School-level Science Project Competition Guideline

Table of Content Page no.

1. Overview …………………………………...… 2
2. Rules & Guidelines ……………………………………… 3
3. Classification of Science Project ………………………. 4
4. How to start your Science Project ……………………… 5
5. The scientific research methodology ………………….. 8
6. Display Guidelines …………………………………… 10
7. Tips for displaying …………………………………… 13

Page 1
 Overview

A school-level science project competition is an event in which students showcase their

science projects and compete against each other. The competition typically involves students
from schools and covers a wide range of scientific topics such as physics, biology, chemistry,
earth science, and more. Projects are evaluated based on criteria such as originality, scientific
method, and presentation skills. The competition provides an opportunity for students to apply
their knowledge and skills, gain valuable experience in scientific research and presentation, and
receive feedback from experts in the field. Winning projects may be selected for further
recognition and advancement to regional and national competitions.

Why is your student’s participation vital?

The goal of the competition is to encourage students to explore their interests in science and to
develop critical thinking, Cognitive abilities and problem-solving skills.
Cognitive abilities refer to the mental processes and skills that allow us to perceive, think,
reason, and remember. Some examples of cognitive skills include:

❖ Attention: the ability to focus on a specific task or stimulus.

❖ Memory: the ability to retain and recall information.
❖ Language: the ability to understand and use words to communicate.
❖ Perception: the ability to interpret and make sense of sensory information.
❖ Problem-solving: the ability to identify a problem and find a solution.
❖ Reasoning: the ability to draw logical conclusions from information.
❖ Executive function: the ability to plan, organize and prioritize tasks.

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 RULES & GUIDELINES

1) Safety:
a) All projects should be conducted in a safe manner and take all necessary
precautions
b) Dangerous chemicals, open flames & explosives, illegal drugs, animal
experiments that involve starvation or any other form of cruelty are highly
prohibited
c) Electrical switches and cords needed for the project must meet basic safety
standards.
d) Schools or teachers assume responsibility for loss or damage to any exhibit.
2) Approval:
Projects must be approved by the teacher or the school authority and parents.
See more on page no. 3.

3) Classification:
Each project will be classified into one of the following categories:
Experiment, Model, Demonstration, Collection, and Invention.
See more on page no. 3.

4) Members/participants:
● A group must have 5 members including at least 1 female student.
● Each group can showcase only one science research project at a time.
● To showcase multiple projects, multiple groups must be assigned.

5) Display:
a) The three-sided display board should be free-standing and not more than 19
inches tall and 36 inches wide when fully extended.
b) When displayed, the backboard and project should not occupy more than 48
inches of length and 16 inches of table depth.
See more on page no. 3.

6) Research Progression:
The progression of the research must be more than 10 days.

7) Discipline:
a) Students should be in proper uniform with tie, belt, shoes and dress.
b) Communicative languages should be socially accepted whether you use
English Or Nepali Language.

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 CLASSIFICATION OF A SCIENCE PROJECT

A science project will give you an opportunity to extend your knowledge of a

particular scientific topic or idea that you find interesting. It will allow you to share the
results of your investigation with others.
This scientific investigation can be developed in one of five ways.

1. EXPERIMENT
An experiment can be a test made to demonstrate a known scientific fact or it can also
be a test to determine if a hypothesis (your educated guess of what will happen) is
accurate.

2. MODEL
A model is a small object usually built to scale that represents some already existing
object.

3. DEMONSTRATION
A demonstration is an illustration or explanation of a scientific principle that shows how
and why something works.
An example would be to use a switch to demonstrate and explain how an electrical
switch operates.

4. COLLECTION
A collection is a grouping or gathering of various objects which must be scientifically
oriented and show that you have learned something through the process of collecting
and categorizing. Items should be categorized and labeled correctly.
For example, a rock collection defined by the three types of rocks with explanations
about their differences and similarities.

5. INVENTION
An invention is a new device or process used to improve conditions, solve problems,
or to fill needs. Inventions can be completely new ideas or improvements on
something that already exists today.
An example would be to invent fertilizing golf tees which would fertilize the grass after
being left in the ground when broken.

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 HOW TO START YOUR SCIENCE PROJECT ?

i) CHOOSE AN AREA OF SCIENCE

Choose an area of science (physical, life, or earth) in which you are interested.
Do a little research to be sure that this topic really interests you. Then, from
that area of science, like "life science", select a general topic like "plants".
Finally, narrow your general topic to a specific subtopic about plants, like
"plant growth". Below is the only hint of a list of general topics you may
consider for your science project. You can make your own topic.

acids birds digestion fish invertebrates

aquatic life bases dinosaurs flowers jet propulsion

automation bones diseases food chains kelp

atoms brain constellations fossils learning

astronomy chemistry environment geology lights

animal behavior colour ecology gravity liquids

anatomy computer electricity heart machines

amphibians conservation energy heat magnetism

airplanes cells engines horses mammals

aerodynamics crystals first aid insects matter

tides trees vertebrates vocal cords water

migration nutrition photosynthesis pollution Prehistoric life

muscle oceanography planets weather reptiles

nerve parasites plants robots Respiration

rockets senses Solar system yeast ions

Solar energy shells sounds tide mosquitoes

AND etc.

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ii) CHOOSE THE QUESTION

From your subtopic, choose one question that will narrow the focus of your
investigation.
For example, using the subtopic of "plant growth", one question could be "How
does sunlight affect plant growth?" Another question could be "Which plant food
works the best?"
You can choose from many questions for each subtopic. This will be the question
you will be trying to answer with your project.
Below is a small sample of science questions to be investigated.

Astronomy
Why does the earth have seasons?
How are tides created?
Chemistry
How can you tell if something is an acid or base?
What is a chemical reaction?
Consumer Science
Which laundry detergent is best?
How does a radio work?
Earth Science
How do crystals grow?
What is the hydrologic (water) cycle?
Electricity
What is the best conductor?
How does an electromagnet work?
Physical Science
How does an aeroplane fly?
How does a switch operate?
Food chain
How important is the snake in the food chain?
Evaluate whether insects-eating birds are carnivores or herbivores.

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iii) CHOOSE THE PROJECT FORM

Decide what type of project (experiment, model, demonstration, collection, or invention)

would best show your audience the answer to your question.

iv) RESEARCH

You are now ready to begin planning your project by researching your question. You can get
information from encyclopedias, books, pamphlets, field trips, the internet, interviews and the
experiment. Look for information from several different sources.

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 THE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Below are the five steps used in the scientific method when conducting an investigation.

1. Identify the Problem

Think about what area of science interests you. Narrow it down to a specific question.
Example: In the area of life science, a topic could be "plants." A specific question could
be, "What plant food causes the fastest lawn growth?"

2. Collect Information
Research your topic. Take notes on information you feel will be important.

3. Develop a Hypothesis
A hypothesis is an educated guess. It takes into account the research you have done
and also your opinion of what will happen. What do you think will happen when you
perform your experiment? The hypothesis answers your question.
Example: Plant food "B" will cause lawns to grow faster.

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4. Conduct the Investigation
First, make a list of needed materials and collect them. Conduct your experiment and
observe what happens. Make sure that you are only changing one variable while all
other conditions remain constant. In other words, everything should be the same among
the tested items (conditions remain constant). The only difference (variable) would be
the procedure or item being tested in the experiment. Keep a journal recording changes,
growth, or other results in your experiment. Photos and/or illustrations of your progress
during the experiment are helpful additions to your display.
Example:
All lawns being tested should be treated the same (conditions remain constant):
same type of grass, soil, temperature, sunlight, water, feeding times, etc. The only
difference (variable) would be the different plant foods fed to the lawns. Make a chart
recording lawn growth.

5. Draw a Conclusion
Analyze the results of your experiment. Draw a conclusion based on your results.
Was your hypothesis correct?
Why or why not?
Your conclusion should tell what you learned by conducting the experiment and why the
experiment was important. Remember, an experiment is not a failure if the hypothesis is
proven wrong.

Example:
The lawn fed with plant food "A" grew faster than any of the other plant foods tested. My
hypothesis was not correct, even though plant food "B" cost more and promised better
results. I learned that not all plant foods are the same and that advertising is not always
true.

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 WHAT SHOULD BE IN THE DISPLAY

● Your project must include a three-sided display that gives viewers an overview of
the science topic under investigation.

● This display will be an overview of what you found out as a result of your
investigation.

● It will have
○ a title,
○ a summary of your most important information, and
○ pictures, graphs, charts, and/or drawings
to show what you did and what you learned.

● Your project must also include an

○ experiment,
○ model,
○ demonstration,
○ Collection,
○ Invention,
which is exhibited on the table in front of your display.

● Short oral presentation about your project is required. Explain how you have
done and what you have learned during your investigation.

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 DISPLAYING YOUR PROJECT

A very important part of your Science project is your display, since it is another way of
showing others what your project is about. Most people will judge your project based
upon the quality and thoroughness of this display.

The three-sided display board should be free-standing and not more than 19 inches tall
and 36 inches wide when fully extended. When displayed, the backboard and project
should not occupy more than 48 inches of length and 16 inches of table depth.

● The center part of the display is reserved for the title of the project and diagrams,
photos, or drawings of your work.
● The left side wing of the display should contain the scientific question and
procedures.
● The right side wing of the display should contain your results and conclusions.

On the table in front of the display you should place your experiment, model,
demonstration, collection, or invention.

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 3-SIDED DISPLAY

The diagram is a sample display but your own creativity will determine how you make
your own display.

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 HELPFUL CONSTRUCTION TIPS FOR THE DISPLAY

MATERIAL

Make the display from any sturdy material. Remember that it should stand by itself on
the table. Use mat board, poster board, or illustration board. Do not use tag board or
railroad board (such as that sold at Long's Drugstore) for the display. It is not sturdy
enough to stand without support.

LETTERING

Your title should be cut out of construction or poster paper and glued to the display. The
use of large stencils will make the letters more attractive. Posters could be lettered by
hand, first in pencil and then retraced in marker. Stick-on letters could also be
purchased at office supply stores. Computer-generated lettering could not be used.
Whichever lettering style is used, make sure that all letters and labels are mounted
horizontally on the display. Select a lettering style that is easy to read and understood
from a distance. Neatness is the key!

COLOR

Before you go any further, decide what colours you will use. Choose contrasting colours
for lettering. Mount diagrams, information, and photographs with complementing
background colours. Sometimes a colored border focuses attention to the middle of the
display. If you are in doubt about colour combinations, get another opinion.

DRAWINGS

Drawings and sketches should always be drawn in pencil first and then retracted. Use
another sheet of paper to complete the drawing rather than drawing directly on to the
display. You can fix your mistakes more easily and then mount it on the display. Be sure
to colour and label every drawing, illustration, or diagram.

PHOTOS

Good photography can be enlarged at a photo dealer to 5" x 7" or 8" x 10" so that you
can show your picture clearly. Every project does not need photos, but if you have a
camera, you might consider recording your progress. Photos on your display should
also be labeled.

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