Time Management Plan
Scientific Method
Biblical Application
Abstract
Backdrop
Oral Presentation
Parent Help
Grading and Judging
Jumping Off Topic

                      Time Management Plan

Scientific Method – This must be clearly followed and written.

A.   Identify the problem. 

B.   Form a hypothesis (a tentative assumption made for the purpose of testing.  Avoid "I think..." or "I believe...", but instead give firm predictions of what you expect to see.   “If I test…then…” is the required format.

       1.  Procedure   The procedure to test the hypothesis must be clearly written out step-by-step.  

       2.  Materials  Give a detailed list of your materials.

       3 .  Observe and record data   Log book  -- Chronological record of the project’s development; it should include the who, what, when, where, why and how of each day’s work.  The logbook must be a part of the project display  (on the board or on the table, according to the student’s preference and display design.

D.    Classify and analyze the data  

       1.  Identify the control and variables. What stayed constant in the experiment, and what did you change to run the experiment?  What things changed that were out of your control? 

       2.  Use charts or graphs to present your findings.

E.    Choose an answer.  Formulate the conclusion concerning the hypothesis.  The conclusion should include a statement as to whether the hypothesis was verified of nullified.  If the results were inconclusive, explain why.

F.     Verify your answer.  All projects should be run enough times to verify the results. Give yourself enough time to do this, again keeping a good log book of your results. (The results should be verified 3 times.)

G.     Predict outcomes.  Suggest further experimentation that could be done to broaden the scope of the project. Choose another variable that could be changed and what you think might be the outcome based on the experiment you have just completed. 

 Biblical application

Write out the Bible reference, the actual verse, and explain how it applies to your project.  

Abstract

The purpose of an abstract is to help the reader of the scientific paper determine if this is the material he wants to read through in more depth by supplying him with a brief summary of the main components.  This is a very general explanation of the project including all the steps of the scientific method.  For our purposes, follow the following format.  Do not use the word "it".  "In this lab, I wanted to know (restate the question).  I thought (restate the hypothesis).  I observed (give 3 to 5 detailed sentences about observations).  My hypothesis was (right/wrong) (because....)  If I did this experiment again, I would (change one variable) 

Backdrop – Each project must have a three-sided, self-supporting backdrop.  (Maximum size: 30”W x 18”D x 72”H)  This will hold charts, pictures, the steps of the scientific method clearly identified, the abstract, the title in neat block lettering, the amount of parental help, and the name of the student who made the project.   

The Presentation Board

Oral Presentation –

 This is to be done for the judges on the day of the science fair.  Prepare a 3 to 5 minute explanation including your name, what your project is, how you chose it, what went into developing the project, how it works, your reasoning for the biblical application, etc.  Be ready to answer questions from the judges.  

(3x5 note card)

Parental help (10% maximum):  

How Can I Help My Child With Their Project?

Children are naturally curious.  An excellent way to teach them to develop problem-solving skills is to direct this curiosity toward scientific investigation.  The scientific method helps develop your child’s thinking skills.

You, as the parent, play one of the most important roles in your child’s education.  The encouragement, guidance, and support that you give your child will not only help him or her develop valuable thinking skills, but the time you and your child work together will deepen the child-parent relationship that will last forever. 

          There are many things that you can do to help your child with the project:

1.  Although this is your child’s project and is to be his/her effort, there is no substitute for your support.  Make sure to encourage your child.

2.  Listen to and praise your child.  Let your child know that you are interested in his/her ideas.

3.  Help your child with skills that he/she has not yet been taught such as organizing, measuring, calculating, and constructing.

4.  Help your child construct and follow a schedule to complete the project on time.

5.  Provide a space at home where your child can work without worrying about brothers, sisters, or pets.

6.  Help your child acquire the materials necessary for the project.

7.  Offer to take your child to the public library or other place where they might get information on their project.

8.  Contact your child’s teacher if there are any questions regarding the project.

9.  Realize the real prize of the science fair project is the development of your child’s science skills and not the ribbon presented by the judge.

Thank you for your support and encouragement throughout the project!

Dear Parents,  
As we are about to begin working on the science fair, I am excited about the opportunity this provides for each of our children to learn skills in organization and time management as well as meeting many of the goals set by the State of Wisconsin and by our own school for excellence in science and in academics.  
 I would just like to remind everyone that the project should be mainly a result of the student effort, not a reflection of the parent’s ability.  I know that this is sometimes a difficult situation, but each project is being graded as a student project.  It is my desire for each student to have achieved a sense of accomplishment from working on and finishing their own presentation, and  knowing that he or she is capable of doing it.  As parents, I appreciate your advisory role.  Please feel free to proofread, drive to get materials, act as a sounding board, and help where danger may be involved.  Please, however, refrain from doing more than this, as it sets the entire project on a different playing field.  As all students have been informed; no parent may contribute more than 10% to the project.  We rely on your integrity and honor to keep with this standard.  If for some reason or chance you have needed to assist more than the 10%, please inform me so that I may grade accordingly.  God has blessed our children with wonderful gifts, some in the area of science; and to be accountable to all of our students and to you demands I grade them according to the individual effort put forth.

I have seen the tremendous benefit of doing this science fair project each year.  Historically, the upper grade students have a much better grasp on the basics of the scientific method.  The feed-back I have received from students going into high school has reinforced that they have learned well to systematically use the scientific method.  In years past, when we only did the science fair every other year, the students were not as well prepared and struggled with the concepts learned.

I am reminded again of how special this project was to me as a youngster.  I was not the best science student, but found that working on my science fair project showed me that I could do a good job on my own.  It gave me a sense of accomplishment that was not found elsewhere and which I remember to this day.  Hopefully, your own children will come away with a similar sense of high self-esteem and confidence in themselves. 

Working together to build our children!
Mrs. Jenny Wagner

                Grading and Judging Criteria

Your classroom grade will be given throughout the process as well as on the final product.  Check off each component and subcomponent to be sure not to omit any detail. 

Science Fair Project Grading Rubric

Comments:                                                                                                                                      Total Points: ______
                                                                                                                                                               Grade:  ______

Sample Jumping-Off Topics

(This is a sampling of possible problems that can be explored.  As you choose, be sure that you have a good idea of how you will experiment to solve your problem and how you will measure your results. You must have different variables that are being tested.   Avoid “consumer report” type projects that are comparing different brands of a product.)

Life Science

Please, No Mold

Does aspirin prolong the life of cut flowers?

Does the depth of planting a seed affect the growth of the plant?

Do insects prefer certain colors?

Does the food offered affect how long a hamster takes to learn a maze?

Which orange drinks have the highest concentration of vitamin C?

What percentage of pumpkin seeds from a pumpkin will germinate?

Does the age of a seed affect it's germination rate?

In what type of materials will seeds grow best?

Can people identify different types of Kool-Aid by taste alone?

Will plants grow better in natural or artificial light?

Does the length of time mouthwash is used affect the amount of bacteria killed?

What effect do different colors of light have on plants?

How do plants react to different kinds of sound/music?

Investigate the action of yeast in breads

Show the strength of different kinds of wood

Compare the vitamin A content in frozen versus canned peas

Can you give a plant too much fertilizer?

Which banana has the most sugar - green, brown, or yellow?

Do a study on effects of temperature on unpopped corn.

Do goldfish grow larger in bigger tanks?

Can mice see colors?

Which household/cooking items effectively prevent apples from browning?

Which apples brown the least on their own?

Which kind of bait works best for fishing - worms or lures?

Will a plant grow best in soda, coffee, vinegar, or water?

Will a plant grow best in sand, sand/dirt mixture, or dirt?

Physical Science

How accurately can people judge the weights of objects?

What common liquids are acid, base, and neutral?

How do optical illusions affect humans?

What effect does weather have on plant?

Are modern stain removers really more effective than ones our grandparents used?

Which metal conducts heat best?

Are dark colors really "warmer" than light colors?

How constant is the temperature of my refrigerator?

Do magnetic fields affect the sound quality on a recording tape?

Splat - a study in droplet formation

What is the effect of chlorine on drinking water?  Swimming pools?

Test the amount of sugar in soft drinks.

How strong is a spider web thread?

How does the tail affect the flight of a kite?

Do oil additive reduce friction on engine parts?

Test the performance of different styles of paper airplanes

How many rotor blades give maximum lift for a helicopter?

How much power is harnessed in water? Waves? Wind?

Show the water retention of different soils.

How much dust falls on your furniture in a month?

Which firewood gives the most heat per dollar?

What is the effectiveness of pre-wash products?

How much do leaky faucets cost your family?

Which part of a microwave oven is the hottest? 

Does the size of sand particles affect a brick's strength?

What ever project you choose, the more you are interested in it, the more fun and satisfying the project and its outcome are likely to be!