SRC approval prior to beginning experimentation, that will be required prior to starting.
Tasks to Complete:
Register in STEM Wizard.
Your primary teacher will be Mrs. Michelle Beineman.
Your secondary teacher will be left blank for now. As I have a second to add, I will let you know.
Conduct your background research. You will be required to have a minimum of 5 sources in your bibliography. The bibliography must be in APA format.
Submit your project in STEM Wizard to Mrs. Beineman for approval.
Resources:
Research Plan Template: This form covers all the information you will need to input into STEM Wizard. It also helps walk you through several of the “additional forms” information. You only need to complete the sections that apply to your project.
STEM Wizard Help Session: A “training” will be scheduled that will be virtual and take place in the evenings to help students (and parents) navigate this website. There will be two different sessions since HS and JH have different safety forms to complete.
Science and Engineering Fair of Houston (SEFH): excellent resources for STEM Wizard
ISEF Rules: all projects must comply with the ISEF rules and guidelines for science research
Once your project has been approved in STEM Wizard, you are ready to begin experimentation. Remember to track data and progress through your research journal.
Tasks to Complete:
Ensure that ALL signatures are finished in STEM Wizard. Make any edits or necessary changes requested in a timely manner. You should be checking STEM Wizard at least weekly until your approval is complete.
Begin experimentation.
Resources:
ISEF Rules: all projects must comply with the ISEF rules and guidelines for science research
As you conclude experimentation, begin to write a conclusion about what your data shows. Think about how you would extend your research. What would you like to test next? What is the application of your research? What is the impact of your research on society?
Begin creating your Trifold project board. While professionally printed boards are optional, they are not required. All writing should be in 3rd person.
Tasks to Complete:
Finish experimentation.
Begin presentation board (make sure it is following ISEF guidelines)
Resources:
ISEF Rules: all projects must comply with the ISEF rules and guidelines for science research
As you conclude experimentation, begin to write a conclusion about what your data shows. Think about how you would extend your research. What would you like to test next? What is the application of your research? What is the impact of your research on society?
Begin creating your Trifold project board. While professionally printed boards are optional, they are not required. All writing should be in 3rd person.
Tasks to Complete:
Finish experimentation.
Begin presentation board (make sure it is following ISEF guidelines)
Write your abstract in STEM Wizard - BEFORE January 15, 2026
Resources:
ISEF Rules: all projects must comply with the ISEF rules and guidelines for science research