Lake Louise Elementary
Science Fair 2011
Grades k-5
Grades K-5 Science Fair
Lake Louise Elementary
How to Select a Science Fair Topic
This is one of the most difficult things about doing a science fair project.
Keep in mind as you are picking a topic that you will have to live with it
throughout the entire process. Once you choose an idea that you like, spend
a few quiet moments thinking about how the whole project would work. If you
can imagine obstacles that will be too difficult, then find a new topic.
Don’t forget the cost of supplies and time constraints. Here are a few
things to keep in mind when selecting a topic:
• Choose something you are interested in
• Ask your family for ideas
• Think of something you already know something about
• Think about types of materials you are already have at your home
• Think about questions you have about the world around you
If a topic still hasn’t come to mind, check out some of the Web sites listed
below. Students are allowed to choose any topic they would like as long as
it follows these rules:
• All projects must follow the scientific method and test a
hypothesis. No displays or demonstration projects.
• A student’s project should reflect his/her age and ability level.
• Experiments should be supervised by an adult.
• Nothing should be on the table in front of a student’s display board.
• Your teacher may require topic approval before going on
Where to find a topic
Science Buddies The NEED Organization
www.sciencebuddies.org/ www.need.org/science-
fair-projects
Science Fair Topics The Ultimate
Science Fair Resource
www.accessexcellence.org/RC/scifair.html www.scifair.org
School Discovery All Science
Fair Projects
http://school.discoveryeducation.com/sciencefaircentral/
www.all-science-fair-projects.com
Cool Science Projects
http://www.cool-science-projects.com/
There are many books in the library that can help you choose a science fair
topic. Be sure to choose something that is testable, repeatable, and
measurable.
How to make a science fair project
All projects must follow each step of the grade level appropriate scientific
method. See “What goes in each section of my science fair project” for the
step-by-step description of the scientific method and what students need to
do for each part. All projects need to be displayed on a presentation board
(suggested size 48” by 36”). Student’s name, teacher’s name, grade level,
date, and school name must be located ON THE BACK of the board.
• The project must have a title, and each section must be labeled as
shown above. The spacing demonstrated here is only a suggestion. The size
of each section may vary, however, their order and location must be as shown
above.
• Student’s name, teacher’s name, grade level, date, and school name
must be located on the back of the board.
• For safety purposes, no items or parts of your experiment are allowed
in front of your board on the day of the fair. All items MUST be attached to
the board.
• Pictures of student conducting the investigation are encouraged for
section #4.
What Goes in Each Section of the Science Fair Project?
Section #1: Question
What is the Question?
The first section of the scientific Method is the Question. It is the
question that you are trying to answer with your project. It is the reason
for doing the experiment.
What must be included in the section?
This section only needs to be one sentence long, but it must be in the form
of a question.
TIPS:
Make sure the Question is only testing one thing. For example, the
question “Which type of bread will grow mold the fastest?” can be answered in
a scientific experiment.
Section #2: Hypothesis
What is the Hypothesis?
The prediction/hypothesis is an educated guess of what you think will happen
when you do the experiment, and should be written in an “If, then, because”
statement.
What must be included in the section?
The hypothesis is normally one sentence long but can be two sentences. It
should state what you think the answer to the problem statement will be based
on what you learned in the research. The sentence should be an “If, then,
because” statement.
TIPS:
Make sure that your hypothesis only predicts one outcome. Then, you will
clearly know whether your hypothesis is right or not. Here is a suggested
format:
IF (the manipulated variable) IS (describe how you change it),
THEN (the responding variable) WILL (describe the effect)
BECAUSE … (give a reason for your prediction).
Section #3: Resources
What is this section called Resources?
This is where you gather background information on your topic and the
materials you are going to use. You will then use background information to
gain a better understanding of the science behind your project.
What must be included in the section?
This section must have a bibliography of three or more resources from which
you obtained the background information on your project. Your research
should reflect the use of a variety of resource books, interviews, magazines
and Web sites. (Wikipedia is not a science source and is not allowed) Each
resource should include the author, title, place of publication, publisher
and copyright data using MLA (Modern Language Association) format as shown
below:
Last name, first name. Title (underlined). Place of publication, state:
publisher, and copyright date.
TIPS:
For example, if your project is about plants, you would want to read about
photosynthesis. Be sure to list all resources used for background
knowledge. If you gained information from a person, you must list that as an
interview, citing the date and time of the conversation, as well as the
person’s expertise on your topic. For example, a master gardener would be a
credible person to interview regarding plant growth.
Section #4: Variables
What are Variables?
Variables are changed or changing factors used to test a hypothesis or
prediction.
What must be included in the section?
This section must have three types of variables listed:
The Manipulated/Independent Variable: the variable or factor that you decide
to change; the cause.
The Responding/dependent Variable: what responds to what was changed in the
experiment and is
measurable
The Controlled Variable what is kept the same throughout the entire experiment
TIPS:
This section should look something like this:
Manipulated Variable: type of liquid given to plants
Responding Variable: amount that each plant has grown in centimeters
Controlled Variable: sunlight, temperature, location of plants, amount of
liquid
Section #5: Materials/Procedures/Safety Concerns
What are the Materials/Procedures/Safety Concerns?
List all materials, supplies, equipment, tools, etc. that you will need for
this project. Add or delete things from this list later when you perform the
experiment so that the list you include in your final project is correct.
Write a list of all the steps you will need to follow to run the experiment.
These can be changed and/or added to after you have run experiment to make
procedures clear and detailed. Also include any safety concerns
What must be included in the section?
This section must include:
1. A list of all materials needed to conduct the experiment in a
bulleted list.
2. A numbered step-by-step set of procedures that will be followed to
conduct the experiment.
3. A list of all safety concerns surrounding this experiment.
TIPS:
Make sure the procedures are detailed enough so anyone could gather the
materials from the list, follow the procedure, and get the same results.
Also, there are always safety concerns when conducting experiments. Make
sure to include these in your science journal.
Now that sections 1-5 are completed, it is time to do your experiment. Make
sure you have your family’s permission before conducting any type of
scientific experiment!
Section #6: Data/Analysis
What is the Data/Analysis?
This is the section where you record what actually happened during the
experiment. Data are the results of the experiment and are recorded on a
data table and analyzed in a graph.
What must be included in the section?
This section should include:
• A data table that organizes the data.
• A graph that visually displays the data.
• Pictures, drawings, or sketches of your experiments as it happened.
• A few paragraphs that explain what happened during the experiment
TIPS:
Table Guidelines:
• Label each data table with a title.
• Each column should have a heading with units if appropriate.
• All 6 trials for each group should be shown.
• The average for the 6 trials in each group should be calculated.
Graph Guidelines:
• Use graph paper or a computer.
• Decide whether a line graph or a bar graph is better for your data.
• Label the top of the graph with a title that includes the
responding/dependent variable first and the manipulated/independent variable
second along with units of measurement
• Label the x-axis with the manipulated/independent variable and its
units.
• Label the y-axis with the responding/dependent variable and its units.
• Number the axes appropriately.
• Label the individual bars appropriately.
• Make sure that the graph is colorful and can easily be understood.
It should paint a clear visual picture of exactly what happened.
Section #7: Conclusion
What is the Conclusion?
This is the last section of the scientific method. It summarizes the
experiment and relates it to the research and your hypothesis. The conclusion
is where you decide to accept or reject your hypothesis, and explain what you
have learned. In addition, you need to think about how the experiment might
be improved upon.
What must be included in the section?
This section must include two parts:
1. Restate your hypothesis and tell if your hypothesis was correct or
incorrect. If your hypothesis was incorrect, discuss what might have caused
it to be so. Explain all of your data/results including the average(s) and
range(s) when possible.
2. A few paragraphs to explain what you have learned, how other people
can learn from your experiment, and how others can put your results to work
in real situations.
TIPS:
Other information you may want to include:
• Discuss the controlled variable in the experiment and the things that
were difficult or you were unable to control.
• Give at least two extensions or modifications of the experiment.
• Explain what could have been done differently or improved your
experiment.
General Science Fair Information
Oral Presentation
In the oral presentation portion of your science fair project the judges are
looking at how well a student communicates clearly and effectively. The
judges have about 5 minutes to talk to each student. Therefore, it is
important to practice your oral presentation to ensure you are communicating
their question, hypothesis, conclusion and what they have learned. Students
should not cover the entire scientific process, but rather summarize what
they have learned. Remember to make eye contact with the judges and speak
directly to them.
Journal
Your journal should include all your rough drafts used to create your final
science fair display board. It should have your data, notes, questions, and
research. Be sure to date your entries.
Parental Assistance Defined
All projects must be the work of the student; however, parents may assist
students with certain aspects of the project. Parental assistance may
include the following:
• Helping to establish the idea of the project
• Helping gather materials
• Helping guiding students through the scientific method
• Helping answer questions
What criteria will be used to judge the project?
The scientific Process/Presentation Board:
• Does the project promote analytical thinking (grade level
appropriate)?
• Is this project centered around a testable original idea?
• Does it demonstrate scientific creativity?
• Is the student’s growth and learning evident?
• Is the board neat and legible?
• Does the presentation board contain all sections?
• Is it attractive with a colorful layout?
The Oral Process:
• Can the student verbally explain all aspects of their project?
• Is the student’s growth and learning evident?
• Can the student answer questions pertaining to their project?
The Journal:
• Handwritten with dates (work can be taped into journals)
• Does it include all the students’ original thoughts, ideas, and data?
Science Project Judging
Grading key
4=Outstanding
3=Good
2=Fair
1=Poor 0=Not done
Project created by___________________________________________
Project judged by____________________________________________
Creativity
Is the project creative?
1 2 3 4
Scientific Planning
Is there a hypothesis (If, then statement) 1 2
3 4
Are the steps of the procedure stated clearly? 1 2 3 4
Are the variables identified? 1
2 3 4
Was the experiment repeated 3 times? 1 2 3 4
Are there clear pictures showing the results? 1 2 3 4
Skill
Is the project the student’s work? 1 2
3 4