Science Fair

Acaciawood School 5th-8th grade students participate in an annual Science Fair competition. Projects are prepared throughout the fall semester and the first part of the spring semester for a competition in the early spring. The top projects in each grade of the school’s competition compete at the Orange County Science and Engineering Fair. Winners at the county level move on to the State Science Fair competition.

Students who participate in Science Fair learn to apply the steps in the scientific method including:

• Constructing a hypothesis
• Planning an experiment
• Gathering and analyzing data
• Drawing conclusions

Students follow a general project development plan that includes:

• Writing a background paper on the topic
• Developing an investigation plan
• Recording their work in a journal
• Designing and conducting an experiment
• Developing an exhibit incorporating pictures and charts
• Preparing and giving an oral presentation concerning their project

Students also develop valuable skills in:

• Time management
• Project management
• Researching
• Writing
• Applying critical thinking
• Visual exhibit design
• Public speaking

The schedule for the Orange County Science and Engineering Fair is available on their Web site.

Helpful sites for getting ideas for and planning Science Fair projects:

• http://www.sciencebuddies.org/mentoring/
• http://www.all-science-fair-projects.com/
• http://www.hallbar.com/sciencecenter.html
• http://members.ozemail.com.au/~macinnis@ozemail.com.au/scifu
  /projects.htm
• http://www.cdli.ca/sciencefairs/
• http://www.ipl.org/div/kidspace/projectguide/
• http://parentingteens.about.com/cs/homeworkhelp/a
  /blscproindex.htm
• http://sciencepage.org/scifair.htm
• http://www.juliantrubin.com/fairprojects.html
• http://www.usc.edu/CSSF/Resources/GettingStarted.html

Last modified: 5/31/06