St. Joseph’s School Annual Science Fair
The Science Fair will take place in the school’s gym. Projects will be set up from 8:30 to 8:45. Judging will begin about 9:30. The ribbons will be handed out at 2:00. Parents are invited to come and view the projects starting at 2:30. The trophies will be handed out at 3:00.
Some DON’TS
- Do not bring any living animals
- Do not have any open flames or highly flammable material in your display
- No dangerous chemicals or tanks containing combustible gases are to be displayed
Students are to let the teacher know if they will need an electrical cord.
Every project MUST have the following:
- A backboard and a header. These may be ordered through the school for under $10.
- A booklet. This should contain everything that is on the backboard + any research and data logs that you conducted. It must be neat and have a cover on it with the title of the project. The cover can be made of construction paper. The booklet may be typed or handwritten.
- A display. Example: a project on volcanoes should display a homemade volcano. Try to keep away from store bought displays. A child learns and retains a lot from forming things with their own hands.
Every backboard must have:
- Title on the header. Mrs. Kurtz does make banners if you ask her well in advance
- Abstract
- Purpose
- Hypothesis
- Materials
- Variables
- Procedure
- Results, observations, findings, or a combination
- Graph
- Conclusion
Abstract
Purpose
Hypothesis
Materials
Variables | Procedure
Data
Photos, Graphs, Charts/diagrams |
Results
Conclusion
|
Included in booklet: abstract, purpose, hypothesis, materials, variables, procedure, data, photos, graphs, charts, results, conclusion, research notes, and references.
Places to get information:
Science related books, encyclopedias, professionals in the field of your project, interviews, and correspondence. Any correspondence that you get needs to be in your booklet. Any research you do, you need to include that in your booklet. Interviews should somehow be accounted for. We want to give you credit for everything you have done.
Projects: Select something that can only be answered by experimenting. Write your topic as a question to be investigated. READ in science books, magazines, newspapers, TALK to family, friends, VISIT with professionals.
Topic/Title
Pick something that you interests you. Come up with a catchy title.
Abstract:
An abbreviated version of your science fair project final report. It appears at the beginning of the report as well as on your display board.
It includes:
- Introduction. This is where you describe the purpose for doing your science fair project or invention. Why should anyone care about the work you did? You have to tell them why. Did you explain something that should cause people to change the way they go about their daily business? Motivate the reader to finish the abstract and read the entire paper or display board.
- Hypothesis. State the hypothesis of your project
- Procedures. Tell what you did for your project. Don’t go into detail about materials unless they were critical to your success. Do describe the most important variables if you have room.
- Results. What answers did you obtain? Be specific and use numbers to describe your results. Do not use vague terms like “most” or “some”.
- Conclusions. State what your science fair project contributes to the area you work in. Did your results agree with your hypothesis?
Purpose
Tell the purpose of your project. What are you looking to find out?
Hypothesis
Tell what you think is going to happen.
Materials
Write a list of all the things that you will use when doing your experiment, be very specific.
Variables
- Constant- stays the same
- Manipulated- what you changed
- Responding-what happened because of the change?
Procedure
Write down each step that you did
Results
Tell me with a chart of paragraph what you found out.
Graph
Make a line graph, bar graph, or circle graph showing your data
Conclusion
Tell me if you hypothesis was right or wrong.
Purpose of the Science Fair
The general aim of Science and Engineering Fairs is to encourage interest, understanding, and appreciation in Science and Mathematics. More specifically it is hoped to….
1. Focus attention on Science and Engineering
2. Stimulate student interest in Science and Mathematics
3. Motivate the student to make discoveries
4. Encourage and inspire youth the desire for scientific experimentation
5. Vitalize the ability of pupils to think scientifically
6. Offer an opportunity for display or scientific talent through exhibits and demonstrations
7. Recognize talented youths without exploiting them
8. Encourage further work in the field of Science in college and industry
9. Afford opportunities for the teacher and students to exchange ideas
10. Focus attention on Science and stimulate student, teacher, and community interest
For Students: Rules you MUST follow
1. The project must be your own work. Group projects are not allowed
2. It cannot be the same project displayed in previous years.
3. Science project must be completed before you present to the class.
DO NOT PUT YOUR NAME ON YOUR PROJECT OR BOOKLET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Judge’s Score Sheet
Creative Ability
(Project shows creative ability and originality, limited so it can be tested) 1 2 3 4 5
Scientific Thought
(Hypothesis and procedural plan clearly stated and carried out through experimentation) 2 4 6 8 10
Thoroughness
(Variables were identified and multiple experiments conducted) 1 2 3 4 5
Clarity
(Data clearly organized in charts and graphs and presented in logical manner) 2 4 6 8 10
Conclusion
(Results reflect understanding of project, ideas for future research or application) 2 4 6 8 10
Technical Skill
(Student’s comprehension appropriate for grade level? Most work completed by student?) 1 2 3 4 5
Neatness/Professionalism
(Display well organized and attractive, journal or project notes complete) 1 2 3 4 5
80-100 Blue Ribbon
79-0 Red Ribbon