Oster Science Fair 2025-2026

This year’s Science Fair is open to 1st–5th grade students and will be a group project format.

All projects must be completed in groups of 2-5 students.
Students may team up with their friends or classmates.

Each group will explore a topic of interest and present their work through a science fair poster summarizing their research, experiment, or scientific findings.

Project Guidelines

Projects must be group-based (2 - 5 students per team)
No individual projects will be allowed
Topics may include research, experiments, or scientific investigations on any subject of interest
Each group will submit one poster representing their project.

Important Dates

Poster Submission: February 27, from 8:00–8:30 AM
Posters must be brought to the Makerspace before school
Science Fair Event: February 27, from 5:00–7:00 PM

Poster Submission Details

Parents and students will place posters in their designated slots
Volunteers will be available to assist during setup

Poster Format

Poster board size: 22” x 28”
Poster paper: Provided by HSC

What is the Oster Science Fair?

The Oster Science Fair is a showcase, not a competition. It's designed to help students explore the scientific method, ask questions, and solve problems in a fun and engaging way.

The Science Fair offers all Oster Elementary students the chance to be curious about their surroundings while applying the scientific method. Our goal is to create a positive learning experience where students can ask questions, think critically, set goals, manage projects, and, most importantly, have fun with science.

Parents are encouraged to support and motivate their children as they work on projects suitable for their grade level, but should refrain from completing the tasks on their behalf.

What is the Scientific method?

The scientific method is a process used to solve problems. It helps identify issues, encourages close observation, promotes learning, and guides students in finding solutions. It's also a tool that helps students better understand the world around them.

Check out Jack Hartmann's "Scientific Method" song, join Robo and Reem on their adventure with the Scientific Method, or explore the "Think Like a Scientist" activity from Go Noodle!

How do I run my experiment?

Run the test more than once to ensure reliable results.
Change only one variable at a time each time you run the test.
Record your results and observations in a table, graph, or through photos.
Write a clear conclusion: "What did you learn?"
Students are encouraged to involve family members for guidance and support, but family members should not complete the project for them!

How do I choose a project?

Tip: Use your 5 senses!
Start with a question—think “Why,” “What,” or “How.”

Examples of scientific questions:

Will the rock float or sink in water?
Where do raccoons live?
On which surface does a basketball bounce highest?
Will it rain today?
How far will my paper airplane fly?

Examples of non-scientific questions:

Who is my neighbor?
Can I play now?
What is my favorite color?

How do I record my experiment?

Record like a scientist!
Did you answer your question?
Write down the steps of your investigation before you begin.
Include your data.
Charts, graphs, diagrams, and pictures are encouraged.
Use words like "First," "Next," and "Last" to show the order of your investigation.
State facts and observations, not opinions.

How do I choose my experiment?

Look at everyday activities—there are countless things you can question!

Ask a question about something you see or do regularly.
Identify a problem you can solve.
Run your experiment multiple times—good results should be repeatable.
Only change one variable at a time and record the outcomes.

What if my experiment doesn’t work?

Not all experiments succeed, and that's okay!
Try changing one thing at a time.
Keep your experiment simple.
Don’t give up—try again!
If it's still not working, ask the Science Fair team for help.

Example

Ask a question:

What is the best setting to toast wheat bread?

Gather information:
There are 3 settings on my toaster.

Form a hypothesis:
Toasting wheat bread on setting 3 will make the best toast.

Test the results:

Toast the wheat bread on setting 3 and taste it - do I like it? Does it look like I imagined?

Toast the bread again on setting 3 - does it still taste and look the same?

Toast the bread on setting 2 - does it taste and look the same?

Share the results:
“Toasting wheat bread on setting 3 does not look exactly as I imagined, but it tastes great!”

Evaluations

Remember, this is not a contest. It is organized by parent volunteers, who are not professional scientists.
The goal is to have fun, learn something new, and share your findings with the Oster community.
Parents, siblings, and grandparents can offer guidance, but they should not do the project for the student.
Please do not use store-bought science kits.
Your experiment should be conducted using resources you have at home, don’t forget about the kitchen!
The science fair project should not require any purchases.
Oster HSC will provide poster paper for student projects.
All content on the poster must be handwritten by the student.
The experiment selected must be appropriate for your student's grade level.

Poster Details

The poster must be handwritten by your student and should include the following:

Question
Hypothesis
Materials Used
Procedure
Data / Results
Conclusion

Charts, diagrams, and pictures are encouraged to help illustrate the experiment.

Online Resources

Energy Experiments

https://www.eia.gov/kids/for-teachers/science-fair-experiments/

Nasa at home activities

https://science.nasa.gov/engage/nasaathome/activities/

Some youtube videos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBuH1b0Dqm0&t=67s

California academy of science

https://www.calacademy.org/blogs/educator-news/activities-using-household-materials

Tech interactive

https://www.thetechathome.org/activities

Curiodyssey

https://curiodyssey.org/learn-explore/science-experiments-for-kids/

FAQ

Is this a group or individual project?
This year’s Science Fair is a group project. Students will work in teams of two to five. Individual projects are not permitted.

Will my student be presenting?
Presentations are not required, but students are welcome to stand next to their poster and share their findings with family and friends.

Will my student need to bring all the materials used for the experiment and perform the experiment on Science Fair day?
No. The experiment does not need to be performed at the fair. The poster should reflect the process and results of the experiment.

What if my student cannot attend on February 27?
Unfortunately, if your student cannot attend, they will miss the Science Fair event. Please plan accordingly.

What if different groups choose the same project?
No problem! Projects on the same topic are allowed. It will be fun to compare methods and results across groups.

Can my student team up with an older sibling?
No. Groups must consist of students in the same grade only.

Can my student team up with a friend or twin in the same grade?
Yes. Students in the same grade may work together in a group.

What if my student didn’t register? Can they still bring a poster on February 27?
No. Registration is required in advance. The Science Fair team needs to plan space for all posters, and no last-minute submissions will be accepted.

Will materials be provided?
Oster HSC will provide the poster paper only. All other materials are the responsibility of the student group.