This document provides guidance for students and parents on science fair projects. It outlines the typical steps of scientific investigation that students should follow, including developing a research question, hypothesis, experimentation, documentation, conclusions, and displaying results on a board. The document emphasizes allowing students to complete their own work, following safety guidelines, and ensuring projects represent the student's creativity and understanding. Overall, the goal is for students to have fun exploring science through hands-on learning and discovery.

1. BRYANT
School of Arts and Innovation
Riverside, CA
Parents’ Guide to the

2. What Is A Science Fair?
A science fair is an opportunity for
students to gain an
understanding, through first hand
experience, of the steps of
scientific investigation.

3. But mostly it is a time to have
fun with science discovery!

4. What are the steps of
investigation?
Do Research. (Write a paper.)
Name the Problem. (Ask a question)
Develop a Hypothesis.(Make a guess.)
Do the Project Experimentation.
Keep Documentation. (Journal)
Write up Conclusion. (Results)

5. It all starts with research.
Through research you will find a topic
you find interesting and develop an
interesting question.

6. Problem/Question
State the problem
simply and clearly.
Examples:
-Which battery will last the
longest?
-What type of music makes
your heart beat faster?

7. Hypothesis
Write a statement
telling what you
believe will happen
in your experiment.
Example: I think that the Duracell
batteries will last longer than the
Energizer batteries.

8. Materials
Neatly list all
supplies used in the
experiment.

9. Procedure:
Explains what you did
This should be placed
in a prominent place
on your board and
should be stated
clearly.
You may also want to
include step by step
photographs of the
experiment.

10. Experimentation
Perform the experiment.
Include in your display items,
photos, or drawing of items used
in your experiment

11. Documentation
Keep a journal.
The journal is a record
where you explain what
happens with the
experiment each day/step.
The journal is one of the
most important parts of a
science project.
Include an in-depth
bibliography (that includes
texts, encyclopedia, primary
sources, professional
journals, etc.)

12. Data
Show your results in graphs, charts,
and in a statement.
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
12/4/2004 12/5/2004 12/6/2004
Duracell
Energizer
Rayzon

13. Conclusion
Your conclusion must be logical, based
on data or observations collected, and
relevant to the problem/hypothesis.
For example:
My hypothesis was incorrect.
Energizer batteries lasted 6 hours
longer than Duracell batteries.

14. Abstract
An abstract is a brief overview
of all the parts of your project.

15. Sample Abstract
What Makes Good Electrical Conductors?
Objectives/Goal: The objective of my project is to determine
which materials make the best electrical conductors.
Methods and Materials: I used wood, plastic, copper, steel, tin,
and grass as materials to be tested. I also used a volt/ohms
meter and the test probes to make my measurements.
Results: The meter I used showed the metals to all be excellent
conductors and that the plastic and wood did not conduct an
electrical current.
Conclusions: My conclusion is that the metals I tested are
excellent conductors of electrical current and that neither wood
or plastic conducts electricity.

16. Creating a Display Board
The board tells the whole story of
your experimentation. Be sure to
include each of the following parts,
clearly stated:
Hypothesis
Materials List
Procedure
Journal
Research Report
Graphs, data
Models, visual aids
Results
Conclusion
Abstract
Caution Parents: Allow the
students to complete the board on
their own. Give suggestions to help
guide them. Do not do the project
for them.

17. Project Mistakes
•Don't leave large empty
spaces on the backboard.
•Don't leave the table in
front of the backboard
empty. Display models (if
any), report, copies
research, and your journal
here.

18. More Mistakes
•Don't hang electrical equipment on
the backboard so the cord runs
down the front of the backboard.
•Don't make titles hard to read by
using uneven lettering, letters of
different colors, or disorganized
placement of materials.
•Don't hand-print the letters on
the backboard or make mistakes in
spelling words.

19. Planning Is Important !
Is the project the result of
careful planning?
Great projects aren’t
created overnight.
Trial and error may take
time.

20. Safety First
Does the project meet all safety requirements?
Liquids/chemicals are not to be displayed
in bottles that might break or spill.
No knives, sharp instruments on displays
Articles of value should not be
left out on your display.
No crystals or molds
No laser devices
No poison

21. Keys To A Successful Project
Does the project represent the
student’s own work?
Does the project demonstrate the
student’s creativity and
resourcefulness?
Does the project show a solid
understanding of the topic?
Does the project include a notebook,
written record, or final report?
(Include a bibliography when you use
someone else’s work.)
Does the project include a number of
visual aids?
Is the project sturdy, neat, and well-
constructed?

22. Inland Fair Requirements
Please note additional safety
requirements for Inland competition:
No animal displays; no stress to animals.
No tobacco, alcohol, drug related projects
No living plants or animals allowed.
No human tissue/blood samples allowed

24. Judging Criteria: Entries will be
judged on the
following:
Originality
Comprehension of
scientific thought and
practices
Organization and
completeness
Effort and motivation
Clarity

25. Award
Winning
Examples!

30. Emma
(3rd grade)
Eyes Vs. Taste
Buds

31. Katherine
(4th grade)
Fashionably
Late

32. Jacob
(5th grade)
How To Save a
Wet Cell Phone

33. Matthew
(5th grade)
Polypharmacy
and
Noncompliant
Patients

34. Gabriella
(4th grade)
Orange Juice &
Vitamin C

35. Remember. . .
Do the research. . .
on a project that
interests you.

36. Allow plenty of time for
unexpected mistakes.

37. And most importantly. . .
HAVE FUN !