District
SCIENCE/TECHNOLOGY &
INVENTION FAIR
STUDENT SUPPORT PACKET
District Science Fair
Saturday
February 7, 2015
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
General Information
What is “not allowed” and “allowed”
(ISEF) International Science Engineering Fair Categories
Project Display
Written Report Outline
Oral Presentation Outline
Science Project Checklist
Display Board Headers
Sample Abstracts
Science Project Completion Schedule
STUDENT’S NAME: _______________________________________________________
SCIENCE FAIR PROJECT EXPECTATIONS
General Information
A. All projects must follow the scientific method.
B. Projects should have a type-written or computer printed report.
C. Projects should include a journal, which logs events of project from beginning to the end.
D. Models (i.e., Solar System, etc.) and demonstrations will not be accepted.
E. Team projects should include each team member’s name on report, abstract, journal and display
board.
F. Project topics that are not acceptable:
1. Tornadoes
2. Volcanoes
3. Egg and Vinegar
4. Electromagnets
5. Dancing Raisins
PROJECT DISPLAYS
A. Make sure the display reflects the current year’s work only.
B. All printed items should be typed or computer printed.
C. Use Word or computer printed type programs if possible.
D. A good title is extremely important as an attention grabber. It should simply and accurately represent
your research.
E. Take photographs of important phases or parts of your experiment.
F. Be organized so that your display is logically presented and easy to read.
G. Check the following for accuracy:
1. Spelling
3. Adhere to size limitations
2. Content
4. Safety rules are followed
H. Use neat, colorful headings, charts, and graphs to present your project. (i.e., charts, graphs, tables,
pictures, etc.)
2
Mission Statement
Dayton Public Schools provides a high-quality education in a safe environment that prepares our students for success in school, work and
life by providing a highly effective trained staff working each day with community resources.
I.
Not allowed at project or in booth:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
Living organisms, including plants
Taxidermy specimens or parts
Preserved vertebrate or invertebrate animals
Human or animal food
Human/animal parts or body fluids (for example, blood, urine)
Plant materials (living, dead, or preserved) that are in their raw, unprocessed, or non-manufactured
state (Exception: manufactured construction materials used in building the project or display)
All chemicals including water (Exceptions: water integral to an enclosed, sealed apparatus.)
All hazardous substances or devices [for example, poisons, drugs, firearms, weapons, ammunition,
reloading devices, and lasers (as indicated in item 5 in the section of these rules entitled “Allowed
at Project or in Booth BUT with the Restrictions Indicated”)]
Dry ice or other sublimating solids
Sharp items (for example, syringes, needles, pipettes, knives)
Flames or highly flammable materials
Batteries with open-top cells
Awards, medals, business cards, flags, logos, endorsements, and/or acknowledgments
(graphic or written) unless the item(s) are an integral part of the project (Exception: Intel ISEF
medal(s) may be worn at all times.)
Photographs or other visual presentations depicting vertebrate animals in surgical techniques,
dissections, necropsies, or other lab procedures
Active Internet or e-mail connections as part of displaying or operating the project at the Intel
ISEF
Prior years’ written material or visual depictions on the vertical display board. [Exception: the
project title displayed in the Finalist’s booth may mention years or which year the project is (for
example, “Year Two of an Ongoing Study”)]. Continuation projects must have the Continuation
Project Form (7) vertically displayed.
Glass or glass objects unless deemed by the Display and Safety Committee to be an integral and
necessary part of the project (Exception: glass that is an integral part of a commercial product such
as a computer screen)
Any apparatus deemed unsafe by the Scientific Review Committee, the Display and Safety
Committee, or Society for Science & the Public (for example, large vacuum tubes or dangerous
ray-generating devices, empty tanks that previously contained combustible liquids or gases,
pressurized tanks, etc.)
3
Mission Statement
Dayton Public Schools provides a high-quality education in a safe environment that prepares our students for success in school, work and
life by providing a highly effective trained staff working each day with community resources.
Allowed at project or in booth BUT with the RESTRICTIONS indicated:
J.
1. Soil, sand, rock, and/or waste samples if permanently encased in a slab of acrylic
2. Postal addresses, World Wide Web and e-mail addresses, telephone and fax numbers of Finalist
only
3. Photographs and/or visual depictions if:
a. They are not deemed offensive or inappropriate by the Scientific Review Committee, the
Display and Safety Committee, or Society for Science & the Public. This includes, but is not
limited to, visually offensive photographs or visual depictions of invertebrate or vertebrate
animals, including humans. The decision by any one of the groups mentioned above is final.
b. They have credit lines of origin (“Photograph taken by...” or “Image taken from...”). (If all
photographs being displayed were taken by the Finalist or are from the same source, one credit
line prominently and vertically displayed is sufficient.)
c. They are from the Internet, magazines, newspapers, journals, etc., and credit lines are attached.
(If all photographs/images are from the same source, one credit prominently and vertically
displayed is sufficient.)
d. They are photographs or visual depictions of the Finalist.
e. They are photographs of human subjects for which signed consent forms are at the project or in
the booth.
4.
Any apparatus with unshielded belts, pulleys, chains, or moving parts with tension or pinch points
if for display only and not operated.
5. Class II lasers if:
a. The output energy is <1 mW and is operated only by the Finalist
b. Operated only during the Display and Safety inspection and during judging
c. Labeled with a sign reading “Laser Radiation: Do Not Look into Beam”
d. Enclosed in protective housing that prevents physical and visual access to beam
e. Disconnected when not operating Note: Class II lasers are found in laser pointers and in aiming
and range-finding devices. They pose a risk if the beam is directly viewed over a long period of
time.
6.
Class III and IV lasers if for display only and not operated (See the description of Class III and
Class IV lasers in the Radiation section of the Hazardous Chemicals, Activities, or Devices, p. 27 of
The International Rules and Guidelines.
7. Any apparatus producing temperatures that will cause physical burns if adequately insulated
8. The only items that may be displayed on the front of the provided tables are the forms listed in the
section of these rules entitled “Required to be Visible and Vertically Displayed at the Intel ISEF”
4
Mission Statement
Dayton Public Schools provides a high-quality education in a safe environment that prepares our students for success in school, work and
life by providing a highly effective trained staff working each day with community resources.
ISEF CATEGORY DESCRIPTIONS
PRE SCHOOL THROUGH GRADES 12
1)
Behavioral and Social Sciences
Human and animal behavior, social and community relationships — psychology, sociology, anthropology,
archaeology, ethology, ethnology, linguistics, learning, perception, urban problems, reading problems, public opinion
surveys, educational testing, etc.
2)
Biochemistry
Chemistry of life processes — molecular biology, molecular genetics, enzymes, photosynthesis, blood chemistry,
protein chemistry, food chemistry, hormones, etc.
3)
Botany
Study of plant life — agriculture, agronomy, horticulture, forestry, plant taxonomy, plant physiology, plant pathology,
plant genetics, hydroponics, algae, etc.
4)
Chemistry
Study of nature and composition of matter and laws governing it — physical chemistry, organic chemistry (other than
biochemistry), inorganic chemistry, materials, plastics, fuels, pesticides, metallurgy, soil chemistry, etc.
5)
Computer Science
Study and development of computer software and hardware and associated logical devices.
6)
Earth and Space Sciences
Geology, mineralogy, physiography, oceanography, meteorology, climatology, astronomy, geology, speleology,
seismology, geography,
7)
Engineering
Technology projects that directly apply scientific principles to manufacturing and practical uses — civil, mechanical,
aeronautical, chemical, electrical, photographic, sound, automotive, marine, heating and refrigeration, transportation,
environmental engineering, etc.
8)
Environmental Sciences
Study of pollution (air, water, and land) sources and their control; ecology.
9)
Gerontology
Study of the aging process in living organisms.
10)
Mathematics
Development of formal logical systems or various numerical and algebraic computations, and the application of these
principles — calculus, geometry, abstract algebra, number theory, statistics, complex analysis, probability.
11)
Medicine and Health
Study of diseases and health of humans and animals — dentistry, pharmacology, pathology, ophthalmology, nutrition,
sanitation, pediatrics, dermatology, allergies, speech and hearing, etc.
12)
Microbiology
Biology of microorganisms — bacteriology, virology, protozoology, fungi, bacterial genetics, yeast, etc.
13)
Physics
Theories, principles, and laws governing energy and the effect of energy on matter — solid state, optics, acoustics,
particle, nuclear, atomic, plasma, superconductivity, fluid and gas dynamics, thermodynamics, semiconductors,
magnetism, quantum mechanics, biophysics, etc.
14)
Zoology
5
Mission Statement
Dayton Public Schools provides a high-quality education in a safe environment that prepares our students for success in school, work and
life by providing a highly effective trained staff working each day with community resources.
Study of animals — animal genetics, ornithology, ichthyology, herpetology, entomology, animal ecology,
paleontology, cellular physiology, circadian rhythms, animal husbandry, cytology, histology, animal physiology,
invertebrate neurophysiology, studies of invertebrates, etc.
6
Mission Statement
Dayton Public Schools provides a high-quality education in a safe environment that prepares our students for success in school, work and
life by providing a highly effective trained staff working each day with community resources.
THE OHIO JUNIOR ACADEMY OF SCIENCE
THE WRITTEN REPORT
1.
General Instructions: Each project must include a written report covering in detail all of the work done,
references consulted, and acknowledgements of assistance. The experimental data, statistics, notes, and
computations should be recorded in logs or record books, but only the description of the work, the results,
and the conclusions should be included in the report. This report should follow an accepted form of
technical reporting and should be carefully checked for correctness of punctuation, spelling and grammar.
Never copy a reference work unless such a quote is properly indicated, but every word of the quote must be
understood. If possible the report should contain illustrations in the form of photographs, sketches, graphs.
or charts, but only where they contribute to the effectiveness of the material presented.
2.
Format and Suggestions: The following outline is suggested for the typical written report.
3.
A.
Title Page: Center the project title, and put your name, school, and grade at the bottom right.
B.
Table of Contents: Include a page number for the beginning of each section.
C.
Abstract: The abstract should be one page in length. You are required to write a maximum 250
word summary. The abstract should include the (a) purpose of the experiment, (b) procedures
used, (c) data, and (d) conclusions. It may also include any possible research applications. The
abstract should focus on work done since the last fair.
D.
Introduction: Prepare the reader for understanding the report by writing about the following:
(1)
Description of the problem
(2)
Historical background of the problem
(3)
Scope of the study and report
E.
Technical Discussion: Use a general narrative style to describe the project in some detail,
progressing from the most important general ideas to the more detailed and specialized discussion.
The technical discussion typically consists of the following:
(1)
Method: Describe what was done to solve the problem including the basic ideas and
approach, experimental procedures and equipment, and data treatment.
(2)
Results: This section may include data (in tabular form with dates), calculated results,
charts, graphs, illustrations. and photographs.
(3)
Discussion of Results: Give an explanation of the results obtained. Wherever possible,
relate your experiment to similar material found in the literature. Discuss possible
sources of error in your experiment.
F.
Conclusions and Recommendations:
(1)
State the general conclusions which the results of the study will support.
(2)
Describe (recommend) some additional work which could be done to improve the
understanding of this problem or a related problem.
G.
Acknowledgements: Always credit those who assisted you, including individuals, businesses, and
educational or research institutions. Identify any financial support or materials donations received,
but do not put on display board.
H.
References: Your reference list should include any documentation that is not your own (i.e.,
books, journal articles).
Example: Foley, J. D. (1987). Interfaces for Advanced Computing. “Scientific
American,” 257: 127-135
Style Guide: More detailed suggestions for the written record and the oral presentation may be found in the
Technical Writing Style Guide, which may be available from your school Library.
7
Mission Statement
Dayton Public Schools provides a high-quality education in a safe environment that prepares our students for success in school,
work and life by providing a highly effective trained staff working each day with community resources.
THE OHIO JUNIOR ACADEMY OF SCIENCE
ORAL PRESENTATION
1.
General Instructions
The participant must be prepared to give a clear and concise oral presentation of his project to the judges, to
answer their questions, and to define any terms used. This oral presentation should be limited to a few (perhaps
ten) minutes. If a question is not clear, ask the judge to rephrase it. If the answer to a question is not known,
admit it. Do not attempt to recite a formal, memorized speech.
2.
Suggestions
A. Introduction
The judges will introduce themselves. Be prepared to introduce yourself, your school, your grade, and
the title of your project in a clear and positive manner.
B. Content of the Oral Presentation
Be prepared to describe your project to the judges. The content of your presentation should be based on
your introduction and the technical discussion sections of your written report. End the presentation
with a good statement of your experiment's conclusions and recommendations.
C. Style of Delivery
The way that you give your oral presentation (your "style") is important. Stand with good posture and
look the judges in the eye occasionally. Use your visual aids effectively, and speak clearly to the judges.
D. Question Period
After your description of your project, the judges will usually carry the discussion further by asking
questions and making suggestions. Be prepared to discuss your recommendations for further study. It is
not expected that you can answer all the questions, but try to keep the discussion going in a positive
way, while trying to learn from the judges.
8
Mission Statement
Dayton Public Schools provides a high-quality education in a safe environment that prepares our students for success in school, work
and life by providing a highly effective trained staff working each day with community resources.
SCIENCE PROJECT CHECKLIST

Ask a QUESTION/PROBLEM that you can investigate yourself.

Begin a JOURNAL to write down everything you do, observe, and think during your
investigation.

Do RESEARCH on the TOPIC of your question.

Form a HYPOTHESIS about what you think the answer to your question will be.

Plan a PROCEDURE to TEST your hypothesis. Decide what MATERIALS
you will need and write STEP-BY-STEP DIRECTIONS for what you will do and explaining
how you will do it. Make sure you follow the rules for SCIENCE SAFETY and WORKING
WITH ANIMALS.

Construct a CHART to help you COLLECT and ORGANIZE your DATA.

Fill out your SCIENCE PROJECT PROPOSAL and sign it. Then, have your teacher and your
parents sign it too. Do this before you actually do the steps of your procedure.

Follow the step-by-step directions of your procedure and RECORD your data onto your chart.

Summarize the RESULTS of your testing in a WRITTEN SUMMARY.

Make a GRAPH of the results, so others can see at a glance what you've learned.

Write a CONCLUSION statement which either restates your hypothesis (if it is supported) or
revises it (if it is not supported).

Write a SCIENCE PROJECT REPORT that summarizes your investigation.

Be prepared to give an ORAL PRESENTATION.

Construct your SCIENCE PROJECT DISPLAY.

Your teacher will complete a SCIENCE PROJECT EVALUATION.
9
Mission Statement
Dayton Public Schools provides a high-quality education in a safe environment that prepares our students for success in school, work
and life by providing a highly effective trained staff working each day with community resources.
Suggested Display Board Headers:
PROBLEM
HYPOTHESIS
PURPOSE
PROCEDURE
MATERIALS
METHODS
DISCUSSION
10
Mission Statement
Dayton Public Schools provides a high-quality education in a safe environment that prepares our students for success in school, work and life by
providing a highly effective trained staff working each day with community resources.
DATA
RESULTS
ABSTRACT
CONCLUSION
NEXT STEPS
11
Mission Statement
Dayton Public Schools provides a high-quality education in a safe environment that prepares our students for success in school, work and life by
providing a highly effective trained staff working each day with community resources.
PROJECT DISPLAY
A typical display should have the following elements:
 Title
 Abstract
 Background information including objective, problem and hypothesis
 Experimental Design (Method and Materials)
 Results including tables and graphs of data
 Discussion/Conclusion(s)
 Technical Report
 Logbook, research plan and protocols/forms
 Photographs of equipment, samples or other items from your
experiment (Display only photographs or drawings, not the actual
equipment or samples)
12
Mission Statement
Dayton Public Schools provides a high-quality education in a safe environment that prepares our students for success in school,
work and life by providing a highly effective trained staff working each day with community resources.
Items Allowed at Project with the Restrictions Indicated (District, Regional and State fairs)
1. Posters should display:
a. An abstract, data tables, diagrams, charts, photographs and graphs that summarize
results.
2. Research notebooks, research reports, research plans and documentation of research protocols
are expected and may be in notebooks or folders on the table for use by science day officials
and judges.
3. Information such as postal, web and e-mail addresses, telephone and fax numbers is allowed
only for the exhibitor.
4. The only photographs or visual depictions of identifiable or recognizable people allowed are
photographs of the exhibitor, photographs taken by the exhibitor (with permission of
individuals received), or photographs for which credit is displayed (such as from magazines,
newspapers, journals, etc.).
5. Battery-powered computers may be used only for simulation, modeling, animation or data
display integral and essential to the project results and not for general PowerPoint™
presentations.
13
Mission Statement
Dayton Public Schools provides a high-quality education in a safe environment that prepares our students for success in school,
work and life by providing a highly effective trained staff working each day with community resources.
MY ORAL PRESENTATION
Use the following outline as a guide:
My name is_________________________________________
I am in the
grade at
The title of my project is
I became interested in doing this project when
The QUESTION I asked was
The HYPOTHESIS I formed was
The PROCEDURE I used to test my hypothesis was to
(Use as few words as possible.)
I repeated this procedure
times to make certain that my results were valid.
The RESULTS were
The results showed that my hypothesis was
(supported or not supported)
The CONCLUSION I reached was
(if your hypothesis was supported, restate your hypothesis. If your hypothesis was not supported, state your revised hypothesis.)
If I were to do this investigation again, I would
(Write in something you might change, or do differently.)
14
Mission Statement
Dayton Public Schools provides a high-quality education in a safe environment that prepares our students for success in school,
work and life by providing a highly effective trained staff working each day with community resources.
SAMPLE ABSTRACTS
ASPIRIN: THE WONDER DRUG
Nose, Mayumi
153 Fujita Road, San Vitores Tumon, Guam 96911
Academy of Our Lady of Guam, Agana, GU 96910
Many brand name aspirins are advertised on television to lure consumers into buying certain tablets. We
buy various products such as Bufferin, Anacin, Exedrin. Alka Seltzer, Ecotrin, Dristan, Bayer, and Springfield. All
these brand names claim that they contain a special ingredient that works better than the others. This experiment
will test to see whether these brand names with outrageous prices are superior to the generic brands which are sold
at a more reasonable cost. Additionally, this project is designed to explain the synthesis, decomposition, and the rate
of disintegration of aspirin. However, this study will help educate the consumers to discern what the best is for
them.
LUMBRICUS TERRESTRIS: A STATISTICAL ANALYSIS OF DRUG REACTION
Kellum, Kerrolyn Kelly
P.O. Box 556, University, MS 38677
Lafayette High School, Oxford, MS 38655
The purpose of this project is to determine the effects of various concentrations of a stimulant and a
depressant on the behavior of earthworms. The hypothesis states that there is no difference in the pre-treatment and
post-treatment of the stimulant (Quick Charge) and the depressant (Calm & Easy). The "+" values were determined
for the .01g/ml, the .001g/ml, .001g/ml application of the stimulant and depressant. Results indicated that there were
statistically significant difference at the .01g/ml and .001g/ml stimulant concentration level and the .01g/ml
depressant concentration level. Results indicate this project warrants further research for possible test of drug
reactions. The conclusion is that there is a significant difference in the pre-treatment and the post-treatment.
A NEW ROLE FOR HDL AS A SOURCE OF CHOLESTEROL FOR GROWING CELLS
Thompson, Mark, Benj.
7413 Strathmore Drive, New Orleans, LA 70128 (504) 241-7168
Franklin Sr. High Sch., New Orlenas, LA 70119
In this experiment, HDL was tested to determine if it could provide cholesterol to a cell-line dependent on
exogenous cholesterol. LDL had already been shown to promote cell growth, but the role of HDL in cell growth
was unclear. Several sets of cell suspensions were cultured in media containing HDL, LDL, cholesterol,
phosphaticly1chollne, linoleic acid or fetal calf serum. The number of cells grown in the cultures were counted daily
and recorded.
In terms of the total number of cells in the cell counts, fetal calk serum made the cells grow the best. The
growth seen in the LDL cultures was several times smaller. The HDL culture cell counts were smaller than those of
LDL. However, when comparing growth by percentage of change from the ratings on Day 1, HDL grew better than
LDL. cholesterol, phosphatidylcholine and linoleic acid. this evidence suggests that HDL does provide cholesterol
for cellular growth
15
Mission Statement
Dayton Public Schools provides a high-quality education in a safe environment that prepares our students for success in school,
work and life by providing a highly effective trained staff working each day with community resources.
SCIENCE PROJECT COMPLETION SCHEDULE
(Student’s Name)for
Keep this schedule in a place where it is easily seen.
ASSIGNMENT
DATE DUE
DATE COMPLETED
Question
Hypothesis
Project Proposal
Journal
Report
Project display
Oral Presentation
Evaluation
16
Mission Statement
Dayton Public Schools provides a high-quality education in a safe environment that prepares our students for success in school,
work and life by providing a highly effective trained staff working each day with community resources.
NOTES
17
Mission Statement
Dayton Public Schools provides a high-quality education in a safe environment that prepares our students for success in school,
work and life by providing a highly effective trained staff working each day with community resources.