J.C. BOOTH
SCIENCE FAIR
HANDBOOK
Dear Parents: Your gifted scholar will complete a Science Fair Project by November 7, 2012. The following checklist breaks the project into small, manageable pieces, detailing a long-term plan for completion. Please help your gifted scholar plan his/her project and to keep it on track in order to meet the deadline.
Thank you! Mrs. Comer, Ed.S. Gifted Science
STEPS GOALS/ASSIGNMENT DUE DATE POINTS EARNED
1 Logbook. Bring your composition book to class. According to science fair rules, it must have pages that are sewn in: ex. composition note book (sorry, no spirals are allowed).
August 23
Thursday /10
2
Topic. Choose a topic. It must be in the form of a question that requires an experiment to answer.
August 24
Friday /10
3 Referenced Research. the internet, books, magazines, etc. You must have Research your topic using at least FIVE different sources. Each source must have a page in the log book and at least 3 to 5 bulleted facts (Annotated Bibliography).
September 5
Wednesday /30
4 Purpose. Why is this investigation important?
September 7
Friday /10
5
Variables and Hypothesis. List manipulated, responding, and control variables. Hypothesis must be in correct, “if…then” format.
September 14
Friday /20
6 Materials and Procedures.be included in materials, and the procedures must be Metric quantities must in a “step by step” format (it should look like a recipe when you finish).
September 21
Friday /20
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FIRST NINE WEEKS
POINTS
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/1007 Experiment (begin now) September 21Friday
---8 Completed Data Tablerecorded in your Log Book.. All observations must be October 15Monday /20
9 Data Analysis. (Graph + Paragraph)
October 22
Monday /20
10 Conclusion.describe the outcome of the project and describe any One well written paragraph. (Must problems that were encountered along the way.)
October 26
Friday /20
11 Abstract.describe the project and the results. In no more than 250 words, briefly November 1Thursday /20
12
Finishing Touches. Prepare an oral presentation for the class. Practice speaking to a family member. Check over your Project for any finishing touches.
November 2-4
Fri-Sun ---13
Project Due!
November 7
-SECOND NINE WEEKS POINTS --- /100 SCIENCE FAIR TIME LINE
WEEK 1: Begin Science Fair Project
Students select a topic, conduct background research, and formulate a hypothesis.
Topic, Problem, Research Paper, and Bibliography.
WEEK 2: Experimental Design
Students define independent variable, dependent variable, control, constants.
Students formulate hypothesis
Students determine materials required for experiment
Students write step-by-step procedures
WEEK 3: Class Discussion AND Begin Project
Explain expectations for data charts, graphs, analysis, conclusion, and abstract.
Students conduct experiments outside of school. Don’t wait until the last minute. Give yourself time in case you have to redo the experiment.
Individual teachers may set aside certain days for students to ask questions and for students to share their progress. If students have questions about their projects they can ask their science teacher for help during Warrior Time, email the teacher, or ask if the teacher can meet with them before or after school.
November 7: Final Project Due: display Board, Report and Log Book!
November 13
: J. C. Booth Middle School Science Fair
LOG BOOK
Think of your log book as your brainstorming and rough draft of your project. 1. Needs to be a hardbound composition book. NO SPIRALS.
2. Label the front cover of log book with your name, phone number, email, and teacher’s name.
3. Write log entries in pen NOT pencil. This is a permanent record of all your activities associated with your project.
4. Number the pages before using it. 5. Date every entry.
6. Log book should be used during all phases your project. Use it regularly and write down everything.
7. Glue, staple, or tape loose paper (graphs, data charts, and copies of documents). 8. Organize lab notebook. Create tabs of different sections within in log book. You may
use the following to do this:
Tab Color Page Number
Deadline Schedule red 1
Daily Notes and Reflections white 2
Background Research (Notes) blue 20
Information (contacts, supply green 26 Sources)
Experimental Setup yellow 35
Data Collection purple 40
Results (graphs, pictures, orange 50
Summary, data tables)
Reflections (What could you light blue 60 Do differently next time?
How could the experiment be improved?)
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS
Adapted from the website: How To Develop A Project http://www.qacps.k12.md.us/cms/sci/fair/fairhom5.htm
The following pages will include detailed information on the steps listed below. All of the information listed below in steps 1-11 will be recorded in the LOG BOOK, typed for the report, and typed for the display board. Use the attached rubric when putting your total project together.
Step 1: Topic Selection
Step 2: Paper on Background Research with Bibliography Step 3: Identify the Problem
Step 4: Define Variables Step 5: Develop Hypothesis Step 6: Procedure
Step 7: Materials
Step 8: Collect Data: Data Table
Step 9: Data Analysis: Use appropriate graphs to display data Step 10: Conclusion:
STEP 1: TOPIC SELECTION
A topic is a general area of study. The following link may help with topic selection. http://www.sciencebuddies.org/mentoring/project_topic.shtml
Listed below are topics you can choose from for your science fair project.
Once you have chosen a topic, record your choice in your log book. It is okay to change your topic later on. Just make sure it is recorded in the log book.
Biology: botany (plants), zoology, genetics, microbiology, Chemistry: environmental pollution, food science,
Earth Science: geology, meteorology, oceanography Physics: astronomy, electricity, forces and motion, heat
Environmental Science: air pollution, global warming, soil pollution, water pollution, recycling, “green” products
Engineering: constructing a product that has some kind of purpose.
STEP 2: COLLECTING BACKGROUND INFORMATION As you read background information on your topic, record notes in your log book. Remember, your log book is your brainstorming or rough draft portion of your science fair project. It does not have to look perfect.
Background information should include the following:
1. History – What type of studies or experiments have already been done on your topic?
2. Significance – How is your topic important to us? How does it make an important contribution to the world around us?
STEP 3: IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM
Now it is time to narrow your topic to a specific question or problem. After reading about your topic, you should have an idea about a smaller area of interest within your topic. Now find a relationship between your topic and smaller area of study. Then, formulate a question based on that. Refer to the examples listed below:
TOPIC RELATIONSHIP PROBLEM
Erosion Erosion and plant growth
How does the density of plant cover affect the rate of erosion?
Birds Birds and feeder height
Does the height of a bird feeder affect the frequency with which birds will visit?
Plants Germination
Does temperature affect the rate of seed germination?
Here are some questions to consider when identifying your problem.
1. Can you get measurements or some kind of number data (quantitative)? 2. Can you measure a change in the variable studied? (dependent variable) 3. Can you change the other variable? (independent variable)
4. Can you keep other factors from influencing your results? (constants) 5. Can you collect a lot of data? (20 or more numbers)
6. Do you have all the materials you need, or will you be able to get all the materials? 7. Do your parents/guardians approve of your experiment?
STEP 4: DEFINE VARIABLES
Identify the following components of your experiment in your log book. Independent variable: the part of the experiment you are testing. Dependent variable: what you are measuring or collecting data on.
Constants: other variables which could affect the dependent variable but which you keep constant.
Experimental Group: the group in which the independent variable is changed. Record the size of this group in your log book.
Control Group: the group in which in the independent variable is not present. The group that is in its normal state. Record the size of this group in your log book.
STEP 5: DEVELOP HYPOTHESIS
Use your independent and dependent variables defined in Step 4 to write your hypothesis. Write your hypothesis in an If (I do this)……….., then (this will happen) format. The “if” part is the independent variable and the “then” part is the dependent variable. Record in log book. Example: If a plant receives fertilizer (having fertilizer is the independent variable), then it will grow to be bigger than a plant that does not receive fertilizer (plant size is the dependent variable).
STEP 6: STEP-BY-STEP PROCEDURE
Your procedure should be very clear and precise. Your procedure should look like the step-by-step instructions you follow when completing a lab activity. Be very specific. Record in log book.
STEP 7: MATERIALS
STEP 8: COLLECTING DATA
Keep a good record of data. Create data charts in your log book in which to collect your data. Make sure all measurements are in metric units. A data table includes a title, column titles, and units listed for each variable.
Example: Effect of Temperature on Plant Growth Temperature in
degrees Celsius Plant Growth in centimeters
10 14.2
15 15.7
20 17.1
25 18.9
STEP 9: DATA ANALYSIS
1. Find appropriate measure of central tendency (mean, median, and mode). 2. Select correct graph (s) to display data:
a. Bar Graph – for comparing 2-4 independent groups
b. Line Graph – if the independent variable is numerical, and a trend (upward or downward) is indicated
c. Circle Graph – if graphing parts of a whole (percentages)
3. Write a paragraph or more about what your data shows. Use the following questions as a guide.
a. Does your data show a relationship or reveal some pattern?
b. Is there a significant difference between your two groups? (experimental and control)
c. What possible sources of error are there? Are there other factors which you may not have considered that affected your results?
STEP 10: CONCLUSION
Write a paragraph or more discussing your conclusion based on your results. Use the following questions as a guide.
1. What did your project prove?
2. Does your conclusion support your hypothesis, or not?
(Think Myth Busters here. Is your hypothesis busted, plausible, or confirmed?) 3. If your hypothesis is plausible, what could you change about your experiment in order to collect more data?
4. If your hypothesis is busted, do you have another idea for an experiment involving the same topic?
STEP 11: WRITING AN ABSTRACT
The abstract is a summary of your entire project. Consider the following when writing your abstract.
Summarizes what your project was about, why you chose it, and what you were attempting to learn.
Explains how you did it. Describe briefly your procedure, groups, and variables.
What did you learn? Summarize what the data shows and extend your project by indicating how you would do it again or apply the results to other situations.
STEP 12: THE DISPLAY BOARD
Attractiveness, neatness, and creativity counts! Display boards may be purchased at an office/school supply store. However, you may also construct your own using other materials you may have available to you. Display boards need to be rigid and able to stand on their own. Display boards should include the following:
Consider the following when creating your display board:
1. Sections on display board are organized and easy to follow. 2. Text is large and neat enough to be read easily.
3. Does the title catch people’s attention?
4. Pictures, charts, graphs, and diagrams are used effectively to convey information about the science fair project.
SSFF—Simplified Science Fair Form
Name and Grade of Student ____________________________________________ Title of Project: __________________________________________________ Group Project _____ Individual Project _____
Subject Area of Project: Physical Science Life Science Earth Science Experimental data collection will begin: and end
Where will you conduct lab work? Research Institution School Field Home
Please note—students may not work on projects involving humans, non-human vertebrate animals, recombinant DNA, pathogens, controlled substances, human/animal tissue, or hazardous substances and devices.
Student Acknowledgement: I understand the risks and possible dangers to me of the
proposed research plan. I will adhere to all International Rules when conducting this research. _____________________________ ______________ Student’s Printed Name Student’s Signature Date Acknowledged
Parent Approval: I have read and understand the risks and possible dangers involved in the proposed research plan. I consent to my child participating in this research.
_____________________________ ______________
Parent’s Printed Name Parent’s Signature Date Of Review
Adult Sponsor Approval: I have read the proposed research plan and reviewed the Checklist for Adult Sponsor with the student. I agree to sponsor the student named above and assume reasonable responsibility for compliance with all International ISEF Rules as they pertain to the research plan..
______________________________ _______________ Adult Sponsor’s Printed Name Adult Sponsor’s Signature Date Acknowledged
Designated Adult Supervisor: I have been trained in the techniques to be used by this student prior to the start of experimentation and I will provide direct supervision during
experimentation.
____________________ __________ Designated Adult Supervisor’s Printed Name Designated Adult Supervisor’s Date
TURN THIS FORM INTO YOUR TEACHER
IRB/SRC Approval [ ] is [ ] is not needed for this project. _______________________
SCIENCE FAIR ASSESSMENT RUBRIC
Name (s) ________________________________________________________________ Title of Project __________________________________________________________
WRITTEN REPORT
Points Points Earned
ABSTRACT (10) __________
TITLE PAGE (5) __________
TABLE OF CONTENTS (5) __________
HYPOTHESIS (5) __________
BACKGROUND RESEARCH (25) __________
MATERIALS & PROCEDURE (10) __________
INDEPENDENT VARIABLE (5) __________
DEPENDENT VARIABLE (5) __________
CONSTANTS (5) __________
QUANTITATIVE DATA (15) __________
* Data Tables and graphs
ANALYSIS OF DATA (5) __________
Analyze and interpret data, possible experimental error
Recommendations for future study of your topic
CONCLUSION (5) __________
VISUAL DISPLAY BOARD
NEATLY TYPED (10) __________
ORGANIZED DISPLAY (10) __________
CORRECT SPELLING/GRAMMAR(10) __________
EYE CATCHING APPEARANCE (15) __________
LOG BOOK
LOG BOOK CHECK #1 (10) ___________
LOG BOOK CHECK #2 (10) ___________
ORGANIZED/LABELED (5) ___________
INCLUSIVE (25) ___________
Includes all activity related to your project.
TOTAL POINTS (200) ___________
