Before you begin work on your blue ribbon-worthy science fair project, you'll need to choose a category to enter. Most science teachers will provide you with a list of set categories to choose from, although some schools allow participation in a miscellaneous category. Science fair categories typically include animal sciences, chemistry, biology, earth sciences, energy and physics. Some schools also allow social sciences entries.
Once you have chosen a category, you'll need to decide on the various elements that your project should include. Most science fair projects require a stated problem, a hypothesis, a description of the procedures followed, a record of the data collected, a list of the results and a conclusion. Each project will require different pieces within these various elements. Some teachers also require a list of the materials used.
A science fair project that will earn you a blue ribbon should be innovative, creative and well-executed. Teachers expect sixth-grade students to work on their project for several weeks or even months. Collecting plenty of data will help to make your conclusion strong and your project successful. Some ideas for projects include dissecting the parts of a seed, testing batteries to determine which brand has the longest life, and changing the volume of an inflated balloon by heating and cooling it.
Science fair projects work best on a large, tri-fold display. Projects that win blue ribbons often include photographs that clearly demonstrate the procedure and the steps followed. Display boards should be neat, colorful and well organized, with stencil or adhesive lettering, or notes printed out from a computer. The various elements to the project should be clearly labeled and in a sensible order. An attractive, colorful display board can attract the favor of the judges and help you win a blue ribbon for your hard work.