examples of hypothesis science fair

Learn STEM by Doing (and having fun)!

The Ultimate Science Fair Project Guide – From Start to Finish

When our daughter entered her first science fair, we kept seeing references to the Internet Public Library Science Fair Project Resource Guide .  However, the IPL2 permanently closed… taking the guide with it.  Bummer !  After now participating in over a half-dozen elementary school science fairs (including a first-place finish!), we created our own guide to help other students go from start to finish in their next science fair project.  If this is your first science fair, have fun!  If you’ve done it before, we hope this is your best one!  Let’s science!

*Images from Unsplash

How to Use the STEMium Science Fair Project Ultimate Guide?

If you are just starting off and this is your first science fair, here’s how to get started:

• Start with the STEMium Science Fair Project Roadmap . This is an infographic that “maps” out the process from start to finish and shows all the steps in a visual format.
• Getting Started – Why Do a Science Fair Project . Besides walking through some reasons to do a project, we also share links to examples of national science fair competitions, what’s involved and examples of winning science fair experiments .  *Note: this is where you’ll get excited!!
• The Scientific Method – What is It and What’s Involved . One of the great things about a science fair project is that it introduces students to an essential process/concept known as the scientific method.  This is simply the way in which we develop a hypothesis to test.
• Start the Process – Find an Idea . You now have a general idea of what to expect at the science fair, examples of winning ideas, and know about the scientific method.  You’re ready to get started on your own project.  How do you come up with an idea for a science fair project?  We have resources on how to use a Google tool , as well as some other strategies for finding an idea.
• Experiment and Build the Project . Time to roll up those sleeves and put on your lab coat.
• Other Resources for the Fair. Along the way, you will likely encounter challenges or get stuck.  Don’t give up – it’s all part of the scientific process.  Check out our STEMium Resources page for more links and resources from the web.  We also have additional experiments like the germiest spot in school , or the alka-seltzer rocket project that our own kids used.

Getting Started – Why Do a Science Fair Project

For many students, participating in the science fair might be a choice that was made FOR you.  In other words, something you must do as part of a class.  Maybe your parents are making you do it.  For others, maybe it sounded like a cool idea.  Something fun to try.  Whatever your motivation, there are a lot of great reasons to do a science fair project.

• Challenge yourself
• Learn more about science
• Explore cool technology
• Make something to help the world! (seriously!)
• Win prizes (and sometimes even money)
• Do something you can be proud of!

Many students will participate in a science fair at their school.  But there are also national competitions that include 1000s of participants.  There are also engineering fairs, maker events, and hackathons.  It’s an exciting time to be a scientist!!  The list below gives examples of national events.

• Regeneron Science Talent Search
• Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair
• Google Science Fair
• Conrad Challenge
• Microsoft Imagine Cup
• JSHS Program
• Exploravision

What’s the Scientific Method?

Before we jump into your project, it’s important to introduce a key concept:  The Scientific Method .  The scientific method is the framework scientists use to answer their questions and test their hypothesis.  The figure below illustrates the steps you’ll take to get to the end, but it starts with asking a question (you’ve already finished the first step!).

After we find a problem/idea to tackle, and dig into some background research, we create a guess on a potential solution.  This is known as our hypothesis.

Example of a Hypothesis

My brother can hold his breath underwater longer than I can (“our problem”) –> how can I hold my breath longer? (“our question”) –>  if I drink soda with caffeine before I hold my breath, I will be able to stay underwater longer (“our solution”).  Our hypothesis is that using caffeine before we go underwater will increase the time we hold our breath.  We’re not sure if that is a correct solution or not at this stage – just taking a guess.

Once we have a hypothesis, we design an experiment to TEST our hypothesis.  First, we will change variables/conditions one at a time while keeping everything else the same, so we can compare the outcomes.

Experimental Design Example

Using our underwater example, maybe we will test different drinks and count how long I can hold my breath.  Maybe we can also see if someone else can serve as a “control” – someone who holds their breath but does not drink caffeine.  For the underwater experiment, we can time in seconds how long I hold my breath before I have a drink and then time it again after I have my caffeine drink.  I can also time how long I stay underwater when I have a drink without caffeine.

Then, once we finish with our experiment, we analyze our data and develop a conclusion.

• How many seconds did I stay underwater in the different situations? 
• Which outcome is greater?  Did caffeine help me hold my breath longer? 

Finally, (and most important), we present our findings. Imagine putting together a poster board with a chart showing the number of seconds I stayed underwater in the different conditions.

Hopefully you have a better sense of the scientific method.  If you are completing a science fair project, sticking with these steps is super important.  Just in case there is any lingering confusion, here are some resources for learning more about the scientific method:

• Science Buddies – Steps of the Scientific Method
• Ducksters – Learn About the Scientific Method
• Biology4kids – Scientific Method
• National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences – Scientific Method

What Science Fair Project Should I Do?

And science is no different.

Just know that if you can get through the idea part, the rest of the science fair is relatively smooth sailing.  Remember to keep an open mind and a positive outlook .  Each year 100s of 1000s of kids, teenagers and college students come up with new projects and ideas to test.  You’ve got this!

What Makes a Great Science Fair Project?  Start with a Problem To Solve

As we discuss below, good science experiments attempt to answer a QUESTION.  Why is the sky blue?  Why does my dog bark at her reflection?  First, we will step through some ways to find TESTABLE QUESTIONS.  These questions that you create will be what you work on for your science fair project.  Pick something fun, something interesting and something that you are excited about.  Not sure what that looks like?  Step through some of the tips below for help.

Use the Google Science Fair Idea Generator

Are you surprised Google made a tool for science fair projects??  Our post called the low-stress way to find a science fair project gives a more in-depth overview about how to use it.  It’s a great first stop if you’re early in the brainstorming process.

Answer your own questions

• What type of music makes you run faster?
• Can boys hold their breath underwater longer than girls?
• How can I be sure the sandwich I bought is gluten free?
• If we plant 100 trees in our neighborhood, will the air be cleaner?

Still stuck? Get inspiration from other science fair projects

Check out the Getting Started section and look at some of the winning science project ideas, our STEMium experiments and our Resource page.  We’ve presented a ton of potential idea starters for you – take time to run through some of these, but our suggestion is to give yourself a deadline to pick an idea .  Going through the lists could take you longer than you think, and in many cases sometimes it’s just better to pick something and go for it!  The next section will take you through how to create testable questions for your project.

Starting Your Project: Find A Testable Question

The best experiments start with a question.  Taking that a step further, the questions you useyou’re your science fair project should be ones that are TESTABLE.  That means something you can measure.  Let’s look at an example.  Let’s say I’m super excited about baking.  OH YEA!!  I love baking.  Specifically, baking cakes.  In fact, I love baking cakes so much that I want to do a science project related to cakes.  We’ve got two questions on cakes that we created.  Which question below could be most useful for a science fair project:

1)  Can eating cake before a test improve your score?

2)  Why isn’t carrot cake more popular than chocolate cake?

The second question isn’t necessarily a bad question to pick.  You could survey people and perhaps tackle the question that way.  However, chances are you will get a lot of different answers and it will probably take a lot of surveys to start to pick up a trend.

Although, the first question might be a little easier.  How would you test this?   Maybe you pick one type of cake and one test that you give people.  If you can get five people to take the test after eating cake and five people take the test with no cake, you can compare the test results.  There might be other variables beyond cake that you could test (example: age, sex, education).  But you can see that the first question is probably a little easier to test.  The first question is also a little easier to come up with a hypothesis.

At this point, you’ve got an idea.  That was the hard part!  Now it’s time to think a little more about that idea and focus it into a scientific question that is testable and that you can create a hypothesis around .

What makes a question “testable”?

Testable questions are ones that can be measured and should focus on what you will change.  In our first cake question, we would be changing whether or not people eat cake before a test.  If we are giving them all the same test and in the same conditions, you could compare how they do on the test with and without cake.  As you are creating your testable question, think about what you WILL CHANGE (cake) and what you are expecting to be different (test scores).  Cause and effect.  Check out this reference on testable questions for more details.

Outline Your Science Project – What Steps Should I Take?

Do Background Research / Create Hypothesis

Science experiments typically start with a question (example: Which cleaning solution eliminates more germs?).  The questions might come up because of a problem.  For example, maybe you’re an engineer and you are trying to design a new line of cars that can drive at least 50 mph faster.  Your problem is that the car isn’t fast enough.  After looking at what other people have tried to do to get the car to go faster, and thinking about what you can change, you try to find a solution or an answer.  When we talk about the scientific method, the proposed answer is referred to as the HYPOTHESIS.

• Science Buddies
• National Geographic

The information you gather to answer these research questions can be used in your report or in your board.  This will go in the BACKGROUND section.  For resources that you find useful, make sure you note the web address where you found it, and save in a Google Doc for later.

Additional Research Tips

For your own science fair project, there will likely be rules that will already be set by the judges/teachers/school.  Make sure you get familiar with the rules FOR YOUR FAIR and what needs to be completed to participate .  Typically, you will have to do some research into your project, you’ll complete experiments, analyze data, make conclusions and then present the work in a written report and on a poster board.  Make a checklist of all these “to do” items.  Key things to address:

• Question being answered – this is your testable question
• Hypothesis – what did you come up with and why
• Experimental design – how are you going to test your hypothesis
• Conclusions – why did you reach these and what are some alternative explanations
• What would you do next? Answering a testable question usually leads to asking more questions and judges will be interested in how you think about next steps.

Need more help?  Check out these additional resources on how to tackle a science fair project:

• Developing a Science Fair Project – Wiley
• Successful Science Fair Projects – Washington University
• Science Fair Planning Guide – Chattahoochee Elementary

Experiment – Time to Test That Hypothesis

Way to go!  You’ve found a problem and identified a testable question.  You’ve done background research and even created a hypothesis.  It’s time to put it all together now and start designing your experiment.  Two experiments we have outlined in detail – germiest spot in school and alka-seltzer rockets – help show how to set up experiments to test variable changes.

The folks at ThoughtCo have a great overview on the different types of variables – independent, dependent and controls.  You need to identify which ones are relevant to your own experiment and then test to see how changes in the independent variable impacts the dependent variable .  Sounds hard?  Nope.  Let’s look at an example.  Let’s say our hypothesis is that cold weather will let you flip a coin with more heads than tails.  The independent variable is the temperature.  The dependent variable is the number of heads or tails that show up.  Our experiment could involve flipping a coin fifty times in different temperatures (outside, in a sauna, in room temperature) and seeing how many heads/tails we get.

One other important point – write down all the steps you take and the materials you use!!  This will be in your final report and project board.  Example – for our coin flipping experiment, we will have a coin (or more than one), a thermometer to keep track of the temperature in our environment.  Take pictures of the flipping too!

Analyze Results – Make Conclusions

Analyzing means adding up our results and putting them into pretty pictures.  Use charts and graphs whenever you can.  In our last coin flipping example, you’d want to include bar charts of the number of heads and tails at different temperatures.  If you’re doing some other type of experiment, take pictures during the different steps to document everything.

This is the fun part….  Now we get to see if we answered our question!  Did the weather affect the coin flipping?  Did eating cake help us do better on our test??  So exciting!  Look through what the data tells you and try to answer your question.  Your hypothesis may / may not be correct.  It’s not important either way – the most important part is what you learned and the process.  Check out these references for more help:

• How to make a chart or graph in Google Sheets
• How to make a chart in Excel

Presentation Time – Set Up Your Board, Practice Your Talk

Personally, the presentation is my favorite part!  First, you get to show off all your hard work and look back at everything you did!  Additionally, science fair rules should outline the specific sections that need to be in the report, and in the poster board – so, be like Emmett from Lego Movie and read the instructions.  Here’s a loose overview of what you should include:

• Title – what is it called.
• Introduction / background – here’s why you’re doing it and helping the judges learn a bit about your project.
• Materials/Methods – what you used and the steps in your experiment. This is so someone else could repeat your experiment.
• Results – what was the outcome? How many heads/tails?  Include pictures and graphs.
• Conclusions – was your hypothesis correct? What else would you like to investigate now?  What went right and what went wrong?
• References – if you did research, where did you get your information from? What are your sources?

The written report will be very similar to the final presentation board.  The board that you’ll prepare is usually a three-panel board set up like the picture shown below.

To prepare for the presentation, you and your partner should be able to talk about the following:

• why you did the experiment
• the hypothesis that was tested
• the data results
• the conclusions.

It’s totally OK to not know an answer.  Just remember this is the fun part!

And that’s it!  YOU DID IT!! 

Science fair projects have been great opportunities for our kids to not only learn more about science, but to also be challenged and push themselves.  Independent projects like these are usually a great learning opportunity.  Has your child completed a science fair project that they are proud of?  Include a pic in the comments – we love to share science!!  Please also check out our STEMium Resources page for more science fair project tips and tricks .

STEMomma is a mother & former scientist/educator. She loves to find creative, fun ways to help engage kids in the STEM fields (science, technology, engineering and math).  When she’s not busy in meetings or carpooling kids, she loves spending time with the family and dreaming up new experiments  or games they can try in the backyard.

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Hypothesis Examples

A hypothesis is a prediction of the outcome of a test. It forms the basis for designing an experiment in the scientific method . A good hypothesis is testable, meaning it makes a prediction you can check with observation or experimentation. Here are different hypothesis examples.

Null Hypothesis Examples

The null hypothesis (H 0 ) is also known as the zero-difference or no-difference hypothesis. It predicts that changing one variable ( independent variable ) will have no effect on the variable being measured ( dependent variable ). Here are null hypothesis examples:

• Plant growth is unaffected by temperature.
• If you increase temperature, then solubility of salt will increase.
• Incidence of skin cancer is unrelated to ultraviolet light exposure.
• All brands of light bulb last equally long.
• Cats have no preference for the color of cat food.
• All daisies have the same number of petals.

Sometimes the null hypothesis shows there is a suspected correlation between two variables. For example, if you think plant growth is affected by temperature, you state the null hypothesis: “Plant growth is not affected by temperature.” Why do you do this, rather than say “If you change temperature, plant growth will be affected”? The answer is because it’s easier applying a statistical test that shows, with a high level of confidence, a null hypothesis is correct or incorrect.

Research Hypothesis Examples

A research hypothesis (H 1 ) is a type of hypothesis used to design an experiment. This type of hypothesis is often written as an if-then statement because it’s easy identifying the independent and dependent variables and seeing how one affects the other. If-then statements explore cause and effect. In other cases, the hypothesis shows a correlation between two variables. Here are some research hypothesis examples:

• If you leave the lights on, then it takes longer for people to fall asleep.
• If you refrigerate apples, they last longer before going bad.
• If you keep the curtains closed, then you need less electricity to heat or cool the house (the electric bill is lower).
• If you leave a bucket of water uncovered, then it evaporates more quickly.
• Goldfish lose their color if they are not exposed to light.
• Workers who take vacations are more productive than those who never take time off.

Is It Okay to Disprove a Hypothesis?

Yes! You may even choose to write your hypothesis in such a way that it can be disproved because it’s easier to prove a statement is wrong than to prove it is right. In other cases, if your prediction is incorrect, that doesn’t mean the science is bad. Revising a hypothesis is common. It demonstrates you learned something you did not know before you conducted the experiment.

Test yourself with a Scientific Method Quiz .

• Mellenbergh, G.J. (2008). Chapter 8: Research designs: Testing of research hypotheses. In H.J. Adèr & G.J. Mellenbergh (eds.), Advising on Research Methods: A Consultant’s Companion . Huizen, The Netherlands: Johannes van Kessel Publishing.
• Popper, Karl R. (1959). The Logic of Scientific Discovery . Hutchinson & Co. ISBN 3-1614-8410-X.
• Schick, Theodore; Vaughn, Lewis (2002). How to think about weird things: critical thinking for a New Age . Boston: McGraw-Hill Higher Education. ISBN 0-7674-2048-9.
• Tobi, Hilde; Kampen, Jarl K. (2018). “Research design: the methodology for interdisciplinary research framework”. Quality & Quantity . 52 (3): 1209–1225. doi: 10.1007/s11135-017-0513-8

Related Posts

What is a hypothesis?

No.  A hypothesis is sometimes described as an educated guess.  That's not the same thing as a guess and not really a good description of a hypothesis either.  Let's try working through an example.

If you put an ice cube on a plate and place it on the table, what will happen?  A very young child might guess that it will still be there in a couple of hours.  Most people would agree with the hypothesis that:

An ice cube will melt in less than 30 minutes.

You could put sit and watch the ice cube melt and think you've proved a hypothesis.  But you will have missed some important steps.

For a good science fair project you need to do quite a bit of research before any experimenting.  Start by finding some information about how and why water melts.  You could read a book, do a bit of Google searching, or even ask an expert.  For our example, you could learn about how temperature and air pressure can change the state of water.  Don't forget that elevation above sea level changes air pressure too.

Now, using all your research, try to restate that hypothesis.

An ice cube will melt in less than 30 minutes in a room at sea level with a temperature of 20C or 68F.

But wait a minute.  What is the ice made from?  What if the ice cube was made from salt water, or you sprinkled salt on a regular ice cube?  Time for some more research.  Would adding salt make a difference?  Turns out it does.  Would other chemicals change the melting time?

Using this new information, let's try that hypothesis again.

An ice cube made with tap water will melt in less than 30 minutes in a room at sea level with a temperature of 20C or 68F.

Does that seem like an educated guess?  No, it sounds like you are stating the obvious.

At this point, it is obvious only because of your research.  You haven't actually done the experiment.  Now it's time to run the experiment to support the hypothesis.

A hypothesis isn't an educated guess.  It is a tentative explanation for an observation, phenomenon, or scientific problem that can be tested by further investigation.

Once you do the experiment and find out if it supports the hypothesis, it becomes part of scientific theory.

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Methodology

• How to Write a Strong Hypothesis | Steps & Examples

How to Write a Strong Hypothesis | Steps & Examples

Published on May 6, 2022 by Shona McCombes . Revised on November 20, 2023.

A hypothesis is a statement that can be tested by scientific research. If you want to test a relationship between two or more variables, you need to write hypotheses before you start your experiment or data collection .

Example: Hypothesis

Daily apple consumption leads to fewer doctor’s visits.

Table of contents

What is a hypothesis, developing a hypothesis (with example), hypothesis examples, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about writing hypotheses.

A hypothesis states your predictions about what your research will find. It is a tentative answer to your research question that has not yet been tested. For some research projects, you might have to write several hypotheses that address different aspects of your research question.

A hypothesis is not just a guess – it should be based on existing theories and knowledge. It also has to be testable, which means you can support or refute it through scientific research methods (such as experiments, observations and statistical analysis of data).

Variables in hypotheses

Hypotheses propose a relationship between two or more types of variables .

• An independent variable is something the researcher changes or controls.
• A dependent variable is something the researcher observes and measures.

If there are any control variables , extraneous variables , or confounding variables , be sure to jot those down as you go to minimize the chances that research bias  will affect your results.

In this example, the independent variable is exposure to the sun – the assumed cause . The dependent variable is the level of happiness – the assumed effect .

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Step 1. Ask a question

Writing a hypothesis begins with a research question that you want to answer. The question should be focused, specific, and researchable within the constraints of your project.

Step 2. Do some preliminary research

Your initial answer to the question should be based on what is already known about the topic. Look for theories and previous studies to help you form educated assumptions about what your research will find.

At this stage, you might construct a conceptual framework to ensure that you’re embarking on a relevant topic . This can also help you identify which variables you will study and what you think the relationships are between them. Sometimes, you’ll have to operationalize more complex constructs.

Step 3. Formulate your hypothesis

Now you should have some idea of what you expect to find. Write your initial answer to the question in a clear, concise sentence.

4. Refine your hypothesis

You need to make sure your hypothesis is specific and testable. There are various ways of phrasing a hypothesis, but all the terms you use should have clear definitions, and the hypothesis should contain:

• The relevant variables
• The specific group being studied
• The predicted outcome of the experiment or analysis

5. Phrase your hypothesis in three ways

To identify the variables, you can write a simple prediction in  if…then form. The first part of the sentence states the independent variable and the second part states the dependent variable.

In academic research, hypotheses are more commonly phrased in terms of correlations or effects, where you directly state the predicted relationship between variables.

If you are comparing two groups, the hypothesis can state what difference you expect to find between them.

6. Write a null hypothesis

If your research involves statistical hypothesis testing , you will also have to write a null hypothesis . The null hypothesis is the default position that there is no association between the variables. The null hypothesis is written as H 0 , while the alternative hypothesis is H 1 or H a .

• H 0 : The number of lectures attended by first-year students has no effect on their final exam scores.
• H 1 : The number of lectures attended by first-year students has a positive effect on their final exam scores.

If you want to know more about the research process , methodology , research bias , or statistics , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

• Sampling methods
• Simple random sampling
• Stratified sampling
• Cluster sampling
• Likert scales
• Reproducibility

 Statistics

• Null hypothesis
• Statistical power
• Probability distribution
• Effect size
• Poisson distribution

Research bias

• Optimism bias
• Cognitive bias
• Implicit bias
• Hawthorne effect
• Anchoring bias
• Explicit bias

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A hypothesis is not just a guess — it should be based on existing theories and knowledge. It also has to be testable, which means you can support or refute it through scientific research methods (such as experiments, observations and statistical analysis of data).

Null and alternative hypotheses are used in statistical hypothesis testing . The null hypothesis of a test always predicts no effect or no relationship between variables, while the alternative hypothesis states your research prediction of an effect or relationship.

Hypothesis testing is a formal procedure for investigating our ideas about the world using statistics. It is used by scientists to test specific predictions, called hypotheses , by calculating how likely it is that a pattern or relationship between variables could have arisen by chance.

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Science Fair Central

Scientific Steps

Students who want to find out things as a scientist, will want to conduct a hands-on investigation. While scientists study a whole area of science, each investigation is focused on learning just one thing at a time. This is essential if the results are to be trusted by the entire science community.

Follow the Scientific Steps below to complete your scientific process for your investigation.

What do scientists think they already know about the topic? What are the processes involved and how do they work? Background research can be gathered first hand from primary sources such as interviews with a teacher, scientist at a local university, or other person with specialized knowledge. Or use secondary sources such as books, magazines, journals, newspapers, online documents, or literature from non-profit organizations. Don’t forget to make a record of any resource used so that credit can be given in a bibliography.

After gathering background research, the next step is to formulate a hypothesis. More than a random guess, a hypothesis is a testable statement based on background knowledge, research, or scientific reason. A hypothesis states the anticipated cause and effect that may be observed during the investigation.

Consider the following hypothesis: If ice is placed in a Styrofoam container, it will take longer to melt than if placed in a plastic or glass container. I think this is true because my research shows that a lot of people purchase Styrofoam coolers to keep drinks cool.

The time it takes for ice to melt (dependent variable) depends on the type of container used (independent variable.). A hypothesis shows the relationship among variables in the investigation and often (but not always) uses the words if and then.

Design Experiment

Once a hypothesis has been formulated, it is time to design a procedure to test it. A well-designed investigation contains procedures that take into account all of the factors that could impact the results of the investigation. These factors are called variables.

There are three types of variables to consider when designing the investigation procedure.

• The independent variable is the one variable the investigator chooses to change.
• Controlled variables are variables that are kept the same each time.
• The dependent variable is the variable that changes as a result of /or in response to the independent variable.

Step A – Clarify Variable

Clarify the variables involved in the investigation by developing a table such as the one below.

Step B – List Materials Make a list of materials that will be used in the investigation.

Step C – List Steps List the steps needed to carry out the investigation.

Step D – Estimate Time Estimate the time it will take to complete the investigation. Will the data be gathered in one sitting or over the course of several weeks?

Step E – Check Work Check the work. Ask someone else to read the procedure to make sure the steps are clear. Are there any steps missing? Double check the materials list to be sure all to the necessary materials are included.

Data Collection

After designing the experiment and gathering the materials, it is time to set up and to carry out the investigation.

When setting up the investigation, consider...

Carrying out the investigation involves data collection. There are two types of data that may be collected—quantitative data and qualitative data.

Quantitative Data

• Uses numbers to describe the amount of something.
• Involves tools such as rulers, timers, graduated cylinders, etc.
• Uses standard metric units (For instance, meters and centimeters for length, grams for mass, and degrees Celsius for volume.
• May involve the use of a scale such as in the example below.

Qualitative Data

• Uses words to describe the data.
• Describes physical properties such as how something looks, feels, smells, tastes, or sounds.

As data is collected it can be organized into lists and tables. Organizing data will be helpful for identifying relationships later when making an analysis. Using technology, such as spreadsheets, to organize the data can make it easily accessible to add to and edit.

Analyze Data

After data has been collected, the next step is to analyze it. The goal of data analysis is to determine if there is a relationship between the independent and dependent variables. In student terms, this is called “looking for patterns in the data.” Did the change I made have an effect that can be measured?

Recording data on a table or chart makes it much easier to observe relationships and trends. There are many observations that can be made when looking at a data table. Comparing mean average or median numbers of objects, observing trends of increasing or decreasing numbers, comparing modes or numbers of items that occur most frequently are just a few examples of quantitative analysis.

Besides analyzing data on tables or charts, graphs can be used to make a picture of the data. Graphing the data can often help make those relationships and trends easier to see. Graphs are called “pictures of data.” The important thing is that appropriate graphs are selected for the type of data. For example, bar graphs, pictographs, or circle graphs should be used to represent categorical data (sometimes called “side by side” data). Line plots are used to show numerical data. Line graphs should be used to show how data changes over time. Graphs can be drawn by hand using graph paper or generated on the computer from spreadsheets for students who are technically able.

These questions can help with analyzing data:

• What can be learned from looking at the data?
• How does the data relate to the student’s original hypothesis?
• Did what you changed (independent variable) cause changes in the results (dependent variable)?

Draw Conclusions

After analyzing the data, the next step is to draw conclusions. Do not change the hypothesis if it does not match the findings.The accuracy of a hypothesis is NOT what constitutes a successful science fair investigation. Rather, Science Fair judges will want to see that the conclusions stated match the data that was collected.

Application of the Results: Students may want to include an application as part of their conclusion. For example, after investigating the effectiveness of different stain removers, a student might conclude that vinegar is just as effective at removing stains as are some commercial stain removers. As a result, the student might recommend that people use vinegar as a stain remover since it may be the more eco-friendly product.

In short, conclusions are written to answer the original testable question proposed at the beginning of the investigation. They also explain how the student used science process to develop an accurate answer.

Kids Workshops

To learn more visit, homedepot.com/kids

Kids Workshops provide a mix of skill-building, creativity, and safety for future DIYers every month in Home Depot stores across the country. After registering for the next Workshop, download these exclusive extension activities from Discovery Education. Each extension provides opportunities to reimagine or use their Workshop creation in an unexpected new way.

Blooming Picture Frame

Use nature as inspiration for creative writing.  Students will research a variety of flowers to create a poem for their Blooming Picture Frame.

Lattice Planter

Explore the features of plants and consider how they impact our world. Students will select the type of plant they want to grow and map out a watering schedule to ensure it thrives in their Lattice Planter

Butterfly House

Do butterflies have a favorite spot to hang out? Students will create an observation chart, watch butterfly activity, and then analyze their results to select the ideal location for their Butterfly House.

50 of the Best Science Fair Project Ideas for Kids

• February 10, 2021

So you have a science fair coming up at school and want to make a project that’s sure to win a prize ribbon? Well, you’ve come to the right place. Choosing the right project requires plenty of research. That’s why we’ve rounded up the best science fair projects ideas to help you along your search.

50 STEM Experiment Ideas for Kids

These 50 science fair project ideas are all great for kids- early and older elementary school students, with a few suitable for middle school students as well. Make a topic that fascinates you, come up with a hypothesis, and see what happens next!

Plus, once you’ve chosen your topic, use this science fair project how-to video from NASA as a helpful guide.

Important note: Some of these science fair projects require the help or supervision of an adult. Always make sure an older family member is nearby and knows what you’re doing as you work on these projects.

1. With this science fair experiment , you can learn what factors affect melting ice.

2. Try this magic milk experiment for an easy science fair project that younger students can accomplish.

3. How much sun does a seed need to sprout? Discover the answer by trying this project you can easily complete from home.

4. Build your own water clock and see how well you can get it to measure time.

5. If you’re interested in a little microbiology, try out this egg cell experiment .

6. What’s the best way to prevent apples from browning? Find out for yourself and make sure to record the results.

7. Do birds eat more food if it is a certain color? Find out with this intriguing experiment .

8. Discover how clouds turn water vapors into rain and diagram a few common types of clouds through this kid-friendly science fair project .

9. Make your own plant cell model using styrofoam and playdough.

10. Learn about aerodynamics by experimenting with paper airplane shapes and seeing which one flies best.

11. Learn how to accelerate the rusting process with this quick and thought-provoking science project .

12. Want to learn about water and density for your project? Perform this floating egg experiment and try out the follow-up questions at the bottom.

13. This project about bending light is perfect for older elementary school students who want to dip their toes into physics.

14. This biology-based science experiment asks, “Will plants grow towards a specific light source?”

15. Learn about greenhouse gases with this science fair idea .

16. Experiment with what makes fruit ripen quickly and write down your results to present at your science fair.

17. Use this hands-on experiment to explore how carbonated drinks affect teeth.

18. Which factors affect evaporation? Find out for yourself with this project that’s perfect for students who can complete it with a little adult supervision.

19. Find out which types of toothpaste work the best and, after measuring your results, try and come up with a conclusion.

20. If the weather is warm out during your science fair, try building a solar oven .

21. For a simple chemistry project , you can make sugar crystals and see what material works best for growing them.

22. Which common material is the best heat conductor? Find out with this science fair project that can be done with adult supervision, as it needs boiling water.

23. Craft your own thermos bottle and test it out for a project all about insulation.

24. Make a DIY thermometer and test it out for a practical and hands-on science project.

25. Try this celery experiment to learn how plant capillaries work.

26. How does the air temperature affect movement? Try one of these fun science fair project ideas as a model for your own experiment.

27. If you’re passionate about the environment, try this recycling experiment for your science fair project

28. How does paint color affect drying time? Make your predictions and test it out for yourself.

29. Learn which soil is best for growing tomatoes if your science fair takes place during warm weather.

30. Build your own lemon battery and see if you can get it to work to learn about electricity.

31. If you want to try the epitome of science fair projects, try making a science fair volcano.

32. How much sugar is in different popular foods? If you’re interested in health science, try this fascinating experiment .

33. If you’d rather look at prompts and create your own project, use these science fair questions for inspiration.

34. Does music affect plant growth? Discover for yourself with this project .

35. Do you need science fair project ideas that will encourage others to recycle? Learn about how to make your own paper .

36. If you have a few furry friends in your neighborhood, consider testing if dogs are colorblind with this project .

37. How does temperature affect air pressure in a ball? Find out the answer with this sporty science project .

38. Build your own pulley and see what kinds of objects you can make it carry.

39. Learn a little about chemistry with this science fair experiment that asks which paper towels are the most absorbent.

40. What is the dirtiest spot in the average home? Find the answer by cultivating bacteria growth in this experiment .

41. Discover how to test thermal energy by observing water temperature.

42. Can you grow seeds with liquids other than water? Find out with this kid-friendly science experiment .

43. This Sun or Shade science fair projec t is perfect for elementary school students.

44. This cool science fair project asks an intriguing question about insect biology: what sweetener do ants prefer?

45. Make a working model of lungs for a science fair project that’s sure to fascinate.

46. Want to try a science fair project that can only end with tasty treats? Bake some cookies and try one of these sweet experiments .

47. Interested in astronomy? Try out this experiment that teaches why the moon’s shape seems to change every day.

48. What are the effects of disinfectant on germs? Use this science fair project as inspiration for your own.

49. Put your math skills to the test with this science fair project centered around the game tic tac toe.

50. What’s stronger: magnetism or gravity? Find out with this science fair experiment that’s perfect for early elementary students.

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Science Bob

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more in 10-12 years

Growing bacteria for science fairs.

All good science experiments start with a question – this is what you want to find out by experimenting. Here are a few example questions to get you started using the scientific method for growing bacteria:

• Is a dogs mouth cleaner than a humans mouth?
• Who has the cleanest mouth in the class?
• Do antibacterial soaps really kill bacteria?
• Which door handle in the school has the most bacteria?
• Does toothpaste kill bacteria in your mouth?
• Do dark socks create more bacteria in a shoe than white socks.
• Do hand sanitizers work to kill bacteria?
• What location in the school contains the most bacteria?
• Is there more bacteria in tap water, bottled spring water, rain water, or pond water?

Step 1 – Ask A Question: Let’s imaging that you want to answer the question, “Which door handle in the school has the most germs?”

Step 2 – Research: You can’t just jump in and start experimenting. It’s important to do a little research. Ask the school nurse which door handle he or she thinks the most germs (bacteria) are. Observe and chart which door handles get the most use, survey friends and family to get opinions and write down the results. All this information will help you narrow down which door handles are the most likely to contain germs – and which ones you should choose to use in your experiment.

Step 3 – Make a Hypothesis : This is when you make a prediction based on your research. This is not an “I think…” prediction, it is a statement that will either be proven true or false based on experimenting. An example would be, “The handle to the nurse’s room contains the most bacteria.”

Step 4 – Experiment: This particular science experiment requires a simple bacteria testing kit. You would choose several door handles that you think might contain the most bacteria. These door handles are considered the Independent Variable in your experiment because each handle is independent and you control which ones are chosen. In a typical kit you would touch a separate cotton swab to each door handle, and then touch it to the bacteria growing Petri dish so that you would have one dish for each handle. Take good notes that would include when you collected each sample and where you collected the sample, and be sure to label everything well in any experiment.

Step 5- Collect Data: In this experiment, bacteria will start to grow in the Petri dish over the next few days, and you may be surprised by just how much gross bacteria is lurking in your school. Take good notes each day and determine which dish has the most bacteria growing in it.

Step 6 – Make Your Conclusion: This is when you decide if your hypothesis is correct. If your hypothesis was, “The handle to the nurse’s room contains the most bacteria,” your experiment will show if your hypothesis was right. It is not bad at all if your hypothesis is incorrect, what is important is that you answered your question from step 1. Now pat yourself on the back for your fine scientific discovery using the Scientific Method.

CLICK HERE for information about Bacteria Growing Kits.

CLICK HERE to download and print this Science Fair idea.

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Science Projects on Hypothesis for Volcanoes

How to Add a Variable to a Volcano Science Project

Volcanoes have captured the imaginations of science-fair participants for generations. The fun of simulating oozing lava and creating volcanic-like explosions is undeniable. Volcanoes play an important role in the topographical and meteorological patterns of Earth’s past, present and future. The complex science of volcanoes lends itself to a variety of science-project hypotheses.

Amateur Volcanologist

Volcanologists study both active and dormant volcanoes, how they formed, and their current and historic activity. According to the University of Oregon, most of the work of the volcanologist happens in the laboratory, not at the edge of a red-hot volcano writhing with molten lava. In fact, investigating data and coming up with hypotheses is one of the most important jobs of a volcanologist.

Hazardous Volcanoes

Volcanic eruptions have many hazards, from lava flows to spewing ash. Determining where the most hazardous volcanoes are located in the world is a good project hypothesis. First, students would need to determine the main hazards of a volcano and consider factors such as human life, plant and animal life, air quality and damage to property. Data would need to be collected on volcanoes in different parts of the world and students would need to form conclusions based on the same criteria for each volcano.

Effects on Earth System

Throughout history, volcanoes have had a profound effect on Earth’s systems. Volcanoes have changed the topography of the world and even destroyed civilizations. The effects on Earth’s systems by volcanoes that are currently active are more subtle, but they can still have an impact. Choosing an active volcano and hypothesizing about its impact on the environment around it would make an interesting project. Students can consider the impact to air quality, plant life and even the weather.

Chemistry and Volcanoes

A visually pleasing volcano project involves simulating an eruption. The intensity of volcanic eruptions varies widely and students can hypothesize which type of chemical reactions could cause the biggest eruptions. For example, a project could hypothesize that yeast combined with hydrogen peroxide would create a bigger explosion than vinegar combined with baking soda. Students, with adult supervision, can mix different components to demonstrate the power of volcanic eruptions.

Related Articles

Interesting science projects, solar system science fair projects for second grade, 5th grade projects on volcanoes, high school investigatory projects, 7th-grade science fair projects with sodas, the history of volcanology, what kind of volcanoes don't erupt anymore, similarities between the different types of volcanoes, animal adaptations around volcanoes, different topics for investigatory projects, how to build a model tornado, what happens after volcanoes erupt, facts on volcanology, mauna loa facts for kids, what are the results of a volcano eruption, about minor & major landforms, what will the first cities on mars look like, plants & animals around volcanoes, ib chemistry lab ideas.

• Glencoe-McGraw Hill: Earth Science; “Ranking Hazardous Volcanoes”

About the Author

Beth Griesmer’s writing career started at a small weekly newspaper in Georgetown, Texas, in 1990. Her work has appeared in the “Austin-American Statesman,” “Inkwell” literary magazine and on numerous websites. Griesmer teaches middle school language arts and science in Austin, Texas.

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Science Fair Project Ideas

• Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville
• B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College

Science fair is an opportunity for students of all ages to ask big questions, conduct meaningful research, and make exciting discoveries. Browse hundreds of science fair project ideas to find the ideal project according to grade level. 

Preschool Science Project Ideas

Preschool is not too early to introduce children to science! Most preschool science ideas aim to interest kids in exploring and asking questions about the world around them.

• Play with silly putty and examine its properties.
• Look at flowers. How many petals does each flower have? What parts do flowers share in common?
• Blow up balloons. What happens when you release an open balloon? What happens when you rub a balloon on your hair?
• Explore color with fingerpaints.
• Blow bubbles and look at how bubbles interact with each other.
• Make a telephone with cups or cans and some string.
• Have preschoolers categorize objects into groups. Discuss similarities and differences between objects.

Grade School Science Project Ideas

Students are introduced to the scientific method in grade school and learn how to propose a hypothesis . Grade school science projects tend to be quick to complete and should be fun for the student and the teacher or parent. Examples of suitable project ideas include:

• Determine whether insects are attracted to lights at night because of their heat or their light.
• Does the type of liquid (e.g., water, milk, cola) affect seed germination?
• Does the power setting of the microwave affect how many unpopped kernels are in popcorn?
• What happens if you pour a liquid other than water through a pitcher-type water filter?
• What type of bubble gum produces the biggest bubbles?

Middle School Science Fair Ideas

Middle school is where kids can truly shine at the science fair! Kids should try to come up with their own project ideas, based on topics that interest them. Parents and teachers may still need to help with posters and presentations, but middle school students should have control of the project. Examples of middle school science fair ideas include:

• Examine food labels. How does the nutritional data for different brands of the same food (e.g., microwave popcorn) compare?
• Is laundry detergent effective if you use less than the recommended amount?
• How permanent are permanent markers? Are there chemicals that will remove the ink?
• Can a saturated solution of salt still dissolve sugar?
• Do green bags really preserve food longer?
• Are goldfish water chemicals really necessary?
• What shape of ice cube melts the slowest?

High School Science Fair Ideas

High school science fair projects can be about more than a grade . Winning a high school science fair can net some nice cash prizes, scholarships, and college/career opportunities. While it's fine for an elementary or middle school project to take hours or a weekend to complete, most high school projects run longer. High school projects typically identify and solve problems, offer new models, or describe inventions. Here are some sample project ideas:

• Which natural mosquito repellents are most effective?
• Which home hair color holds its color through the most washings?
• Do people who play car racing video games have more speeding tickets?
• Which high school sport is associated with the most injuries?
• What percentage of left-handed people use a computer mouse with their left hand?
• What season is worst for allergies and why?

College Science Fair Ideas

Just as a good high school idea can pave the way for cash and college education, a good college project can open the door to graduate school and gainful employment. A college project is a professional-level project that shows you understand how to apply the scientific method to model a phenomenon or answer a significant question. The big focus on these projects is on originality, so while you might build on a project idea, don't just use one someone else has already done. It's fine to use an old project and come up with a new approach or different way of asking the question. Here are some starting points for your research:

• What plants can detoxify gray water flowing from a home?
• How could the timing of a traffic light be changed to improve intersection safety.
• Which home appliances use the most power? How could that energy be conserved?

This content is provided in partnership with National 4-H Council. 4-H science programs provide youth the opportunity to learn about STEM through fun, hands-on activities and projects. Learn more by visiting  their website.

• Chemistry Science Fair Project Ideas
• Elementary School Science Fair Projects
• 11th Grade Science Fair Projects
• Middle School Science Fair Project Ideas
• High School Science Fair Projects
• 5 Types of Science Fair Projects
• 6th Grade Science Fair Projects
• 3rd Grade Science Fair Projects
• 7th Grade Science Fair Projects
• Biology Science Fair Project Ideas
• Kindergarten Science Projects
• Science Fair Project Help
• Grade School Science Fair Project Ideas
• How to Select a Science Fair Project Topic
• Science Fair Project Ideas for 12th Graders

Ultimate Guide for A+ Science Fair Project: Science Fair Board Layout Ideas & Examples

• September 27, 2021
• Kids Printables , Science Fair Ideas

Science fair project displays can seem like a daunting task for many students. However, there are some simple tips and tricks to make it easier for yourself! 

This article will help you with your display by giving you free layouts and examples to use.

We provide a variety of science fair board ideas designed for different purposes, such as displaying all your entries or just some of them. 

There is also information about how to organize your project, what materials you will need and more..

Steps to Plan Your Science Fair Display Board

We have learned the following advice from working with thousands of middle school students over the years. 

By reading this post and following the tutorial, you will be on your way to a great display that will impress judges, parents, and spectators.

Your display board will be the only part of your science fair project that your child and anyone visiting the school will see. It’s your opportunity to show the judges that your child deserves recognition for their project and all the hard work they’ve put in.

So, how do you put together a plan for it?

Many project display boards follow a schematic format and are typically outlined in black marker, usually in columns. The columns represent the different pieces of information that the board contains.

Create a detailed plan of your project and board.

If you’re unsure where to start or how to go about it, consider the complete science fair project steps below.

2. Organize

3. Research

8. Evaluate

Know Rules / Regulations of Science Fair Competition

When it comes to the judging of science fair projects , it’s important to know the rules. Most competitions will have a list of criteria for judging, and following these can help your project stand out.

If you’re following a science fair project book, check its list of judging criteria. Many science fair books have a list of categories and points for each, so you can run a quick Google search to see if your book matches up with the criteria of the competition you’re entering.

If you’re entering a local science fair, ask someone there about the criteria for judging. Many local science fairs have online entry forms where you can also find out about criteria.

If your competition is online, go to the competition website and search for the rules or criteria. Many science fair websites have downloadable copies of their rules, so you won’t have to hunt them down.

You might also ask the science fair coordinator or teacher for a copy of the rules. Many science fairs take entries online, so organizers have access to this information.

If you’re entering a national science fair, check its website for rules. Science fair rules vary widely from competition to competition, so you may have to do a little more research, but it’s usually not hard to find.

Once you’ve found the rules, make sure to follow them. Certain rules may vary from school to school, so it’s best to do a small web search first.

Some science fair rules might be hidden; be sure to look in the “Additional Information” section or check the website’s FAQ page. If you’re still unsure whether the rules apply to your project, ask the teacher or coordinator.

Sections to cover in Display Board

The science fair project display board is the students’ opportunity to showcase their hard work and how they solved a problem or question.

Good science fair project display boards should be organized, easy to read, and visually appealing. The science fair judges are not scientists, and their science fair project displays should be the same way.

There are two main parts to a science fair project display board: the header and the body.

The header should include:

– Your name

– the category you belong to (“Chemistry” or “Math”)

– your science fair project title

– the district or region you belong to (“Chicago,” “Illinois,” “Midwest”)

– and your grade level

Body aka Science Fair Display Board

The display board is the body of the display and should incorporate all the details of your science project. The typical science fair project display board is made up of several standard components.

The display board should include the following information:

Title and Name of Project

The title and name of the project should be clearly written on the board, and the project information should be written on the board clearly and concisely.

The science fair project display board title may include the project title, your name, and your school name.

Background information

The background section includes background information about the project.

The hypothesis section includes your hypothesis or what you are hoping to prove. The problem or question that the student attempted to address.

Materials Used

The materials used in the project should be listed along with the quantity used. You can also include a list of the tools and equipments used in the project.

The methods section includes your methods or how you went about proving your hypothesis. The method by which the student attempted to address the problem or question.

The steps of the procedure should be written on the board.

Results and Final Outcome

The final result, product or outcome of the experiment should be displayed on the board.

Significance

The significance of the project to the child and to his or her community.

Reference list

In this part, include necessary references to the project that you used. 

Photos / Graphics 

Try to include as many visual elements as possible to make the inference clear and simple.

Things to Consider while Designing Project Display Board

A science fair project display board is the first thing people look at when visiting your project room. Therefore, it is important to make a good impression.

You have to consider certain things while designing your project display board. For example,

* The background is very important. You can use any board or paper for the background, but keep in mind that the white colour needs to be bright.

* Use colour contrast. Use colours that are in contrast with each other. For example, you can use a black background with white-coloured text.

* Consider your theme. If your project is related to space, then consider using a space theme for your project display board.

* Use pictures. Pictures give your project display board a personalized touch.

* Include important information. Include information regarding the topic, as well as contact information.

* Use graphics. You can use graphs, diagrams, and figures to make your project display board look more interesting.

Size of Project Display Board

A science fair project display board is a large sheet of paper, poster board, or foam core used to display information about an experiment in a science fair.

The size of the board should

be at least 36″ x 48″.

The dimensions of the science fair board should be 2 feet wide by 3 feet long, and this allows for ample space to cover all the details and diagrams needed to present the research at an exhibition level.

Most science fair display boards have a 4′ by 10′ layout, which gives you plenty of room to cram all your data, photos, and drawings. But, if you want to pack in more information or a larger display board for a big project, there are alternatives.

One approach is to make the board out of the poster board. Posterboard comes in 2′ by 3′ sheets. You can arrange the sheets end to end to make a 12′ by 36′ display board. You don’t have to put these sheets together, though, and you can just join them at their corners and cut your display board to size.

You can also make a display board out of foam core. Foamcore comes in 2′ by 3′ sheets, too. You can buy it at most office supply stores. But, as with poster board, you don’t have to put these sheets together to make a display board. You can join them at the corners, cut your board to size, and glue the sheets together.

standard science project board size

The standard scientific board size is arbitrary.

(It was originally called the Lincoln Board.) But it’s arbitrary in the same way that a dusty tube of paint is arbitrary. The colour you paint with isn’t important; what’s important is what you paint.

The rectangular board is better for making things. You can make almost anything rectangular, including mazes, making rectangular boards better for displaying science fair projects.

Once you’ve selected the perfect science display board, you have one final task: setting up the display.

How to set up a science project display board

So you’ve found the perfect project, and you’re ready to construct your display board. Congratulations! Now, how do you get started? First, find blank poster board (or foam core) in sizes appropriate for your project. You’ll need at least a 24×36-inch poster board for your display board’s background (this is called a “background board”).

Then, find an image file or paper printout of your project. You’ll need to “posterize” this printout or image for use as your display board background. Posterize simply means shrinking or stretching it to fit within the boundaries of the poster board. The image below shows how you can do this:

Now, place the background board on a flat surface.

Center your printout or image on the board, and trim any excess.

Next, tape the printout or image to the board.

Then, tape the poster board to a flat surface (such as a table or countertop).

Finally, tape the decorative border (if applicable) to the board.

You now have your display board.

One simple rule to remember: Don’t crowd your display board.

Project display boards often serve a dual purpose. On the one hand, they provide a space for showcasing projects, but on the other, they serve as a gathering space for students and families.

Here are some tips to make the most of your display board, whether you’re hosting or attending:

1)  Placement is crucial.  Make sure there’s room to move around the board and that it’s possible to read everything on it. Most boards should be 18 to 24 inches high and 36 to 48 inches wide.

2 ) Color counts.  Colour helps differentiate projects. If you’re planning on hanging your display board, consider the colour contrast. Black text on dark backgrounds is easier to read than dark text on light backgrounds.

3)  What goes on the board?  Consider the length of your project. A 15-minute project should be photographed, but projects lasting more than 15 minutes should be described in the text. Test different layouts to make sure the board can be navigated easily.

4)  How much detail?  Photos should clearly show the project and explain how it works. Avoid “bullet points.” Students should be able to follow a project from start to finish without having to read anything.

5)  Consider lighting.  Try to place the board in an area that receives plenty of natural light. If your board is hung, make sure it has plenty of light behind it.

6)  Writing.  Consider using dry-erase markers. Writing on the board with a dry-erase marker is a quick and easy way to jot down notes, check off items on a to-do list, or display student responses.

7)  Think about storage.  You’ll want to store the board

Display Board Layout Types

Display boards can be in different shapes, designs, and sizes, but a few standard layouts work well for science fair projects.

1. The  “step and repeat”  layout is the most common. This layout features one central background or image with many smaller images, text or graphics surrounding it.

2. The  “block”  layout is similar to the step and repeat, but it uses one large image, maybe with text or graphics, surrounded by smaller images or text.

3. The  “grid”  layout is similar to step and repeat, but it’s organized like an Excel spreadsheet, with columns and rows.

4. The  “storyboard”  layout features one large background or image with several smaller images, text or graphics around it.

5. The  “poster”  layout features one central background with a picture or text of project steps or process above it.

How to choose the best title for your science fair project

You spend hours or even days doing experiments, coming up with ideas, and collecting and documenting data. Many kids don’t realize that 80% of the hard work is done before you even start the project.

The first step in the process is to choose a good title for your project. This decision can make or break your project.

A creative, funny, or interesting title will catch the judges’ attention and may even make them laugh. On the other hand, a dull title may turn them off.

How you choose to title your science fair project says a lot about you. Your project’s title should be short but catchy. Your title should describe your project and highlight it.

So, how do you come up with a good title? There are several ways.

1. Ask an adult.

2. Look at the pictures on the magazine covers.

3. Make a list of your topics.

4. Do an Internet search.

5. Look for other interesting titles.

6. Think about funny titles.

7. Think about titles that will grab attention.

8. Think about descriptive titles.

9. Think about titles that express excitement.

Why Images / Visual Items are Important for Science Fair Display

Visualizing your work is a great way to help other people understand it, so it’s important to make sure that your presentation is always clear. For example, if you’re making a poster, the first thing people will see is your title and subtitle, followed by your visual elements.

A science fair project display board presents several challenges. The first is making sure your text and graphics are the right sizes, so they don’t overwhelm your viewer.

The second challenge is making sure your text is easy to read. Many science fair display boards have a bold font. That can work if the font is easy to read, but in general, it’s better to go with a more subtle font that doesn’t compete with your visuals.

Your visual elements are just as important as the text. Images and charts need to complement your words, not overpower them.

The biggest mistake you can make is not including your visual elements. It’s important that other people understand what your project is, and images can definitely help with that.

For example, if your project tests the effect of a fertilizer on plant growth, pictures of different plants with different fertilizer levels would be important.

If your project is about the effects of pollution on fish, images of fish with different pollution levels would be important.

For a project about the effects of global warming, images of ice melting and icebergs breaking apart would be important.

Putting in a lot of effort to make your science fair project display board appealing and appealing is worthwhile. People will be interested in your project, and it will help make sure you achieve a good score.

Visual items, such as charts, graphs, photos, and displays, are unnecessary for every science fair project. Still, they do help to make the display more interesting and easier for the audience to understand.

It’s a good idea to have several different visual elements on your science fair project display board.

This lets the judges know you’ve thought carefully about the project and that you’ve done your homework.

Plus, having an array of visual elements allows the judges to compare and contrast your project with others.

Labels for Your Project Display Board

It seems like a lot of work to print out labels for all your charts and graphs for your science fair project display board. But, once it’s done, you’ll wonder why you didn’t label everything yourself.

First, you need to prepare the label sheets. Most printers come with label sheets, but you can get label sheets at any office supply store.

Get Free Project Display Board Labels from here

To make a label sheet, you just measure the height and width of the space you want to label and divide that by the label size. For instance, my label sheet measures 8.5″ by 11″. This means that I can print 8.5″ by 11″ labels.

Then, you print the labels on regular printer paper. To print labels, you simply select ‘Label’ from the printer menu.

When you’re finished, you just cut around the labels and punch a hole in them with your label puncher.

Here’s how to label all your graphs and charts:

1. Print the graph/chart onto the label sheet.

2. Cut around the graph/chart on the label sheet.

3. Punch a hole in the top left corner of the label.

4. Attach the labels to your graphs/charts with pushpins.

How to Setup Background for Your Project Display Board

A display board isn’t exactly a wall, so it doesn’t have to withstand as much weight or pressure. But if you stuff your board too full, people won’t be able to take in all the information you’re trying to convey.

Also, if your background is too busy, people won’t be able to read everything you’ve written.

On the other hand, if nothing stands out on your board, it might not even catch the eye of judges.

How to make informed decisions about background colours:

Use contrasting colours.  Use colours that don’t match. Think complementary.

Use neutral colours.  Use blacks, greys, whites and muted shades. These colours won’t distract the judges from what you have to show them.

Use bright colours.  Use colours like yellows and oranges, but only very small amounts. Too much of it will stand out like a sore thumb.

Use colors that are neutral or bright.  Use both dark and light versions of the same colours. This will balance your display.

Use dark colors.  Use colors like grey, brown, or black. These colors aren’t as bright or distracting as bright ones.

Don’t use too many colours.  Use no more than three colors for your background.

Stick to shades of the same colour for your background.

Background colours should be pleasing to the eye. Bright colours tend to grab attention, but dark colours can make your display look more mysterious. Select colors that blend well together for your specific project.

Why & How to Use Tri-fold display boards

A trifold project board is a formal way to present and display your science fair project. Often, the trifold display board consists of one large panel, which is divided into three smaller panels.

A tri-fold Science Fair display board often comes in single or double-sided versions, but the board can be any shape. Double-sided displays are more economical, but single-sided display boards provide more flexibility.

Your project display board needs to be large enough to hold the information you present but small enough to fit on a classroom board.

A display board that is 24 inches wide by 36 inches tall is a good starting point for most projects, but you may need a custom display board if your project is very large or complex.

You can assemble your display board very simply with foam core and poster board, but heavier materials usually require heavier frames. For heavier materials, the choice is usually between a tri-fold display board and a wall-mounted display board.

Tri-fold display boards are inexpensive, lightweight, and easy to transport, but they usually don’t offer much support for heavier materials. For thicker displays, you’ll probably need a sturdy metal frame.

The best way to display your project is by tri-folding the poster board.

The tri-fold display board is 11×17 and is 2.5 inches deep. A tri-fold display board can hold 2-3 science projects.

You should place all your project details on the tri-fold board.

You should write in your project title, date, and your grade level.

You can write in project details and results.

You should place your presentation in the center of the tri-fold board facing out.

You can include handouts, information sheets, and any associated materials.

You should add three small pictures in the center of the tri-fold board.

The pictures should be 5.5 x 7.5 and on plain white paper

Size of tri-fold science fair project display board

There are several options for the science fair display board, including tri-fold, tri-fold with portrait mount, and tri-fold with portrait mount and foam core board.

Tri-fold display boards come in various sizes, including 24 x 36 inches, 30 x 40 inches, 36 x 48 inches, and 36 x 60 inches.

The size of the science fair display board that you choose largely depends on the size of the science fair project.

If you display something small, such as a science fair project measuring 12 x 12 inches, then a 24 x 36-inch tri-fold display board may be a good choice.

However, if your science fair project measures 18 x 24 inches, you may need a 30 x 40-inch tri-fold display board.

Tips for choosing from Different Types of Display Boards

There are several types of display boards, each with strengths and weaknesses.

Variable display boards

Variable display boards are the simplest and most affordable. They can be as simple as a corkboard or a sheet of poster board, or they can be more elaborate, with pushpins, thumbtacks, and magnets to hold materials in place.

Variable display boards are useful for short, simple presentations. They can even be used to illustrate simple models, such as diagrams or Venn diagrams.

Oneway display boards

Oneway display boards are a variation on the variable board. Instead of providing multiple surfaces to attach materials, they typically have a single panel on which the materials are displayed.

Oneway display boards are more durable than their variable counterparts. For example, they’re made of heavier paper and can be mounted on the wall. They also tend to have more grommets or holes for hanging, making it easier to hang heavier materials. Oneway boards are often used for more durable materials like posters or blueprints. They’re also useful for presenting complex models, such as diagrams or Venn diagrams.

Pinnable display boards

Pinnable display boards are similar to one-way boards, but with one major difference: They can be pinned. Instead of being mounted to the wall, they’re designed to be pinned on walls. They’re useful for displaying posters and blueprints.

It’s simple: pick the one that’s right for you. Here are the differences among science fair display boards:

Display Boards:  Also known as “poster board,” this type of display board will cover your entire wall. Display boards are rigid and don’t fold, so you’ll need a frame. They’re best for hanging, but you can also display them standing.

Poster Boards:  Poster boards are thinner, more flexible, and fold smaller than display boards. They’re also easier to hang, but you may have to invest in a frame. They’re great for smaller projects.

Bulletin Boards:  Bulletin boards are staples in classrooms, but they’re also useful for science fair projects. They’re sticky-backed and come in rolls. Bulletin boards can be hung on the wall, but they also work well on easels or tables.

Easels:  Easels are a common part of classrooms, but they’re also useful in science fair projects. They’re ideal for displaying large projects, and they come in a few varieties, including folding, portrait and landscape.

Table Covers:  Table covers are thin, vinyl sheets that can be attached to tables. They’re ideal for table-top displays because they’re easy to put up and remove.

Other Options:  You can also hang your display board on the wall, using a frame or a poster frame, and you can display your display board on the floor.

Here are 10 tips for designing a good science fair display board

A science fair display board is the centrepiece of your science fair project. Your display board should clearly define your project and communicate its goals to the judge.

1.  Show how you plan to carry out your project.  A science fair display board should show how you will carry out your project. Include pictures, diagrams, and sketches along with the written description.

2.  Include a budget.  Include a budget for the whole project. The budget should include all of the costs, such as materials, labour, and any equipment.

3.  Include a list of materials.  Include a list of materials needed to carry out your project. Include brand names and retail prices if possible.

4.  Use headings and subheadings.  Use headings and subheadings to organize your project document.

5.  Include a summary.  Your summary should clearly describe the scientific problem you address, the steps you took to solve the problem, and what you learned.

6.  Include the hypothesis . Explain the hypothesis, or idea, that you tested in your science fair project.

7.  Explain the results.  Explain the results you obtained.

8.  Explain your interpretation . Explain how you interpret your results.

9.  Include a bibliography with sources . Include a list of sources you used.

10.  Leave room for corrections.  Let the judge know if you made any changes or discovered new information during the project.

Here are 6 tips to make the most of your science fair project display board:

1.  Pick an interesting display board.  The display board is the centrepiece of your display. It should be eye-catching, and it should complement your project. It’s important to be creative here. Try to find something that fits your project theme. If you’re making a volcano, for example, a lava rock display board would be perfect.

2.  Keep the display board simple.  No rule says your display board has to be a work of art. Please keep it simple, or, at the very least, keep it clean.

3.  Use complementary colours.  Don’t overwhelm your display board with colours. Ideally, your display board will have a cohesive colour scheme. For example, if your project is volcanoes, your display board might have a warm colour palette.

4.  Use contrasting colours.  If your science fair display board has a central colour, use complementary colours as accents. For example, if your display board is red, use blue as an accent.

5.  Use clear labels.  It’s easy to get hung up with fine details, but the last thing you want to do is confuse your audience. Label everything on your display board.

6.  Use contrasting fonts.  Again, use easy-to-read fonts.

Tips for presenting in your science fair

Nothing is worse than being at the science fair and seeing someone else’s beautiful display. It leaves such a bad taste in your mouth and makes you think, “how could I be that poor?”

Well, I’m here to tell you that it is not as difficult as you think.

It’s especially important that everything you display is to scale. This means measuring your magnifiers and beakers first and marking their dimensions on your cardboard board.

Also, try to bring decorations that compliment your display. For instance, if your display is about solar energy , bring props from nature such as a tree branch or potted plants.

Time is also an issue. Don’t try to squeeze in last-minute projects. Give yourself plenty of time to finish, so you won’t be in a rush to get everything done.

“The first rule of presenting is: keep it simple,” says Jeffrey Palermo, Ph.D., chief scientist for undergraduate STEM education at the National Institutes of Health.

After you’ve spent countless hours tweaking your project, the last thing you want to do is fail to recognize its potential. Palermo recommends keeping the message simple: “If you don’t know what you’re talking about, then your audience won’t either.”

Here are some simple guidelines to keep in mind when you’re presenting your science project:

Keep it short.

A presentation should be no longer than 5 to 10 minutes. Short presentations also allow you to cover more ground, so your audience gets a stronger sense of what you’re presenting.

Keep it simple.

“Those 10 minutes are the most effective 10 minutes that students spend in their science classes,” Palermo says.

Keep it organized.

“A presentation should be a clear, logical flow from one step to the next,” Palermo says. Even if your science fair project is full of twists and turns, keep your audience on track by asking a few questions early and often.

Tell your audience what you’re going to present and why they should care. Sometimes that means repeating yourself.

Why & How to Use Digital Display Boards

For decades, display boards have been a mainstay in science classrooms, but in recent years, especially after the Corona impact, they’ve also become popular outside of schools.

This shift has occurred due to three factors. 

First, technology has made it easier to create high-quality display boards, which has led to a sharp increase in demand for the technology. 

Second, displays can be used for various purposes beyond school, including business presentations, trade shows, and museum exhibits. 

Third, digital technology makes presentations more interactive and accessible to a wider audience.

As the demand for display boards has increased, so too have many companies offering digital versions of the boards. Digital display boards are the result of cutting-edge technology, but they’re also easy to use.

Here are some of the reasons why they’re ideal for science classrooms and other parts of an educational program:

•  Easy scheduling, editing, and sharing.  With digital board software, you can set up your displays in advance, then edit them or add additional content later. There’s no need for physical boards, which take up floor space, and they can be updated easily when new information becomes available.

• Versatile applications.  Digital displays can be used for various purposes, from displaying information for students in the classroom to representing data for museum exhibits.

• Easy transportation.  Digital displays can be transported easily, so they’re ideal for classrooms that have multiple classrooms. The displays can be set up and taken down quickly, and the software allows minor adjustments to be made on the fly.

• Cost-effective.  Because digital displays are digital, they eliminate the costs associated with traditional boards, such as the cost of multiple printing runs.

• Eco-friendly.  Digital displays have a smaller carbon footprint than traditional boards.

http://www.chicagostudentsciencefair.org/ – The best place to find information about the Chicago Public Schools Science Fair

http://www.neiu.edu/~sfc/ This webpage gives detailed information about the future CPS Science Fair dates in and around Chicago.

http://www.scifair.org/ How-to guides and tips on science projects created by teachers and former winners, all for your convenience

http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/aasquesv.htm Argonne National Laboratory is one of the world’s foremost research centers for science, engineering, and technology. The website features over 10,000 questions and answers on various topics in science. The archive of questions has not only helped students find answers for their Science Fair projects but it also provides information to teachers who are looking for reliable sources.

http://www.acs.org/ American Chemical Society is an educational resource designed for the teaching of chemistry and chemistry related projects.

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April 17, 2024

This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

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written by researcher(s)

Generative AI model shows fake news has more impact when released at a steady pace without interruption

by Dorje C. Brody, The Conversation

It's not at all clear that disinformation has, to date, swung an election that would otherwise have gone another way. But there is a strong sense that it has had a significant impact, nonetheless.

With AI now being used to create highly believable fake videos and to spread disinformation more efficiently, we are right to be concerned that fake news could change the course of an election in the not-too-distant future.

To assess the threat, and to respond appropriately, we need a better sense of how damaging the problem could be. In physical or biological sciences , we would test a hypothesis of this nature by repeating an experiment many times.

But this is much harder in social sciences because it's often not possible to repeat experiments. If you want to know the impact of a certain strategy on, say, an upcoming election, you cannot re-run the election a million times to compare what happens when the strategy is implemented and when it is not implemented.

You could call this a one-history problem: there is only one history to follow. You cannot unwind the clock to study the effects of counterfactual scenarios.

To overcome this difficulty, a generative model becomes handy because it can create many histories. A generative model is a mathematical model for the root cause of an observed event, along with a guiding principle that tells you in which way the cause (input) turns into an observed event (output).

By modeling the cause and applying the principle, it can generate many histories, and hence statistics needed to study different scenarios. This, in turn, can be used to assess the effects of disinformation in elections.

In the case of an election campaign, the primary cause is the information accessible to voters (input), which is transformed into movements of opinion polls showing changes of voter intention (observed output). The guiding principle concerns how people process information, which is to minimize uncertainties.

So, by modeling how voters get information, we can simulate subsequent developments on a computer. In other words, we can create a "possible history" of how opinion polls change from now to the election day on a computer. From one history alone we learn virtually nothing, but now we can run the simulation (the virtual election) a million times.

A generative model does not predict any future event, because of the noisy nature of information. But it does provide the statistics of different events, which is what we need.

Modeling disinformation

I first came up with the idea of using a generative model to study the impact of disinformation about a decade ago , without any anticipation that the concept would, sadly, become so relevant to the safety of democratic processes. My initial models were designed to study the impact of disinformation in financial markets , but as fake news started to become more of a problem, my colleague and I extended the model to study its impact on elections.

Generative models can tell us the probability of a given candidate winning a future election, subject to today's data and the specification of how information on issues relevant to the election is communicated to voters. This can be used to analyze how the winning probability will be affected if candidates or political parties change their policy positions or communication strategies.

We can include disinformation in the model to study how that will alter the outcome statistics. Here, disinformation is defined as a hidden component of information that generates a bias.

By including disinformation into the model and running a simulation, the result tells us very little about how it changed opinion polls. But running the simulation many times, we can use the statistics to determine the percentage change in the likelihood of a candidate winning a future election if disinformation of a given magnitude and frequency is present. In other words, we can now measure the impact of fake news using computer simulations.

I should emphasize that measuring the impact of fake news is different from making predictions about election outcomes. These models are not designed to make predictions. Rather, they provide the statistics that are sufficient to estimate the impact of disinformation.

Does disinformation have an impact?

One model for disinformation that we considered is a type that is released at some random moment, grows in strength for a short period but then it is damped down (for example owing to fact checking). We found that a single release of such disinformation, well ahead of election day, will have little impact on the election outcome.

However, if the release of such disinformation is repeated persistently, then it will have an impact. Disinformation that is biased towards a given candidate will shift the poll slightly in favor of that candidate each time it is released. Of all the election simulations for which that candidate has lost, we can identify how many of them have the result turned around, based on a given frequency and magnitude of disinformation.

Fake news in favor of a candidate, except in rare circumstances, will not guarantee a victory for that candidate. Its impacts can, however, be measured in terms of probabilities and statistics. How much has fake news changed the winning probability? What is the likelihood of flipping an election outcome? And so on.

One result that came as a surprise is that even if electorates are unaware whether a given piece of information is true or false, if they know the frequency and bias of disinformation, then this suffices to eliminate most of the impact of disinformation. The mere knowledge of the possibility of fake news is already a powerful antidote to its effects.

Generative models by themselves do not provide counter measures to disinformation. They merely give us an idea of the magnitude of impacts. Fact checking can help but it is not hugely effective (the genie is already out of the bottle). But what if the two are combined?

Because the impact of disinformation can be largely averted by informing people that it is happening, it would be useful if fact checkers offered information on the statistics of disinformation that they have identified—for example, "X% of negative claims against candidate A were false." An electorate equipped with this information will be less affected by disinformation .

Provided by The Conversation

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