Transcript science fair projects - Spartanburg School District 2

Science Fun Night
How do I create an “AwardWinning” Science Fair
Project?
Oakland Elementary School
Presented by
Miss Lockridge, Mrs. Mayfield
and Mrs. McKelvey
Why Should You Do A
Project?
• You will learn to think like a scientist.
• You will learn to do experiments.
• You can choose something that you
want to learn about.
• Doing a project can be lots of fun!
Science Fair Categories
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Behavioral/Social Science- Anything that deals with the way a person,
animal, substance, or machine reacts under given circumstances. Example:
Which Dog Food Do Dogs Prefer?
Biology- Anything that deals with the science of life-growth, reproduction,
origin, structure, development-plants, humans, and animals. Example: How
Long Does it Take a Caterpillar to Change into a Butterfly?’
Chemistry- Anything that deals with the structure, composition, and
properties of substances. Example: What is a Solution?
General Science- Deals with consumer Science. Example: Which Paper
Towel is Worth Your Money?
Mathematics/Computer Science- Anything that deals with a quantity,
mathematical operation, or the computer. Example: How does the Wattage
of Light Bulb Affect Energy Use?
Physics- Anything that deals with motion, matter, energy, and their
interactions. Example: Which type of Battery Makes Cars Run the
Longest?
What Do Judges Look For in a
Science Project?
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Scientific Thought (30 points): Does the project follow the scientific
method? Is the problem clearly and concisely stated? Are the procedures
appropriate, organized, and thorough; results accurate and complete;
conclusions based upon the results? Does it represent real study and effort?
Creative Ability (30 points): Does the project show original thinking or a
unique approach? Does it demonstrate ideas arrived at by the student?
Thoroughness (10 points): Does the project tell a complete story? Does
it explain what the student learned? Did the student use the literature? Is a
list of references or bibliography available?
Clarity (10 points): Are the problem, procedures, results, and conclusions
presented clearly and in a logical order?
Dramatic Value (10 points): Are all parts of the project well done?
(exhibit, paper, abstract, log of work, etc.) Is proper emphasis given to
important ideas?
Technical Skill (10 points): Does the project show effort and good
craftsmanship by the student? Has the student acknowledged help they
received from others? Is the written material both organized and accurate?
Choosing a Topic
• 1. What are you curious about?
• 2. Decide what you’re curious about,
then focus on something in particular.
• 3. www.sciencebuddies.org
Project Ideas
• How long does it take the heart to return to
normal after exercise?
• What do elementary students fear the most?
• What age group has the best memory?
• Which fruit drinks have the best nutrition?
• Under what kind of light does a plant grow better?
Plan It Out
• Allow plenty of time to experiment
and collect data - even simple
experiments do not always go as you
might expect the first time, or even
the second time. Also leave time to
write an abstract and put together
an exhibit.
Choosing Your Title
• Your title must be in the form of a
question.
• It asks what you are wanting to know.
Title
How Does the Speed of
the Meteorite Affect
the Diameter of the
Crater?
State the Purpose…
• Think of the reason you’re doing
your project.
• What do you want to discover?
Purpose
My purpose is to determine if
the speed of the meteorite
affects the diameter of the
crater upon impact.
Hypothesis
• A hypothesis is a thoughtful guess
about what you think will happen when
you do your experiment.
• A hypothesis should always be made
before you start your experimenting.
Hypothesis
If the speed of the meteorite
is faster, the diameter of the
crater will be bigger.
Materials
• Think of everything you will need to
conduct your experiment.
• Make a list of these materials. Don’t
leave out anything.
• Be sure to include measurements.
Materials
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3 tennis balls
12 pounds of flour
Large, deep container
Metric ruler
Meter stick
String
Data table
Conduct Experiment
• Test your hypothesis carefully.
• Record everything you do.
• Draw or take pictures (student must not be
identified) and make graphs.
*All projects MUST have some type of chart
or graph.
PROCEDURE
• The procedure is the steps you must
follow when you conduct your
experiment. The procedure should be
numbered and in order.
Procedure
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Step 1: Fill container with flour
Step 2: Shake the container to make sure flour is distributed
evenly
Step 3: Label tennis balls as 30 cm, 60 cm, and 90 cm
Step 4: Use the meter stick to measure the height from which to
drop each tennis ball
Step 5: Drop the first tennis ball from the height of 30 cm
Step 6: Carefully remove the tennis ball labeled 30 cm from the
container without disturbing the crater left behind
Step 7: Use string to measure the diameter of the crater
Step 8: Measure the length of the string in centimeters with a
metric ruler
Step 9: Record diameter on data table
Step 10: Shake the container to make sure flour is distributed
evenly
Step 11: Repeat steps 5-10 for the 60 and 90 cm tennis balls
Step 12: Create a graph of the data recorded
CHARTS, GRAPHS, TABLES
90
80
70
60
East
West
North
50
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30
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10
0
1st Qtr
2nd Qtr
3rd Qtr
4th Qtr
RESULTS
The results is the section that tells
what happened when you did your
experiment.
Results
In our experiment the data showed
that an object dropped from a higher
distance increased its speed, making
the diameter of the crater larger.
CONCLUSION
• Analyze your data and decide if your
hypothesis was correct.
• The conclusion should also tell what you
learned when you did your experiment.
• In your conclusion you should also tell what
you would do differently if you had this
project to do over.
Conclusion
Our data supported our hypothesis by
showing if the speed of the meteorite is
faster, the diameter of the crater will be
bigger.
References and
Acknowledgements
• It is permissible to receive help.
• If you receive help, the Acknowledgement
part is where you thank everybody or give
credit.
• You should tell who helped you, and how they
helped. (EXAMPLE: I want to thank my dad
for helping me cut the pieces of wood.)
• You should list websites and resources that
you used to complete your project.
• This is also included in your report.
Displaying Your Work
• Your display should be attractive and
interesting for the judges to see your
results. Make good use of your space.
Make headings stand out. Draw
graphs and diagrams clearly with
correct labels.
N o Project Display May Contain Any Of The
Following Objects:
• 1. Live plants or animals
• 2. Human or animal fluids or body parts
• 3. Dried plant material: insect, shell, or
fossil collections are permissible
• 4. Any food for humans or animals
• 5. Drugs of any kind, including such nonprescription items as aspirin or toothpaste
6. Chemicals of any kind (exceptions
include minerals or crystals, natural or
grown by the student)
Continued…
• 7. Soils or wastes
• 8. Portrait photographs, name, or address
which clearly identify the contestant are
forbidden. Photos showing the contestant
involved in the project are acceptable.
• 9. Dangerous materials (weapons, poisons,
sharp edges, needles, syringes, pipettes,
unshielded live electrical wires, compressed
gas tanks, matches, flames, lasers,etc.) Bare
wire and exposed switches may be used in
circuits of 12 volts or less.
• Name, grade level, teacher’s name and school
can be placed on the back of the display
board.
Abstract
• An abstract is a general summary of
your project. It is 3-4 sentences
explaining the main parts of your
experiment.
• Your abstract should be placed in a
folder, not attached to your display
board.
WRITING THE REPORT
• If your project is chosen to go to the Regional
Upstate Science Fair, you will have to write a
report!
• Your report should restate your project on paper.
• It should include: purpose, hypothesis, procedure,
results, and conclusion.
• Here is where you talk about your experiment.
• Use library books, encyclopedias, magazines,
newspapers, etc., to find information about your
subject.
• You should read about your subject, then write a
report in your own words. DO NOT copy the
information word for word.
• A report can be done on the computer or hand
written.
PAST PROJECTS
Projects are due February 4
at 9:00 am.
Thank you for coming
tonight!
Good luck!