Preparing Your Display Board
Your science fair board is a very important part of your project. You want your display to attract and inform. Make it easy for interested spectators and/or judges to assess your experimentation and the results you have obtained. Make the most of your space using clear and concise displays. Make headings stand out, and draw graphs and diagrams clearly and label them correctly. It is better to leave your glassware and chemicals at home.
A Good Title
· Your title is an important attention-grabber. The title should make the casual observer want to know more.
Take Photographs
· Many projects involve things that may not be safely exhibited at the fair, but are important to the project. You might want to take photographs of important parts/phases of your experiment to use in your display. If your project is to be judged, do not display photos that identify you as these could bias the judging.
Be Organized
· Make sure your display is logically presented and easy to read. A glance should permit anyone to locate quickly the title, experiment, results, and conclusions. When you arrange your display, imagine you are seeing it for the first time.
Eye-Catching
· Make your display stand out. Use neat, colorful headings, charts, and graphs to present your project. Pay special attention to the labeling of graphs, charts, diagrams, and tables. Each item must have a descriptive title. Anyone should be able to understand the visuals without further explanation.
Correctly Presented and Well-Constructed
· Be sure to adhere to the size limitations and safety rules when preparing your display. Make sure your display is sturdy, as it may need to remain intact for quite a while. Don't hesitate to ask someone for advice if you need it! Remember to double check your spelling!
Due to limited space at the Science Fair we must ask that your project materials do not extend outside the sides of the board.
science_fair_putting_your_project_together.ppt | |
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Putting Your Project Together | |
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Display Guidelines
Make sure your display has the following:
1. Question
2. Purpose
3. Hypothesis
4. Abstract
5. Materials
6. Variable/Constants
7. Procedure
8. Data Representation (graphs, tables, charts, pictures, etc.)
9. Conclusion
10. Bibliography
11. Log book (in front of your board)
12. Name on back, covered by a 3 x 5 card
13. All names covered
14. All faces are covered in any photos
The following are UNACCEPTABLE for display:
1. Living organisms, including plants
2. Taxidermy specimens or parts
3. Preserved vertebrate and invertebrate animals (includes embryos)
4. Human or animal food
5. Human/animal parts (Exceptions: teeth, hair, nails, dried animal bones, histological dry mount sections, and wet mount tissue slides)
6. Plant materials (living, dead, or preserved), seeds or soil
7. Laboratory/household chemicals including water
8. Poisons, drugs, controlled substances, hazardous substances or devices
9. Dry ice or other sublimating solids (i.e., solids which vaporize to a gas without passing through a liquid phase)
10. Sharp items (i.e., syringes, needles, pipettes)
11. Flames or flammable display materials
12. Empty tanks that previously contained combustible liquids or gases, unless purged with carbon dioxide
13. Batteries with open top cells
14. Photographs or other visual presentations depicting vertebrate animals in surgical techniques, dissections, necropsies, or other procedures.
15. Active Internet or e-mail connections as part of displaying or operating the project
Getting Ready for the Judges
This is your time to shine! On science fair day, you'll have the oppontunity to present your project to a judge. You'll want to be well-prepared, so that the judge can recognize your hard work.
Your Interview with the Judges
When the judges interview you, they’ll ask questions that will let them know what your project is about, how much effort you put into the project, and how well you know the content of your topic of study. While it’s hard to guess exactly what the judges will ask you about your project, they may ask something similar to the following questions:
*Tell me about your project.
*How did you control your constants?
*What was your variable (independent)?
*How did you measure your results?
*Why did you choose this topic?
*What did you learn through this project?
*What would you have done differently?
*What would you like to know now?
*What did you learn about this topic as you did research?
*Explain your procedure.
*Explain your results.
*What did you enjoy about this project?
*How would your findings be useful to the world?
How to Impress the Judges
If you want to amaze the judges, try these tips:
*Be confident –Stand firm and speak clearly.
*Be knowledgeable – Do you understand your topic inside and out? Can you clearly explain it?
*Be enthusiastic – Do you demonstrate that you are excited about and proud of your project?
Characteristics of Stellar Projects
Remember, the judges will select ten students to represent our school at the County Science Fair. They’ll also select several honorable mention projects. The judges often look for these traits in outstanding projects:
*Originality of topic
*Good use of scientific method
*Repeated trials
*Good understanding of project
*Clear and detailed graphs
*Clear and detailed data analysis
*Up-to-date bibliography and research (5-10 sources)
*Well-organized display
*Detailed, dated, handwritten log book
*Good use of computers
*Scientific enthusiasm
Remember, whether or not you are selected to be a County Science Fair representative,
you should be proud of your hard work and all the knowledge and skills you’ve learned!
Science Fair Day
This year, the East Vincent Science Fair will be on January 9th. Your project MUST be turned in by January 8th. On the day of the Science Fair, you'll get to meet with the judges to discuss your project. That evening, there will be a Science Fair Open House at 7:00pm. During this time, you'll be able to view the projects that other students completed. At 7:30 pm, we'll recognize everyone's hard work, as well as announce the Honorable Mention and County Science Fair Representative projects.