1. Science Fair Project Mrs. Burch Hankins M.S. Science 7 STIMULATEINVESTIGATEFORMULATEEVALUATERESOURCES

2. You are required to do a science fair project for school. Your teacher has told you that she will not be accepting the "Volcano" or "How much popcorn do you really get from each bag?" projects this year. You have to become creative. Where do you start? What components make up a good science fair project? What resources are out there? How do you create your own project design to make it unique and inspiring?

3. Your project will consist of: A visual display (tri-fold board) that you present to the class A written report (250 words + works cited page) explaining the entire project –Rough draft – Question, Research, Hypothesis, Procedure –Final draft – Abstract (summary), Question, Research, Hypothesis, Procedure, Results, Conclusion, Works Cited

4. The first step to creating a science fair project is to develop a "testable" QUESTION. Remember, the best experimental question asks, "How does _____ affect _____?" Some websites that can help you come up with ideas include: –http://www.all-science-fair-projects.com/http://www.all-science-fair-projects.com/ –http://school.discoveryeducation.com/sciencefaircentral /elmers/250projectideas.htmlhttp://school.discoveryeducation.com/sciencefaircentral /elmers/250projectideas.html –http://chemistry.about.com/od/sciencefairprojects/a/sci promiddle.htmhttp://chemistry.about.com/od/sciencefairprojects/a/sci promiddle.htm –http://www.isd77.k12.mn.us/resources/cf/ideas.htmlhttp://www.isd77.k12.mn.us/resources/cf/ideas.html –http://www.cdli.ca/sciencefairs/intermed.htmlhttp://www.cdli.ca/sciencefairs/intermed.html

5. After deciding on a question for your experiment, you will need to RESEARCH the topic to form your HYPOTHESIS and find ways to test it (PROCEDURE). Some websites that provide helpful information on topics in science include: –http://www.chem4kids.com/http://www.chem4kids.com/ –http://www.tc.cornell.edu/Services/Education/Gatewa ys/Math_and_Science.htmhttp://www.tc.cornell.edu/Services/Education/Gatewa ys/Math_and_Science.htm –http://www.scifair.org/research/index.shtmlhttp://www.scifair.org/research/index.shtml –http://www.loc.gov/homepage/lchp.htmlhttp://www.loc.gov/homepage/lchp.html –http://www.ipl.org/youth/projectguide/ http://www.ipl.org/youth/projectguide/ NO GOOGLE!!!!

6. Once you have your question in mind, it's time to perform the experiment. Your test should last no more than a week or so, so make sure you design the experiment so that it doesn't last more than a few days. Keep ACCURATE details of all data before, during, and after the test.

7. Once your experiment is completed, write a report on your experiment. The report should include the following sections: Abstract Question Research Hypothesis Procedure Results - Give the results from your experiment. You may want to put any data in a chart or graph. Conclusion - Was your hypothesis right or wrong? WHY was it right/wrong? Resources – Where did you find all of your information? (MUST HAVE AT LEAST 3 SOURCES!)

8. After you complete your paper, organize your data onto a tri- fold board for your presentation. Make sure your board includes the following: -Title and name-Question -Abstract-Hypothesis -Research-Materials -Procedure-Data/Results -Conclusion -Resources You can view tips and an example of a presentation here: http://school.discoveryeducation.com/sciencefaircentral/elmers/displaytips.html http://school.discoveryeducation.com/sciencefaircentral/elmers/displaytips.html

9. Not Present (0 points)Minimal (3 points)Average (7 points)Excellent (10 points) Title & Abstract No title or abstract Simple title, generic Abstract 1-3 sentences Title reflects topic Abstract 3-5 sentences Title is creative, original, and reflects topic Abstract 5-7 sentences QuestionNo questionSimple question, no details Question is for a testable experiment Question asks "How does ______ affect _______?" ResearchNo background research One research resource found and used Two research resources found and used Three research resources found and used HypothesisNo hypothesis Hypothesis does not answer question Hypothesis answers question Hypothesis predicts the end results of the experiment ProcedureNo procedure listed Disorganized, undetailed procedure for experiment Procedure is neatly organized and listed in steps Procedure is listed in steps and includes several variables ResultsNo results or data Undetailed results, no numeric data Detailed results using quantitative data (numbers) Detailed results with quantitative data in charts/graphs ConclusionNo conclusion Conclusion does not reflect hypothesis Conclusion also includes if hypothesis correct/incorrect Conclusion explains WHY hypothesis was correct/incorrect Pictures/ Model No visual pictures or models One picture, no model More than one picture or a simple model, no demonstration Pictures and models demonstrate steps or experiment Scientific Vocab. Very little to no scientific vocabulary used Scientific vocabulary seldom used Scientific vocabulary occasionally used Advanced scientific vocabulary frequently used Neat and Organized Very disorganized Each step of Scientific Method separately present Steps of Sci. Method listed in order Each step of Sci. Method is organized and displayed clearly

10. ASSIGNMENTDUE DATE 3 topic ideas10/8/2010 Rough Draft (Question, Research, Hypothesis, Procedure) 10/25-10/26/2010 Final Draft (Question, Research, Hypothesis, Procedure, Abstract, Results, Conclusion, Works Cited) 11/19/2010 Visual display (tri-fold board) presentation 12/3/2010

11. http://www.all-science-fair-projects.com/ http://school.discoveryeducation.com/sciencefaircentral/elmers/250projectideas.html http://chemistry.about.com/od/sciencefairprojects/a/scipromiddle.htm http://www.isd77.k12.mn.us/resources/cf/ideas.html http://www.cdli.ca/sciencefairs/intermed.html http://www.chem4kids.com/ http://www.tc.cornell.edu/Services/Education/Gateways/Math_and_Science.htm http://www.scifair.org/research/index.shtml http://www.loc.gov/homepage/lchp.html http://www.ipl.org/youth/projectguide/ http://school.discoveryeducation.com/sciencefaircentral/elmers/displaytips.html Course of Study Objectives: