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Science Fair Project. 5/6 Science St. James Elementary. Seven Steps to Prepare a Science Fair Project. Select a Topic Research Purpose and Hypothesis Experiment Research Paper Exhibit Judging. Seven Steps to prepare a Science Fair Project. Step 1: Select a Topic - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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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)