Science Fair Quick Start Guide — Capri Elementary 2026-27

Welcome, Future Scientists!

Think doing a science project is too hard? Think again! If you can ask a question and try to find the answer, you can do a science project. It really is that simple.

This year's theme is “Science in Life!” What do you enjoy most? Is it sports, food, nature, music, games, Lego, Disneyland, or anything else that interests you? Find the science in it! Ask your teacher, the STEM teacher, your friends, and your parents about your ideas. You can work alone or in a group of up to three. The fair is open to all students in grades K–6.

Important dates: First approval of your project idea by Thursday, October 22. Final approval and sign-ups close Thursday, November 12. The Science Fair is Thursday, November 19, 5–7 PM in the MPR.

Whether you work solo or with friends, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know. Let's get started!

Before You Start

Gather Your Materials

Here's what you'll need to get your project going:

A notebook or journal to record your observations
Pencils, pens, and markers
A tri-fold display board (a limited number are in the front office, while supplies last!)
Glue, tape, and scissors
Paper and printer access for titles and labels
Materials specific to your experiment (varies by project)
A curious mind and a willingness to explore!

Step 1

Pick Your Project

The Scientific Method — Your Roadmap

Every great science project follows these steps. Think of them as your roadmap from question to discovery:

Purpose — Why are you doing this experiment? What do you want to learn?
Question — What specific question are you trying to answer?
Hypothesis — What do you THINK the answer will be? (Your best guess!)
Method — What steps will you follow to test your hypothesis?
Materials — What supplies and tools do you need?
Results — What happened? Record your data, measurements, and observations.
Conclusion — Was your hypothesis right or wrong? What did you learn?

Remember: It's totally OK if your hypothesis is wrong! That's how real science works. The goal is to learn something new.

Project Idea Starters

Not sure where to start? Pick a category that interests you and try one of these questions — or come up with your own!

💧 Clean Water

Does a homemade filter clean water better than store-bought?
How does salt concentration affect water evaporation?

⚡ Energy

Which color surface absorbs the most solar heat?
Can you power a small light with a lemon battery?

🌱 Food & Agriculture

Do plants grow faster with music?
What type of soil helps seeds sprout the fastest?

♻ Sustainability

Which material decomposes fastest in soil?
Does recycled paper hold as much weight as new paper?

🩹 Health & Body

Does hand sanitizer kill more germs than soap and water?
Does exercise affect your heart rate recovery time?

🌤 Space & Weather

Can you predict tomorrow's weather by observing clouds?
How does the moon's phase affect the tides?

🐔 Animals & Nature

Do ants prefer sugar or protein?
What time of day are birds most active at your feeder?

🔧 Engineering

What bridge design holds the most weight?
Can you build a container that keeps an ice cube frozen longest?

Grade-Level Tips

Grades K–2

Keep it simple and fun! Focus on observing the world around you. Use drawings and pictures to show what you found. Your parents can help you write things down.

Grades 3–4

Start measuring and comparing! Use numbers to track your results. Try testing one thing at a time so you know what caused the change. Simple charts and graphs make your data shine.

Grades 5–6

Challenge yourself! Write a clear hypothesis and design a fair test with controls. Collect data from multiple trials and use graphs to analyze patterns. Think about what you would do differently next time.

Step 2

Build Your Display

Board Layout

Your tri-fold board should follow this layout:

Left Panel Introduction, Purpose, Hypothesis, Materials

Center Panel Title (big!), Data, Graphs, Photos of Your Experiment

Right Panel Results, Conclusion, What I Learned, What's Next?

Maximum dimensions: 4 feet wide (122 cm) x 6 feet tall (183 cm)

Tips for a Great Board

Use large, readable fonts — people should be able to read your board from a few feet away
Include photos of your experiment in action
Use color to organize sections, but don't overdo it — keep it clean
Make your title big and catchy — it's the first thing people see!
Add charts or graphs to show your data visually
Don't forget to put your name on your board!

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Too much text — use bullet points and short sentences instead of paragraphs
Hard-to-read handwriting — type or print neatly if writing by hand
No conclusion — always tell people what you learned!
Forgetting your name — make sure your name (and group members) are on the board

Step 3

Present Like a Scientist

On the night of the fair, visitors will walk around and look at your project. This is your chance to share what you learned! Here's how to talk about your project like a pro:

Start with your hypothesis — tell them what you wanted to find out and what you predicted
Show your favorite result — point to your data or a cool photo from the experiment
Be ready for questions — people will be curious! Answer what you can

It's totally OK to say: “I don't know — that could be my next experiment!” Real scientists say this all the time.

For younger students: Practice explaining your project to a family member at home before the fair. It helps a lot with nerves and makes you feel like a real expert!

Step 4

Day of the Fair

The Science Fair is Thursday, November 19, 2026, in the MPR:

3:00 – 5:00 PM

Set up your project in the MPR

5:00 – 7:00 PM

Science Fair viewing & presentations, with SD Lab Rats demos out front

6:30 – 7:00 PM

SD Lab Rats show in the MPR!

7:00 – 7:30 PM

Teardown — take your project home

Our special guests are SD Lab Rats, a San Diego nonprofit that brings hands-on science to kids.

Take your project home during teardown, 7:00–7:30 PM. Make sure your name is clearly visible on your display so it's easy to find!

For Parents: How to Help (Without Doing It for Them)

We know it's tempting to jump in and make the board look “perfect.” But the science fair is about your child's learning journey, not a polished product. Here's how to be the best science fair coach:

Let your child choose the topic. They'll be way more excited about a question they actually care about.
Ask guiding questions instead of giving answers. “What do you think will happen?” is better than “Here's what's going to happen.”
Help with materials and logistics — buying supplies, setting up the workspace, driving to the store — but let them do the actual work.
Encourage them to practice explaining their project. A few run-throughs at the dinner table goes a long way.

The messy board made by a kid is better than the perfect board made by a parent. Judges, teachers, and visitors can tell the difference — and they're cheering for the kids.

Helpful Resources

📚
Science Buddies Project ideas, step-by-step guides, and tips for every grade level
🌎
Greater San Diego Science & Engineering Fair Our regional fair — browse past projects from local students, many from nearby schools
🦽
Ask the STEM teacher! Have questions about your project? Ask your teacher or STEM teacher Aliza Holmes (Aliza.Holmes@eusd.net), or email Science Fair coordinator Kris Thomson at krisdthomson@gmail.com.