HOW TO WRITE A SCIENCE PAPER

Numbering

Upper right hand corner of each page including title page, type a shorthand version of your title followed by five spaces and the page number

Parts of the Paper

Title Page

Abstract- short summary in 1 paragraph Introduction – about three pages

Materials / Methods – List materials, method in numbered form Data – tables with headings

Results – Graphs, Charts,Statistical calculations, etc. Discussion of Results – summarize the tables and graphs

Conclusion Bibliography

Acknowledgements – be sure to acknowledge your parental types and any mentor

TITLE PAGE

Short title 1

Title of your project centered

Name

Class and PeriodGrade

TeacherDate (February 7 2011)

Abstract

The abstract is a short one paragraph summary of your project:1. State what the project is and why it was important to do this project

2. Summarize method used3. Summarize data that was collected

4. Explain why this data is important to the real world

Center the word abstract 1 inch from the top of the page Double space

175-250 words that expresses your main idea and key points, it may also include implications or applications

INTRODUCTION

1. First paragraph: summarize project: what is it and why was it done, what are the variables (ind., dep., control), give hypothesis with

explanation2. Second paragraph and on: give research and background info to

explain any topic used in project and to explain more indepth the logic behind hypothesis

Be sure to reference anything that is not common knowledge The rule of thumb is, when in doubt, cite the reference in APA

style… (author, date). REMEMBER…. PERSONAL PRONOUNS ARE NOT TO BE

USED!

(goes in the first paragraph of Intro) Variables

Controlled variables: These are the things that are kept the same throughout your experiments.

Independent variable: The one variable that you purposely change and test.

Dependent variable: The measure of change observed because of the independent variable. It is important to decide how you are going to measure the change.

(goes in the Intro) Hypothesis

Based on the research you have done, you will be writing an answer or solution – your best educated

guess – to your question. Make sure you write down your hypothesis before you begin your experiment.

(goes in the Intro) Research Have three to five good research sources to help one to

understand your project (background information) or to explain hypothesis more indepth.

Also, using primary sources in this section is a great way to support your hypothesis.

Ideas about background info:

Physics laws and equations needed, parts of the brain described, how a plant takes in water/nutrients, plant

anatomy, chemical structures and jobs in the body, bacteria structure

MATERIALS

List all materials in the project in bulleted format

METHODS

In numbered format, describe the procedure used to conduct your experiment

One step per number If you are using a kit’s instructions or copying on-line instructions, make sure you make it fit to what you did in

your project

DATA AND RESULTS This section should include any tables, charts, graphs, or other data

which you have. Give all raw data that was collected in a table

Include averages on the raw data tables However, with the results (which are your graphs and stats), only

show the important data (not all raw data has to be seen in the graphs…the averages could be used, for example)

Do not use the typical graphs and colors that Excel creates…make the tables and graphs unique to you (but still clear and to the point)

and make it look like you knew how to be manipulate Excel

DISCUSSION OF RESULTS

In this section, each of the charts and graphs are explained as to what they are or what they show

Nothing more (no research here), just a summary of the data and graphs (usually a nice paragraph in length)

CONCLUSIONS

This is where you research to explain your outcomes!!! What did you determine? (paragraph)

Was your hypothesis supported? Why or why not? (research to explain…many paragraphs)

What could you have done differently? (paragraph)

What could you do to expand this project in the future? (paragraph)

In the end, three pages is a good length for the Conclusion

Bibliography

This is a bibliography All references should be listed in alphabetical order of the

author See Bedford (and I will hand out APA examples)

ACKNOWLEGMENTS

This is the place where you thank your parents for driving you to lab and putting up with you while you do

this If you worked at another facility, this is where you thank

the facility and people who helped you. Only page in which personal pronouns can be used

PROJECT BOARDCON

Abstract

HYPOTHESIS

METHODS

CONCLUSIONMATERIALS

RESULTS(include your graphs here

DATA TABLES

PICTURES PICTURES

Project board should be

NEAT DO NOT WRITE FREE HAND

BE CREATIVE FIRST IMPRESSIONS GO A LONG WAY INCLUDE PICTURES WHEN POSSIBLE

Ex. TAKE PICTURES OF YOURSELF WORKING IN THE LAB PICTURES OF YOUR PROJECT / EQUIPMENT

AT YOUR DISPLAY : NO LIVE PLANTS OR ANIMALS, NO WATER, NO CHEMICALS, NO AGAR PLATES

DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE NIGHT BEFORE

SCIENCE FAIR DAY

Dress for success – no JEANS Be on time- DON’T COME AT THE LAST MINUTE

NO GUM Introduce yourself to the judges – shake hands, look the

judges in the eye Ask the judges about themselves (where they work, what

they do…) Be confident in yourself, your project, and what you know…

you are the expert on your project