Jump to main content
Your email has not been verified. Verify email now ›

Communicate Your Results

Download Student Workbook
Note: The correct answers are marked in green here for you, but this marking will not be visible to the students when they view the assignment.

6 - Communicate Your Results

In this section, you will learn to clearly communicate your research process and findings to others, including judges, if you are participating in a science fair.

This workbook includes:

Task #6A: Write an Abstract

Learning Objectives
  • Write a concise and engaging abstract that includes an introduction, problem statement, procedures, results, and conclusions.
Instructions
  1. Read How to Write a Science Fair Project Abstract to review the purpose of an abstract and how to write one.
  2. Answer the following questions to check your learning:
    1. Why is it important to write a concise and engaging abstract?
      Correct! An engaging abstract helps people quickly determine if they want to read the entire report.
      Nice try! Review the importance of an abstract, which helps attract interest in the full report.
    2. Which of the following is NOT a key part of a well-written abstract?
      Correct! Graphs and charts should not be included in an abstract.
      Nice try! Review the key parts of an abstract.
    3. True or False: An abstract should include jargon and technical terms to demonstrate the complexity of your project.
      Correct! An abstract should avoid jargon and technical terms that most readers won't understand.
      Nice try! Review the section on what to avoid in an abstract.
  3. The table below shows the major parts of an abstract and some sentence starters to help you get started. Review the table and then write each section of your own abstract below.
    Swipe left to see more
    Abstract Section & Description Possible Sentence Starter Example
    Introduction
    Briefly introduce your project using an important statistic or by briefly describing the broad problem or topic your project idea addresses.     		“______ (main topic of your project) is important because ______.” Battery longevity is important because it impacts the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of electronic devices.
    Purpose
    An explanation of the goal of your project and your hypothesis.     		“The purpose of this study is to _______ (based on the project question) and test the hypothesis that _______ (add hypothesis).” The purpose of this study is to compare the longevity of Energizer and Duracell batteries in devices with varying current drains and test the hypothesis that Energizer batteries will last longer than Duracell batteries.
    Methods
    A brief, one-sentence description of how you conducted your experiment.     		“To do this, I ______(briefly describe your methods in the past tense)” To do this, I conducted experiments measuring the voltage maintenance of Energizer and Duracell batteries across low, medium, and high current drain devices.
    Results
    A brief explanation of your data and any trends that they show.      		“My data show ______(describe results)”
    OR If you don’t have results yet, you can say something like:
    “At the time of writing, data analysis was not complete. However, I expect to see either _____ or _____ (possible trends you expect)”     		My data show that Energizer maintained its voltage 3% longer in low drain, 10% longer in medium drain, and 29% longer in high drain devices compared to Duracell.
    Conclusion
    An explanation of the claim you made based on your data and whether or not the data support your claim.      		“In conclusion, I found that my data (do/do not) support my hypothesis.”   If you don’t have your results yet, leave this section blank. In conclusion, I found that my data support my hypothesis that Energizer batteries last longer than Duracell batteries across varying current drain levels.
    Future Directions
    An explanation of new questions you have or how you would extend the project in the future.      		“In the future, this project could be continued by ______.”
    OR
    “Future work could focus on ______.”     		In the future, this project could be continued by testing the performance of these batteries under different temperature conditions to simulate real-world usage.
    Write your abstract below using the table above as a guide:
    Introduction:
    Purpose:
    Methods:
    Results:
    Conclusion:
    Future Directions:
  4. Now, combine all of your text from above into one paragraph. Make sure it is less than 250 words (or meets the length requirement of your teacher or science fair).

Task #6B: Create a Display Board, Poster, or Presentation

Learning Objectives
  • Organize and create a visually appealing display board, digital poster, or slide presentation that clearly communicates your experiment by including all necessary sections (question, hypothesis, variables, background research, etc.), using appropriate font sizes, titles, images, and charts or graphs.
  • Evaluate your display board, digital poster, or slide presentation for accuracy, neatness, and compliance with science fair rules, and make necessary improvements based on these criteria.
Instructions
  1. Check with your teacher to see what type of presentation (display board, poster, presentation, or other) you should create. Most science fairs require a display board, but requirements may be different depending on your science fair or if you are doing another type of presentation (expo, class presentation, etc.)
  2. Read the Science Fair Project Display Board Guide to learn about what your display board, poster, or presentation should include and see examples. Most science fairs require a display board, but this information can be adapted to other presentation types as well.
  3. Answer the following questions to check your learning:
    1. Which of the following is NOT a necessary component of a well-organized science project display board?
      Correct! Pages pulled from your lab notebook should not be included on the display board itself.
      Nice try! Review the key components of a well-organized science project display board to understand what should be included.
    2. Which of the following is a good practice for ensuring your display board is visually appealing and easy to understand?
      Correct! Organizing information like a newspaper helps make your display board easy to follow.
      Nice try! Review the best practices for organizing information on your display board to make it easy to read and understand.

  4. Create a draft for each section of your display board, poster, or presentation below OR put it in a separate document and share the link. You can use your work from previous tasks to help you:

    Link to draft document (be sure to include all sections):
    OR
    1. Title
    2. Project Question
    3. Variables and Hypothesis
    4. Background Research
    5. Materials List
    6. Experimental Procedure (be sure to include links to any pictures of your experimentation that you will use)
    7. Data Analysis & Discussion (be sure to include link to your data charts and graphs that you will use)
    8. Conclusions
    9. Acknowledgments
    10. Source List or Bibliography
  5. Create your display board, poster, or presentation. Make sure it meets all of the criteria on the checklist below:

Task #6C: Prepare to Present at Science Fair

Learning Objectives
  • Prepare and practice a concise, engaging presentation summarizing your science fair project, including the idea, experiment, results, conclusions, and its importance, and rehearse responses to potential judges' questions.
  • Demonstrate professionalism during the judging period by dressing appropriately, using your display board effectively, and showing enthusiasm and confidence in your presentation.
Instructions
  1. Read Judging: Tips to Prepare for Your Science Fair to learn about how to prepare for judging at the science fair.
  2. Answer the following questions to check your learning:
    1. What should NOT be included in your speech for the science fair judges?
      Correct! While it’s important to know your sources, the speech should focus on summarizing your project, not detailing your bibliography.
      Nice try! Review the components of an effective science fair project presentation to understand what to include in your speech.
    2. Which of the following is an important aspect of presenting yourself professionally during the science fair judging period?
      Correct! Using your display board to illustrate your points helps judges understand your project better.
      Nice try! Review the guidelines for presenting yourself professionally.
    3. How should you handle a situation where you don't know the answer to a judge's question?
      Correct! It's better to be honest and show your willingness to learn rather than provide incorrect information.
      Nice try! Review the recommended approach to handling difficult questions from judges to understand the best response.
  3. Create an outline for your ‘elevator pitch’ or short speech to introduce your project. Be sure to include the following:
    Your Elevator Pitch:
  4. Prepare to answer other judging questions. You do not need to write out full answers for these, but you should have notes to help you practice. The list below is not exhaustive, but will give you some good practice to prepare for judging.
    Where did you get the idea for your project?
    Who helped you with this project?
    What were your independent, dependent, and controlled variables? Did you have a control group?
    Why is this research important?
    What do you think might be causing the results you see?
    What do your graphs show?
    What problems did you run into while doing your project, and how did you address them?
    If you could do your project again, what would you do differently?
    What was your favorite part of this project?
    If you could continue this project, what would you do next?
  5. Practice judging with a friend or family member. Give them the list of questions, and practice answering based on the notes you created. As you practice more, try to rely less on your notes. Remember, your answers to the questions should be clear and concise but should not sound rehearsed or like you are reading from a script.

Task #6D: Finalize Your Lab Notebook

Learning Objectives
  • Ensure your lab notebook is thoroughly organized, accurately documented, and ready to present at the science fair, including detailed entries of all experimental procedures, data, observations, and reflections.
Instructions
  1. Review the Science and Engineering Project Laboratory Notebooks resource.

  2. Make sure that your notebook is up to date and ready for the science fair using the checklist below:

    Lab Notebook Checklist

Task #6E: Final Report

Learning Objectives
  • Compile a comprehensive final report for your science fair project, including a title page, abstract, table of contents, question, variables, hypothesis, background research, materials list, experimental procedure, data analysis, discussion, conclusions, ideas for future research, acknowledgments, and bibliography.
Instructions
  1. Review Science Fair Project Final Report to learn how to write a final report.
  2. Include a link to your final report below or print it and turn it in to your teacher:

Task #6F: Self-Assessment Mastery Rubric

Communicate Your Results
*Proficient is the goal for most students

Use this mastery rubric to check your learning for each skill or concept in this section of your science project. Identify which level you think you are currently at, add notes about why you think you're at that level, and plan what you can do to improve and take your project to the next level.

Swipe left to see more
Skill/Concept 1 - Beginning 2 - Developing 3 - Proficient* 4 - Extending Assessment + Notes
Abstract Provides an incomplete or unclear abstract that lacks several key elements such as an introduction, problem statement, procedures, results, and conclusions. Provides an abstract that includes some key elements, but they may lack clarity or detail. The abstract may be somewhat concise but not fully engaging. Provides a clear and detailed abstract that includes an introduction, problem statement, procedures, results, and conclusions. The abstract is concise and engaging. Provides a comprehensive and highly detailed abstract that thoroughly includes an introduction, problem statement, procedures, results, and conclusions. The abstract is exceptionally concise, engaging, and well-written. Select: Notes:
Display Board, Poster, or Presentation: Visual Appeal & Organization Creates a display that lacks organization and visual appeal. Many necessary sections (question, hypothesis, variables, background research, etc.) are missing. Font sizes, titles, images, and charts or graphs are inappropriate or poorly used. Creates a display that includes some necessary sections but may lack clarity or completeness. Font sizes, titles, images, and charts or graphs are used but may not be fully appropriate or effective. Creates a visually appealing display that includes all necessary sections (question, hypothesis, variables, background research, etc.). Uses appropriate font sizes, titles, images, and charts or graphs effectively. Creates an exceptionally visually appealing and well-organized display that thoroughly includes all necessary sections. Uses appropriate font sizes, titles, images, and charts or graphs in a highly effective and engaging manner. Select: Notes:
Evaluation & Improvement Fails to adequately evaluate the display for accuracy, neatness, and compliance with science fair rules. Does not make necessary improvements. Partially evaluates the display for accuracy, neatness, and compliance with science fair rules. Makes some improvements, but they may be incomplete or lack effectiveness. Evaluates the display for accuracy, neatness, and compliance with science fair rules. Makes necessary improvements to enhance the display. Thoroughly evaluates the display for accuracy, neatness, and compliance with science fair rules. Makes comprehensive and highly effective improvements, resulting in a polished and professional display. Select: Notes:
Presentation or Judging Preparation & Practice Prepares a presentation that is unclear or incomplete, missing key elements such as the idea, experiment, results, conclusions, and importance. Does not rehearse responses to potential judges' questions. Prepares a presentation that includes some key elements but lacks clarity or engagement. Rehearses responses to some potential judges' questions but may lack thoroughness. Prepares a concise and engaging presentation that includes all key elements (idea, experiment, results, conclusions, and importance). Rehearses responses to potential judges' questions effectively. Prepares a highly engaging and thoroughly concise presentation that includes all key elements in detail. Rehearses responses to potential judges' questions comprehensively, demonstrating a deep understanding of the project. Select: Notes:
Professionalism During Judging Shows minimal professionalism. Does not dress appropriately, use the display board effectively, or display enthusiasm and confidence during the presentation. Shows some professionalism but may lack in one or more areas such as appropriate dress, effective use of the display board, or displaying enthusiasm and confidence. Demonstrates professionalism by dressing appropriately, using the display board effectively, and showing enthusiasm and confidence during the presentation. Exemplifies professionalism by dressing exceptionally well, using the display board in an exceptionally effective manner, and showing high levels of enthusiasm and confidence throughout the presentation. Select: Notes:
Final Lab Notebook Lab notebook is poorly organized and lacks accurate documentation. Entries for experimental procedures, data, observations, and reflections are incomplete or missing. Lab notebook is somewhat organized but may have gaps in accurate documentation. Entries for experimental procedures, data, observations, and reflections are present but lack detail. Lab notebook is well-organized and accurately documented. Entries for experimental procedures, data, observations, and reflections are detailed and complete. Lab notebook is exceptionally well-organized and meticulously documented. Entries for experimental procedures, data, observations, and reflections are comprehensive and thorough, demonstrating a high level of attention to detail. Select: Notes:
Final Report (if assigned) The final report is incomplete, missing several required sections such as the title page, abstract, table of contents, question, variables, hypothesis, background research, materials list, experimental procedure, data analysis, discussion, conclusions, ideas for future research, acknowledgments, and bibliography. The final report includes some required sections but may lack detail or completeness. Some sections such as the title page, abstract, table of contents, question, variables, hypothesis, background research, materials list, experimental procedure, data analysis, discussion, conclusions, ideas for future research, acknowledgments, and bibliography may be missing or incomplete. The final report includes all required sections: title page, abstract, table of contents, question, variables, hypothesis, background research, materials list, experimental procedure, data analysis, discussion, conclusions, ideas for future research, acknowledgments, and bibliography. Each section is detailed and complete. The final report is comprehensive and exceptionally detailed, including all required sections: title page, abstract, table of contents, question, variables, hypothesis, background research, materials list, experimental procedure, data analysis, discussion, conclusions, ideas for future research, acknowledgments, and bibliography. Each section is thorough, well-organized, and demonstrates a high level of attention to detail and professionalism. Select: Notes:

Explore Our Science Videos

Quick Links X
Top
Free science fair projects.