Science Fair Project

The Science Fair is coming up! The due date is February 27, 2017. You will be graded on 3 parts: the exhibit (either a tri-board or a powerpoint presentation), the Journal entries, and the oral presentation in front of the class. The main thing is that you understand the Scientific Method and you do all the steps that go along with it (look at the handout you got that your parents had to sign). You can work by yourself or with 1 partner (who I have to approve of). There are many resources in this post to help you! You'll see them below. 

                                  Science Fair Project TIPS

•*Doesn’t have to be “science” related- make the project something you like, that interests you, as long as you use the scientific method, its TESTABLE, and includes the independent variable, dependent variable, and constants (i.e. sports, food, plants).

•Use materials that are safe, healthy, & cheap to buy (99¢ store)

•*Take pictures or videos of your experiment, to show proof you really did it and post it on your board or powerpoint! (you can email the pics to yourself)

•Don’t do an experiment where you already know the answer.

•No models (i.e. Volcanoes).  You’re not building something.

•No opinion experiments (i.e. Which chocolate bar tastes better?)  Make sure you can measure or observe your results!
•Don't repeat the same experiments from last year.
•Keep the Research paper separate from the exhibit. It should be handed in on its own.
•Include a section for your Sources at the end of the board and Research paper.


Important Vocabulary to know!:
If you forgot what the independent and dependent variables mean, here are the definitions:

1) The 1 thing we test, change, or is different between the experimental groups is the INDEPENDENT VARIABLE.  (we control it!)

2) What we measure or observe is the DEPENDENT VARIABLE. It’s the results or data we collect at the end.                                                                                                                                                                                                           
3) CONSTANTS (controlled variables): Variables that are kept the same, don’t change.


A good Problem starts with the words:

}Does, What, Which, How, If?
}A problem is testable if you can actually do the experiment with materials. It has to be answered through investigations that involve experiments, observations, or surveys. You have to be able to measure the collected evidence or observe your results.

Examples of Good Testable Q’s:

            1) Which type of paper towel absorbs the most water?

            2) Does salt water or sugar water boil faster?                                                     
     3) What will happen to a plant's growth if you add vitamin water instead 
          of tap water?                                                   

If you forgot what goes in each step, here is a picture to help you:

Now, here are some great websites where you can get ideas for your Science Fair Project. But remember, you cannot copy and paste the steps from these sites. I can tell if you did! Write what you did in your own words. Now click on any of them below to get ideas for your experiment:

Science Buddies

National Geographic Kids

Science Fair Adventure

All Science Fair Projects

Science Fair Projects World

Discovery Education- Science Fair Central

Chemistry Science Projects

Science Kids

Free Science Fair Project

Science Bob

Science Fair Project Ideas (Education.com)


If you need even more ideas for a project, click here --> More Ideas & Topics for the Science Fair

Remember to give your board a Title in the center area. Some of the words you can use for a Title include: The Effects of...  The Comparative Study of... The Observation of...
    
Here is a picture of what the display board should look like --> Board sample 1
This is also another document that lists all the steps you should include on your board --> Board sample 2
Also, take a look at these student sample boards --> Student Sample Boards

And finally, here are other forms that your board can look like (click on them to see the images bigger!):

For this last poster, if you want to find out more about each section, click on this link and then click on each section to learn more --> Organize my Investigation (Urban Advantage)

For the Results section, here are two pictures that show you how to create a data table:

In the above data table, the Question would be: "Does the color of an M&M affect how long it takes it for it to dissolve in water?"

In addition, you can also create a bar graph to show your Results. **If you are doing multiple trials, your graph can just include bars for the averages of your results, not for each trial. Here is a reminder of how the graph should be set up, with an example below. 
**Also, check out this website that makes a bar or line graph for you that you can print out or copy at the end. If you copy it, paste it directly onto your Slides (don't email the graph to me separately!). And remember that the IV goes on the y-axis and the DV goes on the x-axis. Here is the link  --> Create a Graph!

If you have more than one set of data, show each series in a different color or symbol and include a legend with clear labels. And if you make a line graph, remember that this type of graph is good to use when you look at how something changes over time or sometimes across space.

*For this Science Fair Project you have to have at least 7 Journal Entries (like a Reflection section). Here is a link that will show you how to make a Journal Entry -->  Journal Entry information

Next is the Research Paper, which has to be written in a certain way. Proofread the entire research paper with a parent or older sibling, editing content, grammar mistakes, and punctuation before you hand it in. Here is the format for the Research Paper, plus a Sample paper written by a student--> Research Paper format and Sample

Here is the Rubric for the Science Fair Project, which is how you are going to be graded--> Sci Fair Project RUBRIC

And if you lost your Science Fair Packet, here is a copy--> Science Fair Packet

If you'd like to see a BrainPop video on the Science Fair Project, click on here--> BrainPop-Science Fair Project

**For my Honor Classes (701, 703), click on the Proposal Link below and answer the first 3 questions in your notebook for homework (including who your partner will be). This is for me to get an idea of what you might do as a Science Fair project. Your topic may change later on, so don't worry. For now, click on here--> Science Project Proposal

Remember, you can email me anytime with questions!