Science Fair Project Abstracts

Each student who does a science fair project must write an abstract that will be displayed with their project.

Some science fair project abstracts are placed on the able in a folder while others are attached to the display board. Follow your school's guidelines.

What are science fair project abstracts?
An abstract is a brief, written discussion of your Science Fair Project.

Each abstract consists of a brief statement of the essential, or most important, thoughts about your project. Abstracts should summarize, clearly and simply, the main points of the experiment and/or the main sections of the report. Syntax, spelling, grammar, and punctuation, neatness, and originality are important. (see details below) Neatly fill out the science fair form that you school gives to you. See how Science Fair Judges think for more tips.

What do you include when writing science fair project abstracts?

1. Project title
   High School
   City, State
2. Purpose of your project / experiment
       . An introductory statement of the reason for investigating the topic of the project.

       . A statement of the problem or hypothesis being studied.
         It also may include any possible research applications.

3. Procedures Used
       . Summarization of the key points.
       . Overview of the investigation that you conducted.

       . Only include procedures that you, the student, did.

       . Do not include work done by a mentor (such as surgical procedures), acknowledgements, work done by a university lab or work done prior to your involvement in your project.

    . Do not give details about the materials used unless it greatly influenced the procedure or had to be developed to do the investigation.

4. Observation/Data/Results
       . State the key results that lead directly to the conclusions you have drawn.

       . Do not give too many details about the results nor include tables or graphs.

5. Conclusions
       . Describe briefly conclusions that you derived from your investigation.

       . In the summary paragraph, reflect on the process and possibly state some applications and extensions of the investigation.

       . An abstract does not include a bibliography unless specifically required by your local fair.

       . The Intel ISEF requires the bibliography as part of the research plan to be provided on Form 1A.

More Tips When Writing Science Fair Project Abstracts

• The abstract is printed on one page and is usually between 100 to 250 words long for grades 4 through 12, and between 50 to 250 for grades K through 3. (check with your school for their guidelines)
• Judges and the public must have an accurate idea of the project after reading the abstract.
• The abstract must focus on the current year's research and give only minimal reference to previous work. Do not include details and discussions in the abstract, but they may be put in the longer, written research paper (if required), or given on the display board.
• The ISEF has an on-line system for submitting science fair project abstracts for their science fair. Regional and local fairs use the an official form that you can probably get from your teacher or fair representative.

The International Science and Engineering Fair Magazine includes the abstracts of the finalists at the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). If you are a serious participant in science fairs, this is one of the best science magazines because you will learn how to write an effective abstract and get outstanding ideas for a winning science fair project.

Science Fair Project Abstracts 20

Bio-Rusting Science Fair Projects
What are the various effects of organic bacteria on the rate of the iron oxidation process? This science fair project won 1st place in the High School in Regional and 2nd place at the American Chemical Society.
10th grade project.

Read the science fair projects with fabrics abstract to find out what fabrics dry the fastest - nylon, polyster or cotton?

Physics science fair projects about heat retention (Thermodynamics) to see what 2 liquids when combined produce a higher heat temperature.

Science Fair Projects with Batteries - Endurance...in the Long Run
Do name brand batteries last longer than off-brand batteries? In addition, which batteries are the most cost-effective? This project won a Gold Medal at the Illinois Regional Science Fair. 7th grade project.

Do Properties of Albedo Affect the Surrounding Air?
Minority Award at Illinois 8 Fair. 12th Grade project.

Which Antacid Works Best at Neutralizing Hydrocholoric Acid?
Oustanding at Illinois Regionals. 7th grade project.

Zoology Science Fair Projects Abstract - A Taxonomy vs. Electrophoresis
A comparison of taxonomical relationships using protein electrophoresis. Senior (12th grade) project.

Oxidative Transformations Using Water-Soluble Hypervalent Iodine Reagents
National Siemens Westinghouse Competition in Math, Science and Technology - 2nd Place Winner (2003)
National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium Champion (2003)
Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) (2004)
    Best in Category - Award in Chemistry.
    This is the largest pre-college science fair in the world and is a prestigous competition.

Once you write your abstract, then you must write your report. So.... look at Science Fair Project Abstracts to see the next step. . .