Science Fair Journal

A strong project shows a long period of time involved in collecting data, reflection, & thought. If your journal is clean without errors and different colors ... it is NOT a journal but a copy of your PJ.

Information that should be in your journal:

• All ideas you have on creating your question including conversations

  • Any email conversations should be written in the journal-a synopsis of important emails with contact listed

  • Main ideas on conversations should be included not every word

• Every research source and main ideas gathered ... you do not have to have a full bibliography but the name of the source should be listed above info

• When you collect data:

  • All data should be written in rough draft data tables

  • If you collect in the field (outdoors) include info about the day-how hot, clouds, sun, time of day, etc.

  • Make comments next to data if it looks odd or expected ... little notes help later when you are in a different mind set

    • This is the purpose of a journal - to show thoughts and you analyzing your data.

• Your first reflections should be in your journal, not on a computer

  • Give yourself room on a page for writing

  • Simplest 2 options: bottom 1/3 of page is blank for reflection or back of previous page can be used for reflection

• Journal should not be a copy of your project but your original reflections and thoughts on data

• Make a sketch (yes draw!) of what you think your graphs will look like with comments on trends or patterns you see

• Never erase ideas, data, or reflections ... cross them off with a slash or X

  • You want to be able to read the errors

  • The error might not be errors so you want to be able to see them

  • Showing your errors will allows for stronger reflections when you review your journal