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Brook Knoll

Science and Engineering Fair

2025 - 2026

Getting Started
Registration & Resources
Project Requirements
Timeline
Former BK Projects Examples

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Science and Engineering Fair

A science and engineering fair project is:

an attempt to answer a question using the scientific method, or it is an effort to design a solution that addresses a problem through the engineering design process.

Students are expected to receive guidance, suggestions from adults however, the majority of the thinking, investigation and construction of the display should be that of the student(s).

Grades K - 4 can participate
5th grade: required assignment, see classroom teacher for more information
Participation is voluntary - it is not a requirement.
Younger students may need more help from their parents and that’s OK :)

Most of the following instructions were created with older students in mind but please don’t let that deter you from participating

The primary goal of a science fair for kids is to encourage students to actively learn about science by conducting their own experiments, applying the scientific method, and presenting their findings, allowing them to explore their curiosity and develop critical thinking skills while engaging with a topic that interests them; essentially, it's a hands-on way to learn about the scientific process and foster a love for exploration and discovery.

Key aspects of a science fair for kids:

Learning the scientific method: Identifying a question, forming a hypothesis, designing an experiment, collecting data, analyzing results, and drawing conclusions.
Independent research: Choosing a topic that sparks their interest and investigating it through research and experimentation.
Communication skills: Presenting their findings clearly and concisely through a display board, poster, or oral presentation.
Critical thinking: Evaluating data, interpreting results, and understanding the implications of their experiment.
Creativity and innovation: Designing unique experiments and finding creative ways to present their findings.

In alignment with The 2026 Santa Cruz County STEAM Expo takes place March 28 at the County Fairgrounds!

All K-12 students in Santa Cruz County are invited to participate in the Santa Cruz County STEAM Expo,

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Registration & Resources

Please register for the 2025 - 26 BK Science Fair by completing this form.

Lab Notebooks - Student will utilize a notebook/ journal to document your question, take notes, write observations and record results.

Lab notebooks will accompany each student’s final project.

Project Boards - Students will summarize their projects on a tri-fold poster board. This is a requirement of completing the projects.

* We will provide tri fold project boards, which will be distributed after winter break. Date TBD

Scientific

Notebook

Students will display their project boards to classmates and the BK community at the Brook Knoll Science Fair at school on February 17th.

Even if you don’t know what you want to do, please let us know you are interested!

Poster boards will be available in January- an email will be sent

All exhibits must adhere to all county, state and federal laws and regulations regarding wiring, toxicity, fire hazard, and general safety.

Lasers may be displayed but not operated at any time.
Containers for high-pressure gases must be empty.
No open flames or highly flammable materials are allowed.
Dangerous, combustible, and cryogenic materials are prohibited.
Syringes, pipettes, knives and other similar devices are prohibited.
Any apparatus with unshielded belts, pulleys, chains, or moving parts with tension or pinch points may not be operated.
Perishable food items are not allowed.
Plants are not allowed.
Glass is not allowed.

Toxic and hazardous chemicals are prohibited.

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Getting Started

Brainstorm: What interests you? What do you like to do in your free time? Anything you want to know more about? Any projects you saw at the science fair last year that you liked? Anything you’ve wanted to try?

Ask a question: Form a question about the topic you brainstormed above. Wondering how or why something happens is a great start. Then, expand your question so that you can answer it by doing an experiment.

Measure observations: This is another fun and creative part - after you figure out what you are going to study, you have to be able to measure your observations. For example, measurements can be size, time, length, color, and volume. There are many ways to measure something. Then, can you repeat the experiment and see the same results?

I like making slime and I like it best when it is thicker.

Inquiry question: How does the amount of borax affect the viscosity of slime?

What happens to my slime’s consistency when I change something about the formula that I use?

I will change the amount of borax and measure how long the slime holds its shape.

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How does ____________ affect ______________ as measured by ______________?

Write an Inquiry Question

Additional examples:

How does the amount of Borax affect the viscosity of slime as measured by how long the slime holds it shape?
How does the height of a 4th grader affect their long jump ability? (the “as measured by” is the length of their long jump)

Engineering Projects: The inquiry question may be different because they are designing something to solve a problem. What problem are they trying to solve?

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The Parts of a Science Fair Project

The following components should be included on your project board and in your notebook:

Inquiry Question or Statement of Purpose - the question you are asking, how and what you will measure to answer the question
Prediction or Hypothesis - what you predict will happen or what will the answer be to your question
Procedure and Materials - your detailed plan for doing the experiment
Data Table - a table listing all your results
Graph - plot the results from your table into a graph or graphs
Discussion and/or Data Analysis - discuss your results
Conclusion - clearly answer your inquiry question or why you can’t answer it

For more tips and detailed information click here

For the Santa Cruz County Science Fair information click here

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Former BK Projects

Past participants from Brook Knoll in the SC County Fair in 2019

Decomposition 2

What Animals Learn Faster? Horses or Dogs?

Alternative Fuels

How Does a Kite's Shape Affect Flight?

What is the best way to wash your hands?

Inquiry Project Example

Trash Mobile

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Timeline

Thursday, November 20, 2025 - Adult/parent Q&A session via Zoom
Monday, December 8th, 2025 - Entry form due
Tuesday, February 17, 2026 - Science Fair at Brook Knoll
Science Fair Family Night!

Optional

Tuesday, March 2, 2026 - deadline for Santa Cruz County Science Fair registration
Saturday, March 28, 2026 - Santa Cruz County STEAM Expo

Questions? Please contact the science fair committee at sciencefairbrookknoll@gmail.com

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We need Volunteers!

The Science Fair requires a lot of support from volunteers.

Review Project Entry forms for feedback - December - January
Science Fair Project Showcase on February 17th

Classroom Runners
Student Interviews/ judging
Set up / take down

Volunteer Sign-Up Form