Frequently Asked Questions
When will it be held?
The science fair will be held at Cedar Lane Church of Christ, 1200 Cedar Ln, Tullahoma, TN. on Saturday March 23, 2019.
Demonstration setup will be at 10:00 a.m. with judging beginning at 11:00.
Demonstration setup will be at 10:00 a.m. with judging beginning at 11:00.
Is there a registration fee to enter a project?
No, there is not a registration fee.
What are the guidelines for the science projects?
Please see the "Rules for all projects" and the "Display checklist" documents in the Information packet.
Types of Projects
Investigation:
An investigation is a science fair project that uses scientific methodology (which includes experimenting) to carry out an investigation.
During an investigation, the student starts out with a question based on a scientific problem; develops a hypothesis (or educated guess) as to the answer; designs and conducts an experiment to test the hypothesis; measures and collects data; documents and analyzes the results; and draws a conclusion.
Inventions:
An invention is an original design that serves a purpose and solves a real problem. It can also be something that improves an object previously invented by someone else or takes it in a completely different direction.
Students who are good problem solvers and especially students who like to think “outside the box” are good candidates to invent something for their science fair project. All students can become better at engineering, but for some, this is the most interesting way to apply their science skills.
Engineering uses a scientific approach. Both inventions and investigations depend on good questions, planning, using appropriate materials, collecting data, making sense of the data to verify the results, and presenting the results to others for review.
Just as with an investigation, it is important to recognize that the process of invention is just as important as the final product - which means mistakes and problems should be treated as valuable steps and should be documented along with other notes and sketches in a record-keeping journal.
An investigation is a science fair project that uses scientific methodology (which includes experimenting) to carry out an investigation.
During an investigation, the student starts out with a question based on a scientific problem; develops a hypothesis (or educated guess) as to the answer; designs and conducts an experiment to test the hypothesis; measures and collects data; documents and analyzes the results; and draws a conclusion.
Inventions:
An invention is an original design that serves a purpose and solves a real problem. It can also be something that improves an object previously invented by someone else or takes it in a completely different direction.
Students who are good problem solvers and especially students who like to think “outside the box” are good candidates to invent something for their science fair project. All students can become better at engineering, but for some, this is the most interesting way to apply their science skills.
Engineering uses a scientific approach. Both inventions and investigations depend on good questions, planning, using appropriate materials, collecting data, making sense of the data to verify the results, and presenting the results to others for review.
Just as with an investigation, it is important to recognize that the process of invention is just as important as the final product - which means mistakes and problems should be treated as valuable steps and should be documented along with other notes and sketches in a record-keeping journal.
How will it be judged?
Projects will be judged in three separate groups:
1. Students in grades 2 through grade 7- Junior level
2. Students in grades 8 through grade 12- Senior Level
3. New this year- Pre-Scientist! Students in 1st grade and below.
1. Students in grades 2 through grade 7- Junior level
2. Students in grades 8 through grade 12- Senior Level
3. New this year- Pre-Scientist! Students in 1st grade and below.
What are the rules that must be followed?
Please see the "Rules for All Projects" document in the Information Packet.
Who may enter?
Any local homeschool student in grades 2 through 12
What prizes will be awarded?
All students will receive a certificate of participation. The 1st, 2nd, 3rd place winners will also receive a ribbon.