Report Writing 6-12th Grade
This report is what the judges will read about your projects before they see it.
It can be as long as you like (three to four pages is fine). You may include pictures, drawings, photos, etc. A table of contents may also be included after the title page.
1. Title Page: the title should appear in the center of your paper, your name and grade placed below the title.
2. Abstract: This brief (250 words max) summary should include a) the purpose of the experiment, b) procedures used, c) data, and d) conclusions.
3. Introduction and Purpose: The Introduction sets the scene for your report. It included an explanation of what prompted your experiment and a summary of your preliminary research. The purpose includes your hypothesis and what you hope to achieve.
4. Materials: List all materials used to do the project.
5. Procedure: Describe in detail the methodology used to collect your data or make your observations. This should be detailed enough so that someone would be able to repeat the experiment from the information in your paper. You may include drawings or photos.
6. Results and discussion: Present your raw data thoroughly using tables or a daily log, then show these results in graphs or charts to help the reader understand what you discovered. Include statistical analysis if appropriate. The discussion, or interpretation of results, is the essence of your paper. What could have caused these results?
Compare your results with theoretical values, published data commonly held beliefs, and / or expected results. Include a discussion of possible errors.
Other questions you may want to consider: How did the data vary between repeated observations of similar events? How were your results affected by uncontrollable events? What would you do differently if you repeated the project? What other experiments should be conducted?
7. Conclusions: Briefly summarize you results and restate your hypothesis. What is the answer to your question? Does it agree with your hypothesis? What practical applications does this project have? Be specific; don't generalize. (In this particular experiment...) Never introduce anything in the conclusion that has not already been discussed.
8. Acknowledgements: Often scientists thank others who have helped them with their research project. You should always credit those who assisted you, including individuals, businesses and educational or research institutions.
9. Bibliography: List any books, articles, pamphlets, or other sources of information you used. Different disciplines may follow different referencing formats; check an article from a scientific journal in your for sample bibliography. Most importantly, be consistent!
Before you submit your paper, ask someone else to proofread it and suggest changes that will make it clearer.
When your paper is complete, please save it as a PDF document of less than 10MB. You will be emailed a link to submit your paper to the judges one week before the fair so that they have plenty of time to review them and become familiar with your work.
2025 Paper Deadline: Saturday, February 8, 2025
