Science Fair Rules and Procedures

Parts of the Project

The following section gives a brief description of each part that needs to be completed when conducting your science investigation. 

Question: The question should run the experiment in which something is modified and the result can be recorded.

            Example: Could the amount of sunlight affect the growth of a plant?

Hypothesis (prediction): A prediction is a tentative answer to a question that is investigated. The prediction forms a reasonable calculation about the result of the experiment and proposes a possible reason for your results. The prediction must be based on previous knowledge, observations or investigations and it’s checked to see if it’s found to be true or false during the investigation. Scientists use the word “Hypothesis” to refer to a prediction.

Example: If a plant is given sunlight and another plant is not given sunlight,

THEN the plant that doesn’t receive sunlight will not grow as tall BECAUSE it will not have the sufficient energy to do so.

Materials: list the materials that you have used in your investigation.

Variables: what is changing? (Include independent and dependent variable)

Examples of Variables.png 

 

Procedure: The procedure includes all the steps that were followed to organize and recollect the data. The procedure is written in a clear and sequential form, so that other people can follow these steps for the experiment. Number each step and clearly state how you went about conducting your experiment.

Data: Graphs, tables, and registry of notes, pictures and or drawings must be used to explain the results to the reader. Every science fair project must display data in the form of a graph or table. 

Conclusion: The results of the experiment include the means taken, and the observations realized. This must include a written explanation of the results, the data that was observed and the media that was used for the experiment. 

Research Paper: Each Student is required to complete a research paper that gives background information on their topic.   

Science Fair Project Ideas

You may choose from this list, or create your own

Physical Science 

  1. Is there a relationship between the size and strength of a magnet?
  2. What types of surfaces produce the greatest or least amount of friction?
  3. What variables affect the flight of an airplane (materials, weight, shape, angle of launch)?
  4. How is the bounce height of a ball related to the drop height?
  5. What variables affect the efficiency of parachutes (size, shape, materials)?
  6. How does temperature affect the bounce height of a ball?
  7. What variables affect the distance a balloon rocket will travel (amount of air, nozzle shape,

      angle of ascent, different pathways)?

  1. Which type of material conducts sound the best?
  2. Do different watt light bulbs produce different amounts of heat?
  3. What effect does temperature have on buoyancy?
  4. Does color affect the rate in which an ice cube melts?
  5. What effect does color have on temperature?
  6. What material makes the best heat insulator?
  7. Which type of container keeps liquids hotter longer?
  8. What effect does temperature have on the elasticity of a rubber band?
  9. Do suction cups stick equally well to different surfaces?
  10. Does the amount of stretch of a rubber band affect the distance a rubber band will travel?
  11. What shape of container allows for greater rates of evaporation?
  12. Does salt water or lemon juice have any effect on the rate of dehydration of different types of apples?

Life Science/Environmental

  1. What effect do different colors of light have on the growth of plants?
  2. What type of seeds will germinate fastest?
  3. Does the direction a seed is planted affect the growth of the seed?
  4. Do vitamins or fertilizers affect the growth of plants?
  5. Do mirrors have an effect on plant growth?
  6. Does acid rain have an effect on the germination of seeds?
  7. Which direction will a vine grow around its support object?
  8. What medium works best for growing seeds or plants?
  9. Does temperature affect the growth of seeds or plants?
  10. Is there a relationship between seed size and fruit size?
  11. Which fruits or orange drinks have the most vitamin C?
  12. Do potato cubes gain or lose mass in salt water solutions?
  13. What kind of soil is best for water retention?
  14. How does a garden mist spray affect plant growth?
  15. Which plants and vegetables make the best dye?
  16. Which type of wildflower grows best under artificial light?
  17. How does temperature affect the water uptake in celery plants?
  18. Does the type of water affect the growth of plants?
  19. Is soil necessary for plant growth?
  20. How does rotation affect plant growth?
  21. Does music affect plant growth?
  22. Does a plant grow best in sunlight or artificial light?
  23. Can plants deprived of sunlight recover?

Science Fair Project Ideas

You may choose from this list, or create your own

 

Earth Science

•          The sun causes water to evaporate into the air, where it forms clouds and comes back down as rain or snow. Can wind speed, humidity, or temperature have an effect on the rate of evaporation? (Do one of these weather experiments (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site. to find out more.)

•          How good is soil at breaking things down? What can you find that is biodegradable? How can you test to see whether something is or not?

•          What holds more water, sand or soil? How does this affect what kinds of plants can grow in each?

•          Can you learn to predict the weather (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site. from the clouds? Try using a cloud chart (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site. to make your own forecast every day for a few weeks. How accurate was the cloud-forecast method?

•          You can also do an experiment to test different building designs for earthquake stability. Which designs are most stable?

 

 

 

Websites

The following are websites that students can use as resources to assist them when completing their science investigations

 

       http://www.all-science-fair-projects.com (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site.

        http://www.sciencebuddies.com (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site.

 

 
  Student Science Fair Journal

Hypothesis: (Prediction) What do you think will happen?

Materials:  What materials do you need in order to do this experiment?

Independent Variable: The variable that is NOT CHANGED.

Dependent Variable: The variable that IS CHANGED.

Research:  What other information did you find about your topic?

Procedure:  What steps will you follow to complete this experiment?

Observations: (Analysis) What happened during your experiment? What data (information) did you collect? (chart or table?)

Conclusion: Was your hypothesis correct?  What did you learn from this experiment?  What would you do differently next time? 

Science Fair Rules

1.  Work on your science project is to be done at home.  Students may seek advice from teachers during designated times. 

2. Use of live animals is discouraged. Any exceptions must be approved by the classroom teacher. Displays cannot contain any dead animals.

3. The science project should be made into a virtual presentation with labels, lettering, pictures and/or an explanation of the project. Make the display attractive, interesting, and easy to understand.

4. Projects should be done primarily by the student. Adult assistance is permitted and encouraged as mentioned earlier. Please remember this is your student’s project and it should be your student’s work. 

5. Any questions should be directed to the classroom or science coordinator.