DEVELOPMENT OF A SCIENCE FAIR PROJECT

Science projects are investigations of problems such as “The Effect of Colored Light on Plant Growth?” or “What Will a Magnet Pick Up?” The steps for selecting and planning your research are outlined on the announcement poster.

JOURNAL

Students are required to have journal with their projects. The journal should not be a science report copied from a book, but rather a personal account of all their work. It should be a day by day description of everything which happens in your research. The journal should includes dates and the amount of time spent working each day. It could include descriptions of setting up the experiments. Record new and unexpected events, reactions and questions which occur to you. Include any problems which you may have had and how you solved them. You may keep charts, make sketches or diagrams. Be sure to make entries in your journal as you do the work and not several days later.

REPORT

The final report should include:

Title, Hypothesis, Objectives, Introduction, Materials, Methods, Observations (diagrams, drawings, charts, graphs, photos, etc.) Analysis of results, Conclusions, Acknowledgments, Application and Bibliography.

The conclusion may include the following:

1. Was the hypothesis correct or not correct?

2. Where did I get the idea for this project?

3. Summary of the results.

4. Why did I take this particular approach?

5. How successful or unsuccessful was I?

6. How could I have been more successful?

7. Accuracy of results.

8. Possible sources of error.

9. Discuss another project you might like to work on.

You should set up your display board to clearly explain step by step the experiment that you have done.

1. Construction should be durable. Use stiff cardboard, plywood or some other material which is rigid and stands solidly. Inexpensive hinges or duct tape may be used to attach the side panels. You may also purchase a display board.

2. Labeling should be clear, neat and informative. Correct all spelling errors.

3. Make you explanations clear and large enough to read. An appropriate photo or diagram is worth many words.