The document provides instructions for creating a science fair project, including choosing a question, conducting research to form a hypothesis, designing an experiment to test the hypothesis, collecting and recording data, analyzing results to evaluate the hypothesis, and presenting findings in a display board and notebook. Key components that will be graded are an abstract, procedure, results displayed through charts and graphs, and conclusion stating whether the hypothesis was supported. Students can earn course units for completing a science fair project.

1. Creating a Science Fair
Project

2. Science Projects
• What’s the difference between a
demonstration and a science project?
• A demonstration is conducted just to
show information. Nothing is measured or
tested.
• A science project has a hypothesis and
variables that are tested multiple times to
prove or disprove the hypothesis.

3. Steps to Creating Your Project:
1. Choose your question or problem
2. Do research
3. Make a hypothesis
4. Do the experiment to test your hypothesis
5. Keep a log book during your experiment
6. Observe and record data from
experiment
7. State your conclusions
8. Create your notebook and your board

4. 1. Title (5 pts)
• 8 words or less
• Choose something unique or it can be
your experiment’s question.
• Example:
Which type of garbage becomes plant
food first?

5. 2. Problem (5 pts)
• A Problem is a question that can be
answered through experimentation.
• Start with what YOU are interested in!
Example of a problem:
Which garbage
materials break down
the fastest?

6. 3. Research (10 pts)
• Before beginning the investigation, look for
more information to support what you want
to learn about.
• Use at least 3 sources. If using online
sources, look for .org, .gov or .edu,
NOT .com.
• Write what you learned into a report 3-5
paragraphs in length.
• You must have a bibliography of your
sources!!!

7. 4. Hypothesis (5 pts)
• A Hypothesis is a statement that answers the
question from the problem.
• I think that ________________ because
________.
Example of a hypothesis:
I think that the grass clippings will
compost the fastest because they are
smaller in size than the other items.

8. 5. Procedure (5 pts)
• The Procedure is EXACTLY what you will
do step by step. Include photos of the
process
List in order step by step what you will do: Example:
1. Collect banana peels, apple peels, table scraps, and
grass clippings.
2. Place 2 cups of each into a dark container of the same
size.
3. Turn items in all containers every four days using a
spoon.
4. Take pictures each time. Take written notes each time.
5. Collect data every four days for a period of four weeks.
6. Create a Observation Notes chart and a Display chart
of the pictures taken.

9. 6. Data
7. Results (5 pts)
• The Data is where you keep the records of your
results.
• Keep it in a log book.
• You need at least 10 entries in your log book.
• The Results are what the data showed
happened.
• Use charts and graphs to show your data on
your board:
– http://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/graphing/classic/

10. 8. Conclusion (5 pts)
• Your conclusion will restate your
hypothesis.
• You will also state whether your
hypothesis turned out to be correct or
incorrect.
• Example: My hypothesis stated that the
grass clippings would decompose the
fastest. I was wrong. The banana peels
decomposed faster than the grass
clippings.

11. 9. Abstract (10 pts)
• A Short summary that explains your
experiment.
• Judges will read your abstract first to get
an idea what your project is about.

12. 10. Notebook (20 pts)
11. Log book (10 pts)
• Your notebook will be a written copy
of everything you have on your board.
– The Title, abstract, problem, research,
hypothesis, procedures, results,
conclusion and bibliography
– This is different from the log book, which
only has your data entries.
• You must have both.

13. 12. Display (20 pts)
• On Three Fold Science Board
• Easy to read, well organized, no grammar
or spelling errors
• Include visual aids (pictures, charts,
diagrams, etc)
• Neatness is important!

14. What Needs to Be on My Board?
Title
Purpose/Problem Procedure Results
1.
2.
3.
Research Conclusion
4.
Data:
Charts & Graphs
Abstract
Hypothesis

15. Example boards:

16. Tips:
• Work with a partner (no more than 2 per
project)
• Do your writing on a computer and print
out two copies: one copy for the board,
one copy for your notebook
• Write in your log book often during your
experiment- don’t try to remember it all at
the end!!!

17. Unit Count for Science Projects
• 1 unit for a completed project scored at least a C
• 1 additional unit for a project with ALL parts (A)
• Projects that earn an A will have a chance to go
to the district science fair on February 23.
• Units for doing a project 1-2!!!!
• These units can be applied to any of
your science requirements. Wow!
• Projects Due Friday, February 15!

18. Websites for Ideas:
• http://www.sciencebuddies.org/
• http://www.all-science-fair-projects.com/
• http://www.terimore.com/
• http://www.factmonster.com/
• www.sciencebob.com