Science Fair Information
Entering into the competition is voluntary. All students are welcome to enter and compete in the fair. All students will be given a packet filled with information, dates, requirements, and the necessary forms.
The idea is due Dec. 3rd.
The Formal Problem , Hypothesis, & the Independent & Dependent Variable are due Dec. 14th. The research section is due Jan. 7th.
Final Projects are due Jan. 11th. Projects will count as a test grade.
Entry Forms for competitive students are due no later than Jan. 31st.
WMS Science Fair will be Thursday, February 14th. Snow day Feb. 15th.
Augusta County Fair will be March 6th , snow date will be March 7th.
Science Fair Information
1. All students are required to complete a science fair project.
2. All students must have a written report following the steps of the scientific method.
3. All students will perform an oral presentation.
4. Students must have project approved before starting.
5. Projects will count as a test grade.
6. Students must adhere to deadlines.
7. Gifted students & students that did an exceptional project are expected to compete in the Wilson Middle School Science Fair.
8. Students participating in the science fair will receive additional information & necessary forms.
Written Paper:
1. Must be typed or written neatly in blue or black ink.
2. Each step must be clearly written then skip a line & put the information.
3. Space in between each step.
Oral Presentation:
1. Oral presentation can include any visual aides, power point presentations, demonstrations, models, etc.
2. If planning on competing, make sure any pictures just show the experiment & not yourself.
Scientific Method:
1. Title-the title of your project should be catchy, an “interest grabber” but it should also describe the project well enough that people reading your information can quickly figure out what you were studying.
2. Problem-written as a question. Make sure this is clearly written that explains what you are trying to do. Make sure your question is testable. No pronouns.
3. Hypothesis-written as “If/Then” statement. No pronouns. Record this statement before you begin testing. An educated guess.
4. Identify Variables-list Independent, dependent, & constant variables.
4. Materials-a list of all the supplies used to build or perform experiment. Include any measurements. Numbered steps.
5. Procedures-detailed step by step instructions on how you performed your experiment. Someone could follow your steps & receive the same information. Include measurements & exact information.
6. Observations-recorded in a chart or data table. This is the section where you have detailed information to prove your results. Your experiment must be done at least 5 times to be sure you have enough data to make a logical conclusion. You need lots of “trials”; the more the better for believable data. Remember you need to keep all of the experimental factors (constant variable) the same EXCEPT for the one you are testing. Make a graph. Make sure your X & Y axis is clearly labeled with the informations about your project on the graph & you have a title to the graph.
7. Research section-must provide a scientific explanation for the results. Research has to be relevant to the topic. How does this information help expain your results? What did you learn about your project from this research?
7. Results-based on the analysis of your data, you should conclude whether or not your results support your hypothesis. What is the evidence that supports your explanation? Would your results hold true for all cases?
8. Conclusion-restate your hypothesis and indicate whether the hypothesis was correct or not. List evidence (data) that supports your hypothesis. In the conclusion you get to tell your audience what you found out from the experiment. Focus on what you learned about your original question & hypothesis. How did you reach that conclusion? Does that make sense?
9. Bibliography-list 3 sited sources in correct bibliography form.
****A picture is worth a thousand words. Plan to take pictures of the materials you used & of the experiment as it is being carried out.
****Start early so you have time to re-do any part of the experiment. Plan for the unexpected to happen; don’t wait till the week before the project is due to begin.
If you run into trouble seek advice from me. If you have any questions, ask them now.
****In addition to the above, projects will be judged on level of difficulty, neatness, following directions, & effort.
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