Topic - Guest Contributor

Science Fair Judging – Why Didn’t I Win?

Guest Blogger: Dr, Maille Lyons, The Science Fair Coach

Most of the time, when you don’t win, a science fair there isn’t any feedback on why your project was not selected as one of the best. Here is a list of the 5 most common reasons a project, that might otherwise seem like a “winner” does not even place in the top tier.

1. Violation: Gadgeteering

Explanation: Projects that do not follow the scientific method to solve a problem will usually be dismissed as a demonstration or a gadget. This is particularly common with a new technology. For example, a project that demonstrates how a solar cell (or DNA extraction kit or hover-craft etc.) works is not sufficient for a competitive science fair project because there is no experimentation. The project might win at school level for the “wow” factor, but will not be considered for awards at higher levels. HOWEVER, the exception to this violation is for science fairs with a specific category for Engineering and/or Technology.  In this case, learn and follow the engineering design principles, which are similar to scientific method.

2. Violation: Failure to follow scientific method

Explanation: The most common errors that fall under this violation are:

• no hypothesis (or

Science Fair – What Will the Judge Ask Me?

Guest Blogger: Dr, Maille Lyons, The Science Fair Coach

Part III:  What will the judge ask me?

Some judges will be judging their first science fair, while others will have judged several fairs at varying levels.  Nevertheless there are many common questions and, the more you have thought about them, the better your interview experience will be.

 20 Questions you should expect include:

• Where did you get this idea?
• How did you come up with this title?
• What research did you do?
• What was your hypothesis?
• Why did you think that would happen?
• What were your independent and dependent variables?
• What was your control?
• What did you measure and how?
• How did you calculate that result?
• Why did you choose that amount, (or measurement, or piece of equipment, etc.)?
• How did you replicate the experiment?
• What does that graph tell you?
• How variable were your results and what might explain the variability?
• What did you base that conclusion on?
• Why/How are your findings important?
• Who might want to know this information?
• What would be the next experiment you would do?
• What was the hardest part (or most fun, or most exciting, or most surprising, etc.)?
• Who helped you?
• If you had to do it all over again, is there anything you would do differently?

About Dr. Maille Lyons

How is a Science Fair Judged and Tips for Science Fair Success

Guest Blogger: Dr, Maille Lyons, The Science Fair Coach

How is a Science Fair Judged?
It might surprise you to learn that there are no rules on how a science fair must be judged.  In an ideal situation, all science fair judges would review all of the projects, and then interview all of the students, and then come to an agreement on the ranking of the overall best projects.  This, however, is generally not going to happen because of time constraints and limits on the number of judges available.  The next best option is to have groups of judges assigned to natural groupings of projects.  For example, some judges would only judge 5^th grade projects while others would only judge 6^th grade projects.  Alternatively, some judges would only judge biology projects, while others would only judge physics projects.  In both cases, all judges evaluate all projects in their group and come to a consensus regarding the rankings for that type of project.  Realistically, it is more common that each judge evaluates a randomly assigned group of projects, looking to identify the

Indoor Fun: How to Make Science Kids’ Play at Home

By Guest Contributor Kristin Fitch
From ZiggityZoom.com

I have 3 boys.  From an early age I introduced my children to basic science concepts.  There was no room in our house for formalities, or serious science, at least not when my boys were only 2,4, and 6.  I was on a mission to encourage a love of learning, and to make sure I introduced my boys early on to science and math.  The honest truth is, neither math nor physical sciences were my strongest subjects. I preferred the social sciences and I did not want that to be a weakness for my boys.

Anyways when we had time, I would get out all of the supplies to create slime, make a basic volcano or some other kitchen chemistry experiment and my boys loved every single experiment.

The only unspoken requirements given by my boys were that it had to bubble, fizz, pop, change colors, or be slimy, gooey, or change from one state to another (ex. freezing things).  Why?  Well, of course, because science has to be exciting at this age.  A 5 or 7 year old may lose interest in a science experiment that takes several days or weeks to happen.  There is a

Five Ways to Inspire a Child’s Inner Scientist

By Guest Contributor, Kristin Fitch of Ziggity Zoom

Kids are experts at asking questions.  A typical 3 year old will ask why non-stop.  Why does that work like that?  Why is that man so tall?  Why do I have to do it?  The questions and their inquisitive nature are amazing.  So why not harness that curiosity and introduce your children to fun things that will get them thinking.

If you want to nurture your child’s inner scientist, then it is important to get your kids involved in lots of different activities, such as art, baking, planting, creating, and reading.  Here are five activities that your kids will love to do and will actually be learning how to be a better Scientist by observing, measuring, building, testing, and creating.  While you are at it go ahead and bring out your inner scientist and have some fun!

Edible Structures

Want to get your kids excited about structures, DNA, or any other model?  Use everyday items to let them build it or let them build anything they want.  It helps to show them something you have built first.  You can