SCIENCE FAIR MATERIALS

Name____________________________Period_____________

Teacher_____________Grade_____

PJHS

F=ma

TABLE OF CONTENTSPage #

3 Science Fair Introduction4 What is allowed/not allowed in the science fair5 Due Dates6-7 Student Worksheet/Parent Permission8 Student Requirements 9-10 Grading Rubric11-12 Questioning & Variables13-15 Background Research & Bibliography16 Writing a Hypothesis17 Gathering Materials18 Procedures19-20 Data Table21-22 Data Graph23 Conclusion24 Abstract25-26 Display Board27-28 Science Fair Ideas29 Log Book Cover Page

Payne Panther Science Fair 2012-2013

It is time for the Science Fair!!! This is your chance to further explore something you studied in science this year.

Every year, the Payne Panthers, and the rest of the Chandler Unified School District, participate in the Hamilton Invitational Science and Engineering Fair (HISEF). The Science Fair provides the opportunity to develop a working knowledge of the Scientific Inquiry Method. The Scientific Inquiry Method, used by scientists all over the world, involves the following steps:

1. Posing Questions2. Do Background Research3. Forming a Hypothesis4. Designing an Experiment5. Performing the Experiment to Collect Data6. Interpreting Data7. Drawing Conclusions8. Communication of Scientific Method Process

What’s In/What’s Out for Science Fair this year:

What's In What's Out

Choosing a Science Fair Topic from the list on Pages 28 and 29.

Choosing the Science Fair Project you did last year (or the year before)

Choosing a Science Fair Project that involves mold, dangerous chemicals (including

battery acid), dangerous activities, or body parts (including teeth)*.

Putting a plant in the closet or the dark or feeding it orange juice.

Completing an actual experiment that involves data collection over

a minimum of 3 trials.

Making a volcano or rock collection.

Copying an experiment and the data from the web.

Getting your parent's and your teacher's approval of your topic.

Changing your topic after your teacher has approved it.

Completing your own Science Fair Project

Working with 4 other students and then blaming them when the project

is not completed on time.Keeping your Science Fair Folder

for the entire 2nd and 3rd quarters.

Losing your Science Fair folder one week before the PJHS Science Fair.

Having a "thumb drive" to transport electronic information

from school to home.

Telling your teacher on Dec. 8th that your entire Science Fair Project is done, but it's

on the computer at home and your printer is out of ink.

Completing each section of your Science Fair Project on time.

Panicking because you did not complete each section of your Science Fair Project on time!

* These projects are prohibited. Other project topics involving humans (including surveys) and animals require a lengthy approval process.

PROJECT DUE DATE IS DEC. 14TH. Even if you are absent on this due date, your project is due. Late projects lose 50%.

Science Fair Timeline

PJHS

F=ma

It might seem like the Final Due Date is forever away….but the calendar below will help you understand that maybe that is not so far away after all! Your teacher

will help you fill out the due dates for each portion of your project!

Science Fair Due DatesTuesday 10/30/12 -Science Fair Permission Project Plan Signed By Parents

Friday 11/9/12 Log Book Check In Dates Thursday 11/15/12Wed. 11/21/12

Wed. 11/21/12 -Lab Report Rough Draft

Friday 12/7/12 -3 pictures of Experiment

Friday 12/14/12 -Lab Report PPT Final Due

Monday 12/17/12 -Lab Report PPT Presentation

Wed. 1/16/12 -PJHS Judging (4-6pm)

Tuesday 1/22/12 -PJHS Science Fair (6-8pm)

Saturday Feb.23rd -HISEF COMPETITION

Mon.-Wed. April 1st – 3rd -AZSEF COMPETITION

PJHS Science Fair 7th Grade Student Worksheet/Parent Permission

Teacher Period

Student Name

Category: (circle one)(remember, project must fit grade level curriculum)

Math/Computers Environmental/Ecology

Earth/Space Engineering/Inventions

Health Behavioral/Social Science

Research Question:

Objective of the Experiment:

Independent Variable (Manipulated):

Dependent Variable (Responding):

Control:

Constants:

Hypothesis (If/Then/Because Statement):

Possible Materials Be specific and include approximate costs.

DUE: Tuesday Oct. 30th

Did you know?Did you know that the

word “Manipulate” means “to move with your

hands”?

Timeline When will you do each part

Procedure: Write a brief paragraph describing how you will carry out your experiment.

Student Signature

Parent Permission

Teacher Approval (initial)

PJHS Science Fair Requirements

*Each student must perform there own experiment and write a lab report (PowerPoint).

*Each student will be required to present their project to their science class. Each project will be evaluated and scored according to the scoring rubric. Well done projects will be selected to compete in the Payne Junior High School science fair. In this competition students will be asked to complete a display board showing off their science fair project. The boards will be scored according to the judging rubric and will take the top 5 boards for each category.

*All winning projects will be entered into the Hamilton High School Science and Invention Fair (HISEF).*All experiments must be set up and completed outside of school.*Projects will be done individually. The teacher must approve all projects before beginning.*Once projects are approved, no changes will be allowed.

*Students are NOT required to spend a lot of money on the project. However, the students will need to have a minimum of 3 photographs of their experiment. Any extra expenses are at the discretion of the student and the parents. * Some classroom time will be allocated for research and typing the lab report.

Point System12 points = Permission/Project Plan15 points = Log Book (5 points for each check in)15 points = Pictures (5 points for each)14 points = Rough Draft Lab Report90 points = Final Lab Report (PowerPoint)30 points = Final Lab Report Presentation

Total 176 points

Grading Scale176 - 159 = A158 - 141 = B 140 - 124 = C 123 - 105 = D104 or less = F

SCIENCE FAIR LAB REPORT Final Draft Grading Rubric_____ Introduction (5pts)_____ Research Question (5pts)_____ Hypothesis (If/Then/Because statement) (5pts)_____ Variables (Independent/Dependent/Control) (6pts)_____ Materials List (5pt)_____ Procedures (10pt)_____ Data table (5pts)_____ Graph (5pts)_____ Data Analysis (1pts)_____ Conclusion (15pts)_____ Future Research (4pts)_____ References (2 pt) _____ Abstract (15pts)_____ 3 Pictures (3pts)

_____ Format of PowerPoint (2pts)_____ Creativity (2pts)_____ Grammar/Punctuation (4 pts)

Lab Report Grade_____ (94pts)

Chandler Unified School District #80

Hamilton Invitational Science and Engineering FairCRITERIA FOR JUDGING PROJECTS

Judges evaluate and focus on 1) what the student did in the current year; 2) how well the student followed the scientific methodologies; 3) the detail and accuracy of research as documented in the data book; and 4) whether experimental procedures were used in the best possible way.Judges should look for well thought-out research and scientific skill.

SCIENTIFIC THOUGHT/EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN 30 POINTS 0 1 2 3 4 5 -Is this a relevant question formed from observations?0 1 2 3 4 5 -Is the question testable through an experiment?0 1 2 3 4 5 -Hypothesis presented is based on direct observations/or research.0 1 2 3 4 5 -Is prior knowledge and multiple sources of research evident in student

development of investigation?0 1 2 3 4 5 -Procedures clearly outline a controlled experiment that can be easily

replicated and will prove/disprove hypothesis. (no personal pronouns)0 1 2 3 4 5 - Measurements are designed using appropriate tools and units of measure.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS 45 Points

0 1 2 3 4 5 -Results are communicated accurately through appropriate charts, graphs or tables.

0 1 2 3 4 5 -Is there evidence of use of a data log/notebook in this process?

/30

Total

/45

/110

PROJECT#____

Title:

SEVENTH

Hint: Responding and Result both start

with “Res” !

0 1 2 3 4 5 -Multiple trials have been used to collect data.0 1 2 3 4 5 -Data is analyzed to accept or reject the hypothesis.0 1 2 3 4 5 -Hypothesis is refined based on the data analysis0 1 2 3 4 5 - Other data sources (from previous investigations or research) are analyzed

and compared to current results.0 1 2 3 4 5 - Validity and reliability of the results is determined and communicated.0 1 2 3 4 5 -Reasonableness of the results are evaluated. (Did the result make sense?

Why?)0 1 2 3 4 5 - New questions are formulated based on the investigation.

COMMUNICATION 20 points

0 1 2 3 4 5 -Is there a sensible and easy progression through the display so that the average person can easily understand it?

0 1 2 3 4 5 -Labels and descriptions are neat, grammatically correct and sufficiently explained.

0 1 2 3 4 5 -Are required elements included in the display (title, hypothesis, materials & procedures, data/results, conclusions/future research, references (abstract required for 6th-12th grade)?

0 1 2 3 4 5 - Appropriate graphs are represented for data (e.g. line graph, double bar graph, stem and leaf plot, histogram)

SCIENTIFIC INNOVATION 15 points

0 1 2 3 4 5 -Are the use of materials and/or resources ingenious?0 1 2 3 4 5 -Does the experiment present a novel approach to the topic?

0 1 2 3 4 5 -Does the experiment demonstrate critical and/or analytical thinking?

Identifying Variables/Posing a Question

The process of Scientific Inquiry involves testing the effect of changing one thing (the manipulated variable) on another (the responding variable).

Manipulated variable: The variable or factor that you decide to change or “manipulate”Independent variable

Responding variable: The result or effect that you measure as a result of Dependent variable: changing the Manipulated or Independent variable

An easy way to remember Manipulated and Responding Variables is to pose your question in a “What is the Effect” format. The words that come before the word “on” form the Manipulated Variable and the words that follow the word “on” are the Responding Variable:

Example Question What is the effect of the shape of a rocket fin on how high the rocket will fly?

0= not presented 1=below standard 2= minimum standard 3=average 4=above standard 5=exceptional/outstanding

/15

/20

Manipulated variable: shape of fin Responding variable: height of flight path

Controlled Variables:It is important in Scientific Inquiry to keep everything (variables) that could affect the responding variable the same. These are called “controlled variables” or “constant variables”, because they are controlled, as best we can, to make sure they stay constant.

In the example above, for instance, when firing rockets with different shaped fins, it would be important to try and launch them in similar weather conditions. Launching a rocket in a 5 mph wind would produce a different flight path than one launched in a 25 mph wind.

“Best” is not “Best”Try to avoid using the term “Best” in your Responding

Variable. “Best” is not measureable.

Replace the word “Best” with “Highest”, “Longest”, “Most Leaves”, or even “Greenest”. These are all

measureable.

Variable/Question Worksheet

1. Complete your Question (also called your Problem Statement):What is the effect of ______________________________________________________on _________________________________________________________________________?

2. What is the Manipulated or Independent variable in your experiment? Why? Be sure to include the units of measurement (if applicable).

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Units of measurement _______________________________

3. What is the Responding or Dependent variable in your experiment? Why? Be sure to include the units of measurement (if applicable)..

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Units of measurement ____________________________

4. What variables will you control in your experiment? Why? Be sure to include the units of measurement (if applicable).

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Units of measurement ____________________________

Background Information

Some Common

Metric System Units of

Measurement:

Celsius Centime

Does Every Experiment have a Unit of Measure?

Sort of.Some experiments will use color or will count numbers of things (such

as blades of grass or leaves) to determine results. Even colors or

counting is a unit of measure – however, there may not be

When you do an experiment, you want it to “work”. You need to have enough background information to design an experiment that will provide useful data.

For instance, if you experiment was to determine if overcrowding effected the number of grass seeds that germinated (grew from a seed to a plant), you would want to know how long grass seeds require to germinate. If you selected grass seeds that require 3 weeks to germinate and you only had 2 weeks to complete your experiment, all your hard work would not produce any useful data.

Another example might be if your experiment was to determine if different sized rockets engines effect how high a rocket will fly. You would want to be sure to have rocket engines that were appropriate for your rocket. If all were too small for your rocket, your rocket might never fly at all!

There are many resources available for collecting this background information. Take advantage of the school and local libraries. Interlibrary loan can deliver books from far away libraries. Speak with someone who has a job or a hobby related to your topic. If you are using rockets or other commercial products (items that you purchase), there is a great deal of information in an instruction manual.

The internet has a great number of websites with information on almost all topics. Some internet websites are very good and have factual information. Some internet websites are trying to sell products and may have misleading information; others may be complete hoaxes (untruths) or just include personal opinions.

If you use the internet as a source for your background information, try to find 2 or 3 different websites that have the same information to make sure it is not just an opinion or a hoax.

Websites NOT to Use:Wikipedia (may include opinions and hoaxes)

Joe and Bob’s Website of Knowledge about EverythingDiscussion Groups (opinions)

Any websites you cannot access from a school computer, such as blogs, Youtube and Facebook (opinions).

Remember, if the information on a website sounds unbelievable:

It probably is!

Once you have your background information, complete the appropriate forms below to help you remember where you found your information. It is very important to be able to give the original author of your information the credit they deserve for putting the information together. More help on citing sources can be found at http://www.fcps.edu/KeyMS/library/bibliography.html

BookExample: Ashby, R. (2003). The Earth and Its Moon. North Mankato, Minnesota: Smart Apple Books.Author’s Last Name

First Initial

Middle Initial

(Publication Date)

Book title Place of Publication:

Publisher Pages Used

Ashby R (2003) The Earth and Its Moon

North Mankato, MN

Smart Apple Media

34

Periodical: Magazine or NewspaperMagazine Article: Example: Svoboda, E. (2006, June). Flawless Man-made Diamonds. Popular Science, 43, 60 - 61.Author Last Name(s)

First Initial

Middle Initial

(Publication Date)

Article title Magazine/Scholarly title

Volume number

Page Numbers

Svoboda E (2006, June) Flawless Man-made Diamonds.

Popular Science 43 60-61

InternetExample: NASA (2007, August 3). Helping Phoenix Land. Accessed August 20, 2008 from http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/phoenix/mission/phoenix-edl.html

Agency or Author Last

Name

First Initial

Middle Initial

(Publication date)

Article Title Date Accessed Article URL

NASA (2007, August 3)

Helping Phoenix Land

August 20, 2007 http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/phoenix/mission/phoenix-edl.html

InterviewExample: Smith, Stephanie. (2008). Phone interview with the author on 4 August 2008. Gilbert, AZ.

Agency or Author Last

Name

First Name (Date of Interview)

Communication Type Location

Smith Stephanie (2008 Aug. 4) Phone Interview Gilbert,AZ

Background Information List

Make a list of the Background Information you collected from your sources. It should be bulleted.

Here is an example:

Kentucky Bluegrass seeds require up to 3 weeks to germinate at a temperature below 60 degree F.

Perennial Ryegrass seeds germinate in 3 - 5 days at a temperature below 60 degree F. Zoysaigrass seeds require up to 3 weeks to germinate at temperatures between 70 and 80

degrees F. Seeds must be kept moist to germinate. Seeds must stay in contact with the soil to germinate. Germination rates for some grass seeds are between 80% and 95%, but the grass seeds

package should state the expected germination rate for ideal conditions.

References

List all your sources of background information. You may have heard this called a Bibliography in your Language Arts class.

To complete your list of References, rewrite or type each of the sources you listed on the previous pages in alphabetical order by author’s last name below.

The correct format is provided in each of the examples on Pages 9 and 10. For example: The correct format for a book is:

Ashby, R. (2003). The Earth and Its Moon. North Mankato, Minnesota: Smart Apple Books.

There is also a website that can help you put together your List of References: http://www.easybib.com/ .

Type your List of References into the computer. SAVE IT! Print it out!

Hypothesis

Now that you have completed your background information collection and have an understanding of how a change in the Manipulated (independent) variable might effect the Responding (dependent) variable, you are ready for the next step in the Scientific Inquiry Method. This is called Developing the Hypothesis.

The hypothesis is one sentence that indicates what you expect to happen to the Responding (dependent) variable as a result of changing the Manipulated (independent) variable. Your hypothesis should also include why you think the change will occur.

If ____________then it will________________because_____________________________.Example: If a rocket fin it changed from rectangular shape to an oval shape then it will cause the rocket to fly higher because it lowers the amount of friction.

Other examples of HypothesesIf plants are grown in direct sunlight and darkness, then the

plant growing in direct sunlight will grow taller, because plants need light to photosynthesize.

If a PJHS student puts forth a good effort in their Science Fair Project, then they will receive a passing grade, because they worked hard and

deserve it!

Materials

List all materials, supplies, equipment, tools, etc. that you will need for this project. Remember that you will need enough materials to perform at least 3 trials of your experiment. Add or delete things from this list later when you perform the experiment so that the list you include in your final project is correct. Brand name used, amounts, quantities, etc., should be used to identify your materials.You may use bullets when listing your materials.

_______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________

Example: Three identical Estes Rocket kits (Model Alpha, Product Number 1225) Nine identical Rocket engines (Model AB-3) One Rocket Launch pad (Estes, Model Q) Glue Elmers, Glue-All, one tube) 1 sheet Sand Paper (100 grit) Exacto Knife (EZ-Cut) Altitude tracker from: http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/space/teachers/rockets/act9.html

Procedures

Hint: List Now and List later!

Prepare your Materials List as best you can before starting the

experiment.

If you find you need a few more items to finish the experiment

once you have started – just add them to your List!!!

“To Infinity and beyond….”.

“First star on the right and straight on ‘til morning…”

Write a list of all the steps you will need to follow to run the experiment. Another person should be able to follow your procedure without ever having to talk to you, so make it good/very detailed. The procedures must be written in a numbered step format.

Example:1. Collect necessary materials.2. Remove balsa wood fins from Rocket packaging. 3. Using Exacto Knife, and being sure not to cut the side that fits into the

body of the rocket cut the outside corners of the three sets of fins as follows:

a. one set of three fins into three identical rectanglesb. one set into three identical parallelograms, andc. one set into three identical oval shapes.

4. Construct rockets according to manufacturer’s instructions, gluing one set of fins on each rocket.5. Allow glue to dry according to directions. Do not place engine in rocket at this time.6. Following instructions at http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/space/teachers/rockets/act9.html, construct Altitude

Tracker.7. On a non-windy day, set-up the launch pad in an area removed from combustible material or dry vegetation.8. Place one engine in each rocket.9. Launch each rocket according to manufacturer’s instructions and using Altitude Tracker, determine height of

each rocket.10. Record height measurements in Data Table.

11. For the second and third trial, repeat Steps 8, 9, and 10 twice.

Data Table

A Data Table will help you organize all the data you collect while you are actually doing your experiment. Draw a data table (in pencil) on the next page so that you have spaces to record (write in) your data.

Not all data tables will be the same, but here are a few guidelines: 1. Label each data table with a title.2. Each column should have a heading (with units, if appropriate).3. Data from all 3 trials should be entered.4. Leave a column for averages, which you will calculate after you collect all your

data.5. When you have all your data and your averages, your teacher will show you how to

create a Data Table on the computer, like the examples below.

Example of a Data TableTable 1: Height of Rocket Flight with Different Shaped Fins

Fin Shape Height of Rocket(meters)

Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3

Average(meters)

Visual Observations

Rectangle 20 25 30 25Parallelogram 10 20 30 20

Oval 8 10 12 10 Flights were arched, not straight up.

Example of a Data Table for An Experiment conducted over a period of time:Table 1: Height of Grass Leaves

Sketch your data table below (the grid system is just there to help you keep your lines straight) and use it to record data throughout your experiment.

Title: __________________________________________________________

Data Graph

1. Your teacher will show you how to graph your data using a computer.

2. Decide whether a line graph or a bar graph is better for your data.

Bar graphs work well for individual events (such as height of a launched rocket or size of Rock Candy Crystals.)

Line graphs are used to plot changes over time (such as the shortening or lengthening of shadows measured each day for one month or the height of grass leaves.)

1. For all graphs:

Label the top of the graph with a title that includes the dependent variable first and the independent variable second along with units of measurement, if applicable:

Example 1: Height of Rocket Flight (meters) vs. Rocket Fin Shape (no units)

Example 2: Height of Grass Leaves (cm) planted in overcrowded conditions over 28 days.

For Bar Graphs:1. Label the x-axis with the manipulated variable and its units, if applicable:2. Label the y-axis with the responding variable and its units.3. Number the axes appropriately. 4. Use a key to identify the individual bars appropriately.

Trial 1 Trial 3 AverageTrial 2

Notice that all three trials are shown on the same graph!!!

Height of Grass Leaves (cm) in Overcrowded Conditions

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

Day 2 Day 4 Day 6 Day 8 Day 10 Day 12 Day 14 Day 16 Day 18 Day 20 Day 22 Day 24 Day 26 Day 28

Days

Cen

timet

ers

5 seeds/cm225 seeds/cm250 seeds/cm2

For Line Graphs: 1. Remember you are graphing the averages from your trials. Do not try to graph all 9

measurements and the averages because your graph will be too busy.2. Label the x-axis as Time and identify the units (days, hours, etc.)3. Label the y-axis with the responding variable and its units.4. Number the axes appropriately.5. Use a key to identify the lines appropriately.

Data Analysis

Summarize the data you have collected in your Data Table in a few sentences. This section should not include any conclusions. Only state the facts from your data table. This information should directly correlate to your graph and data table.

Example of a Data Analysis: The rocket with the rectangular fins flew an average of 25 meters high. The rocket with fins shaped as a parallelogram flew and average of 20 meters high. The rocket with the oval shaped fins flew an average of 10 meters high.

Conclusion

The conclusion is a few short paragraphs that summarize the experiment and relates it to the background information and the hypothesis. In addition, it should describe how the experiment might be improved upon. Before writing a rough draft of your conclusion, fill in the information in each area below. These are the things that you will then organize and summarize in the conclusion.

1. What was your hypothesis? _____________________________________

2. Was your hypothesis supported by the data or not?___________________________

1. Did your results make sense? __________________________________________Are your results valid (did your experiment follow the requirements of controlled

experimental design with just one manipulated variable and other possible variables kept constant)

Are your results reliable (were your results accurate because you used a number of trials?)_______________

4. List data averages that will support your answers to #1 and #2. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Example: The rocket with the rectangular fin flew an average of 25 meters high. This is 5 meters higher than average of the rockets with parallelogram fins and 15 meters higher than the rocket with oval fins.

5. List at least 2 errors that might have happened during your experiment and explain how they may have effected your results. These might be controlled variables that could not be controlled. ______________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

Example: The wind varied between 0 and 10 mph on launch day. A rocket launched during a stronger wind might have flown further in the direction of the wind, but not as high as it would have flown if there was no wind.

6. What could be done differently if you repeated this experiment (either to minimize errors or help clarify your results)? ______________________________________________________

7. How could you refine or improve your hypothesis based on the data you collected?_________________________________________________________________________________________

8. What is the importance of this experiment? What impact could the results have? __________________________________________________________________________________________

9. What new questions could be asked based on the results of your experiment? ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Abstract

An abstract is a short summary of your science fair project. It should contain approximately 250 words and include the following:

Introduction. This is where the purpose for doing your science fair project is explained Explain why your science fair project is important, not just to you, but to others. Motivate the reader to finish the abstract and read the entire paper or display board.

Hypothesis: Identify the hypothesis you investigated.

Procedures. Explain your approach for investigating the problem, but do not go into detail about materials. Briefly describe the most important variables - if you have room.

Results. Did your data support your hypothesis? Did the data you collected make sense? Be specific and use numbers to describe your results. Try to avoid using vague terms like "most" or "some."

Conclusions. State what your science fair project contributes to your selected topic and what future research might be based on your experiment.

Example:

The Purpose of this experiment was to discover which materials and colors heat up faster. It was hypothesized that metal would heat up faster than wood, glass, and plastic, and that the color black would heat up faster than the colors green, red, and white. 

This experiment was conducted by making four identically sized blocks, one each of wood, glass, plastic, and metal. The blocks were then placed under a heat lamp. After the 1st, 2nd, 5th, 10th, 20th, 40th, and 60th minute under the heat lamp, the temperature of the blocks were recorded using an infrared temperature sensor. This was repeated three times. The experiment was then repeated using wood blocks painted either red, black, green, or white.

The data demonstrated that glass and plastic heated up faster than the wood and metal. This may have been because they were clear on a white background. The data also indicated that the colors black and green heated up faster than red and white. The data supported a portion of the hypothesis.

Display Board

It is important for scientists to communicate the findings of their research. One of the ways this is done is on a display board like the one you will create for your experiment.

Your display board must include the following:o Label (provided by teacher) with Name, Period, and Title of Project. This goes on the back of

your display boardo Titleo Problem Statement (Question)o Background Informationo Hypothesiso Manipulated (Dependent) and Responding (Independent) Variableo Materialso Procedureo Data (summary, table, graph)o Conclusiono Bibliographyo Pictures, if you have any (must not provide identify of students ex: names/faces)o Future Research

The most important objective for your board is to effectively communicate the facts about your project. It can only achieve that objective if it's easy to read. Here are some suggestions for fonts and font size.

Stick with traditional fonts like Arial or Times New Roman, or similar typefaces. Use italics or bold for emphasis, not for all your text. Place captions below the pictures. If they are on top of a picture; they will be difficult to

read. USING ALL CAPS MAKES WRITING MUCH HARDER TO READ. Please use upper

and lower case letters (called “sentence case” in MS Word) Don't use reverse type (white text on a dark background). It is hard to read. Use black

characters on a white (or pastel) background. Artistic Fonts are also very difficult to read.. Use no more than two or three different fonts on your board. Times New Roman for body

copy and Arial for headings makes for a nice combination.

Text Size Suggestions for a Typical Science Project Display BoardTitle 150+ You want your title to be visible from across a room! Headings 32+ Should be easily readable from five feet away by someone just walking by. Subheadings 20+ This text is smaller than headings, but more noticeable than main text size. Main Text 16 – 18 This is a comfortable text size for someone who comes closer to read more. Captions 12 – 16 It's OK to make these a bit smaller than the body text if necessary.

*

PJHS SCIENCE FAIR DISPLAY BOARD SET-UP

Before you attach anything permanently to your board, remember your sections should be in order of the scientific method. Once you are satisfied, attach them neatly to the board. Your poster should be eye-catching, but not so overdone as to detract from your experiment and its results. A suggested format for your display board might be:

Keep in mind, your grade is not based on how beautiful and colorful your board is. Actual projects cannot accompany the science fair board (plants, rocks, etc.). If you want to show what happened to your experiment, you may take pictures or attach small pieces of the experiment (nails, rocks) to your board.

Question

HINT:Take pictures of your experiment as

you are performing it. It will help you remember as you write your summary and conclusion, and the pictures can add to your display. However, make sure there are no faces in the pictures (they are not

allowed by Science Fair Rules)

36” Height

48” Width

A sealable manila envelope

needs to be attached to the

back of the board

36” Height

48” Width

Science Fair Question Ideas

Earth Science Questions1.) How does the type of building material affect the amount of damage to a building in an

earthquake?2.) What type of building material will cause the least amount of damage in a landslide?

5.) How does the diameter of the opening in a volcano affect the height of explosion?6.) How do the barriers in a model stream affect the path a stream takes?

7.) How does the material a slope is made of affect the erosion of the slope?8.) How does the rate of stream flow in a stream table affect the amount of erosion?

9.) How does the water temperature affect the rate of continent movement in a model?10.) How does the different ingredients (salt, sugar, alum etc.) used to make a crystal affect its size?

11.) How does water temperature affect crystal growth?12.) How does the amount of solution affect the size of a crystal?

13) How does the different ingredients (salt, sugar, alum etc.) used to make a crystal affect the speed that it is made?

14.) Which type of soil absorbs more water during a rainstorm?15.) What sediment type is the best for preserving remains of animals?

16.) How can erosion be prevented in a water channel?17.) What type of liquid (different pH), breaks down limestone the most. (limestone erosion)

18.) Which ground cover would better protect soil from water erosion?19.) What is the affect of different barrier shapes on preventing beach erosion?

20.) What affect does soil particle size have on water absorption?21.) How does water speed effect the erosion of land?

22.) Which soil types are most likely to erode under severe weather conditions?23.) Which soil is the safest to build a structure on in the earthquake-prone area?

24.) Does organic material affect the absorbency of water in soil?25.) What type of structure would be the best to prevent against a tsunami wave?

26.) What warning system would be the most accurate when identifying a tsunami wave?

Space Science Questions1.) What type of material will help astronauts stay warmer in space?

2.) How does the color of material affect a solar oven?3.) How does the angle of the sun (during time of day) affect the temperature of a solar oven?4.) What type of landing capsule would best protect a rover from landing on an alien planet?

5.) What type of wheels would be the most useful for a rover on an unmanned planet?6.) What type of digging/drilling device on a rover would be the most useful when collecting

samples on an unmanned planet?7.) How does the temperature of the day affect the height of a model rocket?

8.) How can the current space shuttle be changed/modified to fly further?9.) What materials would be beneficial when creating a heat shield from household products?

10.) How can a heat shield be changed to block heat from getting to a space shuttle when reentering the atmosphere?

11.) What materials would be more useful when creating a homemade solar power panel?

Environmental/Ecology Questions1.) How does the temperature affect the growth of plant seeds?

2.) How does the amount of moisture affect the growth of plant seeds?3.) How does the amount of light affect the growth of plant seeds?

4.) Does the type of light affect the growth of plant seeds?5.) Which paper product requires less water to make recycled paper?

6.) Does the type of fertilizer affect the growth of grass?7.) Does the type of grass seed affect the growth of grass?

8.) Do different samples of city water affect the growth of grass seeds?9.) Do different areas of Arizona contain different amounts of chlorine in their water?

10.) How does the amount of polluted water affect the growth of plant seeds?11.) What types of gray water would affect the growth of plants the most?12.) Which landfill liner will keep wastewater out of the ground the best?

13.) Which water using household appliance uses the least amount of water?14.) Which building material will keep the inside of a greenhouse the warmest?

15.) How do phosphorous and salt from a household water system affect the ph of ground water?16.) How does chlorine concentration effect the germination of soybeans?

17.) How do different types of water filtration devices affect the cleanliness of water?

Health/Medicine1.) How much grease is contained in different types of foods?

2.) Which pill capsule type will affect the time it takes to dissolve?3.) How does sugar/sugar substitute affect the amount/rate of gas produced?

Engineering/Inventions*Create an invention/device that can be used by humans that can benefit society.

*Invention/device should be testable and data can be collected*Invention/device needs to be aligned with the 7th grade curriculum

Math/ComputerNone available

Behavioral/Social ScienceNon Available

LO

G B

OO

K

RE

QU

IRE

ME

NT

S:

1.) Date/L

og #2.) O

bservations3.) D

ata Collection

4.) Procedural Inform

ation5.) M

aterials Used

Nam

e:

Period:

Payne Junior High SchoolScience Fair

Research Log Book

*These ideas are only to help guide you while choosing a science fair idea. You may choose any of these science fair ideas. However, you are always welcome to find or think of another idea to use. All ideas have to relate to either (Earth Science, Space Science, Environmental/Ecology Math/Computers or Behavior/Social Science)