2011 New Fair Special Info now available (see Documents)
General Information
The purpose of the Douglas County Science Fair is to give students in grades
K-12 an opportunity to participate in the processes of research and review as
practiced in the sciences. Students in the early grades should ask their
teachers and parents to help them understand this brochure. The outline below
answers five frequently asked questions related to participation in the Douglas
County Science Fair. If you would like help selecting a project or more
information about proper procedures for the Science Fair, contact Dave Nordlund
(785-766-2136 try first or 785-842-0746).
Frequently Asked Questions
What Kinds of Projects May Be Entered in the Science Fair?
Descriptive Study - the student collects data in situations in
which he/she has not used a treatment intended to change the results of the study.
FOR EXAMPLE: Pat kept records of the number of different colors of birds that came
to the yard on Saturdays between 8:00 and 10:00 A.M. and between 3:00 and 5:00 P.M.
Then Pat looked for patterns in these records. This was a descriptive study.
Experimental Study - the student uses a treatment intended to change
the results of the study. That is, the student changes one variable (independent
variable) in some way to see if it will influence the way something behaves, grows,
performs, lasts, etc. (dependent variable). FOR EXAMPLE: If Pat (see above) placed
bird seed in the yard during the first and third parts of her study, then removed
it for the second and fourth parts of her study, then she would have run an experimental
study. Her treatment would have been the presence or absence of bird seed in the
yard.
Back To Questions
What materials should be included in science fair exhibits?
- Display boards for exhibits should be:
- Self supporting
- Each exhibit must fit within the following table: dimensions: 80 cm high, 35 cm
deep, and 80 cm wide (31" x 14" x 31")
- Made of foam-core board, illustration board, corrugated cardboard, light plywood,
or particle board
- Securely joined on the back side with a strong tape such as duct or other fabric
tape
- Written text and graphics on the display board should include the following parts
- The title of the project
- A short statement of the purpose of the project or the research question
- The hypothesis
- A listing of constants and independent and dependent variables
- An outline of the procedure used in the project
- Graphs and calculations used to interpret data and determine the results
- A statement of the conclusion based on the results of the study
- Drawings or photographs that might help explain or verify the procedures or results
of the study. Photographs are particularly important in studies that involve live
animals because the exhibition setting is not prepared to deal with live animals
of any type
- Written project report folder should include the following parts
- Title: The title of the project
- Introduction: A statement of the research question, area, or topic including the
purpose of the study and background information
- Summary: A summary of background information secured from the library, encyclopedias,
magazines, newspapers, or interviews with experts
- Hypothesis:
- Written text and graphics on the display board should include the following parts:
- The title of the project
- A short statement of the purpose of the project or the research question
- The hypothesis
- A listing of constants and independent and dependent variables;
- An outline of the procedure used in the project;
- Graphs and calculations used to interpret data and determine the results;
- A statement of the conclusion based on the results of the study;
- Drawings
or photographs that might help explain or verify the procedures or
results of the study. Photographs are particularly important in studies
that involve live animals because the exhibition setting is not
prepared to deal with live animals of any type.
- Written project report folder should include the following parts: (See Judging Information)
- Title: the title of the project;
- Introduction: 1. A statement of the research question, area, or topic including the purpose of the study and background information;
- A summary of background information secured from the library, encyclopedias, magazines, newspapers, or interviews with experts;
- The hypothesis;
- Method:
a description of constants and independent and dependent variables in
the study; and a full description of the procedure used in the project;
- Results:
complete tables of all data collected, observations made during the
study and graphs or calculations used to interpret data and determine
the results;
- Discussion:
1. A discussion of the conclusion based on the results of this study
and how you would change this project if you did it again;
- Drawings
or photographs similar to those on the display board are optional in
the project report. When studies involve live animals or materials that
could not be preserved beyond the initial study time, photographs can
be used to help document your results;
- Listing of those things that parents, other family members, or community members did for the student.
- Exhibit objects may be placed on the table in front of the display board.
Back To Questions
What role can parents and older members of the family play in helping a student with a science fair project?
- Generally,
these roles are ones of support or assistance to the student in the
topic selection and planning, and completion of the project.
- These roles may involve preparation of some part of the project under the following conditions:
- The
task to be performed is beyond the skill level of the student and is
not the central purpose of the project. (e.g. lettering on display for
a kindergarten student)
- The task would be
dangerous for the student at his/her skill level to perform, but is
critical to the study; (e.g. assistance in getting into a tree to
examine birds nests)
- The task is one that the
student has performed many times, but due to a schedule conflict,
cannot perform a few times. (e.g. measuring rainfall while student is
on a campout)
- These roles should be acknowledged as noted in section II, C., 9. This type of participation is acceptable.
Back To Questions
How many Science Fair participants can work on an exhibit?
- Individual, one person exhibits are strongly encouraged.
- Two
person exhibits will be accepted, but will receive only one award.
These projects will be judged at the grade level of the student who is
in the higher grade in school. Submit only ONE registration form per exhibit. Official duplicate awards can be obtained at exhibitor's expense.
- Group exhibits prepared by three or more individuals will be accepted, but are only eligible for the special awards.
Back To Questions
What awards will be given during the science fair?
- There
will be a First Place, a Second Place, a Third Place, and one Honorable
Mention award in Life and Physical Science for each grade level. These
awards are for individual and pair projects only.
- Grade Levels are:
- Kindergarten - First
- Second - Third
- Fourth
- Fifth
- Sixth
- Junior High
- Senior High
- One or more Judges' Special Awards will be given in each grade and division.
- Community sponsored "Best Investigation in (specific area)" awards are listed below.
- Best Investigation in Project Areas:
- Experimental
- Social and Behavioral Sciences
- Descriptive
- Health
- Display
- Energy and Energy Conservation
- Apparatus
- Electricity and Magnetism
- Mechanics
- Humans
- Optics
- Animals
- Inorganic Chemistry
- Plants
- Organic Chemistry
- Microorganisms
- Mathematics
- Computers
- Soil and Water Conservation
- Earth Sciences
- Aviation
- Air, Space, Astronomy
- Photography
- Environment
- Water
Back To Questions
Science Terminology
- Purpose - What you are trying to find out experimentally.
- Hypothesis - An idea about the solution to a problem.
- Constants - Variables or things which are not changed in your project.
- Independent Variable - The variable or thing that you purposely manipulate (change) in your project.
- Dependent Variable - The variable or thing which is being observed, the dependent variable changes in response to the independent variable.
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