DOANE STUART MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE FAIR

INFORMATION YOU SHOULD KNOW:

This is a summary sheet of the information you will find in the packet.

The Illumination Fair will take place on Thursday, March 10, from 4:00
p.m. until 5:30 p.m.

Included in this packet is a proposal, which must be signed by the

student and a parent and returned by WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2 to
your science teacher.

Students will be required to produce a display board, which is selfstanding and visually attractive. Details are included.

Students will be required to produce a paper detailing their research.

Some of the information from the paper should also be displayed on your
board. The paper should include a review of the reading on the topic,
your interpretation of the information found, and a bibliography.

Students will be required to keep a log book. Specific details about the
log book can be found on the REQUIREMENTS page.

Students should take advantage of the December break and weekends

to work on this project. FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY THERE WILL
BE NO WRITTEN HOMEWORK ON WEEKENDS. HOWEVER,
STUDENTS MAY STILL HAVE TO STUDY FOR QUIZZES OR TESTS.
THERE WILL BE MENTOR CHECK-INS ON THE MONDAYS
FOLLOWING THE WEEKEND. STUDENTS WILL NEED TO SHOW
THEIR RESEARCH NOTES. WE ALSO ASK THAT PARENTS SIGN
THE NOTEBOOK AS AN INDICATION THAT YOU ARE AWARE OF
YOUR CHILDS PROGRESS.

Carefully follow the time line included in this packet to avoid a last
minute rush. Truthfully, this type of in-depth study cannot be
accomplished in a rush.

Finally, enjoy what you are about to do. Yes, there is work to be
done, but there is also a real opportunity to study something
that really fascinates you.... and then a chance for you to share
your interest with others.

SCIENCE FAIR PROPOSAL

DUE ON WEDNESDAY, DEC. 2
NAME:_______________________________

GRADE:________________

PROPOSED RESEARCH
QUESTION:___________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
SUMMARY OF EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN (how you will answer the
question):
____________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
IDENTIFY THE INDEPENDENT VARIABLE (the one you choose to
change, and explain how you will measure it):
______________________________________________________________________________
IDENTIFY THE DEPENDENT VARIABLE (the one that may change
during the experiment in response to the above variable, and
explain how you will measure it):
_____________________________________________________________________________
_
IDENTIFY SOME IMPORTANT VARIABLES YOU MAY HAVE TO CONTROL
(the ones that you must not change during the experiment in order
to obtain valid results):
______________________________________________________________________________
DATE_______________________
_________________________________
Students
signature

DATE______________________
___________________________________
Parents signature
NOTE: Any additional remarks or comments can be included on the
reverse of this sheet.
HELPING YOUR CHILDREN WITH THEIR SCIENCE FAIR PROJECTS
Things a parent might do:
1.

Give encouragement, support, and guidance. (Be positive.)

2.

Make sure your child feels it is his or her project. Make sure the project is
primarily the work of the child.

3.

Realize your child will need help in understanding and using the major
research skills (locating sources, organizing, reporting, demonstrating,
collecting, constructing and presenting). In class students will be taught
the scientific method to follow for conducting the experiment.

4.

Help your child plan a mutually agreed upon schedule, to prevent a last
minute project and a disrupted household. Use the time line provided to
help. HELP HIM OR HER TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF LONG VACATION
PERIODS (SUCH AS THE DECEMBER BREAK).

5.

Provide transportation to such places as libraries, nature centers,

universities, etc. that can help the child find project information.

6.

Help your child complete enough trials for his/her experiment.

7.

Help your child develop the necessary technical skills and/or help
him/her
do the technical work, such as building the exhibit and doing
any photography, if applicable.

8.
Be sure your child states in the paper the help he or she has received
from you or others.
9.
and

Look over the project to check for correct grammar, neatness, spelling,
accuracy. Make suggestions on how it can be corrected.

10.

Buy or help find the necessary materials to complete the project.

11.

Help your child to understand that one weekend's work, or one or two
posters, is not a project.

12.

Explain to the child that he or she should consult with you or the science
teacher when problems arise.

13. Have your child present his or her project to you before taking it to
school.

REQUIREMENTS
I. WRITTEN COMPONENTS
Every student is required to have a 2-pocket folder and a composition
notebook (to be used as the log book).
A) LOG BOOK: which will be divided into two sections. Every time the
student puts an entry into the log book it should be dated.
Section 1: THE EXPERIMENTAL PART will be the place to keep
track of the following:

topic list
narrowing down the topic list
research questions
hypothesis
equipment list
experimental design
diagrams/illustrations
potential and actual problems
data collected
analysis of results
conclusions reached

Section 2: THE RESEARCH SECTION will be the part where students

record their
bibliographical information and keep their research
notes. The information for the
bibliography should be recorded at the top of the page before taking
notes. Highlight
important points in the articles you read. Then summarize IN YOUR
OWN WORDS.
B) RESEARCH PAPER: MUST include the following components:
Report: - Title; Research Question; Background Research; Hypothesis
(with an I believe statement); Equipment; Procedure; Results; Analysis;
Conclusion.
One complete copy of this report should be available for review and

parts of a second copy can be used on your board. Ask your science
teacher!
II. VISUAL COMPONENT
Each student is required to have a board. The main research question
and the
important points you wish to highlight from your
research paper should be placed
neatly on the display board.
Results, in the form of data tables and graphs, should
be displayed attractively. Ask your mentor! BE CREATIVE AND
ORIGINAL.
MAKE YOUR BOARD VISUALLY APPEALING.
STEPS IN THE PROCESS: STUDENT TIME LINE
DATE

CHECK WHEN
COMPLETED

Nov. 6-13

________

Dec. 2
________
into your
Dec. 9
question.
Jan.5
Jan.5

________
_________
_________

Jan. 5
and collect all
materials.

_________

1. Choose a topic that interests you.

2. Fill out the project proposal and turn
science teacher.
3. Formulate a possible research
4. Begin background research.
5. Decide on hypothesis.
6. Determine experimental design
necessary

Feb. 22
_________
7. Conduct
experiment/Troubleshoot/If necessary,
redesign experiment and repeat.
Feb. 29
_________
research paper.

8. Analyze data and complete

Mar. 8

9. Prepare a 2-3 minute oral report.

Mar. 10

_________
_________

10. Board completed for the fair.

SCIENCE FAIR JUDGING FORM

Student's
_____________________________________________________________

Name:

Project Title:
_____________________________________________________________
Date:
_____________________________________________________________
CRITERIA
POINTS
SCIENTIFIC THOUGHT
1.

2.

3.

Are the problem and hypothesis

clearly stated?
________
Are the procedures appropriate and
thorough? Are the variables clearly
defined and adequately controlled?
________
Is the data collected accurate and
complete? Were appropriate measurements
made? Was the experiment repeated several
times to establish validity and/or was the
sample size large enough?
_______

(5 points)

(10 points)

(10 points)

4.
5.

Are the conclusions accurate and based

upon the results?

(5 points)

Does the project represent real study and

effort? Does it show that the student is
familiar with the topic?
________

________

(5 points)

CREATIVE ABILITY
-How unique and original is the project?
-Does the exhibit show original thinking
or a unique method or approach?
-Is the project significant for the age
of the student?
-Does the project demonstrate ideas
developed by the student?
________

(25 points)

UNDERSTANDING
-Does the exhibit explain what the student
learned about the topic?
-Did the student use appropriate materials
for research?
-Is a bibliography included?
-In the exhibit, did the student tell a complete
and concise story, and answer some questions
about the topic?
(10 points)
________
CLARITY
-Are the problems, procedures, data, and
conclusions presented logically?
-Is the written material clear and accurate?
-Can the objective be understood by a
non-scientist?
________
DRAMATIC VALUE
-How well did the student present the
project?
-Is the display visually appealing?

(10 points)

-Is the proper emphasis given to

important ideas?
________

(10 points)

TECHNICAL SKILLS
-Was the majority of the work done by
the student?
-Does the written material pay attention
to grammar and spelling?
-Is the project well-constructed?
________

(10 points)

TOTAL POINTS
________
COMMENTS: