Walkthroughs on How to Create and Present a Science Fair Project:

• Get Resources from SAB Workshops

Sources for Finding Background Information on Your Project Topic:

• Never use Wikipedia as a source of information

• Try to use websites that end in ".edu" - this indicates the site is likely part of an educational institution such as a university

• Go to your local university or college library and ask the librarian for assistance- he or she will likely be happy to help you locate resources in the system

• Use the PubMed database to search for specific articles - an information sheet on how to use the database is available at: http://nnlm.gov/training/resources/pmtri.pdf

• Use the BIOSIS database to search for specific articles - and information sheet on how to use the database is available at: http://www.cdlib.org/inside/instruct/BiosisPreviews3.pdf

• Use resources on sciencebuddies.org: http://sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_background_research_plan.shtml and http://sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_finding_information.shtm

Science Fair Board Construction:

• Use statistics as applicable, no matter how basic (mean, median, mode).

• If you have too many graphs, include them in your notebook, and if necessary, stack them on top of each other on the board, staggered so they are easy for judges to flip for viewing.

• Summarize concepts on your board – judges can look at your notebook for more detailed information.

• Make sure your board is readable from at least 3 feet away – use as large a print as is necessary!

• Rubber cement works well for attaching stiff materials to a board.

• Double-stick tape works better than glue for attaching paper to a board.

• Using sticker letters or punch-outs is neater than writing, but they are sometimes difficult to line up equally on the board.

• If you decide to use a printed board (such as one printed at a copy supply store), take extra care if attempting to glue or tape onto a backboard (they tend to crease easily, especially if you have them printed on self-adhesive giant sticker sheets) - But it is easy and organized!

Common Questions from Science Fair Judges:

• What are some potential sources for error in your project?

• What was the most difficult part of this process?

• Summarize your project for me.

• Where did you conduct your experiment and collect data?

• How can you apply your project findings in real life?

• How did you get your project idea?

• How much and from whom did you receive help for your project?

• Do you hope to continue this research/project? How?

• Why did you use this specific measurement technique/statistical method/graph type?

• Do you think you will pursue a career in this area of science or possibly even continue your research as a career?

Tips for Judge Interviews:

• Shake the judge’s hand upon introduction.

• Stay calm when responding – the judges are friendly and want to hear about your project!

• Talk calmly and slowly and enunciate, especially on vocabulary specific to your procedures and on scientific names.

• Look the judges in the eye when speaking to them.

• Point at your poster board and at sections in your report when referencing/discussing them with a judge.