Science Fair Review Day: Steps to a Good Science Fair Project Nov 2 nd, 2010

Bellringer #29 (Nov 2 nd, 2010) Using the materials list below, write a good DETAILED procedure on how to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Using the materials list below, write a good DETAILED procedure on how to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Materials: peanut butter, jelly, loaf of bread in a bag, paper plate, paper towel, knife, spoon. Materials: peanut butter, jelly, loaf of bread in a bag, paper plate, paper towel, knife, spoon.

Science Fair Revised Due Date Testable Question (already due….if you have not finished turn in TODAY) Testable Question (already due….if you have not finished turn in TODAY) Hypothesis and Procedure (already due….if you have not finished turn in TODAY or THURSDAY) Hypothesis and Procedure (already due….if you have not finished turn in TODAY or THURSDAY) Research and bibliography (due Nov 10 th ) Research and bibliography (due Nov 10 th ) Experiment: BEGIN BY THIS WEEKEND Experiment: BEGIN BY THIS WEEKEND Results of Experiment: due Nov 19 th Results of Experiment: due Nov 19 th Research paper (extra credit): due Nov 24 th Research paper (extra credit): due Nov 24 th Poster: due Dec 6th Poster: due Dec 6th Science Fair: Dec 10th Science Fair: Dec 10th

What Should My Poster Include? Title Title Purpose Purpose Hypothesis Hypothesis Materials Materials Pictures (optional) Pictures (optional) Procedure Procedure References References Results Results Conclusion Conclusion

Image of Science Fair Poster

Use a Folded Project Board (available at ANY office supply store)

Title The TESTABLE question for your experiment The TESTABLE question for your experiment Location: top middle portion of your poster Location: top middle portion of your poster

Purpose The PURPOSE step in the experiment is simply a statement of what you want accomplished. The PURPOSE step in the experiment is simply a statement of what you want accomplished. What is your goal? What is your goal? What do you want to find out? What do you want to find out? The purpose should just be ONE sentence. The purpose should just be ONE sentence. Location: top left side of project board Location: top left side of project board

Hypothesis The hypothesis is written in the “IF_______, then_________.” format The hypothesis is written in the “IF_______, then_________.” format Remember “ IF independent variable, then dependent variable.” Remember “ IF independent variable, then dependent variable.” Ex: If fertilizer is added to the soybean plant, then the plant will grow more. Ex: If fertilizer is added to the soybean plant, then the plant will grow more. Location: middle left side of project board Location: middle left side of project board

Materials The MATERIALS part of the project list EVERYTHING used to carry out the experiment. The MATERIALS part of the project list EVERYTHING used to carry out the experiment. Don’t leave ANYTHING out!!!! Don’t leave ANYTHING out!!!! Location: bottom left side of project board Location: bottom left side of project board

Procedure The PROCEDURE section of the experiment lists EVERYTHING that is done during the experiment. The PROCEDURE section of the experiment lists EVERYTHING that is done during the experiment. Make sure you are short, specific, and precise Make sure you are short, specific, and precise Write in the past tense Write in the past tense Never use personal pronouns (I, we, me, us, etc.) Never use personal pronouns (I, we, me, us, etc.) Always identify the independent, dependent, and controlled variables Always identify the independent, dependent, and controlled variables If a six year old CANNOT understand your procedure, then you need to go into more detail. If a six year old CANNOT understand your procedure, then you need to go into more detail. Location: middle of project board Location: middle of project board PICTURES MAY ALSO BE INCLUDED IN THIS SECTION PICTURES MAY ALSO BE INCLUDED IN THIS SECTION

Procedure

Reference The REFERENCE section of the experiment should contain ALL literature, and websites used to find information for the experiment. The REFERENCE section of the experiment should contain ALL literature, and websites used to find information for the experiment. Location: bottom middle section of board Location: bottom middle section of board

Results/Data The RESULTS section of the experiment includes EVERTHING you saw and recorded in the experiment. The RESULTS section of the experiment includes EVERTHING you saw and recorded in the experiment. ALL DATA should be included in this section. ALL DATA should be included in this section. Data may include: tables, graphs, charts, etc. Data may include: tables, graphs, charts, etc. Location: top right side of project board Location: top right side of project board

Conclusion The CONCLUSION section of your experiment briefly discusses how your experiment turned out. The CONCLUSION section of your experiment briefly discusses how your experiment turned out. Was your hypothesis correct? Was your hypothesis correct? What do your results mean? What do your results mean? What would you do in the future to IMPROVE or ENHANCE the experiment? What would you do in the future to IMPROVE or ENHANCE the experiment? The conclusion should be a brief paragraph with 4-6 COMPLETE sentences. The conclusion should be a brief paragraph with 4-6 COMPLETE sentences.

What to do NOW?!?! Before class is over you MUST turn in: Before class is over you MUST turn in: Testable Question (if you have not already done so OR been approved) Testable Question (if you have not already done so OR been approved) Hypothesis Hypothesis Due Thursday: Due Thursday: Revised Procedure (if procedure you turned in does not follow rules) Revised Procedure (if procedure you turned in does not follow rules) New Procedure (using new rules) if you have not turned one in New Procedure (using new rules) if you have not turned one in Finish notes for Unit 4 (the notes you began on Friday) Finish notes for Unit 4 (the notes you began on Friday)