PARTS OF A

SCIENCE FAIR PROJECT DISPLAY BOARD

SCIENCE FAIR   MAY 6, 2008

These should be clearly labeled on each project display board.

PURPOSE

This is a statement that explains exactly what you are trying to discover through your project.   The purpose should make a statement, for example:  The purpose of this project is to find out what material conducts electricity best.

PROBLEM/QUESTION

The problem asks the question that you answer with your hypothesis.  A problem is written in the form of a question and might sound like this:  What material is the best material to be used to conduct electricity throughout a house.

HYPOTHESIS

The hypothesis is based upon what you know.  Try to write an answer for your problem question.  This is your best guess, your hypothesis.  As you work through your project, you will try to find out if your hypothesis is true or false.  It might sound like this:  I believe that aluminum foil is the best material to transfer electricity through a house.

MATERIALS

This is a simple list of ALL materials used in the experiment.  It might look like this:

1 pair of scissors                      battery

copper insulated wire                aluminum foil

light bulb (flashlight)                  bulb holder

rubber stopper                          plastic spoon

PROCEDURE

The procedure tells the reader, step by step, how they can repeat the same project that you did. Do not forget any steps that you took to perform your experiment so that anyone could follow your instructions to repeat your project and obtain the same results.

VARIABLES

Variables are measurable changes to an item that occur during an experiment.

Independent variable is the condition that is purposefully changed by the scientist.  A good experiment has only one independent variable.

Dependent variable is the part of the project that responds to the change made by the scientist.  This change is caused by the and depends upon the independent variable.

Controlled variables are the conditions that the scientist wants to remain constant.  This is as important as the independent variable and most experiments have more than on controlled variable.

Examples of Variables

Question – Does fertilizer make a plant grow bigger?

Independent Variable – Amount of fertilized measured in grams.

Dependent Variable – Growth of the plant measure by its height

                                    Growth of the plant measured by the number of               

                                     leaves

Controlled Variable – Same size pot for each plant

                                    Same type of plant in each pot

                                    Same type and amount of soil in each pot

                                    Same amount of water and light for each plant

                                    Make measurements of growth for each plant t the

                                    Same time

LOG

This can be bound notebook paper, in a spiral notebook, or in a ringed binder.  The log does not have to be attached to the display board.

The log should contain the date of the entry, the activity such as research notes taken, a procedure accomplished, data from the procedure that might include time and results, rough drafts of graphs, etc.

This is hand written!

DATA and GRAPHS

This information is a compact version of the records that you kept during your experiment.  The information is used to make graphs to illustrate on your storyboard.

There are many types.  Line graphs, bar graphs, and picture graphs all serve to illustrate some kinds of data/results.  Check your mat textbook for more information.  Ask for help from your parents and your teachers.

RESULTS

This is a list of the main points that you learned.  What did your research and experiments prove?  (What happened?)  The results can also be presented by using a pie graph, bar graph, or line graph.

APPLICATION

This is a short explanation as to how the knowledge gained from their experiment can be used in day to day living.

CONCLUSION

The conclusion is a statement that tells the value of your project.  This portion explains how this information may be applied or is useful to a situation outside your study.

Examples of

Science Fair Project Topic Areas

Mathematics – probability, statistics, etc.

Environmental Science – oil spill clean up, air clean up, etc.

Botany – plant environment, germination, etc.

Zoology – usually need special forms for permission to do most of these 

Behavioral/Social Science – usually need special forms for permission to do most of these

Earth/Space Science – weather, space (be sure you do an experiment not just a study)

Chemistry – states of matter, acids & bases, chemical change/physical change (see rules)

Physics – light, heat, magnets, simple machines, electricity

I placed a three-ring binder in the Askew Library that has an extensive list of project ideas and a list of children's science books.  Check with Ms. Bell for the location of this notebook.  Please make a copy of a page instead of removing the pages from the binder.