Deciding on a project

ADVICE: First think of those things that you wish you knew more about, or a problem you would like to solve with an invention, then get some adult to help you narrow it down to something that you can actually accomplish.  You can use the Internet for help and some procedures, but do not simply copy a project.  Use your own ingenuity to change things so that it is truly your project. 

 •       Find some topic of general interest to you; it does not have to be terribly complex or entirely original, but it should be something you have wondered about and are curious enough to do some library research before you begin your project. This year we are adding an Engineering (Invention) Competition component.  The same judging and steps will be used for both competitions. 

•       Think through the whole project.  What kinds of data will you need to collect?  What math or statistical methods will you use to analyze the data? How will you present it on your boards, using graphics, pictures (either hand drawn or photos)?

•       Most judges will want you to reduce your thoughts to a hypothesis; your prediction of what you think the outcome will be. 

Start Collecting Data

•       You should now set up your experiment and begin collecting the data.  If you are working on an invention, you should design a prototype, and start trials on your invention so you can use the most efficient type of your particular invention.

•       Organize your data collection and notes as neatly as possible, preferable in a notebook.  Younger students might keep notes in a three ring bound notebook, while in later grades (5th grade for sure) should keep notes in bound laboratory notebooks. Neatness is necessary for you to be able to use the notes and data later; however, the notebook is mainly for your use.  If you make a mistake or discard some data, leave it in the notebook and write a note explaining why the data was not used.  Use the notebook to explain the various decisions made during the course of your research, or the different successes and failures of your invention.  (Kind of a diary of your thoughts as you proceed).

•       Good researchers and inventors keep good notebooks and fully record the changes and all mistakes made as they go through the project.

•       If you keep a notebook, display it with your project board. 

Analyze your data

•       For some of the very elementary projects you will not have much data and will probably not use sophisticated math and/or statistics.  Possibly you will only plot your data on a line or bar graph or have pictures of the steps you took to invent your product.

•       However, some of you, certainly by the 5th grade, will collect many datum points and you will need to use mathematics and statistics to analyze your data accepting or rejecting your hypothesis and supporting your conclusions.  Your classroom teacher will be available if you need help with the math. 

•       One of the biggest mistakes we see is students attempting to draw conclusions on too small a data sample.  How much is enough?  It is tough to answer, but for example if you are testing the strength of some material, stressing it to breaking point, one sample is probably not enough to be certain about the results.  Two or three may be enough, ten or more may be enough, and in some cases, hundreds or more may are required.  Once again, asking a teacher or mentor will be helpful in assessing your individual case.

Draw Conclusions

ADVICE: Carefully word your Hypothesis (or Problem Statement) and Conclusions so that there is a clear connection.

•       Often, judges will look first at your Problem Statement (or hypothesis) and then look at your conclusions, then go back and review the rest of the material.  A well worded problem and conclusion will get the judge interested in your project. 

•       To the extent possible the conclusion should indicate your thoughts regarding cause and effect.  For example: The tallest plants were fertilized with D.  The ingredients in D indicate more iron than in A, B, or C.  All other nutrients were about the same percentage.  Thus it is possible the additional iron is what caused D to make the plants grow more than A, B, or C.

•       Rejecting the hypothesis or otherwise having an experiment come out different than you thought is not a failure, and it can be just as important as an accepted hypothesis.  The judges will look at conclusions in this way, and they do not downgrade for a rejection of hypothesis or miscued original expectations.

•       Of critical importance is accuracy in data collection, thorough analysis and presentation, and clear and concise reporting.

 Write Your Abstract

ADVICE: Even in the lower grades it is a good idea to prepare an abstract.  This is the time to get started with the concept of telling what you learned in a short essay.  5th Graders and above should have abstracts on the project board or table.

The Abstract is your less-than-250-word narrative of what you did and it should include:

·          Why you did this project and include a brief problem statement (do not simply repeat your hypothesis)

·          What materials and research techniques you used?

·          How did you collect data?

·          How did you analyze data?

·          How did you arrive at your conclusions?

·          What would you like to do next if you are still curious about this topic?

 
Present your study on a Board

ADVICE: Make your board easy to read, not real wordy, and use graphics, drawings and photos to tell as much as you can.  Materials on the board may be hand drawn and printed; computer-generated material is not necessary and will not influence the judges, but neatness will!  You do not have to use a commercially made science project board.  A nicely covered piece of cardboard will do just fine, but do not make it any bigger than the store-bought type. 

•       This Project Board, and your notebook are as important as the product (in the case of an invention) or other display (hopefully you have kept a notebook, even Kindergartners should try to keep notes and save them for project review, and 5th graders and above should definitely have a notebook and abstract). Including pictures of the process will be helpful, but not necessary.

•       The Board should be neat, easy to read, and concise.  Project Boards that are filled with lots of detailed written material take too much time to read and tend to be difficult to judge.  Use photos and graphs where possible.

•       Do make it look good, but computer generated text or graphics are not essential to a good project board.  It is the substance of what is there; your Problem Statement, Methods, Data Collection and Analysis, and Conclusions that influence judges.  An artistically beautiful board with bad data collection and analysis will not become a winner.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  The project should be the product of the student’s own creativity and ingenuity.  Parents can help with constructive critique, guidance, or advice only. We will only accept individual projects.  Students may not work with a partner.