Choose a topic
This is the most difficult and important part, make sure you choose a topic that will keep you interested for at least 2-3 weeks.
Choose a topic which interests you. Consider your own interests, hobbies, or sport.
What resources do you have at home or school?
Look back on past science fairs to give you ideas, however try to take an original perspective if possible.
Think about your topic
Brainstorm your ideas. Note lots of questions and key ideas onto paper.
Draw a mind map to determine how you will go about your project.
do some background reading.
Talk to people who are interested in your subject.
Decide on a key question
Your question is what you base your investigation around. it needs to be specific so they it can be answered.
'Which', 'What' or 'How' questions are best. Avoid 'Why" questions. You will answer 'why' in your conclusion.
The question needs to be solved experimentally.
Consider how you can best answer the question
As well as your experiment will you need to interview people, do a survey, carry out further research in the library or on the internet, phone people, send letters or faxes?
Check when these people will be available to help you.
What will you need to complete your exhibit?
Will you need a computer to present your data?
Keep a log book, or journal.
Photos showing the progress during your experiment help your presentation.
You will need a board to present your display on.
You may enhance your display with visual objects.
Plan your time
How long will your research take?
How long will your experiments take?
How many hours a week can you spend on it?
If working with someone else, how often can you meet together?
Allow plenty of time to collate material and set up your final presentation.
Carry out your investigation
Keep full notes of your research, experiments, letters, phone calls, visits etc in your log book.
record what the conditions were like during our experiment if it is likely these will affect the outcome.
Take photos or tape recordings of your subject.
Repeat your experiments for validity (a minimum of three times).
Analyse the results
Arrange your observations into a report under subheadings.
Put your data into tables or graphs.
What effect did the change in variables make?
Draw Conclusions
Have you answered the question you originally thought of?
How do your results compare to your hypothesis?
Do you need to gather more information?
Write you own conclusions.
Write up your investigation
Be sure to have a title, a question to answer, hypothesis, method, results, and conclusion.
List of references and acknowledgement of people who assisted you.
Prepare your presentation
Set up your display background.
Do not paste any material onto your board until you have completed ALL your work. Place material on the board and rearrange until you are certain you have everything exactly where you want it.
Use the front of your display area to put samples of your work such as plants, test tubes, log book.
Use big headlines, illustrations, photographs and graphs to make it interesting and visually appealing.
Include your log book or journal.
Be sure you have included your hypothesis. Does your conclusion answer your question? Was your hypothesis correct? (It doesn't matter if it is not)
