Download a printable packet here:
Science and Engineering Fair
Required Forms:
Here is a link to the most current ISEF Science Fair Forms, and to the CUSEF Forms.
Forms 1, 1A, and 1B must be completed by all students. (If you live in Utah you will need the CUSEF Forms, make sure you get the correct one: Elementary(5th-6th grade), Junior (7th-8th grade) and Senior (9th-12th Grade) division forms.)
The other forms only need to be completed if the project requires them, instructions for other required paperwork is listed on Form 1. For example, if my project required strong chemicals, (things other than found in a regular pantry) then I would be required to have Form 3: Risk Assessment and Form 2: Qualified Scientist.
Each project is different; read through the forms carefully.
Some projects require approval from an Scientific Review Committee (SRC), the SRC is a team of Scientists/Engineers who will double check your Science Fair Plan and make sure that your project is legal, safe---and that you will not die. SRC's take a few days up to a month to approve a project, plan accordingly.
What do I need?
Notebook/Lined paper: Why a Journal is important?
Three-Ring Binder with protector sheets for the extra mile journalists.
Pen/Pencil
Highlighter
Tri-Fold Poster 36x48 (Hobby Lobby has the best price, and it comes in many colors.)
Project Supplies
Start Here: Science Fair
(See below for Engineering projects)
Pick a Topic: Science Buddies is a great place for beginning ideas, if you can add to or modify an idea to make it your own it will turn out even better. Still struggling? Write down a list of 5 things you like to do, think about project ideas for each. Research your ideas online or at a library.
Abstract
An abstract will be placed at the beginning of the project, but it's always written LAST. It's not always required. If required, put it first on your paper and on your poster, place it on the left side above the project question. For help click here: Writing an Abstract
Project Question: This is the first question you ask before researching. It can be as simple as 'Why is the sky blue?'
Hypothesis/Independent Variable/Dependent Variable
Hypothesis is an educated statement, usually written during, or while researching.
--Examples for writing a hypothesis.
It is hypothesized that _____IV______ will result in ________DV______.
The hypothesis for this project is that changing ______IV_________ will cause ______DV__________.
--Write your hypothesis without using any personal pronouns: I, me, you, us, we, them-- etc.
The Independent Variable is what 'I change' What am I going to change for my experiment?
--Example: If I am growing plants then I could change the amount of water I give the plants, or the amount of sunlight, fertilizer. I could NOT change the type of seeds--changing the seeds makes my project invalid, because I cannot compare height of a pole bean to a squash to a carrot.
The Dependent Variable is what is 'Measured'. What am I going to measure for my experiment?
--Example: If I am growing plants then I could measure the height of the plant, the growth of the leaves, color, etc. I could NOT measure how wet the soil is, that's not related to my actual plant.
***Notice how the spaces in hypothesis have an IV or DV written in them? That is where your independent variable (IV) and dependent variable (DV) will go into your hypothesis. IV always goes first, DV always goes second.***
Research/References
Research a minimum of 5 references. Do not use websites ending in .com, avoid Wikipedia and other opinion sites. Websites ending in .edu, .org. or college/university websites are wonderful. Books, Magazines, Websites, Journals, Newspaper articles you use should have been written in the last 10 years.
-- Research your Independent and Dependent Variable, find an article related to your topic or question.
Use this to guide the writing of your research paragraph:
1. Tell three things you learned about the independent variable.
2. Tell three things you learned about the dependent variable.
3. Did you find any article related to your study? What did you learn?
-- Statements from sources require an in-text citation. They go at the end of the sentence or statement you used. Example: (Author Last Name, Year). Or like this: RosenvallScience.blogspot.com is an excellent place to look up science lesson plans, find help with Olympiad or science fair(Rosenvall, 2015).
-- I suggest that you use a reference generator, such as BibMe to create references quickly, APA style is generally used for Science Fair. Create your references page while you complete your research, it will be faster.
Materials
A list of all the things you need to complete your project. Think through your project-what will you use, then while doing the project add anything you missed.
Procedures
A detailed set of instructions telling others how to do the project. Step 1: Gather Materials...2...3...4...up to as many steps as you need. I suggest that you write down all the procedures then give the instructions and a highlighter to a parent or guardian, any steps that don't make sense, or need more instruction should be highlighted and revised.
--Write your procedures without using any personal pronouns: I, me, you, us, we, them-- etc.
Data Table
A good experiment should have 3 sets of 15. The first should be a control--the standard that most people follow. The second should have a value higher than the control. The third a value lower than the control. (This is not a strict rule, each experiment will be a little different, here's an example data table for a plant growth experiment.)
Data Table Title: ****Should be the same title displayed on your graph.***
| |||||
IV: 100 mL water
|
DV: Height (cm)
|
IV: 150 mL water
|
DV: Height (cm)
|
IV: 50 mL water
|
DV: Height (cm)
|
Day 1 *Include qualitative Observations*
--Plant is healthy, green, stem firm.
|
1 cm
|
Day 1
|
1 cm
|
Day 1
|
1 cm
|
2
|
1 cm
|
2
|
1 cm
|
2
|
1 cm
|
3
|
1.2 cm
|
3
|
2 cm
|
3
|
1.1 cm
|
...
|
...
|
...
| |||
15
|
8 cm
|
15 --Plant is yellow, dead/dying, soil is saturated.
|
2 cm
|
15 --Plant growth is slow, stem bends easily
|
5 cm
|
Graph
Create a Graph is an excellent program that's easy to use. Colors/Fonts/Script can be easily changed to match your project board. Under the Print/Save button, you will find the option to email the data table to yourself. Also, when you select the Print option, it will give you three choices: PDF, Graph Image or Graph Image with Data Table.
-- Choose PDF or Graph Image to print a graph for your poster board. (Should take up one 8.5x11 page.)
-- Choose Graph Image with Data Table to print the Data Table for your Poster Board (tape/glue the extra smaller graph in your journal.)
Other options include using excel or google spreadsheets, but are excellent for graphs especially if you have a lot of data to graph.
Conclusion: Answer these questions in your conclusion, if the answers are well written then your conclusion will be complete. Do not give any one word answers to any question.
--Write your conclusion without using any personal pronouns: I, me, you, us, we, them-- etc.
1. What was the answer to your project question?
2. Was your Hypothesis correct? List data averages for your project when answering this question.
3. Explain why the data averages are important.
4. What would you do differently next time?
5. Did you make any mistakes or did you change anything to improve your project?
6. How does your project help others, society, the world?
Poster Setup
For those interested in printing a professional poster instead of gluing onto a poster board; here's a list of local (Utah) companies that can print a completed board for you, prices are current as of 2017.
FedEx Poster: 7.25 per sq ft (Standard SciFair Poster ~ $87) <--24 hour processing
BYU Print and Copy: 3.50 per sq ft (Standard SciFair Poster ~$42) <--Requires 72 hour processing.
Copy That Shop: 3.75 per linear ft/1.75 black and white (Standard SciFair Poster ~$15 Color or $7 Black and White) <--up to 4 hours processing.
Office Depot: 4.16 per sq ft. (Standard SciFair Poster ~$50) <-- 7-10 business days
Start Here: Engineering Fair
(See above for Science Fair projects)
Pick a Topic: Science Buddies is a great place for beginning ideas, if you can add to or modify an idea to make it your own it will turn out even better. Still struggling? Write down a list of 5 things you like to do, think about project ideas for each. Research your ideas online or at a library.
--Make sure that your engineered project is something needed or improved, we don't want to see something that's already been done, nor do we want to see you taking apart a clock, or trying to rebuild something you broke.
Define a Need: Engineers define a need instead of writing a project question/hypothesis. Though it is better to have a project question and a need statement, some projects will only have a need statement:
--Project Questions: What are you going to solve or improve? It can be as simple as 'Will changing the triangle shape make a stronger bridge?'
--Need Statement: Clearly define what you will improve and your expected audience. 'This engineering project will improve ___(design/item)____ for __(audience) _.'
Research a minimum of 5 references. Do not use websites ending in .com, avoid Wikipedia and other opinion sites. Websites ending in .edu, .org. or college/university websites are wonderful. Books, Magazines, Websites, Journals, Newspaper articles you use should have been written in the last 10 years.
-- Research your Independent and Dependent Variable, find an article related to your topic or question.
Use this to guide the writing of your research paragraph:
1. Tell three things you learned about your design. What improvement you are trying to accomplish?
2. Tell three things you learned about you audience. Who will this help?
3. Did you find any article related to your study? What did you learn?
-- Statements from sources require an in-text citation. They go at the end of the sentence or statement you used. Example: (Author Last Name, Year). Or like this: RosenvallScience.blogspot.com is an excellent place to look up science lesson plans, find help with Olympiad or science fair(Rosenvall, 2015).
-- I suggest that you use a reference generator, such as BibMe to create references quickly, APA style is generally used for Science Fair. Create your references page while you complete your research, it will be faster.
Design Instructions
A detailed set of instructions telling others how to do the project. Step 1...2...3...4...up to as many steps as you need. I suggest that you write down all the procedures then give the instructions and a highlighter to a parent or guardian, any steps that don't make sense, or need more instruction should be highlighted and revised.
--Keep in mind how easy it will be for others to use your final product.
--Write your procedures without using any personal pronouns: I, me, you, us, we, them-- etc.
Preliminary Design
Drawings, Pictures, plans for your first design. Include a short materials list of all the things you need to complete your project. Think through your project-what will you use, then while doing the project add anything you missed.
Build and Test
Your first testable prototype! Build your item based on your design.
Answer the following:
1. Does it work the way you expected?
2. Is it better/worse than what has already been made?
3. Is it easy to use? Who is meant to use this product-kids, adults, animals, plants?
4. How can you improve this initial design?
Rebuild and Retest
Your improved prototype! Build your item again, based on your design but with improvements.
Answer the following:
1. Does it work the way you expected?
2. Is it better/worse than what has already been made, or what you made the first time?
3. Is it easy to use? Who is meant to use this product-kids, adults, animals, plants?
4. How can you improve this second design?
***Most engineering project will not have a data table/graph, if yours needs them look up the instructions for each in the above Science Fair section.***
Conclusion: Answer these questions in your conclusion, if the answers are well written then your conclusion will be complete. Do not give any one word answers to any question.
--Write your conclusion without using any personal pronouns: I, me, you, us, we, them-- etc.
1. What engineering steps did you use to complete this project?
2. How is this product/item better than what we already have available?
3. Explain your design, what makes it unique?
4. What would you do differently next time?
5. Did you make any mistakes or did you change anything to improve your project?
6. How is your project useful to others, society, the world?
Poster Setup:
For those interested in printing a professional poster instead of gluing onto a poster board; here's a list of local (Utah) companies that can print a completed board for you, prices are current as of 2017.
FedEx Poster: 7.25 per sq ft (Standard SciFair Poster ~ $87) <--24 hour processing
BYU Print and Copy: 3.50 per sq ft (Standard SciFair Poster ~$42) <--Requires 72 hour processing.
Copy That Shop: 3.75 per linear ft/1.75 black and white (Standard SciFair Poster ~$15 Color or $7 Black and White plus formatting time ~$20-$40 depending on how long it takes to format.) <--up to 4 hours processing.
Office Depot: 4.16 per sq ft. (Standard SciFair Poster ~$50) <-- 7-10 business days
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