Advice For Your First Science Fair – From the Class of 2029


Each year, Mini students in grades 8 and 9 participate in the Mini Science Fair. Students come up with their own research question, plan, and test it over the span of several months. Months of hard work culminates in a weeklong Science Fair that is held in the Mini Gym each January, where students are judged by teachers and grade 12 Mini students on their scientific rigor and results of interpretation. Some lucky students are selected to advance to the Vancouver District Science Fair at Langara College, then further to the Greater Vancouver Regional Science Fair at UBC and even the Canada Wide Science Fair.

Below is some advice from the Class of 2029 for Mini students who are just getting started on their Science Fair journeys.

“Dear grade 8s: Try to do as many tests as you can! The judges like lots of data points and charts. Try to be consistent throughout winter break and give yourself lots of time to make the board. It might take more than one day! I wish you luck!!” – Nika

“ORAL PRESENTATION MATTERS! Put at least 2 weeks aside to start practicing your presentation. How you present yourself and communicate your findings are an important part of your grade. Bonus tip: Memorize your script!!!” – Wailea

“Don’t leave it to winter break, it makes the holidays feel sad. Write up your procedure and results as soon after your experiment as possible! It helps it be more precise because it’s fresh in your head. DON’T FORGET ABOUT YOUR DATA BOOK! Speaking from experience, it just takes a few minutes every time you work on it. It sucks to have to remember what you did 4 months ago when you could be focusing on more important things.” – Roslyn

“Use a paper cutter for your trifold background/writing because its hard to make straight lines with scissors.” – Claire K

“Do you project data book the day you do something, not later.” – Cole

“Start as soon as you can, don’t wait until last minute because you want time to plan, test, and make changes! It will make your whole Science Fair experiment easier and better.” – Aoi

“Make sure you log every day in your data book to ensure that your project is lined up, clear, and organised. This is also helpful as if you feel lost with what to do next, you can just check in your log to see what you have done.” – Nava

“Start with the little tasks and work up to the bigger ones. Also, make a schedule for yourself so that you can have some motivation to get things done.” – Oliver

“Make a calendar to keep track of your progress and know when to complete tasks.” – Lewis

“Make a graph in your project data book to track your data in your experiment and start your experiment before winter break so you have time for summary report and make a script for the big ideas when you present” – Max

“Don’t wait til winter break! It gets way too stressful. You should be using winter break to do your summary report and your trifold. Put lots of details in your data book. Make your hypothesis sound science-y. Have fun!” – Olivia G

“I would suggest starting your experiment in November, then in December you can focus on your summary report, leaving January to make your trifold. Also, make your trifold colourful and fun!” – Kate

“Do not procrastinate and get your experiment done by December.” – Keaton

“Plan out the specific schedule where you are going to perform each step (ex: background for summary report 10/10/25). Think about how your experiment and findings will affect the world. For speaking to judges, don’t be jittery and stuck to reading your script – make it a conversation so they see that you truly understand your own project!” – Caroline

“Use winter break to get the majority of your trifold done.” – Ian

“Make the graphs on your trifold not too complicated --> easy for the public and judges to understand. Make an intriguing title. Even if the judges aren’t looking at you, look up at them. Make the information on the trifold a ‘simpler’ version of your summary report.” – Claire C

“Make your board look nice + start summary report as early as possible” – Kayan

“Don’t procrastinate. Get started as soon as possible and work on it frequently, bit by bit. Try to plan ahead. (e.g., I try to work on my study a few days a week, right after school for 30 min to an hour)” – Zoe

“Don’t stress about making everything perfect. What matters is the effort you put in. Don’t let Ms. I’s week countdown stress you out, you have plenty of time! Don’t be too stressed about your presentation, the judges can tell.” – Olivia D

“Don’t leave your work to the last minute, space out your work evenly to avoid stress. When working on science fair, always have a computer or a piece of paper to write down what you’re doing so you can put your progress in your project data book. Even the smallest things are useful. Always be nice to judges, and even if you don’t know what you’re talking about or you forgot what to say, make it seem like you’re confident!” – Michael

“Include lots of data, graphs, pictures, and pieces of evidence in your summary report for results. I would try to get an early spot for the judging because it allows you to get it over with and not worry about it throughout the week. Be super loud, clear, MEMORIZE IT, enthusiastic, passionate, proud of your project when you’re presenting it for your judging.” – Averil

“Do your project data book properly. Don’t make up any days, do your work early, etc.” – Yaqub

“If you can’t find a project or want a different one, pick a project based on your interests and what you might have never done or thought of.” – Nathan

“Do not procrastinate! You may think you have a lot of time but deadlines will come faster than you think! Instead of stressing out and telling yourself to get started, just start. The hardest part is getting started. Once you start your experiment, you will feel so much better. Don’t save all your work until winter break, you’ll thank yourself later. Just do work bit by bit and don’t be scared to reach out for help/advice from your parents or Ms. I!” – Chloe

“Just start on it ASAP. Don’t procrastinate. Don’t stress. You have lots of time. Hi Dylan =)” – Alan