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Science Fair Information |
Sept 17 Library (books) to look up proposals
Sept 19 Library computer lab to look up proposals & begin research
Sept 26 Proposals Due
Oct 3 Resubmit proposal if necessary
Oct 6 Computer lab for research
Oct 7 Computer lab for research (optional)
Oct 20 Notecards Due (minimum of 8 resources 3 of wich have to be either from a book or a magazine or other professional publication)
Oct 31 Progress Report # 1 Due
Dec 12 Progress Report # 2 Due
Jan 7 Progress Report # 3 Due
Jan 14 Board Rough Draft/Binder Rough Draft (drawing/illustration/photo of how your board is going to be set up)
Jan 27 All boards due and binders due (The binder should have in a copy of all material tat are on the display board and: the Abstract (250 words) an introduction letter starting off with the hypothesis as your opening statement), an analysis of the charts, data, table of contents, title page, references, bibliography, acknowledgements.
All units MUST be in the Metric System
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What's in the binder and what's the order? |
Title Page: Center the project title, and put your name, scool, and grade at te bottom right.
Table of Contents: Include a page number for te beginning of each section.
Abstract: 250 words to summarize the entire project. ( A basic summary of the experiment.)
Introduction: Te intro sets te scene for your report. Te introduction includes your hypothesis, and explanation of what prompted your research, and what you hope to achieve.
The Experiment: Describe in detail the methodology used to collect your data or make your observations. Your report should be detailed enough so that someone would be able to repeat the experiment from the information in your paper.
Discussion: The discussion is the essence of your paper. The results and conclusions should flow smoothly and logically from your data. Be thorough. Allow your readers to see your train of thought, letting tem know exactly what you did. Include a discussion of possible errors. How did the data vary between repeated observations of similar events? How were your results affected by uncontrolled events? What would you do differently if you repeated this project? What oter experiments sould be conducted?
Conclusion: Briefly summarrize your results. Be specific, do not generalize. Never introduce anything in the conclusion that has not already been discussed.
Acknowledgements: You should always credit those who assisted you. Including individuals, businesses, and educational or research institutions. Identify any financial support or material donations received.
References: Work Cited Page |
What's On The Board? |
Left Panel: Hypothesis, Materials, Procedures
Center Panel: Title of Project, Date/Observations, Photograps, Charts, Graphs
Right Panel: Conclusion, Application, Abstract and project number in upper right hand corner. |
Proposal # 1 |
Project Proposal # 1
The time has come to start preparing for the science fair. The science fair project research is an I-search type of investigation. The information you learn and gather will help you to design the procedures to your experiment. The background knowledge begins when you identify a general topic to study and the area(s) of science which might be involved.
Part I
Pick 3 topics of hobbies that interest you
1._________________________
2. ________________________
3. ________________________
Type each of these areas of interest into the computer and surf around and take notes on questions you have regarding each topic!
Part II
If you are still having difficulty finding a topic visit the following websites and see if they will help you or you can Google your idea.
http://www.sciserv.org/isef/
http://school.discovery.com/sciencefaircentral/
www.discovery.com/dcysc
http://www.ipl.org/youth/projectguide/
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Progress Report # 1 |
Progress Report # 1
Name _______________________________ Mod________ Date ____________
1. Title:
2. Hypothesis:
3. References/Consultants used so far: (Attach sheet of notebook paper containing this information.)
Experimental Design:
4. List Of Materials:
5. Procedures to be used (list step-by-setp):
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10¡K.
6. What problems have you encountered and how do you plan to solve them? (Attach an additional sheet if necessary.)
7. What actual progress have you made so far? Be specific.
8. How much time have you spent on this project thus far?
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Progress Report # 2 |
Progress Report # 2
Name _________________________________________Mod _______________ Date _________
1. Title:
2. Hypothesis:
3. Experimental Design:
Materials
4. Procedures (Summarize the major steps
5. What do your tests results indicate at this point?
6. How do you plan to display your relults: (Attach a rough draft of all charts and graphs you will use to display your results. Indicate the type of graph you will use. Give appropriate titles, label axes, and give units.)
7. What problems have you encountered and how do you plan to solve them?
8. Total time spent on the project thus far:
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Periodic Review / Bibliography / Notes |
Scientific Periodical Review
This quarter you will search for information about your science fair project. You will need to locate 8 sources about your topic. You can use periodicals, texts, and the web. For each source you will complete a list of factual information that you found in that source. You also need to keep a list of the bibliography information for each article/site/book/reference.
The list of your sources and the list of factual information should be labeled with your name and section.
You'll need to include at least 5 facts from each source so that give a grand total of at least 40 facts. Eight sources times five facts each.
Example of a list:
Ralph Rhotten
Mod 1
Source # 1 ¡¡±Current Events¡¨
1. The range of the electromagnetic field gets weaker as you move farther away from the source.
Example of a Bibliography
Castleman, Michael. :Current Events¡¨ Sierra. Volume 22, January/February, 1992. p. 95-96.
Ms. Caldwell also has some cards that give the format for note cards and bibliography.
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Sample Abstract |
Effects of Marine Engine Exhaust Water on Algae
Jones, Mary E.
123 Main Street, Hometown, PA 17405
Hometown High School, Hometown, PA.
This project in its present form is the result of bioassay experimentation on the effects of two-cycle marine engines exhaust water on certain green algae. The initial idea was to determine the toxicity of outboard engine lubricate. Some success with lubricants eventually led to the formulation of ¡¥synthetic¡¦ exhaust water as the test substance.
Toxicity was determined by means of the standard bottle or ¡¥batch¡¦ bioassay technique. Scenedesmus quadricauda and Ankistrodesmus sp. Were used as the test organism. Toxicity was measured in terms of a decrease in the maximum standing corp. The effective concentration ¡V 50% (EC 50) for Scenedesmus quadricauda was found to be 3.75% exhaust water; for Ankistrodesmus sp. 3.1% exhaust water using the bottle technique.
Anomalies in growth curves raised the suspicion that evaporation was affecting the results; therefore, a flow-through system was improved utilizing the characteristics of a device called a Biomonitor. Use of the Biomonitor lessened the influence of evaporation, and the EC 50 was found to be 1.4% exhaust water using Ankistrodesmus sp. As the test organism, mixed populations of various algae gave an EC 50 of 1.28% exhaust water.
The contributions of these projects are twofold. First, the toxicity of two-cycle marine engine exhaust was found to be considerable greater than reported in the literature (1.4% vs. 4.2%). Secondly, the benefit of a flow-through bioassay technique utilizing the Biomonitor was demonstrated.
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Sample Research Paper |
A research paper must be displayed along with a project data book, and any necessary forms or relevant written materials. A research paper helps organize data as well as thoughts. A good paper include the following sections:
Title Page.Center the project title, and put your name, address, school, and grade at the bottom right.
Table of Contents. Include a page number for the beginning of each section.
Introduction. The introduction sets the scene for your report. The introduction includes your hypothesis, and explanation of what prompted your research, and what you hope to achieve.
The Experiment. Describe in detail the methodology used to collect your data or make your observations. Your report should be detailed enough so that someone would be able to repeat the experiment from the information in your paper. Include detailed photographs or drawings of self-designed equipment. Only include this year¡¦s work.
Discussion. The discussion is the essence of your paper. The results and conclusions should flow smoothly and logically from your data. Be thorough. Allow your readers to see your train of thought, letting them know exactly what you did. Compare your results with theoretical values, published data, commonly held beliefs, and/or expected results. Include a discussion of possible errors. How did the data vary between repeated observations of similar events? How were your results affected by uncontrolled events? What would you do differently if you repeated this project? What other experiments should be conducted?
Conclusion. Briefly summarize your results. Be specific, do no generalize. Never introduce anything in the conclusion that has not already been discussed.
Acknowledgements. You should always credit those who assisted you. Including individuals, businesses, and educational or research institutions. Identify any financial support or material donations received.
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Background Research |
Background Research
Before you can begin an experiment, it is important to do some research to gather information about your topic. By completing research you will have additional information that you need in order to revise your problem question to make it more focused and to form a hypothesis for your investigation.
In order to complete your research you will need to gather information about the following topics related to your investigation:
• The independent variable
• The dependent variable
• The relationship between the variables
Before you begin researching, you may want to develop a list of questions that you will use to focus your research. Sample questions have been provided for the paper airplane investigation described previously.
Possible Research Questions
1. Independent Variable: What material is used to make paper clips? How much does the average paper clip weigh?
2. Dependent Variable: What factors affect an airplane¡¦s flight? How do engineers design airplanes so that they will overcome the added weight of passengers? How can this information relate to paper airplanes?
Also, remember that you are conducting research. Therefore, you will need to record the resources that you use and include this information in a bibliography at the end of your final research report.
Once you have gathered all of your information, you need to organize it into several clear, concise paragraphs. In addition to the information that you have gathered through research, you should also include a section of your final report that draws conclusions about your variables, and how the information you have gathered is revelent to your investigation.
Your final research will become a part of your final display. Therefore, it should be organized into neat, concise paragraphs.
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The Scientific Method |
The Scientific Method
Problem/Purpose
• What is your goal?
• What idea are you trying to test?
• What is the scientific question you are trying to answer?
Hypothesis
• Explain how you think your project can demonstrate your purpose.
• Make a prediction regarding the outcome of your experiment.
• State the results you are predicting in measurable terms.
Procedure
• Give a detailed explanation of how you will conduct the experiment to test your hypothesis.
• Be clear about the variables (elements of the experiment that change to test your hypothesis) versus your controls (elements of the experiment that do not change).
• Be very specific about how you will measure results to prove or disprove your hypothesis. You should include a regular timetable for measuring results or observing the projects (for example, every hour, every day, every week).
• Your procedure should be like a recipe - Another person should be able to perform your experiment following your procedure. Test this with a friend or parent to be sure you have not forgotten anything.
Materials
• List all materials and equipment that were used.
• Your list of materials should include all of the ingredients of the procedure recipe.
Observations/Data/Results
• Keep a detailed journal of observations, data, and results. Your journal should contain data measurements and written notes about what you are sensing (hearing, seeing, or touching) about your experiment.
• If appropriate, photograph your project results or phases of the project to help your analysis and possibly to demonstrate your experiment on your exhibit board.
Analysis
• Explain your observations, data, and results. This is a summary of what your data has shown you.
• List the main points that you have learned.
• Why did the results occur? What did your experiment prove?
• Was your hypothesis correct? Did your experiment prove or disprove your hypothesis? This should be explained thoroughly.
Conclusion
• Answer your problem/purpose statement.
• What does it all add up to? What is the value of your project?
• What further study do you recommend given the results of your experiment? What would be the next question to ask?
• If you repeated this project, what would you change?
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Evaluation |
Science Exhibition Evaluation Sheet for All Students Exhibit Number # __________
Name of evaluator
1. What is the title?
2. What is the hypothesis? Please write the entire hypothesis.
3. How many steps are in the procedure ?
4. What part of speech begins each step of the procedure?
5. How is the data displayed? Charts, charts & graphs, photos, charts/graphs/photos?
6. What is the answer to the question in the title? This is usually found in the second paragraph of the conclusion.
7. Does the written conclusion contain data from the experiment? Yes or No
8. Does the graph include TAILS?
„X Title _______ Axes (X & Y)_______, Intervals ________, Labels & Units ______
„X Scale __________, Key ________
9. Was this a fair test? Was it valid? Please explain.
10. Describe one new piece of information that you learned from this exhibit.
11. What is one suggestion you would make to improve this project?
12. Check the steps of the scientific method that are included:
„X States the problem ______, States the hypothesis ______, Includes materials ______, States procedures______, Includes observations and data _______, Includes written conclusion ________, includes an application ________.
13. What is the independent variable?
14. What is the dependent variable?
15. Identify any 5 science terms used in the exhibit. Define them please: |
Progress Report # 3 |
Progress Report # 3
Name __________________________________Mod _______________ Date_________
Title: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Hypothesis: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
What do your tests results indicate at this point? (Observations/Analysis) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
How do you plan to display your results: (Attach a rough draft of all charts and graphs you will use to display your results. Indicate the type of graph you will use. Give appropriate titles, label axes, and give units.)
Total time spent on the project thus far: _______________________________________________
Conclusion:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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Visual Display for Science Fair 2009 The Board |
You want to attract and inform. Make it easy for interested spectators and judges to assess your project and the results you have obtained. Make the most of your space using clear and concise displays. Make heading stand out, and draw graphs and diagrams clearly and label them correctly with SI units.
Use a standard trifold display board that can also be purchased at the school store.
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Wen is the Fair? |
January 28th, 2009
3:00 pm ~ 4:29 pm in the meeting room
Come marvel in your child's accomplishment!
Refresments will be provided by the PTSA. (Thank you PTSA!) |
