5/6 ScienceSt. James Elementary

Seven Steps to Prepare aSeven Steps to Prepare a Science Fair Project Science Fair Project

Select a TopicSelect a TopicResearchResearchPurpose and HypothesisPurpose and HypothesisExperimentExperimentResearch PaperResearch PaperExhibitExhibitJudgingJudging

Seven Steps to prepare a Science Fair Project

Step 1:

Select a Topic

Select something that is of interest to you!

Use the following website if you need help with ideassciencebuddies.org

Be as specific as possible. Time and resources may be limited.

Write it as a question that you want to answer.

Seven Steps to Prepare a Science Fair Project

Step 2:

Research

This means you look for any and all information associated with the topic you have chosen.Use any and all sources of information available to you. (Books, magazines, Internet, interviews, etc.) Keep a Working Bibliography in your Log Book.

Write a Research Plan that includes a problem, hypothesis, procedures, and bibliography. This is to be submitted for approval of your project.Identify any equipment that you may need.Obtain all necessary forms.Use the information to establish a time line of events.

Seven Steps to Prepare a Science Fair Project

Step 3:

Purpose and Hypothesis

The Purpose is a description of what you will be doing and why. This is part of the introduction of your Research Paper and must capture the attention of the reader.

The Hypothesis is the conclusion of the introduction. It is a testable, educated guess that answers the question posed by your topic.

Seven Steps to Prepare a Science Fair Project

Step 4:

Experiment

List materials and procedures to be followed.How will the equipment be used?Identify the control and experimental groups.Identify all safety concerns.Provide a detailed description of the experiment being performed.Take detailed notes of measurements and observations. Record these in your Log Book!Upon completion of the experiment, provide a detailed discussion of the experimental results and any sources of error .

Seven Steps to Prepare a Science Fair Project

Step 5

The Research Paper

Compile your work into a comprehensive report that presents: The background and history of your topic Any information collected Complete description of your experiment A discussion of your findings A conclusion that refutes or accepts your hypothesis

Seven Steps to Prepare a Science Fair Project Step 6

The Exhibit

This is your visual presentation of your project. It should be an organized, eye-catching, attention-grabbing presentation from the title of your project to the construction and presentation.

It must contain: Log Book Research Paper Photographs Charts Graphs Abstract

Seven Steps to Prepare a Science Fair Project

Step 7

Judging You will be asked to present your topic to a group of qualified

scientists. Therefore, know your project!

Judges will evaluate you and your project on: How well you followed the scientific method. The detail and accuracy of notes. Whether tools/equipment were used in the best possible way. How well thought out the research was. How freely and confidently you can speak about your project. Be

prepared to answer questions outside the scope of your project. The appearance and presentation of your display.

Bibliography

This is defined as a listing of the resources and references used during the research phase of your project to develop your hypothesis..

The bibliography should be written in the APA Style. This is the prescribed style for scientific papers. The APA Handbook is available in most libraries. The following website is good resource and full of examples.– http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/

project_apa_format_examples.shtml

Divisions of the Log Book 

Division Number of pages

Title Page 1

Table of Contents 1

Review of Literature 7-10

Description of Experiment 5-7

Materials 1

Data 1

Conclusion 1-2

Bibliography 1-2

Table of Contents  Page

Review of Literature…………………………….. ?Description of the experiment…………………… ?Materials…………………………………………. ?Data………………………………………………. ?Conclusion……………………………………….. ?Bibliography……………………………………… ?Appendices………………………………………. ?

(Example of how a page should look)Log Book

Log Book

Review of Literature [Daily Log]

7-10 pages

Working BibliographyWorking Bibliography NotesNotes SketchesSketches Additional questionsAdditional questions End with a rough draft of the End with a rough draft of the

introduction for your Research Paperintroduction for your Research Paper

Log Book

Description of Experiment 5-7 pages

Step-by-Step listing of ProceduresStep-by-Step listing of Procedures Identify all Safety PrecautionsIdentify all Safety Precautions List all materials and equipment to be usedList all materials and equipment to be used (include

quantities, qualities, dimensions, etc.)

Log Book

Data (Daily Log)

All notes, observations, sketches, drawings, All notes, observations, sketches, drawings, precautions, comments, etc. are to be precautions, comments, etc. are to be recorded in this section.recorded in this section.

There should be a Discussion of the Data at There should be a Discussion of the Data at the end of this section. the end of this section.

Log Book

Conclusion1-2 pages

Revisit your hypothesis. Restate it.Revisit your hypothesis. Restate it.

State whether you accept or refute your hypothesis.State whether you accept or refute your hypothesis.

State specific facts, associated with your data, that State specific facts, associated with your data, that support your conclusion. support your conclusion.

Log Book

Bibliography1-2 pages

Students are expected to use the APA format.(Students received a hard copy of this format. They can find the information at:

http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_apa_format_examples.shtml)

Log Book

Appendices(This is any information that you refer to, but did not have room to place it in the document.)

PhotographsChartsGraphsData TablesAcknowledgements

Research PaperA paper describing your research is required, and should bedisplayed in your Research Project Notebook, along with anynecessary forms, or other relevant written materialsA good research paper includes these sections:

TITLE PAGETITLE PAGE Project title, name, address, school and grade

TABLE OF CONTENTSTABLE OF CONTENTS Number each section as you finish writing

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS/CREDITSACKNOWLEDGMENTS/CREDITS

Credit assistance received from mentors, parents. teachers. And other sources

Research Paper

INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION The introduction should explain the background information about your topic and the reasoning behind your choice of study. Refer to previous research aswell as your own experiments. Establish a strong rationale for the study by emphasizing unresolved issues or questions. Conclude by stating the research hypotheses

MATERIALS & PROCEDURESMATERIALS & PROCEDURES

Describe in detail the methodology used to derive your data and observations. Use photographs and drawings of your equipment to describe your experiment further. Include a precise description of the sample, any apparatus that was constructed or modified for the study, and methods of data collection

Research PaperRESULTSRESULTS

Present the data collected in the experiment in tables and graphs; summarize the data in narrative form. Include statistical analysis of the data. Do not include raw data. Include only information collected during the current year's study

DISCUSSIONDISCUSSION

Your results and conclusions should flow smoothly and logically from your data. Be thorough. Compare your results with theoretical values, published data, commonly held beliefs and/or expected results. Acomplete paper should include a discussion of possible errors or problems experienced

CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION

Briefly summarize your results. Discuss if your data supported of your hypothesis and what your next steps in experimentation may be

Research PaperREFERENCES/BIBLIOGRAPHYREFERENCES/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Your reference list should include any material that is not yourown (ie, books, web sites, papers, journal articles and communications cited in the paper). Follow the prescribed bibliographic style manual.

APPENDIXAPPENDIX

Include critical information that is too lengthy for the main section of the paper, such as raw data, additional tables and graphs, copies of surveys or tests, and diagrams of specialized equipment.

AbstractPREPARING AN ABSTRACTPREPARING AN ABSTRACT

When you finish your research and experiments, you are required towrite a (maximum) 250-word abstract on the Official Abstract Form.An abstract is a concise summary of the entire research project.The following elements should be included in a properabstract:

TITLETITLE

The title should be brief and descriptive. The title must be used for all forms and display. The Title is limited to 65 characters and spaces.

PROBLEMPROBLEM

The statement of the problem tells the reader what specific questions are addressed in the study. The variables and limitations are identified. The intent and objectives of the research effort are made explicit in this statement.

AbstractPURPOSEPURPOSE

The purpose states the usefulness of the study. It answers the question why the project was undertaken.

HYPOTHESISHYPOTHESIS The hypothesis is an educated guess that shows the relationship between a set of observed facts and a theory. The hypothesis limits the scope of theinvestigation and unifies the research design. Oftentimes it is an IF/Then statement.

P ROCEDUREP ROCEDURE

The procedure provides a brief summary of what was done.

CONCLUSIONSCONCLUSIONSThe conclusions provide a concise statement of the outcomes of the investigation. They should be written in nontechnical language and be related directly to the hypothesis. The conclusions should identity unsolvedaspects of the original problem or any new problems identified.

Abstract

RULES FOR ABSTRACTS:RULES FOR ABSTRACTS:

.The abstract is limited to the square on the form.Do not include cover sheets, graphics, etc.

.The abstract must be 250 words or less.

ONE CopyONE Copy of the abstract must be given to thejudges and the original placed in yournotebook or on your Exhibit Board.

AbstractHELPFUL HINTS:HELPFUL HINTS:

.Use past tense and third person

.Use correct spelling and sentence structure

.Try to avoid use of highly-specialized words or abbreviations

.Restrict procedure to identification of method or type of process employed

.State results, conclusions, or findings in clear, concise fashion

TimelineTimeline

January 16January 16thth; topic ; topic February 13February 13thth; purpose and ; purpose and

hypothesis hypothesis April 10April 10thth; Research Paper, Log Book, ; Research Paper, Log Book,

and Abstractand Abstract April 23April 23rdrd; Science Fair (tentative); Science Fair (tentative)