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HOW TO DO A SCIENCE FAIR PROJECT
Prepared by the Science & Technology Division
(330) 643-9075
SELECT YOUR TOPIC
Look for ideas all around you: your own interests, TV, magazines, newspapers, friends, family, school classes. Once you have a broad idea, start to narrow your focus, ask questions and use the Science Fair Project Index. Determine what supplies you will need and how you will obtain them. Consider cost and timeframe. Develop a clearly defined, manageable project.
RESEARCH YOUR TOPIC
Learn everything you can about your subject. Use the library for books, magazines, encyclopedias, government publications, pamphlets. Search the internet. Find specialists at such places as universities, organizations, zoos, museums, parks, businesses. Be sure to document all of your sources.
PLAN YOUR PROJECT
Develop an outline of exactly how you will conduct your experiment or project. Follow the Scientific Method, which is the foundation of all scientific research, and encompasses these six steps:
- Purpose - Formulate a question that identifies what you hope to demonstrate or discover by conducting your experiment.
- Hypothesis - Based on your knowledge of your topic, state what you expect the outcome will be.
- Procedure - Develop in detail how you will conduct your experiment, what materials you will need and a timetable for completion.
- Conduct experiment and gather data - Actually perform the experiment or project and record everything that happens.
- Results - Record and analyze all outcomes whether or not they agree with your expectations.
- Conclusions - Decide if your results support or contradict your hypothesis, draw appropriate conclusions and prepare to present them.
CONDUCT YOUR EXPERIMENT AND RECORD YOUR RESULTS
Be safety conscious when conducting your experiment. Treat animals and human subjects responsibly. Assemble and test the experimental setup before beginning. Keep a notebook and record your observations. Be precise and objective in your measurements. Perform trials on a regular basis and record results immediately. Collect as much data as possible.
ANALYZE YOUR RESULTS
Use charts and graphs to organize the data from your research. Make sure these graphs are clear and accurate. Review these graphs as well as the comments in your notebook. Look for patterns and draw conclusions. Write up the conclusions according to the teacher's criteria.
PRESENT YOUR RESULTS
- Write Your Report
Find out beforehand the correct format to use for writing your report. Make sure that your report is clear, organized, and accurate. Try to think of a title that is catchy and explains what you did. Write the bibliography according to the citation style designated by your teacher or science fair. Write several drafts correcting and revising them as you go along. Do not turn in a handwritten report unless the teacher permits it.
- Make Your Display
The display should capture the attention of the judges as well as summarize the research results. Before building, find out the dimensions allowed for the display. Also determine if any materials are prohibited. Make a sketch or mockup of your display to help you plan where to place all of the items. Make sure the display is sturdy and portable. Use large charts and graphs as well as photographs and drawings but be careful not to clutter your display. Make it as attractive and eye-catching as possible.
- Prepare Your Oral Presentation
Plan and rehearse your presentation before the fair. Find out how many minutes you will be allowed to speak. Write your key points on note cards but don't read your speech. Practice until you feel comfortable. At the fair, be well-groomed and well-dressed. Speak slowly and clearly. Be polite when answering the judges' questions.
RESOURCES:
- Books:
Bochinski, Julianne Blair. Complete handbook of science fair projects.
507.8 B664c 2004
Bombaugh, Ruth. Science fair success. 507.8 B695sc
Brynie, Faith Hickman. Painless science projects.
507.8 B916p
Fredericks, Anthony. Complete science fair handbook.
507.2 F852c
Gardner, Robert. Science fair projects: planning, presenting, succeeding.
507.8 G228sc
Henderson, Joyce. Strategies for winning science fair projects.
507.8 H496st
Iritz, Maxine Haren. More blue ribbon science fair projects.
507.8 Ir68m
Krieger, Melanie Jacobs. How to excel in science competitions.
507.973 K92h
Perry, Phyllis Jean. Getting started in science fairs: from planning to judging.
507.8 P464g
Tocci, Salvatore. How to do a science fair project.
507.8 T631h
Voth, Danna. Kidsource: science fair handbook.
507.8 V971k
- Internet Sites on Project Development:
IPL Kidspace: Science Fair Project Resource Guide
http://ipl.si.umich.edu/div/kidspace/projectguide
Cyber-Fair: the Virtual Science Fair
http://www.isd77.k12.mn.us/resources/cf/welcome.html
DiscoverySchool.com: Science Fair Central
http://school.discovery.com/sciencefaircentral
The Ultimate Science Fair Resource
http://www.scifair.org/
- Internet Sites on Citing Electronic Resources:
Citing Electronic Resources (from Cyberbee)
http://www.cyberbee.com/citing.html
Frequently Asked Questions About the APA Publication Manual
http://www.apastyle.org/elecref.html
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