Storm Grove Middle School Science Fair Projects Storm Grove Middle School

WHY??? A science fair project provides an opportunity for students to show that they can develop a hypothesis to answer a question design and conduct a testable experiment identify variables collect data analyze the results formulate conclusions

What does/does not make for a good middle school project? Product comparisons and surveys are not suitable for middle school. Models and demonstrations are not science fair projects. A good project allows for measurable results, such as time, distance, capacity or temperature changes.

Speaking of measurement… SI units or metric units are the language of science: meter, liter, gram, Celsius. Do NOT use cups, pints, ounces, pounds, inches, feet, Fahrenheit. Time is the same in metric: seconds, minutes, hours.

Write a proposal of experiment in your log book. Where do I begin? Research topics that interest you. Topic selection is the hardest part! Write a proposal of experiment in your log book. What problem are you investigating? Write a detailed procedure. Identify your variables. Submit your proposal to your teacher.

Log Book EVERYTHING you do should be recorded in your log book. Use pen, not pencil. Date every entry (extremely important). Do NOT tear out pages or white out or scratch out changes. Draw ONE line through changes. Your entries should document your topic research, your proposal, the date the proposal was submitted and returned—everything!

Log book sample entry 8/19/14 Today I logged on to the internet to research possible experiment topics. I found several that interested me. Here are the website addresses: http://www.fantasticidea.com http://www.iwonfirstplace.org I discussed the prospects with my teacher and decided to do….

What next? AFTER your teacher has approved your proposal, (record the date submitted and approved in your log book) you MUST fill out all required forms. These forms are required—they aren’t hard to do, but you must pay attention to the details! (That is part of science, too.)

Which forms do I fill out? ALL projects require a form 1, 1A, Research plan, 1B, and probably 3. These MUST be completed in blue ink and submitted to your teacher. Leave no line blank EXCEPT actual start and end date (form 1A, #6).

Research plan This “form” does not look like a form because there are no blanks to fill in. Read it carefully. You must provide all of the information outlined on this form on another sheet of paper. It should be typed. It must include a bibliography, with a minimum of 5 sources. Your bibliography must use MLA format. We will go over this in class. If your project involves a vertebrate animal, there MUST be a 6th source on care of that animal.

Refresh my memory, what is a vertebrate? Fish Amphibians Reptiles Birds Mammals

More forms Additional forms MAY be required depending on the nature of your project. Examples: Working with a vertebrate animal? You will need ONE of the #5 forms. Humans involved in your project? Form 4. Working with a scientist at a research lab? Form 1C Being helped by a scientist? Form 2

PRIOR APPROVAL All projects requiring additional forms require prior approval by a specific review board. Your teacher will get the forms to the board, and you MAY NOT start your project until the board approves the project. (Your teacher will let you know.)

Where do I get these forms? Your teacher http://www.edfoundationirc.org/p/13/science-fair

Get started NOW!!!!! Write your proposal. Get it approved by your teacher. Fill out your forms. Your teacher will be your adult sponsor.

IF your teacher approves your project, you may begin work on your project.

Experimentation After you gather your materials and are ready to start, document everything in your log book. Create a chart to record data. A good experiment is repeated many times OR has a large test group.

Examples If you are doing an experiment with plants, insects, brine shrimp, or human subjects you should have a LARGE number in each test group. (And always have a control group.) If you are running an experiment that involves timed trials, repeat the experiment as many times as possible and find the mean of your results. You MUST have AT LEAST 5 trials.

Variables These are factors in your experiment that you must identify. (They are a part of your proposal.) Independent-the one thing that you are changing in your experiment. Dependent-What are you measuring? Constants-everything you keep the same for fairness. Control-a group to which the independent variable is NOT applied to.

Important form information You may NOT begin experimentation until all forms are signed and dated by the necessary adults. *The adult sponsor is usually your teacher. Parent signature is required on forms 1B and 3.

Graphing results The Excel program or other computer graphing programs can be used to develop computer generated graphs. The judges will be looking for good math in your results. Can you find the mean, median and mode? Your teacher may teach you some more advanced statistics for analyzing your results.

Abstract An abstract is a summarized version of your project. It must be typed on the official state abstract form. It includes the purpose, hypothesis, procedure, data analysis and conclusion. It is written in past tense and 200-250 words in length. Make 3 copies, one for your final report, one for your show board, and one for your records.

Sample Abstract Dissolving Sugar Cubes Mr. Refsland Storm Grove Middle School, Vero Beach, Florida, USA The purpose of this experiment is to determine if sugar cubes dissolve faster in hot water or cold water. Sugar cubes were dropped into 100 ml of 74 C water and 100 ml of 18 C water. The samples were continually stirred until completely dissolved. The time was measured for each sample and recorded. Ten sugar cubes were used for each water temperature. The mean time for sugar cubes to dissolve in 74 C water is 16.4 seconds. The mean time for sugar cubes to dissolve in 18 C water is 27.9 seconds. The hypothesis that hot water will dissolve sugar cubes faster than cold water was supported.

Title Problem Materials Data (graphs) Hypothesis Procedure Data Analysis Abstract Variables Conclusion

Completed Report Title Page Abstract Table of Contents Introduction problem, hypothesis, why you selected this project and what you hope to achieve Materials and procedures Data (tables and graphs) Data Analysis Discussion Conclusion Recommendations Acknowledgements Bibliography

The Education Foundation of Indian River County are the proud sponsors of this program and provide funding for the regional fair. In addition the foundation provides the funds for student participation in state and international competition.