a resource for teachers, students and parents Provided by the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control’s Office of Solid Waste Reduction and Recycling 1-800-768-7348 n www.scdhec.gov/recycle a resource for teachers, students and parents Science Fair Project Guidebook Page 1 Contents ... Introduction ........................................................... 3 The Experiments: Part 3 ..................................... 19 What is a Science Fair Project? .................................. 4 AIR QUALITY Getting Started ........................................................ 5 Project #1: Don’t Take a Lichen for Air Pollution ......................................... 19 Bringing It All Together ............................................. 6 Project #2: Stick ’Em Up ......................................... 22 Other Helpful Hints ................................................... 6 ENERGY EFFICIENCY The Experiments: Part 1 ....................................... 7 Project #3: Comparing Light Bulbs ......................... 24 HOT WATER Project #4: Energy for Life ...................................... 24 Project #1: Should you shower or take a bath? .......................................................... 7 Project #5: A Salty Sea ............................................ 25 Project #2: A little drip means a OCEAN AND COASTAL RESOURCES big energy waste. ..................................................... 7 Project #3: How does insulation work? .................... 9 Project #6: Soap Box Opera .................................... 26 APPLIANCES AND LIGHTING WASTE REDUCTION AND RECYCLING Project #4: Does Your Project #7: Natural or Man-made Fibers ................. 27 Clothes Dryer Waste Energy? .................................. 10 Project #8: Test Your Strength ................................. 27 Project #5: Checklist for Energy-efficient Lighting ................................... 11 WATER The Experiments: Part 2 ..................................... 12 Project #9: The Water Table .................................... 28 EXPLORING THERMAL ENERGY Project #10: Taking the Swamp Out of Swamp Water ..................................................... 30 Project #1: Endothermic Reactions ......................... 12 More Resources Project #2: Exothermic Reactions ............................ 13 ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM Ideas for More Projects ........................................... 31 Project #3: The Potato Clock .................................. 15 Glossary .................................................................. 32 Project #4: Magnets .............................................. 17 Helpful Web Sites .................................................... 32 Acknowledgements Thank you to Joyce Brown, E.L. Wright Middle School and Linda Mobley, Richland Northeast High School for their review and recommendations on this guidebook. Page 2 Science Fair Project Guidebook Introduction ... It seems that nothing strikes fear in the hearts of The first key to a successful science fair project is students and parents like these three words: science picking a topic that interests you. The reason is fair project. simple: you will be motivated to do a better job on the project and will have fun doing it. And remember, But it doesn’t have to be that way. A science fair a good science fair project doesn’t have to be project is an opportunity to research and learn about complicated. It is important that you understand your things that interest you. And through your studies project and that you have explored the scientific and you will learn how science is basic to everything technical issues related to your project. around us. The second key is careful planning. After discussing You will benefit beyond your improved science your project with your teacher and getting approval knowledge. Science fair projects teach you for your idea, allow yourself plenty of time for problem-solving skills, improve your written and oral research, experiments, observation and analysis. In communication skills and give you the satisfaction of other words, don’t wait until the last minute. Projects completing a well-done project. take time. The ideas for projects are endless; you are limited Ask questions about your project, but do the work only by your imagination. For example, does dirty yourself. If you do the work yourself, you will get a dish water affect the growth of plants? Or much better understanding of why things do and do how does acid rain affect plant not work as expected. growth? Which diapers are the most absorbent? Finally, don’t get upset if your What is the pH of experiments prove your hypothesis various shampoos? incorrect. Throughout history, Do different brands some of the most important of gasoline make a experiments were those that difference in gas didn’t prove the original mileage? hypothesis. On the following pages are basic ingredients for a science fair project and tips for a great display as well as suggestions for making a great presentation. Best of all, there are 19 science fair projects complete with easy-to-understand instructions. In addition, there are different subjects, including air, energy, water and recycling. By performing one of the science projects in this guidebook, you will gain a better understanding of science, and who knows, maybe you’ll find a new way to protect the environment. Be careful doing your project. Give yourself plenty of time. Don’t be afraid of making mistakes. Enjoy your work and have fun. But most of all – learn. Good luck. Science Fair Project Guidebook Page 3 What is a Science Fair Project? A science fair project is an investigation of a Project Experimentation question that involves research, planning and application of the scientific method to find the PROJECT EXPERIMENTATION means testing your answer. hypothesis. This includes more research, designing and planning for experimentation and testing. The Scientific Method Test your hypothesis carefully by experimenting. Record everything you do. Make observations The SCIENTIFIC METHOD is a tool that scientists and record the results. Make charts and use to find answers to questions. The tool graphs or take pictures so others can involves the following steps: understand what you have done. n doing research; Variables n identifying a problem; Things that can affect your experiment n stating a hypothesis; are called VARIABLES. The INDEPENDENT VARIABLE is the variable you purposely n conducting project change. The DEPENDENT VARIABLE is the experimentation; and variable you are observing that changes n reaching a conclusion. in response to the independent variable. The variables that are not Research changed are called CONTROLLED VARIABLES. Your RESEARCH begins when you select your project topic. Once you Conclusion have chosen it, begin your project research. The CONCLUSION is a summary of what you have learned. Analyze your data and decide if your HERE’S A TIP: Choose a catchy title. Make it specific. hypothesis was correct. Is more work needed? What Usually, it’s best for the title to be a question or else would you do to work on this problem? something like this: n The Effects of... Tips on How to Choose n The Study of... a Science Fair Project n An Investigation of... n List your favorite activities and subjects. n A Comparative Study of... Now select a project from one of those n The Observation of... areas. n What are some of the materials you could Problem use with your experiment? Are the materials available at your home? You may want to The PROBLEM is the question to be answered. select materials that are inexpensive and easy to find. Hypothesis n Your school library and local public library are good places to go for more information The HYPOTHESIS is simply your best guess as to what will happen. to complete your science fair project. Page 4 Science Fair Project Guidebook Getting Started ... Choose a topic. Decide on a procedure. Again, don’t wait until the last minute to start What do you need to do to find the answer? What your project. Choose a topic that is interesting to steps do you need to take? What materials will you you. If you need an idea, begin by looking through need? What background information will you need? newspapers and magazines, visiting the library, Gather information about your topic. Record all of watching the news and educational shows and your information and sources in a logbook. exploring the Internet. Ask your parents, teachers and friends. Visit a museum or zoo. Make sure the topic Experiment. you choose is one you can do by yourself. Can you Test your hypothesis carefully by experimenting. get all the necessary equipment and supplies? Make observations and record the results. Draw pictures and make graphs so that another person can State the purpose. understand what you have done. What do you want to discover? Draw conclusions. Make a hypothesis. Analyze your data and decide if your hypothesis was correct. Is more work needed? What else would you What do you think will happen based on your do to work on this problem? Give a one sentence knowledge? conclusion to your experiment. Tips for Building a Great Display You have worked hard on your (computer-generated or n a conclusion. project so it is important to adhesive lettering); Your logbook should contain display it well. n colored construction paper the following: The keys to a good display are behind your neatly typed simplicity, neatness and clarity. pages of explanation to n a title page; Do not attempt something set