Solano County Science and Engineering Fairolano County Science FairS
SOLANO COUNTY SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING FAIR
Purpose
The Science Fair is a competition based on the quality of projects done by students in Solano County, the results of which are presented through exhibits at the fair. The purpose of the Science Fair is threefold: to stimulate an active interest in science, to provide an educational experience and to give public recognition to talented students for the work they have done.
Who May Enter
Any student enrolled in grades 6-12 in a public, private, or parochial school in Solano County may enter. Home Schooled students are also eligible to enter. Grades 9-12 may be individual entries or group entries (up to two per group) consisting of experiments only.
How to Enter
Each project must have a separate entry form. Included in this brochure is an entry form and teacher/supervisor certificate. Have your teacher or supervisor complete the certification before starting research. Entry forms must be included with all projects entered into the Science Fair.
Information and Questions
Contact Person:
Marilyn Lewis
Vanden High School
school (707) 437-7333 cell number 707-365-1038
fax number (707) 437-7220
2951 Markeley Lane
Fairfield, Ca 94533
When
March 29, 2019, (Set up Thursday, March 28, 4:30 PM to 6 PM)
Awards will be 7:00 pm, Friday, March 29, 2019
Where
Solano County Office of Education
Entry deadline
March 22, 2019, 3pm received at Vanden High School. No late entries will be accepted. Faxed copies are accepted.
Loss or Damage
The Solano County Science and Engineering Fair assumes no responsibility for loss or damage to any project or part thereof. Supervision will be provided at all times during the Science Fair however exhibitors must exercise care in protecting their project equipment from loss or damage, especially when setting up and dismantling projects.
Display of valuable items is discouraged. They should be simulated if necessary to the display.
Awards
1. Each student will be recognized for his/her participation. The prizes will to be awarded will be announced as soon as possible and finalized on the day of the fair. The Fair has historically awarded cash prized in the range of up to $100 to 1st place and smaller amounts to others. Check with your teachers about the awards as the fair date approaches.
2. The Solano County Science and Engineering Fair takes no responsibility for unclaimed projects and/or awards.
High School Science Fair
Guidelines
Requirements: Science projects must display use of the Scientific Method in an EXPERIMENT. A model or invention without an experiment displaying the use of the Scientific Method is not acceptable. Each student's project should display creativity and some applicability to today's world. Product testing is discouraged; students should avoid comparing any type of product against another. The display of Brand names is prohibited. Each entrant should:
1. Decide on a general area of study or general question
2. Research the area of study in several sources.
3. Create a hypothesis.
4. Design an experiment to test the hypothesis.
5. Collect data on the experiment. Chart and graph the data.
6. Analyze the data and draw a conclusion.
7. State the references.
8. Document the experiment with a camera.
Notes to the Students:
Take pride in your project. The presentation should be the best you can accomplish. Type your project; then place the information on your backboard. Avoid typing errors, misspelled words and smudges.
Arrange your information in the following categories. Check each steps off as your complete the task.
___ Introduction / Summary
- Describe your question/problem and why you chose your question/problem.
- These should be the last paragraphs you write, 1-3 paragraphs long.
- Summarize the data you collected.
- Summarize your conclusion.
- State your hypothesis. (If...then...)
___ Describe the experiment which tested your hypothesis.
- Background Research
- Read all the sources you choose.
- Take clear notes on each source you read. (this should go in your binder)
- Describe what you learned about your question/problem. (3/4 to 1 page long)
- You must write the information in your own words. Copying out of your sources is plagiarism and will not be accepted. You run the risk of disqualification if you copy information.
-You must site each resource you used in your report (in text citation).
___Design of Experiment (Procedure)
-Your experiment should test your hypothesis.
-Describe how you designed your experiment to test your hypothesis.
-You should mention labeled illustrations here.
-Describe how your experiment was set up. Include a numbered list of steps that someone else could follow to repeat your experiment. DO NOT COPY from another website. Put the information in your own words.
-Do not describe how the experiment turned out, that description belongs in conclusion.
___Data Collection and Display
- Select the most appropriate method to display your data
- Use one or more of the following:
___Data Tables
- Type or write a table that lists your data
- Your table should be neat, clean and easy to read-be sure to include units on all of your nubers.
___Graph
- Draw a graph that shows your most important data.
-Your graph should show the difference between your control group and your variable group.
-Line, bar and pie graphs are acceptable.
-Make sure each graph axis is labeled clearly and include units.
-Make sure each line, bar or piece of pie is labeled. A key is fine.
___Photographs of Experiment (it is recommended you show yourself performing the experiments)
- Photographs should show the experiment, during and after.
- Each photograph should be clearly labeled.
___Conclusion
- Analyze your data and draw a conclusion about your hypothesis and experiment. This part should explain why you got the results you did. Use the information you learned from your background research to analyze the data. For example: Why was one level of radiation better at inhibiting the growth of bacteria than another? Be specific!
-Use data to support your argument.
-Be sure to site your sources in text. This section should be at least one page long.
___Application
- How can your project be applied to daily life? What further research is needed? If you were to run the experiment again, what else could you test?
___Bibliography
- At least list six separate references.
-You may use no more than: two encyclopedias, one newspaper article and two interviews with experts on your Question/Problem, two factual videos or television documentaries.
-Information from the internet must be properly documented. (the web site is not enough)
-Use as many books or magazines as you like.
EXHIBIT FORMAT
(suggested-if everything does not fit on your display board, it should go in your binder)
Left side of display board:
Introduction/Summary
Hypothesis
Background/Literature Search
Design of Experiment (Procedure)
Middle of display board
TItle
Photographs
Data
Charts and Graphs
Right side of display board
Conclusion
Application/Future Research
Bibliography
You must include a binder (project notebook) with any information that does not fit on your display as well as the research you did for your project. Hand written notes, calculations, extra pictures, research information, extra data are things that should go in your binder.
Do not put your name or school on the front of the project.
Judging Standards-
1. Creativeness
Originality of the problem, uniqueness of approach and the handling, and interpretation of data should be commensurate with the grade level of the student. Ingenious use of equipment and materials is considered regardless of the expense of the items involved.
2. Scientific Thought
The project shows depth of study and effort in employing scientific procedures in the solution of a clearly defined problem including study of background, organized procedures, appropriate sampling, orderly recording and analysis of data and the formulation of logical conclusions.
3. Thoroughness
The study is complete within the scope of the problem. Experiments have been repeated and careful records have been kept.
4. Skill
Credit is given for special skills needed for the construction or use of equipment and for mathematical, computational, observational, and design skills.
5. Clarity
The purpose, procedure and conclusions are clearly explained through the display. The project notebook is well organized, neat and accurate. Sources of ideas, data and assistance are clearly identified.
Rules and Regulations
* Failure to follow the rules and regulations will result in automatic disqualification.
1. PROJECT PLAN FORM: All items on the form must be completed and attached to the back of the exhibit.
2. LIVE ANIMAL RESEARCH: All animal experiments (Vertebrate, Nonvertebrate) must have prior approval by the classroom teacher or supervisor. A letter of approval that states the procedure must be included with the entry form and signed by the classroom teacher or supervisor.
3. HUMAN TISSUE: The exhibition of human tissue is prohibited at the fair.
4. USE OF HUMAN SUBJECTS: In order to insure the health and safety of all involved, any project utilizing human subjects must be free from any potential physical and psychological risk. Entrant must be able to furnish a statement to that effect, endorsed by school administrator.
5. SIZE OF EXHIBIT: The exhibit must not be larger than 76 cm deep (2 1/2 feet from back) by 122 cm (4 feet side-to-side) by 91 cm high (3 feet top-to-bottom).
6. EXHIBIT POWER SOURCE: Gas, running water or electricity will not be provided at the fair.
7. SAFETY: Any display element, which could be hazardous to the public safety, is strictly prohibited (i.e.
drugs, caustic or flammable chemicals, microbial or fungal cultures, live insects, etc.)
8. AWARD WINNERS: All award winners must be represented during the awards ceremony in order to receive their awards. The award ceremony will be held at 7:00 PM on Friday in the Vanden Library. If the student cannot attend, they should plan to have someone there to pick up their award for them.
9. Exhibits must be set up between 2:30 PM and 6:00 PM at Vanden High School Library on the day before the fair and removed between 7:00 PM and 8:00 PM of the evening of the public showing of the fair. The Science Fair Committee takes no responsibility towards projects not removed between these hours. Projects not taken by 8:00 PM will be disposed of.
10. Group projects are limited to no more than two members per group.
