SCIENCE Resources

Every student who is to be judged must give a short presentation to each of the 2 judges for their grade level. Students in grade K-2 may simply answer judges questions if they prefer. The talk should only be a few minutes long, 5 minutes max.

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If you would not like to participate in an oral presentation for any reason, you may choose the non-judging option on the registration form. You won't be eligible to receive the prize for your grade but you can receive a participation ribbon.

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When you give your presentation, include the following:

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1. What is the title of your experiment?

2. What is the question you wanted to answer? (Purpose)

3. Before your experiment, what did you think would happen? (Hypothesis)

4. Which books or articles have you read? (Research)

5. What materials and equipment did you use?

6. What did you do to answer your question? (Procedure)

Be sure to tell judges what you changed (manipulated variable), and what changed as a result (responding variable). Also mention those things you kept the same throughout the experiment (controls).

7. What happened? (Results)

8. What is the answer to your question? (Conclusions)

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Interview: Be prepared to answer questions rom the judges, such as:

1. Did you get the results you expected?

2. What caused the results you found?

3. Would you expect me to get the same results if I followed your procedure and conducted this experiment at my house?

4. Why did you design the experiment this way?

5. Did anything change beside the manipulated variable?

6. What might happen if you changed ______?

7. If you could do the project over, what would you do differently?

8. Did you do the project yourself? If not, what did your helper do?

9. Could you do other things with this project next year?

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It is acceptable to refer to your log book during your interview with the judges to cite findings not recorded on your display board.

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Appearance: Good manners, neat clothing and enthusiasm for what you are doing will help impress the judges. Some other suggestions:

• Make eye contact with the judges.

• Stand up straight and to the side of your exhibit.

• Don't distract the judges by fidgeting and looking around.

• Speak with enthusiasm, clarity and assuredness.

• Relax, smile, and have fun! The judges are scientists who are so excited about science that they are spending their whole day talking to you about it!

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