"We've added
some
judging criteria below."
Mr.
McWiz has gathered these great ideas over the
years to stimulate your thinking of a good science
fair project. We hope this helps you! However,
the BEST science fair projects are the most
original. They are the ones that truly win the
prizes and awards. But these might give you
some ideas to get you going in a certain direction.
Science fairs can be a LOT of fun – and
there is so much you can learn. But first you
have to have a good question that you can ask
to come up with a good hypothesis that you can
test. NEVER work with explosives or harmful
chemicals! ALWAYS THINK SAFETY! And it’s
a good idea to wear goggles if there is ANY
possibility of danger to your eyes!
Now,
the fastest way to get done - is to get started,
right? So let’s get started! First, highlight
the experiment ideas that appeal to you the
most! Next, start doing some research that will
lead you to a “hypothesis!” You
might go to your school or community library
or search the Internet! Talk with people that
have special skills or knowledge in the area
you would like to research. Prepare questions
to ask them.
Gather
some information on a topic that:1) Demonstrates
a scientific principal, or 2) Involves a demonstration
or perhaps a discovery! 3)Narrow down on particular
question, and don't make it too complicated
or overwhelming for yourself! Make sure a judge
will think that it is "age appropriate,"
and NOT "over your head." But here
again, the experiment type project, with a question,
hypothesis, materials, procedure, data, analysis,
and conclusion - is usually the favorite type
of fair project.
JUDGING
CRITERIA
There are a number of judging criteria
that can be used by a school. Check your officials/teachers
to find out exactly what they are (if you can)
and try to get a judge sheet rubric. It's hard
to hit a target if you don't have one. Here
are some typical judging criteria samples to
help you prepare (but with no guarentees). Many
items below will be basically the same thing-just
repeated a little differently:
- Is the
display board neat and appealing to the
eye?
- What is
the organization and how attractive is the
exhibit?
- Is everything
spelled right?
- Are the
science fair characteristics arranged in
sequential order?
- Does the
project have a discovery question, hypothesis,
procedures, findings/results clearly written
and visable on the display board?
- Did the
student have a journal with documentation
of their findings or data?(This is a BIG
plus with a lot of judges who know what
they are doing.)
- Was the
idea "original"? (This question
is also BIG and sometimes cinches the win.)
- Did the
student identify at least two constants,
with manipulated and responding variables.
- Does the
student controls variables in experimental
setting. Remember EVERYTHING is narrowed
down to just ONE variable that could change
the result.
- Are future
steps and studies proposed or is future
research is warranted.(This is a good one,
but be prepared to explain it.)
- Are the
conclusions are based on replication and
not a single experiment!
- Does the
student use technology and tools
to observe and measure objects,
etc.?
- Does the
student site information from multiple sources,
such as Internet, print, experimentation,
authorities in the field, government sources,
etc.
- How well
did the student collect, organize and analize
their data for accuracy?
- Can the
student explain their project well and even
argue from the evidence to support their
conclusions in an interview?
- Has the
student represented their data in multiple
ways such as tables, graphs, drawings, diagrams,
etc.?
There
are a number of original questions that are
offered on the proceeding pages. Allow plenty
of time to do your project! There are plenty
of ideas for many grade levels. We will try
to add MORE topics every month, so come back
to see us again. Make us a bookmark!
Well,
I hope this helps. If you get excited about
doing science then consider a McWizKid Science
Experiment Book and kit to give you even MORE
ideas with 66 fun and fascinating experiments!
This book and kit are PACKED with scientific
knowledge that will excite your child's curiosity
about how and why things work the way they do,
in the world around you. Science “rocks,”
and so does my kit, according to many people.
Have a lot of fun, and ALWAYS think SAFETY!!
If you’re not sure about how something
works - always ask an adult, like a teacher
or parent.
Very
truly yours,
Mr. McWiz
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