Creating a Science Fair Project

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Creating a Science Fair Project
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Experiments!

• Whats the difference between an experiment and a
  science project?
• A science project has a hypothesis and variables.
  It will test multiple times to prove or disprove
  your hypothesis.
• An experiment is conducted just to see what
  happens. Nothing is measured or tested.

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Vocabulary

• Purpose or problem
• Hypothesis
• Procedure
• Conclusion
• Variable
• Research paper/journal

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Purpose or Problem

• What do I want to know more about? What am I
  interested in exploring and researching?

I wonder how garbage breaks down and becomes
nutrients for the soil? I wonder what breaks
down the fastest? How will I explore this and
find out more?
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Hypothesis

• I think that if________________ then
  ________________ because ________.
• I think that if I collect apple peels, banana
  peels, table scraps, and grass clippings, then
  the grass clippings will compost the fastest
  because they are smaller in size than the other
  items.

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Procedure

• List in sequential order step by step what you
  will do to conduct your experiment.
• 1. Collect banana peels, apple peels, table
  scraps, and grass clippings.
• 2. Place 2 cups of each into a dark container of
  the same size.
• 3. Turn items in all containers every four days
  using a spoon.
• Take pictures each time. Take written notes each
  time.
• Collect data every four days for a period of four
  weeks.
• Create a Observation Notes chart and a Display
  chart of the pictures taken.

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Conclusion

• Your conclusion will restate your hypothesis. It
  will also share information about what was
  observed and learned during the investigation.
  You will also state whether you proved your
  hypothesis to be correct, or disproved it.

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Variables

• Control Variable also called the dependent
  variable. This variable remains constant and
  doesnt change. There can be several control
  variables.
• Manipulative Variable also called the changing
  variable or independent variable. This variable
  is what is being tested. There is never more
  than one manipulative variable!
• Responding Variable This is the variable that
  responds or reacts to the changes.

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Examples of Variables

• If I conducted an experiment to see how light and
  dark affects the growth of a plant
• Constant Variables - would be the kind of plant,
  size of plant, type of dirt, how often I watered
  it, how much water it received.
• Manipulative Variable would be the light and
  dark. Remember, there is only one of these!
• Responding Variable would be the plants.

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Research

• Before even beginning the investigation students
  should look for more information to support what
  they want to learn about. They need to have a
  bibliography included with their research paper
  so they should write down all their sources! The
  first few weeks are dedicated to working on
  collecting information through research.

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What Needs to Be on My Board?
Title
Purpose/Problem
Hypothesis
Data/Graphs/Written Notes
Materials List
Variables Constant (dependent) Responding Manipula
tive (independent)
Observation Notes Day 1 Day 2 Day 3
Procedure 1. 2. 3. 4.
People Who Helped Me
Safety Issues
Conclusion
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Research Paper or Journal

• This is basically a written report of everything
  that is on your board.
• Use a binder, spiral notebook, or report cover
  for this paper.
• Number your pages.
• Include a Table of Contents
• Include an abstract (1 - 2 paragraphs briefly
  telling about your project)
• Include an introduction to your project.
• Talk about safety issues and how they were
  addressed.
• Include all the important parts of your project
  board variables, conclusion, purpose,
  procedure, materials, hypothesis, etc.

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Continued --

• Include your results from your investigation.
• Include all graphs, pictures, illustrations,
  charts, etc. that are on your board.
• Include 2 3 paragraphs explaining what you
  would do to further your investigation in order
  to continue to learn more.
• Include a bibliography page.

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Oral Presentation

• We will present our projects in class.
• This will be a part of their communication grade.
• Students have a rubric in their project outline
  packet for the oral presentation.

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Science Fair Judging Rubric

• Students also have a judging rubric in their
  project outline packets. They should often
  refer to this as they work on their
  investigations.
• Students should also place their project outline
  page on the fridge to use as a pacing guide.
  This will help them with procrastination and
  keeping organized.

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After School Assistance

• Mr. Winkler and Ms. Fowler will remain after
  school for a day or so to help students with
  their projects. We will send home permission
  slips prior to this time. This will be sometime
  between January 6th and January 31st.
• Students may use the computers as well since
  everything on their boards must be typed.

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Project Outline

• Oct 25 - Select a topic
• Oct 25 to Nov 6 -Research
• Nov 13 - Formulate a Hypothesis
• Nov 22 Turn in Science Project Plan
• Nov 25 to Nov 30 - Gather Materials/Write the
  Procedure
• Dec 2 to Jan 10 - Conduct the Experiment/ Record
  and Organize the Data

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Project Outline

• Jan 13 to Jan 17 - Write the Conclusion
• Jan 20 to Feb 17 Create the Display
• Feb 24 Bring the Project to School
• Feb 27 Clarkmoor Science Fair
• TBD District Science Fair
• Mar 22 - Regional Science Fair at PLU