Science & Engineering Fairs:Science & Engineering Fairs:

A Practical ApproachA Practical Approach

Mr. Bob GeminWPAFB Educational Outreach

Engineering Specialist(937) 656-2273

Dr. Rita PetersonAFRL Sensors DirectorateSenior Research Physicist(937) 904-9657

When Somebody Says When Somebody Says

““Science Fair”Science Fair” . . . . . .

What’s the first thought What’s the first thought that pops into your that pops into your head???head???

A Science Fair Is…A Science Fair Is…

More work!More work!

Required for a gradeRequired for a grade

Only for geeks/nerdsOnly for geeks/nerds

Confusing!!Confusing!!

Fear of unknown!!!Fear of unknown!!!

What What shouldshould you think? you think?

How you’ll feel How you’ll feel afterafter the Science Fair: the Science Fair:

I’m proud of myself for doing a great job!I’m proud of myself for doing a great job!

It was fun to be in charge of my own project. It was fun to be in charge of my own project.

I showed Mom and Dad what I can really do.I showed Mom and Dad what I can really do.

Wow - I never realized ___________!Wow - I never realized ___________!

I want to learn more about __________.I want to learn more about __________.

There are many reasons to participate! What’s yours???

Computers? Cell phones? Rockets to Saturn, probes to the ocean floor, GPS systems, gameboys, X-boxes?

All developed by scientists and engineers.

A Science Fair Project Is A Science Fair Project Is An OpportunityAn Opportunity

Explore new thingsExplore new things

Develop valuable skillsDevelop valuable skills

Improve self- confidenceImprove self- confidence

Meet interesting peopleMeet interesting people

Sometimes win prizes/moneySometimes win prizes/money

A Science Fair Project A Science Fair Project Involves Many SubjectsInvolves Many Subjects

ScienceScience

MathMath

ReadingReading

English/writingEnglish/writing

Art/designArt/design

Social StudiesSocial Studies

Music/sports/etc.Music/sports/etc.

A Science Fair Project A Science Fair Project Develops Useful SkillsDevelops Useful Skills

Using the scientific methodUsing the scientific method Creative problem solvingCreative problem solving Critical thinking skillsCritical thinking skills

• fact vs. opinionfact vs. opinion• logic vs. assumptionlogic vs. assumption

Time and project management Time and project management Communication - writing and speakingCommunication - writing and speaking Efficient, judicious use of informationEfficient, judicious use of information Confidence, poise and thinking on Confidence, poise and thinking on

your feet.your feet.

Every human being can benefit from these

““It is suicidal to create a society It is suicidal to create a society dependent upon science and dependent upon science and

technology in which hardly technology in which hardly anyone knows anything about anyone knows anything about

science and technology.”science and technology.”

Carl Sagan Carl Sagan

The Science Fair Recipe The Science Fair Recipe

QUESTIONQUESTION

RESEARCH

HYPOTHESIS

PROCEDURE

EXPERIMENT

RESULTS

ANALYSIS

CONCLUSIONScientific Method

How is Science Done How is Science Done in the Real World?in the Real World?

No one is the lone rangerNo one is the lone ranger Everyone has help: colleagues, mentors, technicians, etc.Everyone has help: colleagues, mentors, technicians, etc.

Crediting the work of others is essentialCrediting the work of others is essential

No idea is entirely originalNo idea is entirely original Everything builds upon what came beforeEverything builds upon what came before

Much valuable research is incrementalMuch valuable research is incremental

We can't always formulate a specific hypothesisWe can't always formulate a specific hypothesis

Experiments rarely work the first timeExperiments rarely work the first time

"Failures" really can be valuable"Failures" really can be valuable

Communication is as important as resultsCommunication is as important as results

Science is a way of finding things out. It’s a way of testing what’s real. It’s what Richard Feynman called “A way of not fooling ourselves.”

Developing a Question Developing a Question

A good science fair topic is:A good science fair topic is:

• Interesting and excitingInteresting and exciting

• Manageable in scopeManageable in scope

• Doable with available resourcesDoable with available resources

• ExperimentalExperimental

• Quantifiable (what will you plot?)Quantifiable (what will you plot?)

• Original and creative (what can you do Original and creative (what can you do

that is different?)that is different?)

STEP #1 - QUESTION

Getting ideasGetting ideas

STEP #1 - QUESTION

INTERESTSINTERESTS KNOWLEDGE/ SKILLSKNOWLEDGE/ SKILLS MENTORMENTOR RESOURCESRESOURCES

BASKETBALL MATH ROY - PAINTER VIDEO CAMERA

FANTASY/RPGs COMPUTER GAMES JANE – GARDENING BLOOD PRESSURE MONITOR

AIRPLANES BASKETBALL BOB – ELECTRONICS THERMOMETERS

WEATHER WOODWORKING SALLY – NURSE FISH TANK

Start with a listStart with a list

Getting ideasGetting ideas

STEP #1 - QUESTION

INTERESTSINTERESTS KNOWLEDGE/ SKILLSKNOWLEDGE/ SKILLS MENTORMENTOR RESOURCESRESOURCES

BASKETBALL MATH ROY - PAINTER VIDEO CAMERA

FANTASY/RPGs COMPUTER GAMES JANE – GARDENING BLOOD PRESSURE MONITOR

AIRPLANES BASKETBALL BOB – ELECTRONICS THERMOMETERS

WEATHER WOODWORKING SALLY – NURSE FISH TANK

Start with a listStart with a list

Surf the webSurf the web

Talk with a possible mentorTalk with a possible mentor

Think of your favorite science lessonThink of your favorite science lesson

Daydream: what makes you wonder?Daydream: what makes you wonder?

An example:An example:

How high will a basketball bounce when inflated to different pressures?

Doing ResearchDoing Research

STEP #2 - RESEARCH

Commit to documenting your workCommit to documenting your work Record everything, even if it seems inconsequentialRecord everything, even if it seems inconsequential No one ever puts enough detail in their notebookNo one ever puts enough detail in their notebook

Research underlying scientific principles Research underlying scientific principles Informs educated guesses to answer your questionInforms educated guesses to answer your question Helps with design of experiment, equipmentHelps with design of experiment, equipment

Internet searches are great… but don’t Internet searches are great… but don’t forget books, journals, and peopleforget books, journals, and people

More on this later!!More on this later!! Make note of sources for proper attributionMake note of sources for proper attribution

Get a notebook!!

Forming a HypothesisForming a Hypothesis

STEP #3 - HYPOTHESIS

The hypothesis rewords your question in a way The hypothesis rewords your question in a way to help you do your experimentto help you do your experiment It is It is notnot a wild or uninformed guess a wild or uninformed guess

It It shouldshould be based upon what you already know about be based upon what you already know about your questionyour question

Be prepared to explain itBe prepared to explain it

Engineering projects may be a special caseEngineering projects may be a special case

Procedure/Experiment – Procedure/Experiment – Design Is Critical Design Is Critical

STEP #4, 5 – PROCEDURE/EXPERIMENT

Measure something that can be quantifiedMeasure something that can be quantifiedWhat are you measuring?What are you measuring?

How will you collect the data?How will you collect the data?

equipmentequipment

methodmethod

How many data points do you need? How many data points do you need?

How many times will you repeat the experiment?How many times will you repeat the experiment?

What is the error/uncertainty in the data?What is the error/uncertainty in the data?

Getting Results Getting Results

The better you prepare, the more straightfoward the The better you prepare, the more straightfoward the testtest

Follow your procedure carefully and consistently Follow your procedure carefully and consistently Record everything – even failuresRecord everything – even failures

Record all experimental conditionsRecord all experimental conditions

Record observations like noises/smellsRecord observations like noises/smells

Take pictures of test setupTake pictures of test setup

Document anything that might have an impact Document anything that might have an impact (someone opened an outside door and let cold air (someone opened an outside door and let cold air in)in)

STEP #6 - RESULTS

“It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts.”

Sherlock Holmes in Arthur Conan Doyle’s A Scandal in Bohemia (1891)

Analysis – one step at a timeAnalysis – one step at a time

Start by plotting your dataStart by plotting your data

Is the plot linear? What are the slope, intercepts, max and min Is the plot linear? What are the slope, intercepts, max and min values? What do these mean?values? What do these mean?

How do plots of different runs compare?How do plots of different runs compare?

Plot the same data different ways to highlight different Plot the same data different ways to highlight different observationsobservations

Use statistics if helpful to combine dataUse statistics if helpful to combine data

Spreadsheets are powerful tools - but make sure you know Spreadsheets are powerful tools - but make sure you know how to plot data by hand first!!!how to plot data by hand first!!!

STEP #7 - ANALYSIS

0

1

2

3

0 50 100

Ball Pressure in Kilopascals

Bo

un

ce H

eig

ht

in M

eter

s

1 Meter 2 Meter 3 Meter 4 Meter

Bounce height for various basketball pressures and drop heights

x

Example 1 - obviousExample 1 - obvious

Bounce ratio vs. ball pressure for various drop heights

0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

0 50 100

Ball Pressure in Kilopascals

Rat

io o

f B

ou

nce

/Dro

p

Dis

tan

ce

1 Meter 2 Meter 3 Meter 4 Meter

Example 2 Example 2

Bounce ratio vs. drop height for various ball pressures

0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1 2 3 4

Drop Height in Meters

Rat

io o

f B

ou

nce

/Dro

p

Hei

gh

t

30 kpascals

40 kpascals

50 kpascals

60 kpascals

70 kpascals

80 kpascals

Example 3Example 3

Error / Uncertainty Error / Uncertainty

““Error” doesn’t mean that you made a mistakeError” doesn’t mean that you made a mistake often factors in environment that can’t be controlledoften factors in environment that can’t be controlled

weigh impact of error vs. difficulty to controlweigh impact of error vs. difficulty to control

identify error sources in your analysisidentify error sources in your analysis

Every measuring device has limits (precision)Every measuring device has limits (precision)

Every subject of study will have different variationEvery subject of study will have different variation

STEP #6 - ANALYSIS

ConclusionConclusionss

STEP # 8 - CONCLUSIONS

Don’t just repeat yourselfDon’t just repeat yourself

Summarize key points from your results

How accurate are they?

What is their meaning or significance?

Focus on answering your question/hypothesisFocus on answering your question/hypothesis

Your project is not a failure if your hypothesis was wrong

If your hypothesis is disproven, offer an explanation

Now that you have an answer, what is it good for?

How might you do things differently, or expand upon your results? Suggest future tests, or related projects

Avoid Common MistakesAvoid Common Mistakes Sample size too small – need more trialsSample size too small – need more trials

More than 1 uncontrolled variable at a time More than 1 uncontrolled variable at a time

Nothing readily quantifiable in project Nothing readily quantifiable in project

Scope too broad - can't cover parameter space Scope too broad - can't cover parameter space with time, resources availablewith time, resources available

Scope too narrow/project too simple Scope too narrow/project too simple

Plots not labelled right, not explained, wrong Plots not labelled right, not explained, wrong type, too manytype, too many

Conclusions not explainedConclusions not explained

Display contains errors or is too flashyDisplay contains errors or is too flashy

Making the Most of Mentors Making the Most of Mentors (including parents)(including parents)::

Find mentors with ability, expertise to meet Find mentors with ability, expertise to meet your needsyour needs relatives, neighbors, friendsrelatives, neighbors, friends teachers, coachesteachers, coaches internet contacts (ask your parents first)internet contacts (ask your parents first)

Be respectful of their timeBe respectful of their time Be prepared with specific questionsBe prepared with specific questions Listen to them!Listen to them! Arrange to meet again; ask for more leadsArrange to meet again; ask for more leads Thank and acknowledge themThank and acknowledge them

I’d be glad to

assist!!!

Scientists and engineers enjoy sharing what Scientists and engineers enjoy sharing what they love with young people . . . like YOU!they love with young people . . . like YOU!

Prepare For PresentationPrepare For Presentation

That Would

Be Because

…

Prepare and practice your presentation Follow the scientific method outline Explain what you did and why, what you saw,

and what it means Identify what is original about your project Use your poster as a cheat sheet Practice on friends, parents, etc.

Anticipate likely questions Research the answers Make note cards as reminders Practice/memorize them

Typical QuestionsTypical Questions

Where did the idea for this project come from?Where did the idea for this project come from?

What did you learn from your research?What did you learn from your research?

What were the most important sources used in your research?What were the most important sources used in your research?

How much time did you spend on the project? What took most of How much time did you spend on the project? What took most of your time?your time?

Where did items used in your project come from?Where did items used in your project come from?

How many times did you run the experiment on each How many times did you run the experiment on each configuration?configuration?

Did you use any statistics such as averaging?Did you use any statistics such as averaging?

How constant were conditions during experiments?How constant were conditions during experiments?

What would you do differently, or in addition?What would you do differently, or in addition?

Selling Yourself – Use PIE!Selling Yourself – Use PIE!

PPerformance – already coverederformance – already covered

IImage - impression you give in appearance, actionsmage - impression you give in appearance, actions Help the judges see their history in your futureHelp the judges see their history in your future

Speak, act, dress like a young professionalSpeak, act, dress like a young professional

Show them you enjoy what you are doing; tell stories, share Show them you enjoy what you are doing; tell stories, share extra things you have learnedextra things you have learned

Ask questions – play to their expertiseAsk questions – play to their expertise

EExposure – grab attention with your displayxposure – grab attention with your display But take note of any rules and restrictions But take note of any rules and restrictions

Make sure it is free of errors, typos, etc.Make sure it is free of errors, typos, etc.

Did We Mention Did We Mention “Having Fun”? :“Having Fun”? :

People throughout history have experimented with science and engineering “for fun”

Imagine getting paid for doing something you enjoy doing

To avoid stress: start your project early, be ready… then kick back and enjoy

For Additional InformationFor Additional Information::

WPAFB Educational Outreach Office (937) 656-2273 (937) 904-8033 fax website: http://edoutreach.wpafb.af.mil email: wpafb.educational.outreach@wpafb.af.mil

Bob Gemin Engineering Specialist (937) 656-2273 (937) 904-8033 fax email: Robert.Gemin.ctr@us.af.mil Major funding for the WPAFB

Educational Outreach Program is provided by the Air Force Research Laboratory