Preparing for a science fight - useful information
DO
allow plenty of time: at least 20 student hours per problem.
start early: it is difficult to be a creative problem solver on the spot. Most people get their best solutions when they sleep on them. Allow thinking time.
get help - use the Internet, contact experts, ask teachers and parents, get your friends to help with the experiments….. - just remember that you will have to answer questions about your presentation, so make sure you understand it really well.
information research and practical research
use a log book (an exercise book)
keep the references for all your information sources (and the names of people who helped you)
keep all the data from your practical research
look at the sample presentation template
practice your presentation before the tournament - check that you can deliver it in 10 minutes
back up your presentation and your data - keep it in at least two places in case one place gets lost
support your other team members
enjoy it!
DON’T
collaborate with other teams (in your own school, or other places. If you know each other’s work it is difficult to have a good fight)
miss out practical work
write your results on an old bit of paper that will get lost
forget to copy to URL of references you used.
use other people’s photos/videos/data without stating this in the presentation (can be small writing underneath)
pass off other people’s work as if it is your own!
get stressed or scared
give up