At every fair, judges sit down with stacks of project deliverables to evaluate. Before they hear your elevator pitch or see your poster, they often read one thing first: the abstract. 

In this article, I’ll break down how to craft an impact-forward abstract that judges will find memorable, what to include (and what to leave out), and suggestions on how to refine it to ensure it’s judging-ready.

Before we dive in, my name’s Kara, and I’m a current engineering student at UC Berkeley. I also competed in research competitions in high school, where I won multiple awards, including two Regeneron ISEF Grand Awards. Since then, I have gained extensive experience in technical and scientific writing.

What’s an abstract at science fair?

The science fair abstract is a 250-word comprehensive summary that gives judges’ their first impression of a student’s research.

This is where judges start to develop an idea of your depth of scientific understanding and write questions they’ll likely ask during judging. And yet, the abstract is one of the most underestimated parts of a science fair project.

Many students treat the abstract as more of a formality, a quick summary to check off a box for their science fair deliverables. However, when used appropriately, it’s a powerful communication tool that can elevate your project. 

How to start your science fair abstract

A strong abstract begins with a compelling introductory statement that serves as a hook. Something that brings the reader in and builds interest. This should be related to your problem statement, the why behind their project. 

Rather than saying “This project studies...” or “The purpose of this research was...”, open with an eye-opening metric or statistic, an inefficiency, or a real problem in a concise manner. Prove to the judge that they should care about your project. 

Next, transition swiftly into your research, clearly connecting the problem you introduced to your proposed solution or investigation.

The body of your abstract

Your abstract should then directly move into a concise, three or four-sentence, past-tense description of your procedure. This should be simple and straight-to-the-point.

Ensure you don’t dwell on experimental apparatus or any problems you encountered (unless they are significantly meaningful); that is what the report is for.

In your abstract, science fair judges are evaluating your ability to communicate methods succinctly. They don’t need or want every technical detail.

Following the procedure should be a concise description of the data you collected and the most important results you obtained. This is often the most misused section of the abstract, as it should highlight important trends and quantitative conclusions, not just a string of numbers.

Simply listing values without interpretation weakens the overall narrative of your project. Make sure you explicitly state the results that show change, improvement, or other relationships that heavily support your concluding observations.

Ending your science fair abstract

This segues perfectly into your conclusion, which should be summarized into only one or two sentences.

Your conclusion should answer your research question, scientifically interpret results, summarize the impact of your findings, and reference real-world applications.

Depending on your project’s approach, this could mean relevance to the broader industry, future research potential, or a concrete solution to the problem you introduced in the first sentence. 

This section should tie everything together nicely and demonstrate the true impact of your research.

What to avoid in your abstract

The most common reasons that science fair abstracts lose impact are

• Unnecessary detail, 

• Jargon, or

• Filler words. 

Avoid overly-complex wording (unless you’re naming research specimens, equipment, or technique), not widely-used acronyms (spell these out!), and any first-person statements like “I did” or “my research”.

The abstract, at its core, is about conciseness, clarity, and intentionality. When each section is written with the research purpose and impact in mind, the abstract becomes more than just a summary. It becomes a confident and clear scientific statement that invites the judges to think more deeply about your project before they talk to you or see any of your other research materials.

My advice for a great science fair abstract

My biggest piece of advice is that revision is everything (especially for the abstract, but also all other deliverables!).

A polished abstract is often developed after multiple drafts. Asking an English teacher, family member, friend, or science fair coach to review the abstract for spelling mistakes, grammar, punctuation, conciseness, and impact-focused language can make a dramatic difference.

You will do yourself a huge favor by reviewing your abstract with a critical lens, focusing on clarity and impact-strengthening vocabulary. This focus will help to strengthen your scientific communicatation as a whole, which is a skill that extends beyond competition season, and into writing college and scholarship essays.

Your abstract may be short, but it has a great impact. Perfecting the tone and professionalism of your abstracts will improve your overall judging experience and ensure that your hard work is well-recognized.

To help you further, here are examples of ISEF-approved sample abstracts and the official abstract requirements in more detail.

Unlock Your Potential with ScienceFair

To help you make an impact with your abstract, poster, and pitch, ScienceFair offers comprehensive coaching by ISEF finalists and winners, tailored for high and middle school students. 

Our mentors help you at every stage of your project, from brainstorming innovative ideas to conducting in-depth research to presenting your final work with confidence. 

Schedule a consultation call to connect with a member of our team and create a personalized plan tailored to your needs.