The Journey to the Science Fair has begun ...
Where are we on the journey?
What is in your science fair folder?
1. 2009 - 2010 Physical Science Fair Guidelines (704, 05, 01) / 2009 - 2010 Earth Science Science Fair Guideline (801)
2. Exposure to Science Fair Topics via Immersion (704, 05, 01) -- not 801
3. Three Possible Science Fair Questions (704, 05, 01, and 801)
4. Science Fair Research Guidelines (701, 704, 705)
5. SF Research
6. Guidelines for your Research Write Up
7. SF Research Write Up graded
8. SF Design Plan
9. SF Experiment Approval and Required Elements
.
Note that the 8th grade Science Fair is in March so due dates and timeline is different from the one listed below.
Step 1. Generate a TESTABLE Physical Science Question
A TESTABLE question means that you can design a controlled experiment with one independent
variable, a measurable dependent variable, and constants!
Choose from topics including: Force and friction; gravity; buoyancy; heat, temperature, and energy;
electricity; solutions; acids and bases.
Use your textbook and Eyewitness books for "question inspiration".
Step 2. Researching and gathering information on your topic
What is the purpose of the science fair research? To gather information on your topic to help support your
hypothesis and help you to design your experiment; find out what is already known about the topic.
Begin with general questions about the topic, For example, if you you are investigating "what material keeps a
cup of coffee hottest for the longest period of time?" Begin your research with: What is heat? What conducts
heat? What does not conduct heat?
Move on to more specific questions related to the independent variables. For example, what is styrofoam.
Click here to download Science Fair Research Guidelines
Step 3. Creating a formal write up of the information you gathered on your topic
After gathering the research, you must formalize the presentation of the research. Create a research write up
that includes: a brief introduction with a grabber, a statement of your question, and a preview of the topics to
be covered; the questions you researched to become more informed about your topic followed by full and
complete answers; and a formal and complete bibliography. When someone reads your lab report, one should
be able to become fully informed about your topics by reading your research section (your research write up).
For more detailed directions click on: The Research Write Up Guidelines
Write ups are due --------------------. (Some time in January)
Step 4. Edit formal research write up and write hypothesis
Task 1. Edit the research write up based on the suggested and feedback on your original research write up. Task 2. Write a hypothesis based on the research that you gathered and included in your research write up.
Your hypothesis must include WHY YOU THINK WHAT YOU THINK and it must CONNECT BACK TO YOUR
RESEARCH!
Hypothesis due dates: --------------------. (Some time in January)
Step 5. Experiment Design Plan
To insure that you conduct a controlled experiment, you must give thought to what you will keep constant and
how you collect your qualitative and quantitative data. You must determine a reasonable sample size and plan
out how many trials you will need to perform (and when you will perform them.) The experimental design
plan is the opportunity for you to give thought to and plan out your experiment. When your experimental
design plan is approved, you will able to begin your experiment.
Click here for a sample design plan and for a blank Design Plan For Experiment to be completed.
Design Plan due dates: (Some time in February)
Step 6. Controlled Experiment
When your design plan is approved, you may begin your experiment!
Take note of all the materials that you use and your procedure because after your experiment is
completed you will need to write a materials list and a detailed, step-by-step procedure, in boss format
so someone could replicate the experiment you perform!
Collect both quantitative data (numerical data that includes measurements using the metric system),
and qualitative data (pictures/descriptions). You must also create an appropriate graph.
Tables and graphs must be formatted correctly --
For tables include: Title(s), column headings, row headings, appropriate units, use a ruler or a computer.
For graphs, pick an appropriate graph that either shows change or growth (line graph) or comparison (bar
graph). Include: Title, X-axis label and unit, Y-axis label and unit, key, evenly spaced units, use a
ruler or a computer.
Data Check #1 due: Some time in March
Requirement -- You must submit data that demonstrates you are making progress on your
experiment.
This is a ten point data check and will count towards your final data check grade.
Submitting some data is required to earn credit.
Optional -- You may also submit a draft materials list and procedure that will be reviewed.
Materials list, step-by-step procedure in boss format, at least one qualitative table, at least
one quantitative table, and at least one graph are due on:Some time in March
Step 7. Data Analysis and Conclusion
You are nearing the end – you found a question/problem, researched the question, developed a hypothesis, and
designed and conducted an experiment in order to attempt to seek an answer to your question.
It is time to write your conclusion.
The conclusion should include:
1. What happened during the project
• This should include a general summary, as well as a summary of quantitative and qualitative data in words.
2. Briefly restate the hypothesis and identify if it was correct or incorrect.
3. Explain why you think you got the results that you did.
• Refer back to the research to explain and site your data.
• Possible additional variables that may have been introduced (experimental errors that contributed to the results)
• Methods/Difficulty in maintain one variable
4. If you were to do the experiment again, what would you do to improve your experiment or data collection process?
5. A closing remark or ideas for future projects
The conclusion is due by: Some time in AprilStep 8. Communicate your Findings
It is time to put it all together and communicate your findings IN A WAY THAT MAKES YOU PROUD!
The Science Fair Board and Paper are both due on Wednesday, May 6th.
Click here for: Final Science Fair Board Requirements
Required Components for the Final Science Fair Paper and Folder
Step 9. Presentation of Papers and Boards!
.
