BMS Science Fair Logbooks

Keeping a Logbook You will work out your thinking and the development of your problem in the notebook. The scientific notebook is a bound or spiral book with pages that are not removable. The validity of your documentation partly depends upon insuring the work has not been tampered with or pages removed.

Logbook Will be provided for you You will record your thoughts as you think about a “problem” for your science fair project Record all important information as you prepare for the experiment Record your data Analyze your data Will be graded a minimum of 3 times on 11-10-2017 On 11-27-2017 12-4-2017 and/or final presentation day

LOGBOOK The Logbook is critical to competitions Do not Remove any ages Use whiteout – if you make an error cross it out with a single line and initial

Setting up the LOGBOOK Write all entries in ink Number each page on the bottom lower right corner 25

Title Page for the LOGBOOK Make page 1 the Title Page Should include your name and today’s date February 10, 2018 February 10, 2018

Include information for page 1 1 Title Page Don’t skip lines Page 2 of the LOGBOOK Page 2 - Contents Include information for page 1 1 Title Page Don’t skip lines

LOGBOOK PAGES 3-11 The next 5 pages will be labeled with each month you have through January and “Timeline” PAGE 3 – SEPTEMBER 2017 – OUTLINE PAGE 5 – OCTOBER 2017 – OUTLINE PAGE 7 – NOVEMBER 2017 – OUTLINE PAGE 9 – DECEMBER 2017 – OUTLINE PAGE 11 – JANUARY 2018 - OUTLINE

PAGES 3-11 – LOGBOOK - CONTINUED Each day your work on the log book should have notes/doodles with a short description on ONE LINE OF WHAT WAS DONE Only write down information about the project No day/dates are needed because the months are listed at the top of the page Record what you do every time you work on your science fair project

PAGE 13 – PREVIOUS PROJECTS Describe 2 projects that you have done before and mention if they are worth repeating. If you have not done a science fair project before, then describe 2 lab activities that you have done in class that you could do as a science fair project If you can’t do the above, then research 2 experiments and describe whether they can be done as a science fair project.

LOGBOOK PAGE 13 - example In ____ grade (grade that you did the project) Give a question that was researched List a brief description of experiment Write a conclusion for this experiment And a statement about repeating the experiment

PAGE 15 PROPOSAL Write in an “if”, “then” form:

PAGE 17 – RESEARCH/OUTLINE Introduction for the project Record any reference sources used for your research paper. List the websites, articles or book used as resources to complete the project. Add your research paper into this section. Also included could be any future research that needs to be recorded (websites, books, notes, etc.).

PAGE 19 – PLANS FOR DATA Plans for chart, graphs, and other quantitative data

PAGE 21- RESULTS Was your experimental question correct? Analysis of your results after each your 3 – 5 trials See page 15

Should include the draft for the abstract Summary for the project PAGE 23 – DRAFT ANALYSIS Should include the draft for the abstract Summary for the project

PAGES 25 – 47 Tape, staple, or glue computer print-outs, photographs, etc. into the logbook. You should take pictures throughout the experimentation phase of your project for your logbook and display board. Do not include faces on your pictures.

Setting up a Logbook Handout Attach to back insdie cover of the log book for future reference

Remember - Keeping a Logbook One of the most important aspects of doing a science fair project is documentation. Every experiment should be replicable and reproducible and the entries in your notes should be sufficient for someone else to reproduce the experiment.

General Guidelines Record everything - no detail is insignificant. Cross out mistakes with a single line (do not cover up the entire entry – whiteout, marker, etc.).

Have Fun!!!!