Scientists do some of the most important and interesting work in our society, and try to find answers to questions by observing and doing experiments. They then think about what they observe and the results of their experiments. Sometimes they get a definite answer to their questions; sometimes the results lead to new questions and new experiments. As this process goes on, they understand more and more. The Science Fair will give you a chance to actually do the kind of things scientists do. You will find out that it really is possible to ask questions about our world and get answers to those questions. And most of all, you will learn a lot and have fun doing it.
Public Display
March 12, 2024
1:00-3:00 PM
What to Expect During the Fair
1. Please remember that the judges are volunteering their time. Their decisions will be based on their bestjudgment and Science Fair guidelines and will be final.
2. Be aware that the judges appreciate a display that clearly shows the intent and results of experimentation, and a presentation that concisely describes what was done and what was concluded. The judges want to feel that you are familiar enough with your project to discuss it comfortably and answer questions about it. Memorized speeches or rambling descriptions of trivial details hinder the work of judges, who need to be able to pose good questions in order to thoroughly understand the project. If you work on a team project, the judges will expect more substantial science.
3. You should prepare an oral summary of important points that you can present in no more than 60 seconds. Your judges will already have read your abstract, so if you've done a good job there your summary will remind them of questions that occurred to them earlier.
4. Following your summary, you may find it useful to present several prepared short descriptions of important aspects of your project. You know your project better than anyone, so you should have the best ideas of what is important. You should prepare answers for such questions as "Where did you get the idea for this project?" "What is special or distinctive about your project?" "What is the next thing you would do with your results?" "What questions has your project now generated?" You might also prepare for the questions you hope the judges will ask.
5. For team projects, one person could act as the team spokesperson and present the oral summary or this job could be shared among the team members. In any case, all team members should understand their roles clearly and be able to carry them out. This summary should include the rationale for the project being a group, rather than an individual, enterprise, and how each member contributed. Each member of the group should be fully knowledgeable about the project and be prepared to discuss his/her part.
6. You will be interviewed by at least two different judges for your category who will spend about five to eight minutes discussing your project with you. The judges may talk to you one at a time or in groups. It is difficult to space these interviews equally, so don't get discouraged if there is a long wait between judges. Don't worry about comparing the number of your judging sessions with your neighbors. You, or they, may be getting Special and Recognition Awards interviews.
7. Many judges prefer to learn about your project by asking questions. Be prepared for them to interrupt your presentation.
8. You probably will not be able to predict all of the questions you will be asked. Some of the judges are experts in their fields, so they may ask you questions you cannot answer. Don't let this bother you. Just answer truthfully and to the best of your ability. If you don't know the answer to a question, say so. DO NOT try to "snow" or bluff a judge.
9. The Kern County Regional Science Fair is a major local event. Your interviews with the judges might be covered by newspaper reporters (some with photographers), radio reporters, TV cameras (with their bright lights) and others. Videos might be used in promotional materials for future science fairs. The above section was adapted and revised from material first prepared for the California State Science Fair.
Aerodynamics/Hydrodynamics (grades 6-8)
Alternative Energy (grades 6-8)
Applied Mechanics and Structures (grade 5)
Applied Mechanics and Structures (grades 6-8)
Behavioral and Social Sciences (Grades 6-8)
Behavioral and Social Sciences (grades 9-12)
Biochemistry/Molecular Biology (Grade 4)
Biochemistry/Molecular Biology (grades 6-8)
Biochemistry/Molecular Biology (Grades 9-12)
Cognitive Science (grades 9-12)
Computational Systems & Analysis/Mathematical Sciences (grades 9-12 only)
Studies that focus primarily on the development or use of computational systems for applications in the biological, physical, or engineering sciences, such as analyzing big data, modeling and simulations, autonomous navigation, and bioinformatics.
Earth & Environmental Sciences (grade 5)
Projects surveying, measuring, modeling, or studying natural and man-made changes on the environment. Studies in water pollution, geology, seismology, physical oceanography, marine geology, coastal processes, air pollution, atmospheric physics and chemistry, and meteorology, including the impacts of floods, fires, acid rain, and climate change.
Earth and Environmental Sciences (grade 4)
Earth and Environmental Sciences (grades 6-8)
Projects surveying, measuring, modeling, or studying natural and man-made changes on the environment. Studies in water pollution, geology, seismology, physical oceanography, marine geology, coastal processes, air pollution, atmospheric physics and chemistry, and meteorology, including the impacts of floods, fires, acid rain, and climate change.
Earth and Environmental Sciences (grades 9-12)
Projects surveying, measuring, modeling, or studying natural and man-made changes on the environment. Studies in water pollution, geology, seismology, physical oceanography, marine geology, coastal processes, air pollution, atmospheric physics and chemistry, and meteorology, including the impacts of floods, fires, acid rain, and climate change.
Electronics and Electromagnetics (grade 5)
Experimental or theoretical studies with electrical circuits, computer design, electro-optics, electromagnetic applications, and antennas.
Electronics and Electromagnetics (grades 6-8)
Experimental or theoretical studies with electrical circuits, computer design, electro-optics, electromagnetic applications, and antennas.
Electronics and Electromagnetics (Grades 9-12)
Environmental Engineering (grade 4)
Environmental Engineering (Grade 5)
Environmental Engineering (Grades 6-8)
Environmental Engineering (grades 9-12)
Food Science (grades 6-8)
Mammalian Biology (Grade 5)
Mammalian Biology (Grades 6-8)
Materials Science (grade 4)
Studies of materials characteristics and their static physical properties. Includes measurements and comparisons of materials durability, flammability, and insulation properties.
Materials Science (grade 5)
Materials Science(grades 6-8)
Mathematical Sciences (Grades 9-12)
Microbiology (Grades 9-12)
Physics & Astronomy II (grades 6-8)
Physics and Astronomy (grade 5)
Physics and Astronomy (grades 9-12)
Physics and Astronomy I (grade 6-8)
Studies of physical properties of matter, light, acoustics, thermal properties, solar physics, astrophysics, orbital mechanics, observational astronomy, planetary science, and astronomical surveys.
Physics and Astronomy(grade 4)
Plant Biology (grades 6-8)
Product Science (grade 4)
Product Science (grade 5)
Product Science-Biological (grades 6-8)
Product Science-Physical (grades 6-8)
Judging Criteria
1. ORIGINALITY/CREATIVITY (30 points) a) The problem is original or a unique or unusual approach to an old problem. b) Experimental design shows creativity. c) Resources - materials and equipment - are used ingeniously. d) Application and interpretation of data demonstrate student's creativity and original thinking. e) Student shows understanding of unanswered questions. f) Project goes beyond textbooks found at the student's grade level. Poor Weak Averag e Strong Exemplary 0-11 12-17 18-22 23-26 27-30 Score
2. . SCIENTIFIC THOUGHT AND UNDERSTANDING (35 points) a) The hypothesis is well stated and based on reading, study and/or observation. b) Project demonstrates depth of study. c) Student demonstrates depth of knowledge regarding the scientific and/or engineering principles involved. d) The experimental design is effective in testing the hypothesis. e) Results and conclusions are clearly and honestly stated, and are logical, relevant, and related to the hypothesis. f) Implications of the experimental results are discussed, and one or more further hypotheses and experiments are suggested. g) Student can extrapolate what was learned from the project to the subject in general or to related subjects. Poor Weak Average Strong Exemplary 0-13 14-20 21-25 26-31 32-35 Score
3. ORGANIZATION AND COMPLETENESS (15 points) a) The project has a well-defined goal/objective. b) Well-organized and executed experimental procedures. c) The scientific literature (considering grade level) has been searched. d) Experimental data recorded in a careful and orderly manner. e) Experiments have been repeated as needed. f) Implications of the project fully addressed. g) Well-organized display board. Poor Weak Average Strong Exemplary 0-5 6-8 9-11 12-13 14-15 Score
4. EFFORTAND MOTIVATION (10 points) a) Amount of time spent on project. b) Amount of time conducting background reading and study. c) Extent to which depth of background reading and study was reflected in the project. d) The student learned a considerable amount about the subject on the project. e) The display board was informative and attractive. Poor Weak Average Strong Exemplary 0-3 4-5 6-7 8-9 10 Score