Introduction
Science fairs are a time-honored tradition in elementary and middle school classrooms across the United States and around the world. They provide young students with an opportunity to explore a topic they find interesting and conduct hands-on research. To effectively communicate their hard work and findings, students present their science fair projects alongside a research paper. This sample elementary science fair research paper provides guidelines and an example for conducting research, documenting sources, and effectively reporting on the experiment and results.
Choosing a Topic
The first step is choosing a topic the student finds genuinely interesting. It’s important for them to select something they want to learn more about through hands-on exploration. Some potential topic ideas for elementary-aged students include:
Which household items conduct electricity best? (Testing different materials)
Does sunlight affect plant growth? (Measuring height of plants in sunlight vs. shade)
How does temperature affect how fast ice melts? (Comparing melt times in different water temperatures)
How do shadows change over the course of a day? (Observing and measuring shadows at different times)
Which surfaces allow objects to slide the farthest when dropped? (Testing friction on smooth vs. rough surfaces)
Developing a Hypothesis
Once a topic is selected, students should think about what they already know and make a hypothesis or prediction about what they think will happen in the experiment. A good hypothesis uses clear, testable language like “If…then.” For example:
“If I use copper, silver, and plastic items, then copper will conduct electricity the best because it is metallic.”
“If I leave plants in sunlight and shade, then the plants in sunlight will grow taller because they need sunlight for photosynthesis.”
“If I use different water temperatures, then ice cubes will melt faster in warmer water because heat makes materials change form faster.”
Conducting Research
Before beginning experimentation, students should conduct initial research to learn more about their topic. They can find information using resources appropriate for their age level such as children’s nonfiction books, magazines, reputable websites (avoiding open wikis), and science encyclopedias. They should take notes on what sources say about how different factors affect the topic. For example:
Electrical conductivity – Metals like copper conduct because of free-floating electrons. Plastics are insulators because they don’t have free electrons.
Photosynthesis – Plants use sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to produce glucose and oxygen through photosynthesis. Sunlight provides the energy.
States of matter – Heat causes molecules to vibrate faster, which can cause solids to change directly to gases. Liquids are between solids and gases.
Conducting the Experiment
The student should conduct their experiment using the scientific method – making their procedures clear and step-by-step so others could replicate it. They should take careful measurements and record all data in an organized log or chart. It’s important for the log to include any relevant variables that could affect the results. Supervision from a parent or teacher is recommended during experimentation for safety.
For example, for the electrical conductivity project:
Materials: copper wire, aluminum foil, plastic spoon, D-cell battery, light bulb
Procedure:
Cut two 6-inch pieces of copper wire and aluminum foil.
Connect one end of each material to one terminal of the battery.
Connect the other end of each material to one terminal of the light bulb.
Record whether the light bulb lights up for copper and aluminum.
Repeat steps 2-4 using the plastic spoon.
Record observations and draws conclusions.
Analyzing Data and Results
Students examine the results and measurements recorded during experimentation. They should look for any patterns in the data and relationships between variables. Statistical analysis isn’t expected, but they can discuss things like:
Which materials caused the bulb to light up consistently/most brightly?
Did plant height differ between sunlight and shade conditions, and by how much?
Did warmer water consistently cause ice to melt faster than colder water, and if so by what time difference?
Drawing Conclusions
Based on the results, students state whether their hypothesis was supported or not supported and why. They explain what conclusions can be drawn about how the different factors affected the outcome. Examples:
“Copper conducted electricity the best because the light bulb lit up brightly, while plastic did not light it at all. This supports my hypothesis that copper conducts best because it is a metal.”
“The plants in sunlight grew taller on average than those in shade. My hypothesis that sunlight helps plants grow more was supported because plants need sunlight to photosynthesize.”
“Ice melted faster in warmer water, with a difference of about 5 minutes on average between 70°F and 35°F water. My hypothesis that warmer water causes faster melting was supported.”
Research Paper Outline
Introduction
Background on the topic
Purpose of the experiment
Hypothesis
Materials and Methods
List of all materials used
Step-by-step procedure
Results
Presentation of all data/measurements recorded
Any graphs, charts, or statistics
Discussion
Analysis of collected results and whether they supported hypothesis
Possible sources of error or limitations
Conclusion
Summary of findings and whether hypothesis was supported
Suggestions for further research
Documenting Sources
Students should cite any sources used for background research by listing them in a “References” section at the end, using a format appropriate for elementary school such as:
Author last name, first initial. “Article Title.” Source Title, Date, URL or page range.
For example:
Smith, J. “Conductors and Insulators.” Science for Kids, 1 Jan. 2020, www.scienceforkids.com/conductivity.html.
Schmit, L. Properties of Matter. Cobblestone, 2001, pp. 12-15.
Proper spelling, capitalization, and punctuation are important. Sources should match what was actually consulted for the project. Teachers will know if content is plagiarized versus being paraphrased properly.
Proofreading and Revising
Multiple drafts allow improving clarity, correcting errors, strengthening arguments, and polishing mechanics. Students should have teachers, parents or peers proofread for issues like spelling/grammar, logical flow, completeness, and formatting consistency. Revisions incorporate feedback to produce the best possible paper to explain and support their project. It’s an important part of the scientific process.
Conclusion
This elementary science fair research paper sample provides a model template and structure for researching and documenting the process and findings of an original experiment. With practice in scientific writing, young students can effectively communicate their work and contribute to the body of knowledge in their selected topic area. Participating in a science fair offers invaluable hands-on learning and lays the foundation for continued exploration and discovery through experimentation.
Andrew Stroud