Science Project Elements

Your project should include the following elements: Purpose, problem,

hypothesis, research, materials, procedure, data/results, conclusion, and
variables/constants.

Purpose: Why did you do your project? What was the point of your project?
Explain why this project is important to you.

Problem: What specifically are you trying to discover by doing your project?
(You should state your problem in the form of a question.)

Hypothesis: This is what you thought would happen with your project before you
did any experimentation. Your hypothesis is a guess based on what you already
know.

Research: When you do research on your project or use information from a

source other than your experiments, write down where your information came
from and what you learned from your research.

Materials: This is a listing of all materials you used in your project during the
experimentation phase. Make sure you include quantities/amounts. (Do not
include materials used to create your project display)

Procedure: This is a step-by-step break down of how you did your experiments.
Example: First I…….. Next I…….. Or you can number the steps.

Data/Results: This is what you discovered as you were doing your experiments.
Often times this is displayed in a chart, table or graph form. Report the results
exactly the way you recorded them.

Conclusion: This is where you tell what you learned from your experimentation
and whether or not your hypothesis was correct (right) or incorrect (wrong). If it
was correct tell why. Use evidence and facts to back up your statements. If your
hypothesis was incorrect state why, and again use evidence to back it up.

Variables: This is something that you do, that you expect will affect the result of
your experiment.

Constants: These are the conditions that stayed the same for each part of the
experiment.

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 Making It Look Great
The Science Fair display represents all the work that you have done. It should
consist of a backboard and anything that represents your project, such as models made,
items studied, photographs, surveys, and the like. Here are a few helpful hints
to keep in mind as you create your display:

!Exhibits will be confined to table space measuring 24” front to back, 48” side to side,
and 72” tall. Remember to review the list of prohibited items.
!A three-sided backboard is usually the best way to display your work.
!Your science fair project must have a title. Make it simple and catchy. Examples:
“Gummy in my Tummy”, “Wild Wake-Ups”, “Wet Strength,” and “Are You Heart Smart?”
!Each component of your science fair project (purpose, hypothesis, experimentation, etc.)
must be clearly labeled. Type the words, if possible, or use a stencil to write them neatly.
!Make the project title stand out by using larger letters for it and smaller letters for the
component headings.
!The title and other headings should be neat and large enough to be read at a distance
of about 3 feet.
!Limit the number of colors used. It is best to use one or two colors on your display.
!By using construction paper to mount your written sections of the project, you draw
interest to your display.
!Display photos, charts, and models representing the experiment and results.
!Use rubber cement if possible. Unlike glue, you will be to able reposition items if necessary.
White school glue also tends to wrinkle paper.
!You want a display that the judges will remember positively. So before you glue everything
down, lay the board on a flat surface and arrange the materials a few different ways.
Pick your favorite and rubber cement away!

One Great Way to Display Your Project:

Title of Project
Purpose: Results:
- photos
Experimentation: - graphs
Hypothesis: - Materials
- charts
- Procedure
(Also include
Conclus
Research: drawings or ion :
pictures)

Jo u
rna
l

5
 Writing Your Report
By now you have completed your experiment. Now you must organize the information and results into
a report. Your report must be in a folder or binder. It can be typed or neatly written. The report should
include:

Cover Title Page Include the title of your project, your name, school,
and your grade.

Next Table of Contents List the sections of your report.

Page 1 Purpose: Use the purpose question on which you based your
experiment. It should be brief - three sentences or less.

Page 2 Research: Include background information about topics which are

related to your experiment. You should discuss topics
which will help the reader to better understand your
purpose, hypothesis, and conclusion. You may refer to
your experiment’s purpose and hypothesis.

Page 3 Materials: List the materials used.

Constants: List the constants of the experiment.
Variables: List the variables of the experiment.
Procedure: Explain step-by-step what you did in your experiment.

Page 4 Results: This section is organized into graphs, charts, tables,

or day-to-day logs.

Page 5 Conclusion: Write down what you think your data proves. Was your
hypothesis correct? Give recommendations and
suggestions for others who may want to experiment
with your topic.

Page 6 Works Cited: Follow the Works Cited guidelines on page 7.

YOU MUST HAVE AT LEAST 2 REFERENCES!

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 Works Cited Page
Your project will need to include a Works Cited page. A Works Cited page is a list of the sources you
consulted to help you with the project. You will need to follow the MLA Handbook of Style to cite your
sources. Below are the methods to use for books and websites:

Books:

Last name of author, first name. Title. Place of Publication: Publisher, Year of
Publication.

(Example:)

Fisher, Doug. Science Experiments using Electricity. New York: Scholastic Press,
2000.

Websites:

Website Title. Date website was created. Sponsor of website. Date website was accessed by
student. Website URL address.

(Example:)

Abraham Lincoln. 29 April 2003. The White House. 24 January 2008.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/all6.html.

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To help you with your Works Cited page, you may go to the following website:
http://www.easybib.com/

Once there, this website will ask you to select a source (i.e. website, book, magazine), then
select its format (how did you find it?). After you select one of these, push next to begin filling
in the information about the material you used. Most of the information will be found on the title
page or on the back of the title page if you used a book. If you are citing a website, the
information should be on the home page of the site.