What is a scientific project?

Types of projects - A scientific project is an investigation in which you try to solve a problem or answer a question that you have identified. When you do an investigation, you follow a method that allows you to test an idea or solve a problem and come to a clear conclusion.
Projects for Expo must have original work done by participant e.g.

• survey of more than a 100 questionaires
• experimental work.

Types of projects - see assessment sheet

Pure science
Pure science focuses on learning more about the world we live in by improving our knowledge at a fundamental and basic level. Little or no regard is given to applying this knowledge to practical applications. Pure scientists conduct experiments or studies to test scientific hypothesis and develop theories. An important aspect of this experimentation involves identifying variables and, where possible, controlling them.

Applied science
Applied science makes use of laws, physical relationships and other knowledge developed in the pure sciences and applies this knowledge to human needs. Engineering is very closely related to applied science. Companies make use of applied science in their research and development division to improve their products. Innovative ideas and inventions will sometimes be found in this type of project. Applied science forms the foundation for technology and applied technology

Technology and applied technology
Technology and applied technology is the application of pure and applied science knowledge to meet a specific user need, most often in an industrial or commercial setting.

Brilliant innovation and invention is less important, rather a systematic method for user need identification as well as technology or knowledge application to meet the need.

A good project would demonstrate the development of a useful technology using a systematic design, build and test process.

Engineering projects
An engineering project should state the engineering goals, development process and the evaluation of improvements.
Engineering projects may include the following:

• Define a need or "How can I make this better?"
• Develop or establish design criteria (could be more than one)
• Do background research and search the literature to see what has already been done or what products already exist to fill a similar need. What makes them good and what makes them weak?
• Prepare preliminary designs and a list of materials needed. Consider costs, manufacturing and user requirements.
• Build and test a prototype of your best design. Consider reliability, repair and servicing.
• Retest and redesign as necessary. Product testing.
• Present results

Computer Science Projects
These often involve creating and writing new algorithms to solve a problem or improve on an existing algorithm. Simulations, models or "virtual reality"

Mathematics Projects
These involve proofs, solving equations, etc. Mathematics is the language of science and is used to explain existing phenomena or prove new concepts and ideas.

Theoretical Projects
These projects may involve a thought experiment, development of new theories and explanations, concept formation or designing a mathematical model.

Steps to a good scientific project

STEP 1: Choosing a topic
The topic for your project should be something that you are interested in and that you want to learn more about. You may think of a good topic straight away just by looking at the list of Expo categories, or you may need to look for ideas for your topic. You can get ideas for projects from:

• Newspaper and magazine articles
• The Internet
• Television programmes
• Practical problems from your community
• The Expo website

Your idea for a project should be an original one. This means that it should be your own idea and not somebody else's. Do not repeat an experiment from the school syllabus or choose a problem to which people already know the answer. For example "Determining the specific heat capacity on iron" is not an original topic for your Expo project. The method to follow is well known from school textbooks and you can easily look up the answer.

The best Expo projects are not always complicated, but they are imaginative and well carried out.

A good project is often:

• a clever solution to a problem; or
• a new idea for a piece of apparatus; or
• a study or survey that no-one has done before.

Be original, but DO NOT choose a project that:

• could be dangerous to yourself or others;
• needs any experiments on insects, live animals or humans; or
• involves collecting plants or animals that are protected by Nature Conservation laws.

STEP 2: Project description

State your topic as a question or aim and then formulate your hypothesis (what you think the answer is going to be).

STEP 3: Gather background information

Use books and Internet sites for your research. A summary of your research must be included in your introduction.
Remember to record your references/bibliography.

STEP 4: Collect data 

• Do experiments to test your hypothesis.
• Interview people interested in your topic.
• Do surveys or send out questionnaires - a minimum of 100 people If applicable, make a working model to illustrate the solving of your problem. Use what is at hand, an e.g. use material from home.
• Keep handwritten notes in a project data book (e.g. file, diary or scrap book). A project data book is your most important piece of work. Accurate and detailed notes make a logical and winning project. Good notes show consistency and thoroughness to the judges. Record data in the data book and then transfer to tables when writing your report. Make sure you date every entry.

STEP 5: Record your results in tables

• Generate graphs from your tables.
• Add photos.
• File a blank copy of your questionnaire/survey in your data book.

STEP 6: Discuss results

• Interpret the data or make comparison.
• Look at trends and patterns.
• Note limitation and errors in your discussion.

STEP 7 : Conclusion

Your conclusion must be based on your findings and must be linked to your hypothesis/aim.

STEP 8: Evaluate the whole project

• Review
• Revise
• Redo

STEP 9: Write a report using the following headings

• Choosing a title for the project: Title simple and must be descriptive.
• State problem/aim and hypothesis
• Introduction, including information collected and description of project
• Method (numbered, logical, concise, third person includes variables)
• Results (record of data in tables and graphs)
• Analysis/discussion and interpretation of results (including errors and modifications)
• Conclusion/s
• Bibliography/References (with a list of books, magazine articles or internet sites where you acquired important information)
• Acknowledgements (this is a list of the people who helped you and the help each one gave. For example, someone might
• have lent you a piece of equipment, taken photographs for your poster or given you some important advice)
• Abstract - compulsory for Regional Expo and National Finals (maximum of 250 words on one page)
• Plagiarism form

STEP 10: Showing your work
Your presentation must include the following:

• Poster
• Project data book
• Report
• Display
• Working model on table (if applicable)
• Your presentation must be presented logically and
• eye-catching.

Check with your Regional Coordinator if display boards are provided and what is the size and dimensions.
Each exhibit at National Finals is given a space of maximum 1.5m table length and a display.
It is compulsory to use the display boards provided at National Finals - size and dimensions of the display board - height 1m; left side 50cm; middle 1.5m and right side 50cm.
Look at the drawing to see how to make the most of the space you are given.

Display Board (a summary of your project)

Suggested layout for display board

Left Side:

1. Problem

2. Hypothesis / Aim

3. Background information

Middle:

4. Large title (Font size 150) (same as submitted on entry to Regional and National Finals)

5. Name and grade underneath the title

6. Method, including variables

7. Results - include tables and graphs

Right Side:

8. Analysis/discussion and Interpretation of results

9. Conclusion

10. Acknowledgements

Your poster is the most important part of your project. Your poster should be easy to read and understand. It should explain

what you did, how you did it and what you found out. Make your poster eye-catching and interesting. You want visitors at Expo to stop and read about what you did. Summarised information must be laid out in a logical order. Anyone who wants more information, can read your report. (Your report is very important).

What is an abstract?
The purpose of an abstract is to serve as a link between the title of a scientific project (research study) which may be a brief paragraph or two (limited to 250 words). The abstract is a useful summary of the project that provides justification for the research. The abstract allows the reader to conclude whether your project write-up is worth reading.
Your abstract appears at the beginning of your project file as well as on your display after acknowledgements.

How to Write an Abstract

The abstract should include the following headings:

• Purpose of the Project/Experiment
  • An introductory statement of the reason for investigating the topic of the project
  • A statement of the problem or hypothesis being studied.
• Method Used
  • A summarisation of the key points and an overview of how the investigation was conducted.
  • An abstract does not give details about the materials used unless it greatly influenced the procedure or had to be developed to do the investigation.
  • An abstract should only include procedures done by the student. Work done by a mentor (such as surgical procedures) or work done prior to student involvement must not be included.
• Observation/Data/Results
  • This section should provide key results that lead directly to the conclusions you have drawn.
  • It should not give too many details about the results but must include the most important data generated in the investigations.
• Conclusions
  • Conclusions from the investigation should be described briefly.
  • The summary paragraph should reflect on the process and possibly state some applications and extensions of the investigation.
  • An abstract does not include a bibliography or references or acknowledgement

Project File

• Neat file - contents page with headings below, dividers, logical arrangement
• At the front of the file - plagiarism pledge and abstract
• Introduction (Why and includes background research)
• Aim (to find out/to determine etc)
• Hypothesis (statement that you are going to test which includes independent and dependent variables)
• Method (How the project is to be done, includes fixed variables)
• Results (What happened - tables & graphs)
• Discussion of results (Describing what happened in words& patterns and trends and why they may have happened)
• Discussion - errors and modifications (what went wrong and what could you have done to improve your project if you had time)
• Conclusions (refer directly to aim/hypothesis and incorporates results)
• References (which books and webpages you consulted and these must be referenced correctly, the first reference must be the one where you got your project idea from)
• Acknowledgements (people you talked to and who helped you and state what help they gave you)

Project Data File / Journal

• This is a record of ALL your work - no matter how untidy it is!
• Everything should be dated
• File all emails
• File notes from interviews
• File all designs and plans
• File copies of articles/webpages you have read - either in alphabetical order or in order of importance to the project.
• File all survey questionnaires

Interview

Please take note of the following points:

• Introduce yourself by name
• Know your topic
• Be enthusiastic
• Speak clearly with confidence
• Use appropriate language
• Listen to the judges' questions
• Don't read off notes or recite a prepared speech, answer the questions
• Make sure your answers are to the point
• Be aware of time constraints

Entering A Science Expo

Any project done must fall under one of the Expo Categories
N.B. Not all gold medal winners at regional level will be selected to participate at Expo National Finals.

Regional Expo
Please check with your regional coordinator as to which grades may enter a Regional Expo. Regional Expos are usually held between July and early September each year. Interested students and teachers should contact their nearest Regional Science Fair Director.

Ensure that entry forms are fully completed, and that the information is clearly readable and you have entered your project in the correct category.

Useful points to remember:

• Bring your own drawing pins, staples, Prestik, Velcro, masking tape or whatever else you need to put up your display.
• Bring your own extension cord if you have a model or apparatus that needs 220 volt electricity to work.
• Do not include any live animals, insects, spiders and fish in your display. Photos and video clips may be shown instead.
• Do not include any animal or human body parts in your display. (Refer to page 23 and make sure your project is ethical)
• Burning of any substances or use of open flames as part of your exhibit is prohibited.
• Do not leave valuable items on your display. The organisers will endeavour to make sure that things are safe at Expo, but will not be responsible for any losses.
• No chewing gum during interviews.
• Switch off cell phone during interviews.

Parents and Teachers
Expo for Young Scientists supplies a forum for students to display their scientific knowledge and skills. Parents and teachers can act as mentors to the students, but must not display their own scientific knowledge and skills. Judges will disqualify any project that was not done entirely by the student(s).

Judging

Judging is based on the following criteria;

PART A: Value of project (50)

• Originality of the project. The student is able to think and act independently. Refers to reading, originality of approach, use of resources, depths of planning and execution of investigation.
• Scientific method. Command of the scientific method, scope/range of investigation, results, analysis, conclusions.

PART B: Written communication of project (30)

• Written communication of research (Poster, report, project data book)

PART C: Oral communication (20)

• Interview

The interview with the judges is aimed at establishing the exhibitor's understanding of the topic, the originality and thoroughness of their methods and experimentation.

Most of what an exhibitor has done, should be on display or be discussed during the interview. A standard set of judges' criteria are used at Regional Expos and National Finals. Please make sure that you study the judges' criteria before you participate at Expo. (Refer to judging sheet)