Science Fair

How to Construct Your Science Fair Report

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The final complete draft of the report is not due until November 17, 2017.

All sections of the report are NOT due at the same time. As students work on their projects, please be mindful of the due dates outlined on the timeline. I want to give students ample time to revise and edit before the final hour. Please follow all instructions and timeline given.

 

Follow these formatting rules in order to construct your report in the appropriate way.

1. All margins should be 1-inch

2. All fonts used should 12-point, Times New Roman and Double Space

3. Insert page numbers at the top of the page. To do so, go to the insert tab. Look in the header & footer section, select page number and at top of page.

 

 

Cover Sheet 

USE 12 FONT, TIMES NEW ROMAN, AND DOUBLE SPACE, CENTER OF PAGE

 Title – Testable question that you are answering with your experiment

 Student name

Homeroom class & Grade

School name & Science Teacher’s Name

 

Table of Contents

USE 12 FONT, TIMES NEW ROMAN, AND DOUBLE SPACE

ATTN: Each section of the report should begin on a new page. To include the page numbers, look at the top of the page where your page number is located.

The following sections should be included in the table of contents:

 Abstract

 Introduction

 Problem

 Background Research

 Hypothesis Statement

 Materials

 Experimental Procedure

 Data, Observations & Results

 Conclusions

 Bibliography

 

Abstract

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To be completed last, is a summary of your ENTIRE project. An abstract is an abbreviated version of your science fair project final report. For most science fairs it is limited to a maximum of 250 words. The science fair project abstract appears at the beginning of the report as well as on your display board. Your abstract should contain components of the:

• Introduction. This is where you describe the purpose for doing your science fair project or invention. Why should anyone care about the work you did? You have to tell them why. Motivate the reader to finish the abstract and read the entire paper or display board.

 

Introduction (1 page max)

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• Explain how and why you chose this experiment. Include important background information that relates to your topic. Remember to grab your reader’s attention. Get them as interested in your topic as you are. INCLUDE SOME RESEARCH ON YOUR TOPIC. The introduction should be no more than one page.

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Problem

• State the question you are trying to answer with your project. Give a full explanation of your question or problem.

• Ex. The purpose of my experiment is to find out.

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Background Research

• Research points (3 points; a paragraph for each). Includes your findings. This should be stated clearly and concisely. Tell me about your topic (not your experiment but your topic). Example questions to ask yourself include:

• What is the history of my experiment?

• Who discovered/was given credit for discovering it?

• How does it work (Define vocabulary words)?

• How has it changed over time?

• How has it affected the US? The world?

• What have other scientists found out about your topic?

After you have collected your research, put it into your own words. Then, relate what you found out to your specific topic. Finally, at the end of this section, add a sentence or two that says how your research is related to your topic. Example: Now that I know about static electricity, I wanted to test these theories out for myself.

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Hypothesis

• The HYPOTHESIS is another name for a PREDICTION. When you are writing the hypothesis you are trying to predict the answer to your question. You should always give a reason for your prediction from research you have done. What do you think will happen, (even before you start your experiment)? A hypothesis is stated in one sentence. No more, no less. If you have a difficult time summarizing your hypothesis into one sentence, then it’s clear that you need to narrow down your study.

Ex. Question: Does soaking the bean seed before planting it affect how fast it will grow?

Possible Predictions: If I plant bean plants that have their seeds soaked before planting then they will grow faster because it will make the hard seed covering soft.

 

Materials

• A complete and detailed list of your materials should be included. Please include exact amounts.

 

Experimental Procedure

• Be as detailed as possible. Begin from the start of your experiment to the end on how you will conduct your experiment. Include what materials you are using, time frames, trials, where and when you will be conducting the experiment. This should be numbered with step by step instructions. Use details!

 

Data, Observations & Results

• Take notes throughout the entire experimental process. Point out key details and observations you made throughout the experiment. The more details you include the more interesting your project will be. All observations should be written in paragraph form. Your data should be visually displayed. You are to include charts, graphs, tables, etc. if possible. The results of your experiment should be explained thoroughly in paragraph form. Pictures of your experiment would be a good addition.

 

 Conclusions ( 1 page max, double spaced)

• Review your entire experiment. Analyze your data, observations and results for key points that connect to the overall question you are trying to answer.

Some questions to address:

 Was your hypothesis correct? Why or why not?

 What does your research say about what happened in your experiment?

 Does your research support your findings? Make connections to your research.

 What can you conclude after conducting your experiment? Make connections to your research.

 

Bibliography Page

• List any books, articles, websites, etc. that your used or got information from for your project. Make sure they are listed in alphabetical order and use the appropriate format (MLA Format).

• Use the How to Conduct Your Research form given out in class to help construct your bibliography