Abstract — short (250 words) summary of your entire project. It should summarize the purpose, procedure and results. Most fair requirements will describe your abstract format.
Background Research — this is how you learn about your topic by reading books and articles, viewing media, and interviewing knowledgeable people. Typically, a middle school student will gather five to six pages of research for a project. Remember to write your project in 3rd person: no I, we, or you.
Bibliography — a listing of all of your research sources. There is a standard format for a bibliography. Look in any scientific book and article for an example.
Conclusion — a written summary of findings. It is where the hypothesis is evaluated, extraneous variables are identified, changes are proposed, and applications and benefits to real-life situations are listed.
Control — a condition or value that does not change during an experiment; creating a standard for comparison. For a valid project, keep one variable controlled.
Data — in the context of a science fair project, data is a listing of the results or research or measurements. Data is displayed in charts, graphs, and tables.
Display — the tabletop array you create to explain your work to the judges and public at the science fair.
Hypothesis — an educated guess presuming the outcome of an experiment. Written in an "if — then" format, the hypothesis follows the definition and research of the problem.
ISEF — International Science and Engineering Fair. Most of the best recognized local, regional and state fairs are affiliated to ISEF via Science Service, Inc. in Washington D.C.
Journal — a written record of your research, data, and other information used in your project. You should update your journal with frequent regularity.
Materials — a complete list of everything used during the experiment or project, including equipment, chemicals, organisms, etc.
Mentor — a guide and reliable, accessible human resource assisting you with the background and implementation of your project; usually one with experience in the field of science studied for the fair project.
Problem — usually stated in the form of a question regarding the scientific phenomenon to be investigated in your project.
Procedure — step-by-step instructions describing the entire project. Steps should be explained so another person could repeat your work. Any changes you make should be added as an addendum to your stated procedure.
Protocol — an established method for performing a fair project. Rulebooks assigned when you register for the fair will list all protocol for you to follow.
Purpose — a statement explaining the expected outcome of your work.
Showboard — the cardboard or other type backboard used to display project graphs, photos, etc.
Sponsor — any person or entity that supplied financial or other support for your project.
Topic — the subject or field of interest that will be explored in your project. Usually the topic selected is tied closely to the interest of the person completing the project.
Variable, Dependent — a variable that may, or may not be changed as a result of the experiments performed in your project. It is the variable that is usually observed at the end of the experiment.
Variable, Extraneous — variables that are unanticipated, or unwanted. They are usually events that cause incorrect experimental results and wrong conclusions.
Variable, Independent — variable that causes change. It is usually the variable that starts the experiment and the first thing that is allowed to change.
© 2005 Steven L. Jacobs and Mark W. Oleksak
