STEM PROJECT Science Inquiry K. Stephenson VMS - 8th Grade February 2016

Background RESEARCH is stated in an ABSTRACT or paragraph summary ABSTRACT or RESEARCH Background RESEARCH is diverse, uses multiple sources, and the works are cited; Background RESEARCH is stated in an ABSTRACT or paragraph summary

PROBLEM STATEMENT and should be answerable by a Yes or No The PROBLEM STATEMENT should be one sentence identifying the hypothesis to be tested and should be answerable by a Yes or No It is a Testable Question that references a cause and effect relationship and a measurable change OR a Proposed Solution/Invention that references a specific outcome

BENEFIT TO COMMUNITY or REAL-WORLD APPLICATION How could your experiments and data help solve your problem and benefit your community? OR How is your project applied in the real-world?

The HYPOTHESIS is the expected results based on research, and should be written as an “If….., then…..” statement

TEST HYPOTHESIS: Materials MATERIALS are appropriate and a detailed list is given; may be a bulleted list (include exact amounts)

TEST HYPOTHESIS: Procedure Describe the step-by-step procedure and include photos and/or a video of your experimental setup; The PROCEDURE is sequential (a numbered list) and describes the investigation clearly

TEST HYPOTHESIS: Variables VARIABLES are clearly defined MANIPULATED/INDEPENDENT VARIABLE (What is changed/what is tested): RESPONDING/DEPENDENT VARIABLE (What is measured): CONTROL/CONSTANTS (What is kept the same or controlled, so it is a “fair test”)

DATA Organize DATA in a table &/or chart and GRAPH RESULTS - Collect and record both QUALITATIVE and QUANTITATIVE OBSERVATIONS Quantitative: observations stated in numerical terms using metric units Qualitative: observations using words, descriptions or behavioral changes using the five senses Organize DATA in a table &/or chart and GRAPH RESULTS - decide how to best represent the DATA COLLECTED (generally the Manipulated Variable is placed on the X-axis and the Responding Variable on the Y-axis of your graph)

CONCLUSIONS CONCLUSIONS are based on the analysis of the data; acceptance or rejection of hypothesis or success of solution/invention is stated; ANALYSIS describes the trends or patterns found in the data; includes any uncertainties or suggestions for further efforts JUSTIFY CLAIMS WITH EVIDENCE Defend conclusions using results from the DATA collected

Bibliography Works Cited and Bibliography are not the same. In Works Cited you only list items you have actually referred to and cited in your paper. A Bibliography lists all of the material you have consulted in preparing your essay whether or not you have actually referred to and cited the work. Use www.easybib.com to cite sources; For diagrams and/or images used in presentation, cite the source on the slide