Winning Science Fair Projects

1
Winning Science Fair Projects

• What Judges are Looking for
• Steve Gahr
• Judge, Senior Division

2
Todays Discussion

• Judging criteria
• Application of the scientific method
• Design and execution of a well-controlled
  experiment
• Judges feedback on projects/presentations
• Answers to frequently asked questions
• Take-aways
• Additional resources

3
Overview of Criteria

• Background preparation
• Commitment to project
• Adherence to scientific method
• Thoroughness, skill and ingenuity in executing
  project
• Complete analysis of results, what was learned
  relative to hypothesis, next steps
• Confident, polished presentation of project
  board and interview

4
Demonstrating the Scientific Method

• In-depth research into area of interest
• Statement of scientific problem to be solved
• Definition of experimentally provable hypothesis
• Design of well-controlled experiment
• Analysis of experimental data
• Conclusions consistent with experimental results
• Plan for next steps

5
Creating a well designed experiment

• Grasp of independent and dependent variables
• Experiment that controls all but one independent
  variable
• Well-defined control that validates observed
  results
• Valid measurement techniques to determine
  experimental results
• Several experimental runs to demonstrate
  reproducibility of observations

6
Judges Feedback on Projects

• More clearly stated and applied scientific method
  needed
• More thorough background research
• Clear, testable hypothesis
• Replication of experiments to show
  reproducibility
• Consistency of data observed with conclusions
  drawn

7
Making a Clear Presentation Board

• Good research means good results
• Presentation is important because it is selling
  your project and its results
• Include all relevant information
• Board layout catches the eye and explains the
  details
• Text and figures must be readable from a distance
  

8
Judges Feedback on Project Boards

• Board should show scientific method
• All materials used should contribute to story
• Avoid cute, including fonts, colors, etc.
• Check spelling and grammar
• Use bullets with concise descriptions
• Include raw data log
• Remember time constraints

9
Interviews

• Look the part
• Have a well-rehearsed 2 minute presentation
• Why you chose area, problem statement, your
  hypothesis, how you executed your experiment,
  what you learned, whether the results support the
  hypothesis, and next steps
• Have a good grasp of background in order to
  answer questions

10
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

• Does anyone read stuff not on the board?
• Yes, but normally as supplement to presentation
  board
• Contrast the importance of the board, research
  books, and interview
• Interview critical, depth of understanding,
  application of scientific method, learnings, next
  steps
• Board important, background source of questions
  for interview should stand alone!
• Research book important as supplementary
  material, if in-depth questions arise without
  student present

11
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions (cont.)

• How important are artifacts during interview?
• Artifacts that strengthen the presentation and
  interview are important
• How should parents be helping or instructing
  students?
• Sounding board for ideas, source of
  encouragement, transportation, but not project
  mechanics

12
Takeaways

• Do solid research into project area
• Have an excellent understanding and application
  of scientific method
• Execute a well-designed experiment
• Make a clear board that shows the quality of the
  work
• Have a well-rehearsed, 2 minute presentation
• Learn sufficient background to answer judges
  questions

13
Some Resources

• Mercer County Science and Engineering Club Web
  Site
• http//www.mercersec.org/resources/resources.htm
• Science Fair Central
• http//school.discoveryeducation.com/sciencefairce
  ntral/
• Science Fair Projects on the web
• http//sciencefairproject.virtualave.net/