Science Fair Information

Introduction All Stockbridge Middle School students must choose between doing either a National History Day Project or a Science Fair Project.

What is a Science Fair Project? A journey of scientific inquiry Students answer a scientific question by conducting an experiment. The process ends with a showcase event that shows students that their work matters to the school community.

The Scientific Method Ask a Question Do Background Research Construct a Hypothesis Test Your Hypothesis by Constructing and Completing an Experiment Record and Analyze Your Data to Draw a Conclusion Communicate Your Results

Requirements Log Book Final Science Fair Paper Backboard if selected for School Fair

Logbook You need a composition notebook Label your logbook: name, teacher’s name, topic, and grade Number all pages in your logbook Always date every entry Write in blue or black ink ONLY!!! This should be used during all phases of your project.

Logbook Make a table of contents Write one entry every day Include a reflections section in your logbook Always include any changes made to procedures in the logbook Include any and all observations during your experiment

Logbook Answer the following questions: What did I learn today? What happened during my experiment? What are the procedures of my experiment? What did I observe today with my experiment? What research did I find today? What sources did I use today?

Choose a Topic Two things are very important: 1) Think of a topic that interest you 2) Think of a testable question about that topic Remember you are becoming a scientist Example: What is the effect of ______on_______? This topic should be written in a question format. -Students are not permitted to perform experiments that involve mold or harming a living organisms. -All experiments must include 3 trials

Choose a Topic Once you find a general topic that interests you, complete the Science Fair Topic Approval Form A scientific question usually starts with: How What When Who Which Why Where

Example Topics When is the best time to plant soy beans? How does water purity affect surface tension? When is the best time to plant soy beans? Which material is the best insulator? How does arch curvature affect load carrying strength? How do different foundations stand up to earthquakes? What sugars does yeast use?

Do Research Once your teacher approves your topic, conduct background research on your topic. Write down all of your sources in your Log Book and cite your references. If source is online, scroll to the bottom of articles to check the references. Interview experts about the topic. The more you know about a subject, the easier it will be to write your hypothesis and complete your research plan.

Form a Hypothesis This is an educated guess This is an answer to your science fair question Your hypothesis should be written in an “If/then” statement If I add different types of water to soil, then the distilled water will cause my plants to grow faster.”

Do background research. Collect information. Define what to look for. Look in a variety of sources. Key Goal: Obtain enough information to make a prediction of what will happen in the experiment. We will give students a worksheet to help them collect information. For example, one of the tables on the worksheet will help them brainstorm possible questions. Then students are asked to go through and pick the most relevant ones.

Do background research, continued Organize research. With organized research that is based on questions, the writing will flow. Use multiple sources, no copying. Writing should be focused on the project. This is a key opportunity for the student to learn about ethics and how to avoid plagiarism.

Construct a hypothesis. What is a hypothesis? An educated guess about the answer to a question. If/then: If I do [this], then [this] will happen. “If I increase the temperature of water in a cup, then the more sugar will dissolve.” No notes.

Construct an experiment. Process Design an experimental procedure. Steps and materials should be spelled out. No notes.

Write your Research Plan The plan is to include: A. Project purpose and background information B. Research Question, Hypothesis, Expected Outcomes C. Procedures, Risks and Data Analysis D. Bibliography No notes.

Do your experiment AFTER YOUR RESEARCH PLAN IS APPROVED Expectations It’s ok if the first experiment goes wrong and you have to modify the procedure. It’s ok if the experiment disproves the hypothesis. Safety, safety, safety! It takes time! No notes.

Analyze the data and draw a conclusion. Example of a graph that draws a conclusion: How wind generator power changes with wind speed. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 20 30 40 50 60 Wind Speed (m/sec) Power (kW) The graph shows that the power a generator is able to produce increases by the cube of the wind speed.

Writing the final paper The paper will contain all the parts of the experiment. The paper must be 3-5 pages not including the following: Cover page Abstract Table of contents Acknowledgements Sources/bibliography

Final paper sections Cover Page Table of contents Abstract Background information (Introduction) Question and Hypothesis Experiment and Data Materials Procedures Data/Analysis Conclusions Acknowledgements bibliography

Communicate results. You can find this diagram and a lot of helpful information about display boards at www.sciencebuddies.org. The display board tells a story from left to right, generally on three panels. It mimics the steps in the scientific method and is a combination of written material, as well as photos, charts, diagrams, and graphs.

Backboard Everything must be typed…..NO TAPE!!! Limit the number of colors on board DO NOT handwrite on board…EVERYTHING MUST BE TYPED!!! NO GLITTER or GLITTER GLUE

Website www.sciencebuddies.org www.sciencebob.org Use the following websites for help: www.sciencebuddies.org www.sciencebob.org http:\\www.societyforscience.org