COMPLETING THE ABSTRACT:
Abstracts are limited to a maximum 250 words and must fit within the predefined area. Please be sure to
consult the information from your affiliate fair for the proper formatting of the header information as fairs
differ in what is required (or not allowed).
The abstract should include the following:
a) purpose of the experiment
b) procedure
c) data
d) conclusions
It may also include any possible research applications. Only minimal reference to previous work may be
included. An abstract must not include the following:
a) acknowledgments (including naming the research institution and/or mentor with which you were
working), or self-promotions and external endorsements
b) work or procedures done by the mentor
COMPLETING THE CERTIFICATION:
At the bottom of the Abstract & Certification form there are six questions. Read each carefully and answer
appropriately. The Affiliated Fair Scientific Research Committee will review and approve the abstract and
answers to the questions.
Please bring a copy of your Abstract & Certification to the fair and be sure to consult with your affiliated fair
regarding the rules of making copies to distribute.
TIPS ON WRITING A PROJECT ABSTRACT
A project abstract is a brief paragraph or two (limited to 250 words or 1,800 characters) highlighting and/
or summarizing the major points or most important ideas about your project. An abstract allows judges to
quickly determine the nature and scope of a project.
•
Emphasize these aspects: purpose (hypothesis), methods (procedures used), data summary or analysis,
and conclusions.
•
Focus only on the current year’s research.
•
Omit details and discussions.
•
Use the past tense when describing what was done. However, where appropriate use active verbs rather
than passive verbs.
•
Use short sentences, but vary sentence structure.
•
Use complete sentences. Don’t abbreviate by omitting articles or other small words in order to save
space.
•
Avoid jargon and use appropriate scientific language.
•
Use concise syntax, correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
AVOID A REWRITE
•
Focus on what you did, not on the work of your mentor or of the laboratory in which you did your work.
•
Do NOT include acknowledgements, self promotion or external endorsements. Don’t name the research
institution and/or mentor with which you were working and avoid mentioning awards or honors
(including achieving a patent) in the body of the abstract.
•
Be sure to emphasize the current year’s research. A continuation project should only make a brief
mention of previous years’ research (no more than a sentence or two).
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