Mentor Training Meeting (#4) Jan 31, 2013 Background Report & Data Analysis

Meeting Agenda Mentor Training Checklist #4 Progress Review Writing Background Report Data Analysis Review Graphs Review Result Discussion February Tasks Reminders Mentor Training Checklist #4

Progress Review Under your guidance, your buddy should either be: Very, very close to starting the experiment In the process of experimenting Finishing up the experiment Have done most of the background research and ready to start / finish up the Research Report Keep up a weekly communication with your buddy!

Background Report Overview Background Report typically consists of 3 paragraphs, 1-2 pages in length total: First Paragraph: Introduces the project & its importance Start with a “HOOK" to draw the reader in and wanting to read & learn more. Give the PURPOSE of the experiment. Give the hypothesis of the experiment. Summarize the procedure and materials in a conversational manner (do not just make lists here) End with why the project is important and what it will add to our scientific knowledge (ie, Project’s Research Rationale, Importance, & Practical Application) Get your buddy to write a 1st paragraph draft before the next Mentor Buddy meeting if you can! Be ready to edit together at the meeting.

Background Report (cont.) Second Paragraph: Show what related work has been done thus far Describe background information extracted from references, including 2 experiments similar to or related to buddy’s project Be sure to give proper credit to the other experiments by naming them such as "Garber's data indicates that.....“ Buddy’s binder includes a very easy fill-in-the-blank format for the 2nd paragraph. Use it! Get your buddy to write a 2nd Paragraph draft before the next Mentor Buddy meeting if you can! Be ready to edit together at the meeting.

Background Report (cont.) Third Paragraph: Describe key terms & background info necessary to understand the project Ex: if your project dealt with the rate of fungus growth, what did you have to know about fungus before doing the experiment? Show the reader what an expert you've become in your subject Include chart, diagram, photo, etc. to further explain the science behind your experiment. Include a caption underneath each item, stating “Courtesy of ___” to site the sources

Data Analysis Mean Percentage Change Median Mode Help your buddy understand the data: (only if your buddy has data next meeting) Mean Sum of the observations divided by the number of observations (ie, taking the average) Percentage Change Subtract the original value (control group) from the new value (experimental group) and then divide by the original value. Multiple the result by 100 and put a % sign on it. This can be done using the mean values or each individual value Median Arrange all of the observations of the control group from lowest to highest value and find the middle one (Do the same for each experimental group data set) Mode List all of the data values observed for control and experimental groups, then determine which value occurs most frequently in the data sets

Quick Graphs Review Try to determine which type(s) of graph will best suit your experiment’s data Usually, raw data is not graphed– the result of the data analysis is graphed (ex: graph the percent change) If data sets are small, raw data can be graphed along with graphs showing data analysis See the buddy binder for examples of graphs

Results Discussion This section is NOT the conclusion. This is where you EXPLAIN what the data analysis showed: Describe what you have observed Any differences between control vs. variables? Quantify and describe the similarities or differences

February Tasks Finish Research Report Continue with experimentation & data collection Start data analysis – tables & graphs

Reminders! ONLY 2 MORE Mentor-Buddy meetings before the Science Fair in April – SO USE THEM TO YOUR ADVANTAGE! Catch up on any work and don’t waste the valuable time with your buddy. From now on, the weekly emails you send to your buddy need to become very FOCUSED on moving your buddy FORWARD Push them to complete the Background Report Set a date to finish up experimentation Really give them some motivation & HELP where needed!!

Reminders! Next Mentor-Buddy Meeting Feb 4th, 2013 3:15pm – 5:30pm Write it in your planner!