With a little adult help, your child’s display board could look like this. It is not necessary to make it this neat and tidy, but I do like the way it was organized. (Click photo to enlarge.)

Here are some of the more important things to include on your display board:

• Write your name and grade on the back of your board.
• Make the title for your project catchy. Type and center it at the top of your board. The letters should be 3-4 inches in height.
• The subtitles (question/problem, hypothesis, conclusion, etc.) should be typed and about 1-2 inches. Keep the font simple and easy-to-read, such as Arial, Comic Sans, Tahoma.
• Use white glue or a glue stick on your display.
• Mount white paper and photos on colored paper for more contrast. It’s okay to use tape to mount paper/photos onto a background paper.
• Lay out your items before you glue anything! Do not write directly on the board.

Here are the subtitles for the following types of projects:

• Research – PROBLEM/QUESTION, HYPOTHESIS, RESEARCH, CONCLUSION, REPORT (optional)
• Experiment – PROBLEM/QUESTION, HYPOTHESIS, PROCEDURE, RESULTS, CONCLUSION, REPORT (optional)
• Collection – PROBLEM/QUESTION, HYPOTHESIS, COLLECTION, CONCLUSION, REPORT (optional)
• Invention – PROBLEM/QUESTION, POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS, INVENTION, RESULTS, CONCLUSION, REPORT (optional)

• Plan it out. It will be much more fun if you spread the time out over several days per week or several weekends, and you won’t have to race to get it done.

Two weeks ahead (Now) – You should be finished with collecting and researching your topic. Now work through the steps of your project. Example: Question/Problem, Hypothesis, Testing/Collecting Data, Conclusion

One week ahead (April 18^th or so) – Make your display. Print or write your labels, include graphs/charts/photos. Lay out all unglued items on your board and look at it carefully. Then, glue everything into place.

• Buy your display boards now! They are available in the office for $2.50. Purchases are based on the honor system. Take what you need and put the money in the jar. The office staff is not allowed to handle cash from this sale.
• If you are working with a partner, only one display board is needed.
• Please keep all hazardous and/or messy materials and live animals at home. This includes any fire (matches), acids, exploding volcanoes, Mentos experiments, etc. Batteries are fine. Any questions, please ask.
• Models of your experiments are of course accepted. For example, a volcano after it has “erupted.” Or a bottle rocket that is on display only.
• Be prepared to talk about your project at the Open House. You will not have to give a speech (unless you want to) but you must be able to answer questions about your topic when other people and judges come by. (Judges are only there to give positive feedback and hand out ribbons.) This is a part of the Science Fair process for all ages.
• If you can’t find the answer to your science question, go to the “Dr. Ima Geek” tab and post your question. He is ready to answer anything that comes his way!
• This is to be a fun process. “Success” is a completed project where you had fun and learned a lot.

 If you are feeling like you just don’t know how to narrow down your topic, find a topic, or how to get started on your project, consider coming to the Science Fair Informational meeting. Bring your questions and a snack to share to the Art Room this Wednesday from 2:30 – 4:00.

 We’ll have laptops for research, science books to peruse, display boards for sale, and our very own Dr. Ima Geek for a “Meet and Greet with Dr. Geek” available for guidance and answers.

 For the week of March 29 – April 2:

• Fill out and return registration forms to the office by this Friday.
• Get your FREE Science pin after your form is turned in!
• Science Fair Informational meeting this Wednesday from 2:30-4:00 in the Art Room.
• Meet and Greet with Dr. Geek at the meeting.

Mae Jemison is a doctor and a dancer and the first African-American woman in space.  She speaks four languages, English, Japanese, Russian and Swahili.  She has worked as a doctor in the US, Cambodia and West Africa for the Peace Corps.  When she was in school she had to make a choice between being a doctor or a professional dancer.  At a TED conference in 2002, she said it was important for kids to learn about science and the arts together.  I like that she speaks Japanese, I do too! If I met Mae I would ask her what it was like in space.  I’d like to be an astronaut. I would also ask her if it is hard to be a woman scientist.

The international day to recognize Ada Lovelace is coming up quick, Wed. March 24th.  Any articles or drawings on women scientists sent to this site by then will be published here and shared with hundreds of other bloggers celebrating the event.  We’ll continue posting kid’s tributes afterward as well and all entries will get a small science prize.

A really cool kid’s educational website, Brain Pop, has just posted a short video about Ada and it’s a great way to introduce the woman to younger kids.  The public library has some fantastic books about women scientists, we’ve been thumbing through Super Women in Science, by Kelly Di Domenico to get ideas for an article.  My kids haven’t decided yet on their science project but we may play off some of the activities in Valerie Wayatt’s book, The Math Book For Girls.  I’ve also got a book on my “must read” list She’s Such a Geek by Analee Newitz and Charlie Anders. This last one is definitely for grown-ups and is a wonderful collection of essays about women who work in tech and computer fields, their journeys through school and how they thrive within their environments.

Richmond’s Super Green Team has jumped on board to support the Science Fair.  On Wednesday the 31st from 2:30 to 4pm they’ll be hosting a get-together in the Art Room for kids (and parents) to discuss ideas for projects, research and building processes.

For more information about the upcoming Science Fair at Richmond, click on the menu tab above.