Five Types Of Science Fair Projects, Your science project may be in one of five categories: Collection, Observation, Model, Experiment or Invention. 1. COLLECTION A collection is a group of items that you will study. The items in your collection should be similar, but should have some interesting differences too. Examples of collections might include leaves, rocks, seashells, insects, or magnets. If you choose to display a collection, you should group the items to show differences and similarities between them. Possible ways to group the items are based on appearance (color, shape), makeup (material), or function. 2. OBSERVATION An observation is a study of something without disturbing it. Examples of observations might include watching the behavior of ants in an ant hill or fish in an aquarium, or looking at the shapes of clouds, or the phases of the moon. When performing an observation, it is important to write notes or take photographs so you can look for patterns in what you are studying. If you choose to present the results from an observation, your display should describe what you observed and what you learned about it. 3. MODEL A model displays the parts of an object, and shows how the object works. The model can be smaller than the actual object, like a model of the solar system or a model of a volcano, or it can be larger than the actual object, such as a model of a flyʼs eye. If you choose to make a model, your display should teach the viewer something about the object, and should communicate what you learned by making it. 4. EXPERIMENT An experiment is like an observation, but it is designed to answer a specific question by performing tests. An experiment involves changing something and observing what happens as a result. Examples of experiments might include studying the effect of music on pets, or discovering what a plant needs to grow, or seeing whether heavy balls or light balls bounce higher. If you choose to conduct an experiment, you should follow the scientific method (shown on page 5). Your display should describe what you want to know, what you did to answer the question, and what you learned.
5. INVENTION An invention is something new that you create and build for a particular purpose. Inventions can be new things, or ideas on how to make something better. Examples of new inventions include the car, the skate board, the paperclip, or the pencil. Examples of inventions to improve your life may include a more comfortable chair, a better lunch box, or a machine that cleans your room. These are all inventions. If you choose to display an invention, it should be an original idea. You should have notes that describe the idea, sketches to show how it works, and be able to describe how it is used. Keep in mind the following questions when creating your project: 1. Originality and Creativity Does your idea and approach show originality and creativity? 2. Scientific Approach Have you used the scientific method to achieve the best results? Is it logically organized with accurate research, testing and conclusions? 3. Visual Presentation and Interview Is your project is clearly explained by visual project board and easy to follow? Is it appealing to the viewer and does it reflect your time, thought and preparation? While describing your project to interviewers can you demonstrate knowledge gained by participating in the project? Display boards will be available from Mrs. Wijeyesekera for $3. The LVCS Science Expo will have two parts. Parents, scientists and engineers will visit with the students as they present their projects one-on-one in informal interviews sometime during the school day. The fair will then be open to family and friends in the evening. The interviews are designed to give the students an opportunity to share their work and describe what they did. The volunteers will touch on the following in the interview: Is the display organized and easy to read? Is the question easy to find and does it make sense? Does the presentation follow the scientific method with a hypothesis, procedure, results, and discussion? Does the conclusion relate to the question? Can the student explain what they did? Can the student describe the variables and explaiin how to form a conclusion?
My Science Project Planner The type of project I want to present: (circle one) Collection Observation Model Experiment Invention My title: My question (should not be answered yes or no): My hypothesis: Reference(s) I might use Materials I might need Experiment or activity I will use to test my hypothesis Variable I will change in my experiment How I will record the results Important Dates to Remember Sandia Family Science Night: April 31, 2008 Science Expo Application Due: May 15, 2008 Science Expo: May 29, 2008
Use this project board to image how your project will look, draw it and label the parts. LVCS Science Expo Guidelines for Demonstrations LVCS scientists are not required to have a working demonstration of their experiment at the science fair. It is fine to perform the experiment at home and document their results using phot ographs, drawings, or notes. However, if scientists wish to demonstrate their experiment, it is important to adhere to the following guidelines. 1) Scientists must clean up after their demonstration if it is messy. This includes bringing paper towels, wipes, bags, or whatever else is necessary. 2) No AC electricity or extension cords, battery powered presentations are welcome. 3) No running water or drains provided. 4) No live vertebrate animals as part of the demonstration. 5) The LVCS Science Expo is indoors and will be crowded. Safety is important. The following are prohibited: fires, flames, or heat sources rockets or projectiles hazardous chemical or materials If you are unsure or have any questions contact your science teacher!
The Scientific Method Five steps to a perfect experiment A QUESTION you can answer by conducting an experiment. The best science project comes from something that interests you a question that YOU want 1.SELECT to answer. You shoud include an explanation of why you selected the project. Your question should be asked in such a way that it canʼt be answered with a simple yes or no. For example, How does salt affect the freezing point of water? Is a better question than Does salt affect the freezing point of water? A HYPOTHESIS. This is a guess or prediction about what will happen when you do your experiment. Forming a hypothesis will help you design your procedure, 2.FORM and the experiment will prove or disprove your hypothesis. I think... or I predict... THE PROCEDURE. Plan the details of your experiment. Select what you will test, identify what you will change (manipulated variables) and what you 3.PERFORM will measure (responding variables). Decide what you will keep the same (controls). a. Determine what you will be measuring and what instrument you will use. b. Select the materials to form the test equipment. Plan how the tests will be done: Which test will you do first? How many tests will you do? What will be recorded? How many times will each test be repeated? c. Assemble the equipment to be used in the experiment. d. Prepare data sheets for recording measurements and for your observations. e. Enter all measurements on your data sheets as you perform the tests. It is important that you repeat each test several times. AND EXPLAIN THE RESULTS. Group and organize the measurements you have made. Make charts, graphs, and tables to show what happened. It is 4.PREPARE a good idea to spend some time thinking about your results and talking to other people about them. Try to explain how and why the results are what they are. What was the cause? Do the results answer the question? Do the results agree or disagress with your hypothesis? CONCLUSIONS. What can you say about your experiment and your results? Are there things you observed that you think will also happen if someone 5.DRAW else does a similar experiment? Try to describe how your results might apply to everyday experiences. Using these five steps of the SCIENTIFIC METHOD will make for an orderly experiment with reliable measurements and results. Follow this, and like any good detective, you can trust your finding.
Question Hypothesis Procedure
Materials Results Conclusion