Science Fair

Timmerman School Science Fair

2009-2010

Introduction

Completion of a science fair project is mandatory for all 5-8 grade science students. The following guide contains an example of a completed science fair project. Attention to the due dates for each section of the project is very important so that you do not fall behind. Students are responsible for the completion of this project outside of classroom hours. Once each section is completed, the project should be assembled onto a tri-fold board for presentation.

Each part of the science fair project, “How much water flows through a faucet at different openings?” is boxed at the end of each section as an EXAMPLE only.

A quality science fair project…

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is unique – has not be done by numerous people many times

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shows creativity on the student’s behalf – especially in experimental design

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can be a current issue in science

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is relevant – information must be useful

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has had ALL aspects of the project researched thoroughly by the student ONLY

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has procedures that show consideration for all variables and ahs a control group which is easily identifiable

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has been performed a number of times by the student (will vary for the type of project)

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has data which is numerically measurable (using quantitative observations)

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has a conclusion that is not only relevant, but explains discrepancies and offers solutions to any problems that

may have occurred

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has a thorough log book that is handwritten and contains all data including observations (those numerically

measurable and those qualitative)

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can be explained easily and thoroughly by the student to the judges

Due Dates for each section of the Student’s science fair project:

Topic: Due October 19

Procedure: Due October 26

Hypothesis: November 2

Purpose: Due November 9

Materials: Due November 16

Variables: Due November 23

Log Book: Due November 30

Data: Due December 14

Conclusion: Due December 14

10.

Abstract: Due December 18

11.

Final Project (on tri-fold board): Due January 4

12.

Science Fair (by grade level):

5th – January 5

6th – January 6

7th January 7

8th – January 8

The Awards Assembly will be held on January 15, 2009 in the Timmerman auditorium.

Times will be announced.

1. Topic

A. Start by choosing several large subject areas in which you may have an interest.

Examples: Physical science, Behavioral Science, Engineering, Earth & Environmental Science, Math and Computer

Science, Life Science, Chemistry, or Other (cooking & food science, music, sports science, aerodynamics, etc.)

B. Decide which of the topic areas can be tested. For example it would be difficult to design an experiment to test

research done on hurricanes or planets. Brand comparisons are discouraged.

C. Narrow down the topic by listing relationships that are found within the topic area.

Examples:

Electricity – wire thickness and amps

Plants: cattails and removal of

Animals: mosquitoes and attraction of

Microbiology: bacteria and hand soap

D. When choosing a specific topic, ask yourself the following:

Can I design an experiment that measures the results in numerical terms?

Can I design an experiment that has a cause/effect relationship in the problem?

Is there something that can be compared (usually to a control)?

Is the topic cost effective and are the materials readily available?

Example of a category/topic: Engineering: water flow comparison between different faucet openings

Web Site Help:

Suggestion: It is better to change any experiment you find on the web to make it unique (please try to use them as examples or ideas to guide you in your own research path)

http://www.sciencebuddies.org/

http://www.scienceproject.com/

http://scifair.org/downloads.html

http://www.all-science-fair-projects.com

http://www.stemnet.nf.ca/sciencefairs/intermed.html

http://www.homeworkspot.com/sciencefair/

http://ipl.org/div/projectguide/

http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/fair.html

http://www.uwm.edu/People/caberg/gensci.html

2. Procedure

The procedure is a specific set of steps taken in order to the experiment. Someone who does not know anything about the project should be able to read the procedure and duplicate the experiment without any questions.

Number each step of the procedure.

Use the present tense and third person.

Test ONE variable.

Use SI measurements.

Include as many trials as possible (minimum of 3). When using plants or humans more trials are recommended (minimum of 10)

Example:

Select different faucet openings (closed, half open, fully open) using the same model faucet.

Establish a set water pressure for the faucet water flow.

Measure the amount of liters per minute for a set time from each opening into a graduated container and record

the data.

Document the measurable data in log book.

3. Hypothesis

The hypothesis is an explanation as to the expected outcome of the experiment based on research completed by the student. Write the hypothesis in the form of an if/then statement. Specify exactly what is to be done, the results expected and the reason for the expected results. The hypothesis should be determined based on research completed by the student(s). A recommendation of a minimum of five source should be used before forming a hypothesis.

A student’s hypothesis should be something that you can actually test, known as a testable hypothesis. The student needs to be able to measure both "what is done" and "what will happen." The hypothesis “If rabbits think they are in danger when a predator approaches, then they will run” is not testable. We are unaware of what rabbits “think” and there are not methods to measure rabbit thought processes.

Example: "If I open the faucet [faucet opening size is the independent variable], then it will increase the flow of water [flow of water is the dependent variable].

4. Purpose

The purpose tells the reason for doing an experiment.

Example: The purpose of this experiment is to determine if water flow amount is greater in a faucet dependent on the opening.

5. Materials

Materials – provide a list of all items used to perform the experiment.

A. Include amounts (quantities) and measurements (sizes). Make sure to include enough materials to complete the

total number of trials.

B. Use SI (metric system) units.

Example:

(3) faucets

(3) graduated containers

(1) stop watch

6. Variables

A. Independent Variable (cause) – the variable changed by the scientist; the change made will cause a reaction. There should be only one independent variable. (an action or thing that causes something else to react). Think of any factors that may affect the outcome of the experiment.

Example: water faucet opening

B. Dependent Variable (effect) – the reaction/response to the changed variable

Example: amount of water flowing measured in liters per minute

C. The Constant – the normal conditions to which the results can be compared (remains the same or constant

throughout the experiment)

Example: same faucet brand, same water pressure, same timing device, same amount of minutes, same graduated

container, etc.

7. Log Book

The log book is a daily or weekly documentation of the progress made throughout the experiment.

A. Make sure the log book is handwritten.

B. Include all measurements of data and dates.

C. Include written observations. This may include subjective information. It may also include any problems encountered

and their solutions.

D. Include pictures or drawings of experimental procedures.

Note: The log book is the proof that you performed the experiment. This is required at all science fairs.

Example of information kept in a log book:

•

dates student prepared each faucet opening

•

dates student set up the water pressure flow (or documented the same faucet was used, at the same time, etc.)

•

dates and times of the performed experiment (for each opening)

•

documentation of the amount of liters per minute for each faucet at the given time allotted

•

documentation of any problems, such as the openings slipping and any malfunction

8. Data

Data is an organization of information collected during the experiment; graphs can be created using Microsoft Excel.

The data is obtained from the log book

The data can then be placed into graphs or charts.

The final graph(s) for presentation should include averages only.

Tables/Graphs should include a title, variables, and units.

9. Conclusion

The conclusion is the analysis of the results and a determination of a supported hypothesis.

State whether or not the hypothesis was correct.

Summarize the results and include the averages of the trials for each experimental group.

State the significance of the results and the possible scientific explanation for the outcome.

Tell what future studies can be done as a result of your findings.

Conclusion needs to be written in the third person.

Example:

The conclusion is that the hypothesis is correct. The data showed that water flow does differ in its output depending on the type of opening in the faucet. Over a period of 15 minutes, the fully open faucet released 3 liters per minute. The half-open faucet only released 1.75 liters per minute, and the closed faucet released none during that time. Further research could be done by testing different piping systems (travel distance, floor level, etc.) to see if there is an impact in water flow in liters per minute to determine if the flow was dependent by the openings or the piping system.

10. Abstract

The abstract is an overview of the project and the results of the experiment.

A. Abstracts should be written using APA (American Psychological Association) format, which is found at the following

website:

http://www.societyforscience.org/isef/document/abstrct.pdf

B. Note: This website does not save completed abstracts, so students should copy and past the abstract into a word

document once it has been printed. Please do not copy from the abstract for your project.

C. Students will also have to document five web sites and/or sources used during the project in the abstract. (citing

sources ensures that the ideas a student may have used that were not their own are credited to the source, therefore

avoiding plagiarism of any kind).

11. Final Project

Final project presentations should be on a standard cardboard tri-fold presentation board. Neatness and creativity are encouraged. Do not make the board too distracting by putting too much information, pictures, or materials in the display (this makes it look too “busy”).

Left Side of the board should include: Purpose, hypothesis, and variables

Center – title at the top, data graphs, pictures (no faces shown by human participants)

Right – materials, procedures, conclusion

The experiment Log Book should be placed on the table in front of your project.

The final project will be worth three test grades. The project is mandatory for all students in grades 5-8. One extra help session per week for the next two months will be devoted to project guidance and help, but not for the students to work on the project at school (this is to be done at home only).

Regional II Science Fair Information

Students who receive 1st, 2nd, or 3rd places in their grade level fairs will be given the opportunity to send in their abstracts and registrations to the University of South Carolina Regional II Science Fair. The abstracts will be due to USC on or before February 12, 2010. The abstracts will be reviewed, and the students chosen will participate on the fair March 19, 2010. If the student is chosen to participate, parents should expect to attend as well. This particular science fair will offer the opportunity for the students to compete at an advanced level science fair.

I will be working with the students chosen from Timmerman during the month before the abstracts are due. The students will be expected to attend a session to prepare for the submission and perfect their abstract.