SENIOR SCHOOL SCIENCE FAIR

TERM 2
2016

STUDENT BOOKLET

This term you will be undertaking a scientific investigation and presenting your
results on a display board at the Senior School Science Fair in Week Nine.
Each step of the investigation process will be explained in class and we will
undertake a whole class investigation to model the process. You will be given some
time at school to work on your project. However the bulk of this investigation will be
done at home.
This booklet contains information to help you plan, research, and conduct your
investigation. There are many elements involved in a science fair project. Time
management will be a very important factor in a successful project.
Here is a suggested timetable to guide your work at home.
Step 1

Decide on a context and pose a question

Week 1

Step 2

Do background research and construct a hypothesis

Week 3

Step 4

Test hypothesis by conducting your investigation

Week 6

Step 5

Analyse your data and draw a conclusion

Week 7

Step 6

Communicate your results (written reports)

Week 8

We have set some due dates for pieces of work to be completed and handed in.
Project Element

Due Date

Proposal Form completed and signed by parents.

Monday 9th May

Background Research Plan worksheet completed.

Friday 13th May

Draft Background Research Report completed. Your

report does not need to be published at this stage. It
should be in draft form, carefully edited and ready for
conferencing with your teacher.

Friday 27th May

A draft Experimental Procedure completed. This will

show your teacher that you have thought carefully about
how you will test your hypothesis.

Friday 3rd June

Verbal progress report come to school prepared to talk

about your progress and the results of your investigation.

Friday 17th June

Completed Project Due

Friday 1st July

FINDING AN IDEA FOR YOUR SCIENCE FAIR PROJECT

Make sure that you choose a context that you find interesting. You'll be spending a
lot of time on it, so you want your investigation to be focused something that you will
enjoy learning more about.
We know that finding a context and asking a question can be the hardest part of a
science fair project, so if you are having trouble coming up with an idea, talk to your
teacher early in the term for help. There are links on the classroom blogs to websites
that may help you come up with ideas and we will be conducting practice
investigations and talking about possible projects in class.
1. THE QUESTION
Once you have found an interesting context, the next step is to find a question you
want to answer. A scientific question usually starts with: How, What, When, Who,
Which, Why, or Where.
These are examples of good science fair project questions:

Which colour are bees most attracted to?

Which material is the best insulator?
How do different foundations stand up to earthquakes?
What sugars do yeast use?

Use the Project Proposal form to help you decide if your question is suitable.
You will need to decide on a topic and question quickly in order to have enough time
to conduct your investigation and write up your results before the due date.
If you are having trouble finding a topic please ask your teacher for help
before the due date.
Your completed Project Proposal Form is due on Monday 9th of May

SCIENCE FAIR INVESTIGATION TOPICS TO AVOID

Any topic that boils down to a simple preference or taste comparison. For
example, "Which tastes better: Coke or Pepsi?" Such experiments don't
involve the kinds of numerical measurements we want in a science fair
project. They are more of a survey than an experiment.
Most consumer product testing of the "Which is best?" type. This includes
comparisons of popcorn, bubblegum, make-up, detergents, cleaning products,
and paper towels. These projects only have scientific validity if the investigator
fully understands the science behind why the product works and applies that
understanding to the experiment. While many consumer products are easy to
use, the science behind them is often university level.
Any topic that requires people to recall things they did in the past. The data
tends to be unreliable.
Effect of music or talking on plants - Difficult to measure. Any investigation
using plants must be carefully planned and started very early to ensure you
have enough time to collect data.
Effect of running, music, video games, or almost anything on blood pressure.
The result is either obvious (the heart beats faster when you run) or difficult to
measure with proper controls (the effect of music).
Effect of colour on memory, emotion, mood, taste, strength, etc. This is highly
subjective and very difficult to measure.
Any topic that requires measurements that will be extremely difficult to make or
repeat. Without measurement, you can't do science.
Graphology or handwriting analysis - Questionable scientific validity.
Astrology or ESP - No scientific validity.
Any topic that requires drugging, pain, or injury to a live vertebrate animal.
Any topic that creates unacceptable risk (physical or psychological) to a human
subject.
Any topic that involves collection of tissue samples from living humans or
vertebrate animals.

2. BACKGROUND RESEARCH
Background research helps you to understand the science behind your investigation.
Your research will help you make a prediction of what will occur in your investigation
and you will have the knowledge to understand what caused the behavior you
observed.
When we judge the projects we will be looking to see evidence that you understand
why your experiment turned out the way it did. Complete the Background Research
Plan Worksheet to help structure your research. You will be given time in class to
conduct research, but you will also need to do research as homework.
Your completed Background Research Plan Worksheet is due Friday 13th May
You should also have started researching at home by this date.

WRITING A RESEARCH REPORT

Your research report is a summary of the answers to the research questions you
generated in your background research plan. It includes information from relevant
sources (books, magazines, websites) to explain the topic you are investigating.
Your research report should include a summary of the theory behind your experiment
to show that you understand why your experiment turns out the way it does.
Your Research Report should include
Your question and an explanation of why you have chosen to investigate this
topic. This lets the reader know the purpose of your paper.
You need to include definitions of the important key words, concepts and
theories that relate you experiment.
You need to answer the relevant background research questions.

An edited, error free, draft of your Research Report is due on Friday 27th May

3. HYPOTHESIS
After researching your question, you should have a good idea about how things
work. You should be able to make a prediction about the answer to your question.
This educated guess is called the hypothesis
Most of the time a hypothesis is written like this: "If _____[I do this] _____, then
_____[this]_____ will happen.
Your hypothesis should be something that you can actually test.
You need to be able to measure both "what you do" and "what will happen."
Example Hypotheses

If I open the tap, then it will increase the flow of water.

Raising the temperature of a cup of water will increase the amount of sugar that
dissolves.

If a plant receives fertiliser, then it will grow to be bigger than a plant that does
not receive fertiliser.

If I put fenders on a bicycle, then they will keep the rider dry when riding
through puddles.
WRITING YOUR EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE
Now that you have come up with a hypothesis and planned a fair test to investigate
whether it is true or false, you now need to write up an experimental procedure.
An experimental procedure is a step-by-step recipe for your science experiment. A
good procedure is so detailed and complete that it lets someone else duplicate your
experiment exactly!
Your Experimental Procedure must include:

A clear description of what it is you will be testing. What is the one and only
variable you will change? What will remain the same?
A step-by-step list of everything you must do to perform your experiment. Think
about everything you will need to do to complete your experiment. You must
record exactly what needs to be done in each step.
How are you going to measure your results?
How many times are you going to repeat your experiment?

A draft of your Experimental Procedure is due on Friday 3rd June

4. CONDUCTING YOUR INVESTIGATION

By now you have put a lot of hard work into your science fair project. You are finally
ready to conduct your investigation.
You will need to
Gather materials
Follow your written procedure exactly
Make sure your measurements are exact
Make careful observations (be sure to record these)
Collect and record data at regular intervals
Write down any problems that occur or unexpected results
Take lots of photos along the way. These will be helpful for your display board.
Be honest about your results. Even if things go wrong you can still produce an
excellent investigation by explaining why the unexpected result occurred and
what you would need to do differently next time.
DATA TABLES
You should create a table to record your data in. Your table should include the
independent variable (what has been changed) and the dependent variable (what
has been measured).
Tables help us to easily see how what has been changed has affected what has
been measured. They give a picture of the information collected and helps use to
identify patterns and trends in the results.
Here is an example of a data table:
What was changed
Temperature (C)
10 degrees
12 degrees
14 degrees
16 degrees
18 degrees
20 degrees

What was measured

Number of seeds
germinated
2
5
7
11
16
23

The information in your data table will be used to create at least one graph for your
display.
The type of graph you use will depend on what you have changed and what you
have measured. The table on the next page give examples of which type of graph
should be drawn for different types of variables.
If you are not sure what type of graph is appropriate to display your results,
please talk to your teacher.

5. ANALYSING RESULTS AND WRITING A CONCLUSION

Youve finished your experiment and you have your results. The next step is to
analyse them and write a conclusion.
Your conclusion should answer the following questions
What does your data tell you?
Can you analyse your data to find any relationships, patterns or trends?
What did you conclude?
Was your hypothesis correct? Why/why not?
Is this what you expected? Why/why not?
Was your experiment a fair test? If not, why?
Are there any possible improvements you could make to your experiment?
Do you think these changes would impact on the results?
6. PRESENTATION / DISPLAYING RESULTS
And finally you need to prepare a display board to communicate your investigation
to others. You will be provided with a standard, three-panel display board that
unfolds.

Organise your information like a newspaper so that your audience can

quickly follow the thread of your experiment by reading from top to bottom,
then left to right. Include each step of your science fair project: Question,
hypothesis, background research, and so on.
Your information should be typed. Use a font size of at least 16 points for
the text on your display board, so that it is easy to read from a few feet away.
It's okay to use slightly smaller fonts for captions on picture and tables.
The title should be big and easily read from across the room. Choose
one that accurately describes your work, but also grabs peoples' attention.
Use photos and diagrams to present non-numerical data, to propose models
that explain your results, or just to show your experimental setup. But, don't
put text on top of photographs or images. It can be very difficult to read.
Use graphs to present numerical data.
Here is a checklist of items that should be included
o Your name on the display board
o Pictures of yourself
o Your question and hypothesis
o Your background research paper
o Your experimental procedure and a list of materials and equipment
o Your data chart
o Graphs and diagrams that illustrate your results
o Your analysis and conclusion
o Captions that include the source for every picture or image
o Acknowledgements of people who helped you

o Equipment such as your laboratory apparatus or your invention

YOUR COMPLETED SCIENCE FAIR

PROJECT IS DUE AT SCHOOL TO BE
DISPLAYED AT OUR SCIENCE FAIR ON
FRIDAY THE 1ST OF JULY

NIWA SCIENCE FAIR Criteria for Judging

Scientific Thought; Understanding (30 Points)
The exhibit demonstrates clear scientific thought, the application of appropriate scientific methods,
an appreciation of the need for accuracy in observation, measurement, data collection and
reporting; and an understanding of the underlying or related scientific principles embraced within
the project.
Technical; Graphic Skill (15 Points)
The project has been assembled with skill and dexterity, equipment, models and the frame of the
project have been well constructed; graphic materials have been carefully prepared and presented,
living plants and animals have been well cared for, working parts are reliable; and the whole is well
planned and neatly finished.
Originality (25 Points)
In the selection of a topic or statement of the problem, uniqueness of approach, resourcefulness in
obtaining and interpreting data, ingenious use of illustrative objects, inventive apparatus, insight
conclusions, or inspired applications of the principles, process or product.
Thoroughness; Effort (15 Points)
The work which has gone into a Science Fair project is reflected in the scope of the topic, the scale
of the investigation, the detail obtained, the extent of the results, the repetition of the
experiments, the construction of the project and its illustrative items, written material and other
displays.
Presentation (15 Points)
The exhibit is well designed and developed to be attractive, visually interesting, informative on all
aspects of the investigation, well illustrated with photographs, models, specimens or samples; and
with wide public appeal.

NIWA SCIENCE FAIR - PRIZES

Some of these prizes may not be awarded as advertised.

Best Exhibitor in the Fair

Royal Society of NZ Wellington Branch Prize: $1000 for the best overall exhibit in the Fair, taking
into account the year level of the exhibitor(s).

Other Major Prizes

Victoria University Faculty of Science Prize: One iPad computer for the best exhibit in Classes 1-4
(Year 7-10).

Best Entries
The Best Entries in the NIWA Wellington Science and Technology Fair may receive
nomination to a National Event organised by The Royal Society of New Zealand.

Class Prizes
Class prizes will be awarded as follows:

First:
$300

Second:
$150

Third:
$100

Fourth:
$50

Honourable
Mention

Special Prizes
It is anticipated that the following Special Prizes may be offered. Please note that the prize value
indicated may not necessarily be awarded to a single exhibit or awarded at the advertised value.
Special Prizes may be sub-divided at the Judge's discretion, and be awarded to a number of
exhibits.
1.

The Phillip Alve Futures Prize (NZ Futures Trust). Prizes to a total of $250 will be awarded
to projects from Class 1 or 2 with a documented futures outlook. Entrants need to have
considered possible future impacts, both positive and negative, of their project over the next 5-25
years and to record their findings in their log book or display.

2.

The University of Otago offer an all expenses paid trip to the 2016 Hands-on at Otago
summer school for the entry displaying the best application of the scientific method. The winner
will also receive a Canon compact camera.

3.

Victoria University of Wellington School of Chemical and Physical Sciences offer a prize of
$100 to the best exhibit that explains a principle in either physics or chemistry and demonstrates
an application of this principle through a particular technology.

4.

The School of Mathematics and Statistics at Victoria University of Wellington offers a $100
prize for the most imaginative and effective project using mathematics or statistics.

5.

The School of Engineering and Computer Science at Victoria University of Wellington offers
prizes to a total of $200 for the most imaginative and effective projects using computers or
information technology.

6.

NIWA (National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Ltd) offers prizes to the value
of $200 for exhibits related to water and atmospheric quality.

7.

The Hugh D Gordon Memorial Prize of $100 in Biology. The late Professor Gordon was
professor of Botany at Victoria University of Wellington 1947-1977. The prize is donated by Mrs J
C R Gordon and Dr Margaret Gordon.

8.

The Peter Jennings Memorial Prize of $100 in Biology. The late Mr Jennings was a science
teacher and President of the Wellington Science Teachers' Association. The prize is donated
by Capital City Science Educators.

9.

The Doreen Gates Memorial Prize of $100 for a project in Class 1 or 2 displaying
enthusiasm and innovation. The late Doreen Gates was a teacher with a long involvement in the
Wellington Science and Technology Fair. The prize is donated by Capital City Science Educators.

10.

The Wellington Branch of the Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand offers two
prizes of $500 each, awarded for presentations of an innovative illustration of an engineering
principle.

11.

The Wellington Medical Research Foundation offers $200 for exhibits relating to health.

12.

The New Zealand Institute of Chemistry offers two prizes of $100 each in the junior and
senior sections.

13.

The Geoscience Society of New Zealand offers a 1st prize of $250 and a 2nd prize of $100
for the best projects relating to geosciences

14.

The New Zealand Association of Optometrists (Wellington Branch) offers $300 for projects
in the field of optometry and vision science.

15.

The Antarctic Society, Wellington Branch, offers a $100 book voucher for the best entry on
an Antarctic or Southern Ocean subject.

16.

Opus International Consultants Ltd offers Junior Prizes totalling $100 in book vouchers,
and Senior Prizes totalling $250 in book vouchers, to those projects which best illustrate the use
of science and engineering to improve the lives of people. Where possible the prizes may include
a visit to an active Opus engineering project.

17.

ESR offers a prize of $250 of book vouchers for the best exhibit based on investigations
involving microbiology.

18.

The New Zealand Soil Science Society offers a book prize for a soil related project.

19.

Wellington Central Public Library offers a $50 book voucher for a project on an
environmental theme.

20.

The New Zealand Institute of Food Science and Technology offers a 1st prize of $100 and
two highly commended prizes of $50 for the best projects which relate to food.

21.

Victoria University of Wellington Faculty of Education offers prizes of $125 for Class 1/2,
$150 for Class 3/4, and $200 for Class 5, for students who best demonstrate the use of scientific
thinking in the formulation and investigation of his or her question.

22.

Callaghan Innovation Research Ltd offer a prize of $250 for a novel demonstration of the
industrial application of science or engineering.

23.

Australasian Corrosion Association offer three separate prizes of $50, $30 and $20 for a
project related to corrosion.

24.

The Wellington Botanical Society offers a prize of $150 for the best exhibit of a project
involving a New Zealand native plant or plants.

25.

The Cancer Society (Wellington Division) offers two prizes of $200 for projects which relate
to prevention of cancer in one of the four areas: SunSmart, Smokefree, Physical Activity,
Nutrition. See www.cancernz.org.nz/reducing-your-cancer-risk/ for ideas.

26.

The New Zealand Statistical Association and Statistics New Zealand offer prizes to the
value of $120 to the exhibits showing the best application of statistical methods. Eligible exhibits
should involve the use of statistical principles that contribute to making them good science.

27.

NumberWorks'nWords Tuition offers a prize of $100 to an exhibit showing the best use of
mathematics in their project.

28.

The Measurement Standards Laboratory of New Zealand, Callaghan Innovation offers up to

three $100 prizes for the application of measurement.

29.

The NZ Farm Forestry Association (Wellington Branch) offers a prize of $200 for a project
that displays an understanding of some aspect of native or exotic forestry in New Zealand.

30.

The NZ Baking Industry Research Trust Award offers a prize of $50 for the best project or
exhibit that uses bread or flour products.

31.

Australian and New Zealand Council for the Care of Animals in Research and Teaching
(ANZCCART) offers a $100 prize for an animal-based project. Animal Ethics approval must have
been applied for and given, and correct procedures and practice must have been undertaken in
the study. The student must also know the importance of ethics approval.

32.

Aviation research and development has produced some of the most important
technological developments of the last hundred years, and continues to do so. To encourage
research in aviation, the Royal Aeronautical Society, Wellington Branch, offers prizes totalling
$200 for the best exhibits which explore or apply aeronautical principles or practices.

33.

The Met Shop offers a prize of a $100 gift voucher to the best junior and senior exhibit
relating to meteorology.

34.

The Sociological Association of Aotearoa, New Zealand (SAANZ) offers a prize of a $100
book voucher for the best use of social research in order to highlight and explore important social,
ethical, practical or policy considerations for individuals, communities and society.

35.

The Kainic Medical Communications offers a prize of $100 for the best PowerPoint (
Microsoft) presentation from Class 4 or Class 5. $150 will also be awarded to the winners school
to help fund the purchase of science equipment.

36.

Te Rp whina whnau in the Faculties of Science, Engineering and Architecture and

Design at Victoria University of Wellington offers a $100 gift voucher for the exhibit that best
contributes to Mori and/or Pacific community development.

37.

Toihuarewa at Victoria University of Wellington and SMART (Society for Mori Astronomy
Research and Traditions) jointly offer gift vouchers to a total value of $150 for the best exhibits in
te reo Mori.

38.

The Massey University/GNS Science Joint Centre for Disaster Research offers two prizes of
$100 each for the best junior (Years 7-8) and senior (Years 9-13) project in the area of
community resilience to disasters (e.g. natural hazard awareness; increasing preparedness in the
home, school or community; improving response to and recovery from disasters).

39.

Aotearoa Wave and Tidal Energy Association offers prizes totalling $100 for the best
projects relating to marine renewable energy.

NIWA SCIENCE FAIR CONDITIONS AND CRITERIA

Conditions of Entry
1.

Exhibitors must submit their entry information to the school science fair coordinator before
6 August 2016. The entries (maximum 20 per school) must be made through the Entry Form
on the Science Fair web site before 11:59pm on 6 August 2016.

2.

General enquires or requests for permission to use dangerous chemicals (see Rule 9
below) should be addressed to the Chairman using the contact form on this web site.

3.

All exhibits must be the work of the exhibitor(s) only. Advice may be sought from any
source and special components (eg, transformers, glassware etc,) may be purchased. The
major construction must, however, be your own. The Judges will give credit for simplicity of
design and ingenuity. Exhibits containing a high proportion of purchased components will not
necessarily be considered favourably.

4.

Competitors should prepare their exhibit on a stand, as a complete, self-contained unit. No

parts may be attached to tables or walls or floor.

5.

The base of the exhibit may not exceed 1.200 x .750 metres.

6.

Competitors must be ready to install their exhibit in the position allocated as instructed at
registration on set-up day. The prize giving will be on Saturday September 3 at 1:00pm. Your
entry will need to be removed promptly after the prize giving.

7.

Each exhibit must be labelled by the competitor with the competition number and the brief
description title (as on the entry form). A brief explanation of the object of the project is to
be attached in a prominent place. This should also state which part of the exhibit or of the
work done was completed by someone other than the exhibitor(s) or was purchased.
Exhibitors are requested to check carefully not only the spelling of anything they write, but
also the accuracy of their statements. Both types of error will be taken into account by the
Judges. All explanations should be in bold lettering, legible from say, one and a half to two
metres away. (Competition numbers will be supplied at the Fair).

8.

An exhibit that has been awarded a prize may not be re-entered in any subsequent
Science Fair.

9.

Competitors must abide by the rules of the competition.