The student Handbook for Science Fair

This is the link for the Student handbook for Science Fair 2012
Student Guide

Regional Science Fair Gallery

Just in case you want to look at some examples of 2012 science boards.

Science Fair Regionals 2012

Mmmm cake. Thanks Alanis

Bike safety day...

A good day of learning about the new road rule. Hope the students remember the messages.

Another bunch of intensati kids...

Steps to a Science Fair Project

1ST STEP – COMING UP WITH IDEAS

One of the easiest ways of thinking up ideas is to find a general topic that you enjoy or have an interest in and start brain storming for ideas. Come up with lots of ideas first. This can be done by jotting down everything you can think of that relates to your broad topic, any questions you would like answered and highlighting anything that interests you about it.
If you are still stuck on ideas there are many resources available that can assist you in finding a science fair idea. Use your teachers, library books, relevant news or the internet but remember – your science fair work must be your own!

KEEP A LOG BOOK - this is very important!
This is like a diary where you can record everything you do from the day you choose your project to the day you present your exhibit for marking. Include all of your ideas and attempts (even failed ones), methods, raw data, calculations, problems you encountered, help you received, tentative conclusions, etc. A simple school exercise book does the job fine. Remember to date every entry as well.

2ND STEP – CHOOSING A TOPIC
Before choosing an idea from your brainstorm, you need to be aware of three different categories that your idea should fall into:
1. Experimental Research: a project that involves a controlled experiment E.g. the battery of which brand lasts the longest
2. Technology Development: this is where your idea involves creating or designing something to help people or make life easier:
E.g. inventing a new, more user-friendly mailbox
3. Researchtoincreaseknowledgeforenvironmentalorsocialsystems:thisis where your idea is tested by gathering and analysing data instead of using controlled experiments, such as doing a survey.
When looking at your ideas ask yourself:

1. Does my idea fall into one of the three categories?
   
2. CanIdesignamethodthatisfeasible?
   
3. Can I finish the project within a few months, in order to meet the deadline?
   
4. If I have to buy equipment to do the project, will it be cheap?
   
5. Is the project appropriate for my year level?
   
6. Do I really enjoy finding out the answer or the solution?
   

When you can answer ‘yes’ to all six questions and are satisfied with the idea, then use that as the topic of your project .

The topic of my project is:

3RD STEP – THE DESIGN PROCESS

SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION

7 (Guide book last updated 14 April 2011)

TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT

(Guide book last updated14 April 2011) 8

THE RESEARCH PROCESS

4TH STEP – PRESENTATION

This is a very important step as your entry can only be judged on the information you communicate – so communication is very important.
To give you an idea of how to start, have a look at the board below and see how different sections are typically arranged:
Maximum width is 1.2m

Title

Results/ Testing

Research

Pictures

Aim

Method/ Concepts

Conclusion

Graphs/Diagrams

Bibliography/ Acknowledgments

You are limited to a table space of 1.2m wide X 0.75m deep X 1.5m high.
MAKE SURE:

•   Your display is free standing and robust
  
•   Your display is eye catching
  
•   Your display is free standing and robust
  
•   There are no spelling mistakes or errors
  
•   Nobody will be offended by any of the content.
  
•   Any graphics are relevant
  
•   The information is clear and easy to read.
  
•   All extra material/models/support information must fit inside your display area. Oversized entries will not be accepted unless you have written permission from the science fair organisers.
  
•   Please check safety rules for any that may apply to your exhibit. (refer to pg 15 )
  

Display boards (of approved size) are best brought in bulk by your school

Maximum height is 1.5m

JUDGING CRITERIA

It’s a good idea to look at your project carefully along side the judging criteria and look to improve any areas you feel you might not have covered strongly.
Judges will generally use the following criteria in assessing your project:

Scientific Thought & Understanding   clear scientific thought, the application of appropriate scientific methods, an appreciation of the need for accuracy in observation, measurement, data collection and reporting   an understanding of the underlying or related scientific principles embraced within the project

Technical & Graphic Skill   assembled with skill and dexterity, equipment, models and the frame of the project have been well constructed   graphic materials have been carefully prepared and presented   living plants and animals have been well cared for   working parts are reliable   the whole is well planned and neatly finished

Originality   uniqueness of approach   resourcefulness in obtaining and interpreting data   ingenious use of illustrative objects, inventive apparatus   insight conclusions   inspired applications of the principles, process or product

Thoroughness & Effort This is reflected in:   the scope of the topic   the scale of the investigation   the detail obtained   the extent of the results   the repetition of the experiments   the construction of the project and its illustrative items   written material and other displays

Presentation   well designed and developed to be attractive, visually interesting, informative on all aspects of the investigation   well illustrated with photographs, models, specimens or samples   has wide public appeal

NOTE: In Year 7-8 Planet Earth and Beyond Projects the criteria are widened to include non- experimental investigations. I.e. A question is still posed, but information may be gathered from sources other than experimentation. 

Science Fair 2012

Categories we can enter:

Classes 11-13, Scientific Wall Chart
Topic: Impact of scientific research in our lives.
Give a scientific description/explanation of the processes involved in the working of
this topic. Be concise.

•   Include at least 3 diagrams which help your explanation of the scientific processes involved. Draw these yourself.
  
•   The wall charts need to be flat – no 3D models or extras that can fall off.
  
•   List references used. Put these in a small box at the bottom right hand corner.
  
•   Diagrams should be clear and well labelled. Text should be concise, easy to
  read, and be able to be understood by a non-science person.
  
•   Judges will look for innovation and originality, clear communication, and good
  scientific content.
  
•   Chart size: A2 paper (no larger). Use cartridge or similar weight paper.
  Label the back of your chart with your name, year level, home phone number & school name and deliver or post to the Fair Manager, at least 2 weeks before the fair.
  Note: Maximum of 10 entries per school in each of the year classes. Only the finalists will be on display at the fair.
  Class 14, Observational Drawing
  Topic: NATIVE PLANT WITH LEAF. Drawing must be from real life and a dried specimen should accompany the drawing.
  

•   Clear, sharp, accurate outlines in pencil on A4 paper (no larger please)
  
•   Use correct proportions and show a scale
  
•   Label your specimen with its scientific name if possible.
  
•   Remember, your drawing must be from a specimen that you are observing
  and your teacher must sign the back of the your drawing to authenticate this. No copying from a photograph.
  Label the back of your drawing with your name, year level, home phone number & school name and deliver or post to the Fair Manager, at least 2 weeks before the fair.
  Note: Maximum of 10 entries per school. Only the finalists will be on display at the fair.
  

Class 15, Inventions & Technical Innovations
Inventions and innovations are applications of science and technology which solve a problem. (This OPEN CLASS replaces all Technology Classes)
You are asked to apply your knowledge to make a device that has a practical application.
You will need to describe how the invention or innovation uses scientific principles and ideas in solving the original problem that was identified. The steps and stages in development should be recorded so that it is clear how you overcame any problems that were encountered.
Originality and creative thought are important aspects of this Class.
Exhibitors will use the standard display board to present their invention/technical innovation.
Class 16, Scientific Photography
Theme: The result of scientific research in our lives.
 Submit 2 photographs mounted on black A2 sized card.
 Link the photographs to the theme.
 Include a caption beneath each photograph to briefly explain the photo and
include information on how you took the photo and with what kind of camera.
 Please ensure that photographs have a reasonable resolution and are printed on
photographic paper.
 Photographs must be taken by the exhibiting student!
Judges will look for:

1. Technical quality
   (Is the photo in focus? Is lighting in balance? Is depth of field considered/used?)
   
2. Composition
   (Are the objects of interest placed well in the photo? Are there distracting elements?)
   
3. Creativity
   (Does the photo demonstrate originality?)
   
4. Relevance to theme
   (Does the photo ‘fit’ within the photography theme?)
   
5. Overall impression
   (Does the photo have a ‘wow’ factor? Is it able to grab viewer’s attention and hold it?)
   

Label the back of your photography card with your name, year level, home phone number & school name

Classes 1-10, Science investigation and research

	CLASS			AGE GROUP			INTEREST AREA
Class 1			Year 7 - 8			Living World
Class 2						Material World
Class 3						Physical World
Class 4						* Our Planet, Our World, Our Resources
Class 5			Year 9 - 10			Living World
Class 6						Material World
Class 7						Physical World
Class 8						Our Planet, Our World, Our Resources
Class 9			Year 11 - 13			Biological Sciences
Class 10						Physical Sciences (includes Earth & Soil sciences & Astronomy)
Class 11			Year 7 -8			Scientific Wall Chart
Class 12			Year 9 – 10
Class 13			Year 11 – 13
Class 14			OPEN Age Group			Observational Drawing
Class 15						Inventions & Technical Innovations
Class 16						Scientific Photography

LIVING WORLD includes: Horticulture, Forestry, Plants, Animals, Marine Studies, Conservation, Agriculture, Behaviour, Health.
MATERIAL WORLD includes: Chemistry, Metals, Corrosion, Water Pollution, Chemical Product Testing, Fabrics, Chemical Change.
PHYSICAL WORLD includes: Electricity, Light, Heat, Material Strength, Insulation, Magnetism, Speed, Friction.
PLANET EARTH & BEYOND includes: Geology, Soils, Pollution, Astronomy, Resource Extraction, Weather.
*Note: Science exhibits should show data gathered through experimentation and/or observation, analysed results and a conclusion. The exception to this is in Year 7-8 ‘Our Planet, Our World, Our

3 (Guide book last updated 14 April 2011)

Resources’, which allows entries to have a non-experimental research only focus acknowledging the difficulties of original experimentation in this strand. 

Homework 3 weeks. Due the last day of term

Choose something you are passionate about. Your audience is students your age. Tell them all about your area of interest.

You can present this project any way you choose.
- comic
- movie
- book
- poster
- food
- diorama
- scrapbooking

The possibilities are endless.

A small science experiment about hot air rising.

Homework this week...

Thank you to the people who remembered their homework last week. STARS...

This week you are focusing on current events. Watch the news, read the newspaper...listen to what people are discussing about the world around them...

Write a report on a news item. Who, what, where, when, how...your opinion on this event...what is the impact on society? Please make it detailed...challenge yourself.

Also, keep in mind the requirements for book reports/information reports...one each this term please.

Remember to take notes as you write in sections mentioned in the criteria forms you have in your book. (Transitional writing criteria is on the small white board or with your Who cares? Why bother writing in your learning journal)

Remember, no risk, no reward...Room 4 expectations for writing is Above National Standard...you CAN do it!

News Website.

Trial cupcakes made with Easiyo

Preparing for our Easiyo project

Today we had to trial equipment... What do we need, what angle to the camera, how will this look on film, who is doing what! It's a pretty big job! Lots of learning involved for all!