Elementary Science Fair Projects

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Elementary Science Fair Projects

• The Steps for a Successful
• Science Fair Project

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The Scientific Method

• You should always follow the 9 steps of the
  scientific method when doing a science project to
  be successful.

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Step 1 Select a Topic
A. Student What is my interest?
B. Parent Will I be able to help?
Selected Topic
C. Teacher Is the project on level?
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Step 1A Select a Topic - Student

• What are my interests?
• What would I like to learn about?
• Do I have a question about something?
• Where to look for topics?
• Science Fair books
• Internet
• Teacher
• Does my project meet the rule requirements?

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Step 1B Select Topic - Parent

• Should I help with the selected topic?
• Does the selected project meet the rule
  requirements?
• Do we have the needed materials for the project
  or know where to purchase or borrow?
• Do we have a timeline for the experiment to be
  done on time?
• Is my child meeting the deadlines of the teacher?
• How should I help to put the research paper and
  display board together?

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Step 1 C Select Topic - Teacher

• Is the project at the students ability level?
• Does the project meet the rule requirements?
• Is there parent approval?
• What is the timeline for each step?
• Locate needed resources for students.
• Are the students meeting the timelines?

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Data/Project Log - REQUIRED

• The log starts on the date you select and it is
  approved by the teacher
• Each new entry must be dated
• This log is HANDWRITTEN not typed
• ALL observations and measurements are to be
  recorded
• Remember all measurements are metric

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Step 2 Identify the Problem

• This is a sentence or question about the problem.
• Example What type of container will keep my
  soda cooler longer?
• Or I would like to compare the temperature of a
  glass bottle of soda to a can of soda.

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Step 3 Collect Background Information
BOOKS Encyclopedias Topic Books
Magazines/Newspapers
INTERNET Websites Search by
Topic
RESEARCH about Project Media Center
Minimum of 5 references
CD ROM Grolier
Compton
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Research Notebook - REQUIRED

• Must be written in your own words. Do not just
  print the pages from the computer.
• Research your topic in books and online
• Make notes as you do the research
• Paraphrase what you read in your OWN words
• Research paper may be typed or handwritten
• You are to have a minimum of five sources
• Must list your sources in the bibliography in the
  correct format

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Step 4 Form a Hypothesis

• A hypothesis is a statement of what you believe
  will happen in the experiment. This statement is
  based on the research you have done.
• Do not start with I think.
• Examples The can will keep the soda cooler
  longer than the plastic or glass bottle. OR
• If soda is placed in can, then the soda will
  stay cooler longer than in plastic or glass.

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Step 5 Design an Experiment

• Materials List
• All materials needed to conduct the
  experiment
• Paper
• Pencil
• Ruler
• Measuring cup
• Etc.

• Procedure
• The procedure is a step by step set of
  directions on how to do the experiment. Remember
  to use are metrics.
• Step 1 gather all materials
• Step 2 explain how to set up experiment
• Etc.

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Step 6 During Experiment
Observe Watch Look
Record Notes Journal/Log
Results
During the Experiment
Analyze Data What have I learned from
the results?
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Step 7 Repeat the Experiment

• The experiment is to be repeated at
  least 3 times.
• This is done in order to prove the results as
  true.

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Step 8 Drawing A Conclusion

• This is a sentence or sentences that state what
  did happen during the experiment. What did you
  learn from the experiment?
• Example The can kept the soda cooler longer
  than the glass bottle.

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Step 9 Application

• What could the results be used for?
• How could I use the knowledge I have gained from
  the experiment?
• How will I use what I have learned?
• How could others use the information I have
  gained from the experiment?

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The Display Board
Title/ Question Graphs Charts Pictures
Data/ Results Conclusion Application
Hypothesis Procedure Abstract Optional
Notebook and Log Required
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2006 - 2007 Websites
1)      Science Fair Center - www.sciencefaircent
er.com/science_fair_planning.tpl?cart112499281739
133921 2)      Science Fair Center for
nonscientist parents www.sciencefaircenter.com/s
cience_fair_basics.tpl?cart11249928173913392 3)  
    What Makes a Good Science Fair Project?
www.usc.edu/CSSF/Resources/Good_Project.html
4)      Discovery School .com
http//.school.discovery.com/sciencefaircentral/ 5
)      Elementary Projects (Grades 4 - 6) -
http//www.cdli.ca/sciencefairs/elem.html 6)     
Science Projects 13.01 - http//members.ozemail.co
m.au/7Emacinnis/scifun/projects.htmN42 7)     
IPL Science Fair Resource Guide -
www.ipl.org/youth/projectguide/ 8)     
Successful Science Fair Projects -
http//faculty.washington.edu/chudler/fair.html 9)
  Science Fair Prep - www.cyberbee.com/science/pre
p.html 10)  Steps To Prepare A Science Fair
Project(Cyber Fair) - www.isd77.k12.mn.us/resourc
es/cf/steps.html 11)  Science Fair Ideas USGS
www.earthquake.usgs.gov/4kids/sciencefair.html 12)
  Yahoo Ask Earl - http//yahooligans.yahoo.com/
content/ask_earl/20020123.html 13)  Agricultural
Ideas for Science Fair Projects -
http//www.ars.usda.gov/is/kids/fair/ideasframe.ht
m 14)  Lycos Search - http//search.lycos.com/?src
sflocsemquerysciencefairprojectideasnlubi
d1 15)  Science Fair Resource Center -
http//www.hallbar.com/sciencecenter.html 16) 
Science Fair Links - http//www.rcs.k12.va.us/csjh
/sciencefair.htm 
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Good Luck

• You are able to be successful!