SCIENCE FAIR APPLICATION 

Name(s):  1. _______________________________                 2. ______________________________ Category (choose one):

1.    Experiments Using Scientific Method:a.    Life Science b.    Physical Science c.    Earth Science and Astronomy 

2.    Inventions and Engineering  State the problem for the project for the scientific method or briefly describe the purpose of your invention. The statement needs to be in theform of a question._______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Research (list three questions you think you need to have answered prior to starting your project in order to form a hypothesis, which must be based on your research): _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

Please complete and return to your teacher by ____________________ ______________________                                  ____________________    student’s signature                                                                     parent’s signature

      

PROJECT AGREEMENT 

(A group project must show an effort of both participants and will be evaluated accordingly.) Name: Name:  We agree to work together on our Science Fair Project.  We understand that we are equally responsible for the project and we will be graded as a group, not individually.   __________________________                                _____________________________

     Student’s signature                                                 Parent’s signature

TIME TABLE 

 This is a chart to help you keeporganized.  Remember that punctuality is part ofyour grade, so it may be a good idea to make a copyof this document. Keep one copy in your binder, soI can sign it and the other at a visible place inyour house.  You may turn in parts earlier thanstated on this document; however, tardiness willaffect your grade.  DATE WHAT IS DUE TEACHER’S

SIGNATURENovember, 11/24,2014

Science Fair Application and Project Agreement

December 10/11, 2014

Draft of Research Paper to work on in your core class

December 19,2014

Completed research paper with the hypothesis(for Invention category include the purpose of the invention)

January 30,2015

All written parts in a formof a report

Lab report Abstract Bibliography

February 6,2015

Completed board Journals (turned in to

7:45 am your teacher) Models Exhibit

        Research Paper Guidelines 

1. Choose a topic of interest to you and get it approved by your teacher.

 2. Consult at least five references.

 3. Web sites should fall into the following

types:  university or school, government organization, news organization or publication web site (National Geographic, Nature, etc.), or online encyclopedia.  Allother websites should be approved by your teacher by printing out a single copy of the home page with an address cited. 

4. Keep a running list in your journal of all sources used(if relevant to your project).

 5. All reports should include an introduction, a body of

supporting information and a hypothesis for your project.  The hypothesis should not be limited to one sentence; it should clearly indicate what will be tested and what results can be expected based on the

research. It must include “if….then….because” statements.

 Requirements 

1. Minimum 1000 words2. Illustrations, diagrams, etc. with labels3. Cover page with your name, date, teacher’s name and

period4. Bibliography in MLA form, as per www.easybib.com or use

your Write Source 2000 (see Bibliography in the Index section)

                     

Specific Guidelines 

Experiments:

 This report provides the background information on which you will base your hypothesis, just like writing a pre-lab in your science class.  It is done before the experiment begins, or is even planned.  After establishing a question to be answered (i.e. the purpose of the experiment), you must thoroughly research the scientific principles you will be testing.  For example, if the question is"Does Sprite make your roses grow faster than water?", then you must research:

1)    Rose growth2)    Sprite ingredients 3)    Other similar studies.

 This research may lead you to change your experiment.  This is good.  In the above example, theresearch should lead to a clear reason why Sprite might make roses grow faster than water.  If not, then the question needs to be revised.  While background information is important, the research must focus on clear statements that support the hypothesis.  The reader (teacher) needs to know your logical reasoning. Your hypothesis should be based directly on this research.  The research paper itselfmust have a clear thesis, supportive body paragraphs,and the concluding paragraph in the form of an hypothesis.  Your project should not be mentioned in the thesis or the body paragraphs.   

Invention and Engineering: 

For this research paper, follow the above directions.Just remember, that your invention must be testable through the process of the scientific method; therefore you need to state a clear hypothesis based on the research.In your research paper, you must include a statement about the usefulness of the product and what is the improvement comparing to the original.            

 Journal for Experiments:Research paper notes and outline plus 5 entries about the experiment are required. 

The purpose of this journal is to provide a record of sufficient detail of your progress, so a fellow scientist can read your journal, reproduce the results and understand your thought process. This journal or record book should be an accurate summary of the exploration of your topic and of the “events” of your experiment. It is important that the journal is complete and shows others how your experiment was carried out. The well maintained journal or record book is an invaluable and essential part of your science fair project because it details the steps andprocedures you went through to arrive at new information. What should your journal entry look like?

1. Once you have decided on a topic for the fair, you needto explain your choice in your journal.  The reader hasto understand why you chose this particular topic or project. Remember that you want to learn something by doing the project, so this should be stated in your first entry as a purpose.  

 2. Now that you have a topic, you need to conduct

background research.  Since you need 5 sources, you need to keep track of what you read.  Follow the directions for your research. When you read a source, take notes in your journal.  Note the name and the author, as well as the pages.  Next, write an outline for the paper and your thesis statement.  You may want to write a rough draft as well.

 

3. Once you have an hypothesis, you can then proceed to design your project. The nature of your experiment willdetermine how often you need to enter data into your journal. All entries must be dated.  Other than the hypothesis, your journal needs to include the following:

       Sources of supplies and budget       Drawing or sketch of set-up, or equipment for

experiments       Detailed description of procedure for

experimentation       Observations and inferences of results during

experimentation       Calculations, data charts and graphs of results       Results and conclusions

Remember, that you are responsible for your journal entries and that you will be asked periodically to show your progress in your journal. 

 Journal for Inventions and Engineering:  Research paper notes and outline plus 5 entries about the experiment are required. 

The purpose of this journal is to provide a record of sufficient detail of your progress, so a fellow scientist can read your journal, reproduce your results, and understand your thought process.

This journal or record book should be an accurate summary of your exploration of your topic and “events” of your experiment. It is important that thejournal is complete and shows others how your experiment was performed. The well maintained journalor record book is an invaluable and essential part ofyour science fair project because it details the steps and procedures you went through to arrive at new information.

 What should your journal entry look like?1. Once you have decided on a topic for the fair, you need

to explain your choice in your journal.  The reader hasto understand why you chose this particular topic or project. Remember that you want to learn something by doing the project, so this should be stated in your first entry as a purpose. 

 2. Now that you have a topic, you need to conduct

background research.  Since you need 5 sources, you need to keep track of what you read.  Follow the directions for your research. When you read a source, take notes in your journal.  Note the name and the author, as well as the pages.  Next, write an outline for the paper and your thesis statement.  You may want to write a rough draft as well.

 

3. If your subject is inventions, you can now state the purpose of your invention and how you plan testing it. The nature of your invention will determine how often you need to enter data into your journal.

 4. State an hypothesis, which will show how you will test

your invention.  Then proceed with the following entries, which must be dated.

 5. Other than the hypothesis, your journal needs to

include the following:       Sources of supplies and budget       Drawing or sketch of set-up, or equipment for

experiment       Detailed description of procedure for

experimentation       Calculations, data charts and graphs or

results       Results and conclusions

Remember, that you are responsible for your journal entries and thatyou will be asked periodically to show your progress in your journal. 

 Display Requirements for Experiments Using Scientific MethodYour final display will be graded according to the following standards: 

Creativity and OrganizationThe board is constructed in a unique and attractive way.  The board is well balanced; neither overly “busy” nor too sparse.  Color scheme supports the display and does not take away from the substance of the project.

  Effort and Polish

The display is clearly the result of hard work and attention to detail.  Cut-outs and gluing are clean.  Placement of components is well thought out and purposeful. 

  Required Components

1.     Title/Name/Grade2.     Abstract3.     Bibliography4.     All parts of your lab report

a.     Purposeb.     Hypothesisc.     Materialsd.     Proceduree.     Observations represented by charts,

graphs, and other representationsf.      Analysis and Conclusiong.     Discussion

5.     Your research paper must be displayed in front of your project board or clipped to the board

 

 Display Requirements for Inventions and EngineeringYour final display will be graded according to the following standards: 

      Creativity and OrganizationThe board is constructed in a unique and attractive way.  The board is well balanced; neither overly “busy” nor too sparse.  Color scheme supports the display and does not take away from the substance of the project. 

Effort and PolishThe display is clearly the result of hard work and attention to detail.  Cut-outs and gluing are clean.  Placement of components is well thought out and purposeful. 

  Required Components

1.     Title/Name/Grade2.     Abstract3.     Bibliography4.     Purpose of the invention and a summary of

the market research (from your research paper)which establishes the need/marketability of this invention

5.     All parts of your lab report which document the testing of your invention

a.     Problem the invention is intended to solve

b.     Hypothesisc.     Materials used in the testing of your

inventiond.     Procedure-used to test the invention,

not how it was made

e.     Data-represented by charts, graphs, andother representations which fit your experiment

f.      Analysisg.     Discussionh.     Conclusion

6.     Your research paper must be displayed in front of your project board or clipped to the board

7.     A model of your invention should be includedas a part of your display

  

  

        

 Abstracts

       What is an abstract?

 An abstract is a condensed version of a process of a project that highlights the major points investigated, concisely describes the content and scope of the project, and reviews the project in abbreviated form.  

      What is the purpose of a typical abstract?o tell readers what information the report or

project contains.o include the purpose, methods, and scope of the

report or projecto do not provide results, conclusions, or

recommendations.o are always very short, usually 100-150 words.o introduce the subject to readers, who must then

read the report to find out the author's results, conclusions, or recommendations.

       Why are abstracts so important?

 The practice of using key words in an abstract is vital because of today's electronic information retrieval systems. Titles and abstracts are filed electronically, and key words are put in electronic storage. When people search for information, they enter key words related to the subject, and the computer prints out the titles of articles, papers, and reports containing those key words. Thus, an abstract must contain key words about what is essential in an article, paper

                    Research Paper EvaluationNameTitleThesis 10Body 20Hypothesis 10Editing 3Bibliography 5Charts/Illustrations 2TOTAL 50 Lab report evaluation Name: Title:

Question/Purpose(2 points)

Explains the purpose of doing your experiment and includes independent and dependent variables.

Hypothesis

(5 points)

IF…THEN…BECAUSE formatBased on your researchIncludes independent and dependent variables

Materials(2 points)

Includes a complete list of all materials as well as the amounts if more than one is used.

Procedure(2 points)

Step by step list in numerical order of howyou completed the experiment

Observations/Results

(14 points)

Includes both qualitative and quantitative observationsIncludes a data tableIncludes a graph

Analysis/ Conclusion(10 points)

Explains what happened in the experiment, using both variablesRefers to the hypothesis and explains why the results occurred

Discussion

(5 points)

Discusses any errorsExplains whether the lab met the purpose and if not, what could be done differently

Abstract (10 points)

Brief description of the experiment (see directions in the packet)

Timeliness (5 points)

Turned in on time

Originality (5 points)

Project is original, hasn’t been done before

Editing (10 points)

Editing of grammar, spelling, format

Total Points: 70

    

    

Science Fair Board   Name: Point

sComments

Title/Name/Grade/Teacher(s)Centered, visible from a distance (1pt)Purpose/question (1pt)

Hypothesis (1pt)

Abstract (1pt)

Materials (1pt)

Procedure (1pt)

Observations (1pt)

Data Table/graph (2pt)

Analysis/ Conclusion (1pt)

Discussion (1pt)

Bibliography (1pt)

Organization (1 pt)Does the board make sense?Overall neatness/creativity/effort(7 pt)

Colorful, large print, legible, neatLab Journal (10 pt)Includes research notes and 5 other entries (turned in to your teacher)Total Points /30

  

       

 CHECK LIST

 HAVE NEED

RESEARCH (edited, proofread)BIBLIOGRAPHY (5 sources)JOURNAL  (research paper notes and outline plus 5 entries about the experiment/invention)ABSTRACTEXPERIMENT Question/

purpose

 OR

INVENTIONS/ENGINEERING

IntroductionHypothesisMaterialsProcedureResults (charts/graphs)Data analysisDiscussionConclusion