BHE STEM Fair Guidelines March 17, 2017

Step 1: Think of an Idea/Topic. What are you interested in? Taking an interest in your project
is the first step to conducting an excellent one. List all of the ideas that interest you and then
pick one that youd like to learn more about. Ask questions about your topic. For example, what
would happen if I grew a plant in water instead of soil? Would it work? How would the results
be different? Inquire and be a scientist! If you still are not sure of a topic, look through science
fair books and use the internet to find some topics that appeal to you.
Step 2: Get Your Topic Approved. Complete the Science Fair Proposal Sheet. Turn it in to
Mrs. Bowen.
Step 3: Gather background information. Gather information about your topic from books,
magazines, the internet, people and companies. Keep notes about where you got your
information.
Step 4: Use the Scientific Method. Your project must follow the scientific method.
Problem - What are you trying to find out?
Select a variable - Something you will change/vary that will help you find your answer.
Hypothesis Your guess about how the experiment will work.
Most of the time a hypothesis is written like this: "If _____[I do this] _____, then
_____[this]_____ will happen."
Example Hypotheses
"Raising the temperature of a cup of water [temperature is the independent variable] will increase the
amount of sugar that dissolves [the amount of sugar is the dependent variable]."

"If a plant receives fertilizer [having fertilizer is the independent variable], then it will grow to be bigger
than a plant that does not receive fertilizer [plant size is the dependent variable]."

"If I put fenders on a bicycle [having fenders is the independent variable], then they will keep the rider
dry when riding through puddles [the dependent variable is how much water splashes on the rider]."

Note: When you write your own hypothesis you can leave out the part in the above examples that is in
brackets [ ].

Experiment Procedures and MaterialsResults- How will you report the results of the experiment?
Step 6: Run a controlled experiment and record data. Do the experiment. Keep notes in a
composition book or notebook. These notes should be part of your final display. Write
down everything you can think of, you might need it later.
Step 7: Make graphs and charts. What happened? Put the results in graphs and charts.
Step 8: Construct an exhibit or display- Please use a project board or poster board. The
display must stand on its own. It has to be neat, but it does NOT have to be typed. Make it fun,
but be sure people can understand what you did. Show that you used the Scientific Method.
Step 9: Practice presentation. Practice explaining your project to someone. This will help you
be calm on Science Fair Day.

The science fair will be on Friday, March 17th. Bring your project ready to present. Projects
will be set up in the gym between 8:15 and 8:45. Judges will begin judging at 9:00. If the project
is not set up before judging begins it cannot be judged. Projects need to go home at the end of
the day. Parents will be able to view the displays from 2:00-2:45. A recognition ceremony will
take place at 2:45.
The top three projects will be sent to the district Science Fair. If your project is selected, you will
get a permission slip to attend the District fair.

The Display
The following headings are acceptable:

Problem
Hypothesis
Experiment (materials and procedure)
Data
Results
Conclusion
Next Time
Remember to bring your notebook or journal to
include with your display
Example of a Display

Your science fair display represents all the work that you have done. It should consist of a
backboard, the project report, and anything that represents your project, such as models made,
items studied, photographs, surveys, and any other information that is related to your experiment.
It must tell the story of the project in such a way that it attracts and holds the interest of the viewer.
It has to be thorough, but not too crowded, so keep it simple.
A three-sided backboard is one of the best ways to display your work. Sturdy cardboard or other
heavy material is easier to work with and is less likely to be damaged during transportation to the
expo. Wooden panels can be cut and hinged together. Some office supply stores sell inexpensive
pre-made backboards. Purchased backboards generally come in two colors, black and white. You
can use a different color by covering the backboard with self-stick, colored shelving paper or cloth.
For items placed on the backboard, select colors that stand out but don't distract the viewer from
the material being presented. For example, if everything is in fluorescent colors, the bright colors,
instead of your work, will be what catches the eye.
The title and other headings should be neat and large enough to be read at a distance of about
3 feet (1 m). A short title is often eye-catching. You can purchase, at office supply stores, selfsticking letters of various sizes and colors for the title and headings and stick them to the
backboard. You can cut your own letters out of construction paper or stencil the letters for all the
headings directly onto the backboard. You can also use a word processor to print the title and
other headings. The project title should go at the top of the center panel, and the remaining
material needs to be placed neatly in some order. The diagram shows one way of placing the
material. The heading "Next Time," though not always required, may be included if desired. It
would follow the conclusion and contain a brief description of plans for future development of the
project. You could include this information in the conclusion rather than under a separate heading.