Science Fair
MHS Science Fair Expectations
All students MUST submit a Science Fair board.
You can work with ONE other Year 9 Student at MHS. You may team up with a Yr 9 student from another class.
The school can provide some basic materials and equipment, but if you require special materials, you will have to purchase this yourself.
You do NOT need to purchase your own board. It will be provided by the school, for free.
Your planning sheet is due on Friday 8th April 2022.
Aim
Rationale/Importance to Society
Hypothesis
Variables
Materials & Methods
Results
You will get feedback on your planning sheet by Thursday 14th of April.
Step 1: Look at and evaluate previous Science Fair boards.
In class, a number of Science Fair boards from previous students will be displayed around the classroom. Read through a few of them, and select 4 boards to evaluate.
Use the template document to the right to evaluate 4 boards.
Remember that:
Independent variable is the variable that is changed.
Dependent variable is the variable that is measured.


















Step 2: Research what makes a project good or bad.
The following website by NIWA gives you the list of categories you could enter into. Notice that the "Earth & Space" and "Technology" categories are the least-entered, meaning you're more likely to receive a prize in these categories.
Last-minute Science Fair ideas

The following website goes through the types of Science Fair projects to avoid and reasons behind this. https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/science-fair/science-fair-project-question#topics-avoid
Step 3: Planning & Conducting the Experiment
If your experiment requires you to grow plants, you MUST start during the Term 1 holidays so your plant has enough time to grow.
Follow these links to check out the NIWA page on how to plan and execute the practical. There is also a link on how to present your Science Fair board.
This is a template you will use to plan your experiment.
Step 4: Presenting Your Research on a Board
Aim and Hypothesis - Success Criteria:
By the end of this lesson, I will be able to:
Outline my science fair aim.
Describe my science fair hypothesis.
In your colour groups, check the Aim:
Does it go along the lines of “To test/find/investigate ….”
Does it contain the independent variable and dependent variable?
In your colour groups, check the Hypothesis:
Does it go along the lines of “I think .... because …”
Does it contain the independent variable and dependent variable?
Method and Proof of Concept - Success Criteria:
By the end of this lesson, I will be able to:
List my method step-by-step, including all of my variables (independent, dependent, and controlled).
Describe how I will go about finding out if I can actually measure my dependent variable.
In your colour groups, check the Method:
Is it in list form? List in numbered order.
Does it contain their controlled variables?
Does it contain their independent variable and dependent variable?
In your colour groups, show your Proof of Concept:
How do you know you can actually measure your dependent variable?
The only way you can know is to actually try it out.
Method and Proof of Concept - Success Criteria:
By the end of this lesson, I will be able to:
List my method step-by-step, including all of my variables (independent, dependent, and controlled).
Describe how I will go about finding out if I can actually measure my dependent variable.
Hei Mahi
Write an aim and conclusion for each of the results graphs below: