Science Fair Handbook 2014-2015teachers.stjohns.k12.fl.us/.../09/Science-Fair-Handbook-2014_15.pdf · Science Fair Handbook 2014-2015 ... Appendix 1 (Data Notebook) ... Science Fair

Science Fair Handbook

2014-2015

Liberty Pines Academy

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Students:

Get ready to investigate, explore, and experiment! It is time to begin working on science

projects! Your goal in completing a project should be to investigate an area of interest

and to discover new things about the area you choose. This handbook contains

guidelines to assist you with completing a successful project. The following dates have

also been established to keep you “on track”. The required forms are available through

your teacher’s website.

Sep 2 Topic Selection Form Due – Does not need to be typed.

Sep 15 Research Notes in Journal (LA)

Sep 30 First MLA Reference List (LA)

Oct 3 Outline of Paper (LA)

Oct 10 First rough draft of Research Paper (LA Grade)

Oct 13 1st Draft of Hypothesis, Statement of Purpose, and all Official Paperwork

Due (Checklist for Adult Sponsor and Forms 1A (with research

plan) & 1B) –

Must be Typed (Science)

Oct 27 Hypothesis, Procedures, and Materials Due – These must be typed.

(Science Grade)

Oct 31 Research Paper Final Draft (LA Test Grade)

Nov 3 Journal Check – Experimental Notes (Science)

Nov 7 Rough Draft of Abstract (Science)

Nov 17 Final Report Due (Science Test Grade Part 1)

Nov 25-26 Display Board Due (Science Test Grade Part 2) and Presentations to Class

(Science Test Grade Part 3)

Dec 4 LPA Science Fair

Feb 10 Regional Science Fair

While there will be some class time devoted to helping you with your project, this time

will not be sufficient to complete the entire project. The majority of the time spent on the

project will be on your own time.

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Table of Contents

Getting Started (Overview)………………………………………………... 4

Step 1 (Choosing a Topic)…………………………………………………. 6

Topic Selection Form……...……………………………………………. 7

Step 2 (Conducting Your Research)……………………………………….. 8

Step 3 (Designing Your Experiment)……………………………………..... 9

Step 4 (Completing The Forms)…………………………………………... 11

Research Plan Form……………………………………..……………. 12

Step 5 (Conducting the Experiment)……………………………………… 14

Step 6 (Analyzing the Data)………………………………………………. 15

Step 7 (Putting Together the Final Report)……………………………...... 16

Step 8 (Display Board)……………………………………………………. 18

Sample Display Board……………………………………………….…. 19

Appendix 1 (Data Notebook)….…………...……………………………... 20

Appendix 2 (Abstract)……………………...……………………………... 21

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GETTING STARTED! – An overview of your science fair project

1. Pick your topic: Get an idea of what you want to study. Ideas might

come from hobbies or problems you see that need solutions. There are

also books and Internet sites available with ideas on possible topics. As

you are deciding on a topic, you should be able to answer “yes” to every

question below for the problem you have chosen.

Is this a problem that I am interested in?

Will I have enough time to complete the project (with a

minimum of 3 trials!) by the due date?

Will I learn something new about this subject through my

observations and experiments?

Is this problem specific enough so that I will be able to define

exactly what I need to do?

Is the problem testing only one measurable variable?

Will I be able to obtain the materials necessary to do the

project?

Is this a project that I will be able to research with the sources

available to me (ex. library, internet)?

Is this a project that I will be able to accomplish with very little

or no outside help?

Is this project grade-level appropriate?

2. When you choose your problem, make sure you state it in the form of

a question. You will need to get your topic approved by your teacher.

3. Research your topic: Go to the Library and Internet and learn

everything you can about your topic. Gather information on your topic.

Talk to professionals in the field or write companies for information.

4. Make a timetable: Make sure that you pick a topic that not only

interests you, but can be done in the amount of time that you have. Use a

calendar to write down important dates. Leave time to get your forms

approved by your Science teacher. Remember your project has to be

approved before you can begin your experimentation! Projects that

will NOT be approved include, but are not limited to, the following:

mold

weapons/explosives

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harmful bacteria

pathogenic and potentially pathogenic agents

controlled or hazardous substances

vertebrate animals

In addition to this list, projects with human subjects will require extra

paperwork and special approval by a Scientific Review Committee. These

projects will only be approved on a limited basis after careful review by

qualified personnel on this committee.

5. Plan your experiment: Give careful thought to experimental design.

Once you have a feasible project idea, write a detailed plan to explain

how you will do your experiment and exactly what it will involve.

6. Conduct your experiment: During experimentation, keep detailed

notes of each trial including measurement data and observations in your

data notebook. Do not rely on your memory. Remember to change only

one variable when experimenting. All other factors must remain

unchanged to ensure you have a controlled experiment. Make sure you

conduct at least 3 trials to make your data statistically valid. Record

your data using metric measurements!

7. Analyze your results: When you complete your experiment, examine

and organize your findings. What were the results of your experiment?

Did your experiment give you the expected results? Why or why not?

Was your experiment performed with the exact same steps each time?

Are there other explanations that you had not considered or observed?

Were there errors in your observations?

8. Draw conclusions: Keep an open mind and never alter results to fit your

original hypothesis. If your results do not support your hypothesis, you

still have accomplished a successful project if you followed the steps of

the scientific method. You will NOT get points deducted if your

hypothesis was incorrect.

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STEP 1 – Choosing a topic

1. Choosing your topic is an extremely important step in your project. If

you choose a topic that you find uninteresting, you are in for a long

few months!! Try to find something that you find interesting, but also

that meets the following criteria (at a minimum!!):

It can be finished in the time given – Often, projects that involve

growing things take a long time. Make sure that you can finish the

experimenting with enough time left to put together your project

There is one measurable dependent variable – Remember, you can

only have one dependent variable. And, you have to be able to

measure it – color changes, for example, can be difficult to measure.

Your results should be quantitative, not qualitative.

You can obtain the materials you need – You need to determine this

right away so that you will have time to change topics if there are

materials you cannot obtain.

It should be grade level appropriate and fit into one of the

categories listed on the form on the next page – Be careful about

choosing something to simple or too hard.

2. You should also come up with your Statement of Purpose at this

point. WHY are you doing this project? This should be a clear,

concise statement to identify the precise purpose of the investigation.

Example: The purpose of my project is to answer the question, “…..”

3. Once you have chosen a topic and come up with your Statement of

Purpose, you need to fill out the form that is shown on the following

page. This form must be signed by your parent or guardian and then

by your science teacher before you begin your project!!!

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Science Fair Project - Topic Selection Form

Due September 2, 2014 Name(s): ________________________________________________________

Last First _________________________________________________________

Last First

Individual or Team (circle one)

Science Teacher: _____________________

*Special Note for Team Projects! Requires teacher & parent approval form; only 2 students per

group.

1. Please complete the following: (Place an X next to the category that best classifies your project.)

_____ Behavioral/Social Sciences _____ Earth/Space _____Med/Health

_____ Biochemistry _____ Engineering _____Physics _____ Botany _____ Environmental _____Zoology

_____ Chemistry _____ Mathematics

2. The question that I will try to answer from my project is:

______________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

3. What is the independent variable in your experiment? (Remember, you should only have one

independent variable!)____________________________________________________________________

4. What is your dependent variable and how will you measure your results to find the answer to your question? ______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

5. Outline below what you will need to research about your topic. The research should focus on learning

about the main concepts involved in the topic and determining what factors or conditions can affect what

you will be measuring to answer your project’s question.

a)

b)

c)

6. On the back of this form, write out your Statement of Purpose. This can be edited later.

APPROVED BY PARENT: _______________________________________________

This form must have a parent signature before submitting it to your Science teacher!

APPROVED BY SCIENCE TEACHER: ________________________________

Date Approved by Science Teacher: ________________________________

*REMEMBER! YOU CAN’T START YOUR PROJECT UNTIL AFTER IT’S BEEN APPROVED

BY YOUR SCIENCE TEACHER!!

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Step 2 – Conducting Your Research

1. Once you have chosen a topic, you will need to come up with a

hypothesis to test. To do this, you will need to research the problem.

In most cases, the research portion of the project will be done in

conjunction with your Language Arts class.

2. Your research will be demonstrated in the form of a research paper.

The specific requirements for this paper will be provided by your

language arts teacher.

3. Through your research, you should learn enough about your topic to

develop a thorough hypothesis.

How to Conduct Research:

Your research will most likely begin in the library. But where do you begin

in the library?

1. Start with a general source and use key words from your problem to

search for background information.

2. Check your Science book and other Science textbooks/books for

information; read and take notes.

3. Talk to experts. Interviews are a good source of information. Have

planned questions before you talk to anyone and take notes as you

listen.

4. Check the internet. Make sure that the websites you use are reputable.

Do NOT use Wikipedia as a source! Read and take notes.

Find out everything you can as you research. If possible, use other libraries

besides the school’s library and write agencies for information. Be

resourceful and thorough! You will have to search out the information you

need. Many times you may read references that will not provide the

information for which you were looking. Don’t expect to find everything

you need in the first book you select. The information is out there, but you

will have to search for what you need! Remember, you are collecting

information relevant to your problem. You need background information

about your problem, information about your actual experiment, and

information about the expected outcome to help you form a good hypothesis.

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Step 3 – Designing Your Experiment

1. Once you have finished researching, you are ready to begin designing

your experiment. It’s okay if you are still working on the formal

paper, as long as you the information you need to come up with your

hypothesis.

2. The first thing you need to do is to come up with a hypothesis. What

do you think will happen? And, why? It is a good idea to phrase your

hypothesis using the If…Then….Because format. For example:

“If fertilizer is added to a plant, then the plant will grow higher

than a plant which is not given fertilizer, because the fertilizer

provides nutrients to the plant that helps it grow quicker.”

3. Your hypothesis needs to be checked by your teacher.

4. Once you have your hypothesis, you can design the actual experiment.

You should develop your Procedures, using the following guidelines:

The procedure is the step-by-step description of how to perform

the experiment. Your steps should be numbered and very specific.

All quantities should be indicated.

Explain all of the following that apply to your project:

o How you will keep the controlled conditions the same

o What device will you use to measure the data with and in

what units?

o How will you measure the data using the device?

o When will you measure the data?

o How many trials will you perform?

o What safety precautions will you take?

Example:

Step 1: Obtain 15 bean plants that are 10 cm tall and are in 5 cm

clay pots with potting soil.

Step 2: Label bean plants as follows: ACME 1-5, GENERIC 6-10,

and NO FERTILIZER 11-15.

Step 3: While wearing safety goggles and gloves, give 1 gram of

ACME fertilizer to bean plants 1-5, 1 gram of GENERIC

fertilizer to bean plants 6-10, and no fertilizer to bean

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plants 11-15.

Step 4: Place all 15 bean plants on the same table near a sunny

window.

Step 5: Water each of the 15 bean plants with 100 mL of tap

water.

Step 6: Measure the height from the dirt to the highest leaf of each

bean plant with a ruler in centimeters and record in data

table.

Step 7: Repeat steps 5 and 6 every other day for 14 days.

5. You should also write down all of the materials that you will be using

for your experiment. You may find that you need additional materials

later. If this happens, you will change your materials used prior to

completing your final report.

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Step 4 – Completing The Forms

1. At this point, you need to fill out the required forms and submit them

to your teacher. You will be required to complete the following forms:

Form 1 – Checklist for Adult Sponsor

Form 1A – Student Checklist

Research Plan – This is a required part of Form 1A. The form

for this is on the following pages of this handbook.

Form 1B – Approval Form

2. These forms must be completed and approved prior to beginning any

experimentation.

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2014 St. Johns County/River Region East Science and Engineering Research Plan Form

Name

School

Research Teacher

A. Title and Question or Problem being addressed

Title: Question:

B. Hypothesis/Engineering Goals

C. Description in detail of method/procedures and description of data analysis.

Procedures – Detail all procedures and experimental design to be used for data collection. Your procedure

should be detailed enough that someone could duplicate your experiment (like a recipe for cooking or

instructions for building a model.) See pages 7-19 of ISEF Rules and Guidelines for specific inclusions

involving human subjects, vertebrate animals, potentially hazardous biological agents and/or hazardous

chemicals, activities or devices.

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Data Analysis – Describe procedures you will use to analyze the data that answers the research question or

supports your hypothesis.

D. Works Cited

List at least five (5) major references (e.g. science journal articles, books, internet sites) from your

literature review. If you plan to use vertebrate animals, one of these references must be an animal care

reference. If you plan on using human subjects, one of these references must be from the listing of human subject reference in the ISEF Guidelines. If you plan on using PHBAs, one of the references

must explain aseptic techniques. Follow MLA format for citing references.

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Step 5 – Conducting the Experiment

1. You are finally ready to begin conducting the experiment!! This is

when you get to actually test your hypothesis.

2. You must repeat your experiment with each experimental group in

at least 3 separate trials. This is so your data will be reliable. The

more trials you conduct, the more likely that someone else

repeating your experiment will get the same results.

3. Make sure you have a control and/or controlled conditions in your

experiment to compare the results of what you’re testing.

4. Make sure you measure as carefully as you can and use the most

precise (smallest) units possible. This makes your measurement

data more accurate. Again, remember to use metric units!

5. Set up your data table. Remember to have a title and label the

variable and what measurements you used.

6. Systematically record all data in your data notebook. Data

should include numerical measurements, personal observations,

photographs, drawings, etc. The date of all observations should

also be recorded.

7. Details on how to complete the Data Notebook can be found in

Appendix 1.

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Step 6 – Analyzing the Data

1. Once you have finished conducting your experiment and recording the

data in your data notebook, it is time to analyze the data. This will

help you determine whether or not the data supported your hypothesis.

2. Data -- Your data should be displayed in table and graphical format.

Your data tables should already be in your data notebook. You should

create at least one graph of your data.

Graphs may be circle, line, or bar graphs.

Bar graphs are appropriate when the independent variable is not

continuous and is used to show comparisons.

Circle graphs are also used to show comparisons but are used when

it’s appropriate to show percentages.

Line graphs show change and are generally used when the

independent variable IS continuous.

3. Analysis and Discussion of Data -- This section is provided to give

foundation to your conclusion. Remember to record things that

happen even if the results are different than what was expected. This

section should be well thought out and explain the results of your

experiment.

4. Conclusion -- At this time, a conclusion must be reached. The

technique of drawing conclusions from a set of data is rarely as

obvious as it may seem at first. No matter how carefully the

conditions are controlled, variations might occur and lead to errors in

the conclusion. Be sure and state what variations occurred that you

weren’t expecting. When you state your conclusion, ensure you

answer whether or not your hypothesis was supported!

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Step 7 – Putting Together the Final Report

1. The Research Report is a typed, “formal” report in which you go into

detail about your project and organize your data. The Research

Report will contain the following elements in the following order:

o Title Page

o Abstract

o Table of Contents

o Statement of Purpose

o Background Research

o Hypothesis

o Experimentation:

o Materials

o Procedures

o Data: (includes: graphs, data tables, and observations)

o Analysis and Discussion of Data

o Conclusion

o Application

o Recommendations

o Works Cited

o Acknowledgements

o An appendix is optional and will include any information about your

project that does not fit in any of the above sections

Failure to include all elements of the report (with the exception of the

appendix) in the order stated above will result in points being deducted

from your project’s grade.

2. Most of these elements have been completed as you have done your

project. The following will help you put together this report:

Title Page – should contain your title, name, grade, block, and

date

Abstract – The purpose of an abstract is to provide a 250 word

summary of your project. Refer to Appendix 2 for more

information and an example of an abstract.

Table of Contents -- This page must include the appropriate

sections with their respective page numbers.

Statement of Purpose – Previously written.

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Background Research – This is the research paper you wrote

in Language Arts.

Hypothesis – Previously written.

Experimentation:

o Materials – Previously written, but there may be changes

o Procedures – Previously written, but there may be

changes

o Data – Should be in table and graphical form. You may

also include observations if applicable.

Analysis and Discussion of Data – Previously written

Conclusion – Previously written

Application -- In this section, explain how this experiment can

have practical value. For example, how can the knowledge

obtained from this experiment be applied to everyday life?

Recommendations – At this point, look back over the project

and consider the following questions:

o What new ideas have come from the project?

o What aspects of the project could be continued to add to

the significance of the research?

o What, if any, new problems have arisen related to the

topic?

Works Cited – This may be the same as the one you used for

your research paper. If you used additional sources for the

experimental portion of the project, include them here with the

sources from your paper.

Acknowledgements – On this page, identify those individuals

or organizations who offered special assistance with the project.

After a brief general statement of appreciation, each individual

should be listed by title, full name, affiliation and a specific

comment about the type of assistance provided.

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Step 8 - Display Board

Try to design a display which is simple, yet thorough, and easy to set up.

The display items should be typed and neatly organized. It also should be

able to stand by itself. The average viewer should be able to quickly grasp

what it is all about without needing you to be present to answer questions or

provide explanations.

Display Board checklist:

_____ Title

_____ Background Research (brief summary of research paper)

_____ Purpose

_____ Problem

_____ Hypothesis

_____ Procedures

_____ Data Tables/Graphs

_____ Conclusion

_____ Abstract on Official Abstract and Certification Form

_____ Back of the board: Your name, Science Teacher’s name, and class

period. (It’s a good idea to attach a copy of your final report to the back)

The next page provides a sample display board design. There is only one

requirement for the display board:

*The Abstract must be placed in the lower left hand corner of the

board (when facing the display)! Other than this one requirement,

you can be creative with the layout of your display board!

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Appendix 1 – Data Notebook

You are required to keep a data notebook which is very much like a diary.

Spiral-bound notebooks or composition books are generally used for this

purpose. The data notebook is a workbook and should not be typed! It is not

meant to be neat yet it should be organized. The information you keep in

this notebook will eventually be transferred to your more formal, typed

Research Paper.

Use the following format to organize your data:

Write the title of your experiment on the first page of your

notebook.

On the second page, write the purpose, problem, and hypothesis.

On the third page, list your materials, where you will obtain your

materials and any precautions you will need to take with dangerous

items.

Finally, it will be time for you to begin. Write the date in the

upper right-hand corner of the page each time you begin a new

entry. Describe everything you do relating to your project from the

time you begin until you are finished. Write very clear, detailed

observations and record any problems you encounter along the

way.

The notes for your research paper can also be included in your data

notebook.

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Appendix 2 – Abstract

The abstract is a 250 word summary of your project. It should be written

AFTER the project is completed, therefore, it should be written in past tense.

The abstract should be placed on the “Official Abstract and Certification”

form. This form should also be placed on your display board. This form is

available through the web page: http://www.floridassef.net/student/student-forms/

Body: The body of the abstract will summarize the following information.

Purpose: The purpose is a statement about what you are attempting to

find out by doing the experiment. A good format is to start out with

“The purpose of my project was to answer the question……….” And

then restate the problem.

Hypothesis: State your hypothesis.

Experimentation: Summarize your procedures; explain how you kept

the conditions controlled; identify the variable and control; explain

how data was collected and measured; state how many trials were

conducted; and identify any safety precautions taken.

Results: The results should explain your data and observations.

Conclusion: The conclusion should compare your hypothesis and

results. State your conclusion then restate the hypothesis and whether

or not it was supported.

Sample Abstract

Brand of Fertilizer vs. Height of Bean Plants

Doe, John

Botany

The purpose of my project was to answer the question, “Do bean plants grow taller with

ACME or Generic brand fertilizer?” I predicted that bean plants given ACME fertilizer will grow taller than bean plants give Generic brand fertilizer. I tested each brand of fertilizer on

a group of 5 bean plants. I also tested a control group of 5 bean plants that received no

fertilizer. The amount of fertilizer, amount of sunlight, amount of water, type of soil,

temperature, type of plant and starting size of plants were all kept the same for all 15 plants. The only factor that was changed on purpose was the type of fertilizer. The height of each

plant was measured in centimeters using a ruler and recorded every other day for 28 days. My

results showed that on average the ACME group grew the tallest at 26 cm, while the Generic group grew 23 cm and the control group only 20 cm. My conclusion was that I had correctly

predicted that ACME fertilizer would make the plants grow the tallest. The ACME group

grew an average of 3 cm taller than the Generic and an average of 6 cm taller than the control group.

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