going over this handbook with your young scientist acting as a guide to find an appropriate project 
providing technical assistance
helping provide materials without spending too much money
helping your child stay organized 
providing lots of encouragement.

A science fair project is a report on an investigation of the natural world. We are all curious about how scientists get their facts. Science fairs provide insights into how scientists got their facts.

When science fair students are curious about something they follow these steps:
(1) The science fair student asks questions.
(2) The student searches books or asks experts for information.
(3) Sometimes a model (theory) of the natural world is presented. From this model a statement can be made about a part of the model.
(4) It is now up to the student to make a statement, HYPOTHESIS, which can be tested by an experiment. The statement should be written in such a way that a yes or no answer results.
(5) The science fair student gathers and assembles the materials for the experiment.
(6) The scientists keep careful track of the data in their notebook, as the experiment is performed.
(7) The scientist uses the data to come to a conclusion about the hypothesis. Does the experiment confirm or refute the hypothesis? Was the experiment done correctly? Should the experiment be repeated in a different way?
(8) The science fair student prepares the presentation display board. The best displays use photos, notebooks, graphs, charts, and are well organized.
(9)The science fair student realizes it is more important that the SCIENTIFIC PROCESS was correctly followed RATHER than whether the HYPOTHESIS was proven right or wrong.

Keep it simple
Enthusiastic young scientists often try to do something which is beyond their ability. A simple experiment might be to use a demonstration "experiment" from a kit as the control. The student may then change one of the variables (ingredient, or condition) and predict what will happen and why. Change only one variable at a time, or you won't know what caused the effect.
 

Do all liquids freeze at the same temperature?

Does temperature affect plant growth?

Do soil types affect the development of plants?

What type of material makes the best insulation?

Do magnetic fields attract iron through solid materials?

Can any metal be used to make a fruit battery?

What kind of foods do hamsters prefer?

Do left-handed people have bigger left hands?

Do right-handed people have bigger left feet?

Do the new anti-bacterial soaps work better than the regular soaps?

Do high viscosity lubricants work better than low viscosity ones?

is bottled water germ free?

Does light refract the same way through all clear liquids?

Are all screws and nails of equal hardness?

Can I detect magnetic fields at a distance?

Do all pine tree needles have the same shape?

Are all types of nylon rope equally strong?
 

PRESENTATION

Rate how clearly the student understands the project.	1	2	3	4	5
Rate the creativity/uniqueness of the project.	1	2	3	4	5
Rate the neatness of the display/ presentation.	1	2	3	4	5

 

Students doing experiments with, or on live vertebrate animals will need a signed statement by a teacher or veterinarian indicating that the animals have been treated in a humane manner.  This statement must accompany the project.

No live animals, preserved vertebrate animals or parts including embryos, may be exhibited. Research involving the use of animals may display photographs, drawings, charts, or graphs to illustrate the methods and results of the investigations

Safety
Anything which could be hazardous to the public is prohibited in the
display.

This includes, but is not limited to:

*microbial (bacteria, viruses) cultures and fungi, live or dead 
*any flames open or concealed
*highly flammable materials
*dangerous chemicals including caustics and acids 
*operation of Class III or IV lasers

*any exhibit producing temperatures above 100 C (212 F) must be adequately insulated from its surroundings 
*batteries with open top cells are not permitted; other types
may be used
*high voltage equipment (above l2 volts DC), large vacuum tubes, or dangerous ray-generating devices must be properly shielded.

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                                     Continue on the back of this paper if you run out of space.