Science Fair Assignments These are the parts of the science fair project
Science Fair- order of items in report This is the order of items as they are to appear in your science fair report.
Title page (if we use one)
abstract (if we use one)
table of contents (if we use one)
problem
hypothesis
materials list
procedures
background research
observations
variables
results
conclusion
bibliography
acknowledgements
The background research and abstract go on the board if you have room.
Staple the background research as a packet.
The bibliography and acknowledgements do not go on the board.
STUDENTS PUT THEIR NAME AND GRADE ON THE BACK SIDE OF THE SCIENCE FAIR BOARD!
Please take a moment to reread this section about the Parts of the Science Fair Report and Project
The Problem
“The problem is the scientific question to be solved. It is best described as an “open-ended” question, which is a question that is answered with a statement, not just a yes or a no. For example, “How does light affect the reproduction of bread mold on white bread?”
Do limit your problem. Note that the previous question is about one life process of molds—reproduction; one type of mold—bread mold; one type of bread—white bread; and one factor that affects its growth—light. To find the answer to a question such as “How does light affect molds?” would require that you test different life processes and an extensive variety of molds.
Do choose a problem that can be solved experimentally. For example, the question “What is mold?” can be answered by finding the definition of the word mold in the dictionary. But “At room temperature, what is the growth rate of bread mold on white bread?” is a question that can be answered by experimentation.”
As in Janice VanCleave’s Guide to More of the Best Science Fair Projects.
Scholastic. 2003. pg. 4-5.
Please take a moment to reread this section about the Problem.
The Hypothesis
A statement telling what you think will happen with a scientific reason why you think that will happen. You need to have a scientific reason to due the experiment. This statement answers the question you write in the problem. It should be writen in the present tense. See What is an Acceptable Science Fair Project Topic? posted on the wikipage.
Please review the Materials/ Procedure sections of your Science Fair Report.
The Materials section of your report should:
List all the materials and supplies used in the project.
Quantities and amounts of each should also be included, especially if the student conducted an experiment.”
Should look like the Investigate Activities in your science textbook and the sample report I passed out.
Check the details for the Materials and Procedures Section in the Science Fair Report Rubric in the St. Joseph Science Fair Handbook.
The Procedure section of your report should:
List and describe in detail the steps the student used to complete the experiment.
The steps should be numbered
Materials should be listed in the procedures section of your report
The steps should show the stages of the project in a way that others could do the experiment.
Note observations and results as well as number of times to repeat the experiment
Should look like the Investigate activities in your science textbook and the sample report I passed out.
Please review the Background Research section of your Science Fair Report.
As discussed in class …
This is the part of the report that contains all the background information the student collected about the topic. Students should locate information for their project in books, articles, journals, interviews, videos, audiotapes and on the Internet. The material from these sources should be summarized in the students own words/ daily language. The information is not copied out of the encyclopedia or book as the author wrote it. Notes should be at least one and one-half typed pages or two plus written pages or longer. Keep the name and details of the sources for the bibliography.
Your Background Research should be:
two to three pages typed/ five to six pages hand written pages long
Written in your own daily language/ not copied out of the book the way it was written
Written in detail and show that you have researched and understood the topic
Have used a variety of sources to collect your material from
Checked for the details for this section in the Science Report Rubric in the St. Joseph Science Fair Handbook.
Please write in proper paragraph form double spaced, checking for spelling, capitals, puunctuation and grammar.
Please review your Works Cited List/ Bibliography Section of your Science Fair Report
The bibliography should list all the printed materials the student consulted in writing their report and conducting their experiment.
Your Bibliography/ Works Cited List should:
List at least 5 sources
List at least 3 different types of sources including books, Internet article, magazines, journals, interviews etc.
Follow the format for each type of entry stated in the St. Joseph Science Fair Handbook.
Alphabetical order by author’s last name/ first word of each entry type
Indent each entry
Skip a line between each entry
Use correct abbreviations
List all information for each entry
Underline information correctly
Spelling should be checked and correct
Be sure to check the details for the Work Cited List in the Science Fair Report Rubric in the St. Joseph Science Fair Handbook.
Please review this information on the Observation and Variables Sections of your Science Fair Report
Tell what you saw happen when you completed your experiment.
What new information was provided as a result of experimenting with your topic?
What do you know now that you didn’t learn before?
Use detail to explain what was learned by conducting your experiment.
Identify and tell about the variables you used in your report/ experiment. “Example:
The variable I used for my experiment was plant growth in different lights. One plant was in complete sunlight and the other in complete darkness…”
Include the daily observation sheets where you recorded what you saw happen in your experiment.
The variable I used for my experiment was plant growth in different lights. One plant was in complete sunlight and the other in complete darkness…”
Include the daily observation sheets where you recorded what you saw happen in your experiment.
Check the grading rubric details at the back of the St. Joseph Science Fair Handbook.
Check your work for spelling, grammar, complete thoughts, capitals and punctuation.
Please review this information on the Results section of your Science Fair Report
Give a detailed explanation of the observations recorded during the experiment.
Include at least a half page written response.
Include visual explanations through the use of graphs, charts and diagrams.
Include any Additional Research done after you completed the Background Section.
Check the grading rubric for the Results section at the back of the St. Joseph Science Fair Handbook
Check your work for spelling, grammar, complete thoughts, punctuation and capitals.
Please review this information about the Conclusion section of your Science Fair Report
Be a brief statement explaining why a project turned out the way it did.
Explain what you observed using the word “because” is a good way to turn the observation into a conclusion.
Tell whether the hypothesis was proven true or not.
Relate to the experiment and what actually happened. Do not change it to prove the hypothesis true.
Check out the guidelines for the conclusion section in the grading rubric.
Check your work for spelling, grammar, complete thoughts, capitals and punctuation.
Please check this information on the Science Fair Presentation Board of your Science Fair Project
Be sure that Your Science Fair Presentation Board Meets the Items on this Checklist:
Colorful and attractive
Organized, all the parts of your science fair project. are present
Neatly typed
Titles are clearly visible
You have used visual aids
Meets all the requirements
Is three-dimensional: you display samples and important objects from your work
Your information is accurate
You have checked the board for spelling, grammar, complete thoughts, capitals and punctuation
You have met all safety regulations and items in the “Notes” section of the St. Joseph Science Fair Handbook
You have put your name and grade on the board
Please refer to the visual aid in the St. Joseph Science Fair Handbook
Please refer to the Keys to a Successful Project section of the St. Joe’s Science Fair Handbook
Please check the grading rubric for the Science Presentation Board in the St. Joe’s Science Fair Handbook.
Please review the Science Fair Presentation Boards section pgs. 20-21 at back of the Science text
Describe the variables used in your experiment.
The data sheet(s) of your experiment records should be included.
“Example: The variable I used for my experiment was plant growth in different lights. One plant variable was in complete sunlight and the other in complete darkness…”
Parents and students may wish to refer to Janice VanCleave’s Science Fair Handbook
available in paperback at most bookstores or online at
**__http://schooldiscovery.com/sciencefaircentral/scifairstudio/hanbook/scientificmethod.html__**
“Project experimentation is the process of testing a hypothesis: things that have an effect on the experiment are called variables. There are three kinds of variables that you may identify in your experiments: independent, dependent and controlled.
The independent variable is the variable you purposely may (change). The dependent variable is the variable that is being observed, which changes in response to the independent variables; variables that are not changed in an experiment are the same except for one are called controlled variables.
An experiment involving the growth of mold on bread concerns the effect of light on the reproduction of bread mold.
The independent variable for the experiment is light and the dependent variable is bread mold reproduction that is a test, which the independent is kept constant in that it measures changes to the dependent variable. In a control, all are identical to the experiment set up except for—your original set up—the independent variable.
Factors that are that are identical in both the experimental set up and the control set up are the control variables. For example, prepare the experiment by placing three or four pieces of white bread in cardboard boxes the size of a breadbox, one in each box. Close the boxes so that they receive no light. If at the end of the time period, mold grows, you might decide that no light is needed for mold reproduction. But before making this decision, you determine experimentally if the mold would grow with light. The control groups must be set up of bread that receives light through the testing period. Do this by placing an equal number of loaves in comparable-size boxes, but leave them open.
The other variables for the experiment and control set upset the environmental conditions for the room where the boxes are –time, temperature and humidity—and the brand of the bread used is kept the same. These are controlled variables.
Do have only one independent variable during an experiment.
Do repeat the experiment more than once to verify your results.
Do have a control variable.
Do have more than one control, with each being identical.
Do organize data.”
Science Fair- order of items in report This is the order of items as they are to appear in your science fair report.
Title page (if we use one)
abstract (if we use one)
table of contents (if we use one)
problem
hypothesis
materials list
procedures
background research
observations
variables
results
conclusion
bibliography
acknowledgements
The background research and abstract go on the board if you have room.
Staple the background research as a packet.
The bibliography and acknowledgements do not go on the board.
STUDENTS PUT THEIR NAME AND GRADE ON THE BACK SIDE OF THE SCIENCE FAIR BOARD!
Please take a moment to reread this section about the Parts of the Science Fair Report and Project
The Problem
“The problem is the scientific question to be solved. It is best described as an “open-ended” question, which is a question that is answered with a statement, not just a yes or a no. For example, “How does light affect the reproduction of bread mold on white bread?”
Do limit your problem. Note that the previous question is about one life process of molds—reproduction; one type of mold—bread mold; one type of bread—white bread; and one factor that affects its growth—light. To find the answer to a question such as “How does light affect molds?” would require that you test different life processes and an extensive variety of molds.
Do choose a problem that can be solved experimentally. For example, the question “What is mold?” can be answered by finding the definition of the word mold in the dictionary. But “At room temperature, what is the growth rate of bread mold on white bread?” is a question that can be answered by experimentation.”
As in Janice VanCleave’s Guide to More of the Best Science Fair Projects.
Scholastic. 2003. pg. 4-5.
Please take a moment to reread this section about the Problem.
The Hypothesis
A statement telling what you think will happen with a scientific reason why you think that will happen. You need to have a scientific reason to due the experiment. This statement answers the question you write in the problem. It should be writen in the present tense. See What is an Acceptable Science Fair Project Topic? posted on the wikipage.
Please review the Materials/ Procedure sections of your Science Fair Report.
The Materials section of your report should:
List all the materials and supplies used in the project.
Quantities and amounts of each should also be included, especially if the student conducted an experiment.”
Should look like the Investigate Activities in your science textbook and the sample report I passed out.
Check the details for the Materials and Procedures Section in the Science Fair Report Rubric in the St. Joseph Science Fair Handbook.
The Procedure section of your report should:
List and describe in detail the steps the student used to complete the experiment.
The steps should be numbered
Materials should be listed in the procedures section of your report
The steps should show the stages of the project in a way that others could do the experiment.
Note observations and results as well as number of times to repeat the experiment
Should look like the Investigate activities in your science textbook and the sample report I passed out.
Please review the Background Research section of your Science Fair Report.
As discussed in class …
This is the part of the report that contains all the background information the student collected about the topic. Students should locate information for their project in books, articles, journals, interviews, videos, audiotapes and on the Internet. The material from these sources should be summarized in the students own words/ daily language. The information is not copied out of the encyclopedia or book as the author wrote it. Notes should be at least one and one-half typed pages or two plus written pages or longer. Keep the name and details of the sources for the bibliography.
Your Background Research should be:
two to three pages typed/ five to six pages hand written pages long
Written in your own daily language/ not copied out of the book the way it was written
Written in detail and show that you have researched and understood the topic
Have used a variety of sources to collect your material from
Checked for the details for this section in the Science Report Rubric in the St. Joseph Science Fair Handbook.
Please write in proper paragraph form double spaced, checking for spelling, capitals, puunctuation and grammar.
Please review your Works Cited List/ Bibliography Section of your Science Fair Report
The bibliography should list all the printed materials the student consulted in writing their report and conducting their experiment.
Your Bibliography/ Works Cited List should:
List at least 5 sources
List at least 3 different types of sources including books, Internet article, magazines, journals, interviews etc.
Follow the format for each type of entry stated in the St. Joseph Science Fair Handbook.
Alphabetical order by author’s last name/ first word of each entry type
Indent each entry
Skip a line between each entry
Use correct abbreviations
List all information for each entry
Underline information correctly
Spelling should be checked and correct
Be sure to check the details for the Work Cited List in the Science Fair Report Rubric in the St. Joseph Science Fair Handbook.
Please review this information on the Observation and Variables Sections of your Science Fair Report
Tell what you saw happen when you completed your experiment.
What new information was provided as a result of experimenting with your topic?
What do you know now that you didn’t learn before?
Use detail to explain what was learned by conducting your experiment.
Identify and tell about the variables you used in your report/ experiment. “Example:
The variable I used for my experiment was plant growth in different lights. One plant was in complete sunlight and the other in complete darkness…”
Include the daily observation sheets where you recorded what you saw happen in your experiment.
The variable I used for my experiment was plant growth in different lights. One plant was in complete sunlight and the other in complete darkness…”
Include the daily observation sheets where you recorded what you saw happen in your experiment.
Check the grading rubric details at the back of the St. Joseph Science Fair Handbook.
Check your work for spelling, grammar, complete thoughts, capitals and punctuation.
Please review this information on the Results section of your Science Fair Report
Give a detailed explanation of the observations recorded during the experiment.
Include at least a half page written response.
Include visual explanations through the use of graphs, charts and diagrams.
Include any Additional Research done after you completed the Background Section.
Check the grading rubric for the Results section at the back of the St. Joseph Science Fair Handbook
Check your work for spelling, grammar, complete thoughts, punctuation and capitals.
Please review this information about the Conclusion section of your Science Fair Report
Be a brief statement explaining why a project turned out the way it did.
Explain what you observed using the word “because” is a good way to turn the observation into a conclusion.
Tell whether the hypothesis was proven true or not.
Relate to the experiment and what actually happened. Do not change it to prove the hypothesis true.
Check out the guidelines for the conclusion section in the grading rubric.
Check your work for spelling, grammar, complete thoughts, capitals and punctuation.
Please check this information on the Science Fair Presentation Board of your Science Fair Project
Be sure that Your Science Fair Presentation Board Meets the Items on this Checklist:
Colorful and attractive
Organized, all the parts of your science fair project. are present
Neatly typed
Titles are clearly visible
You have used visual aids
Meets all the requirements
Is three-dimensional: you display samples and important objects from your work
Your information is accurate
You have checked the board for spelling, grammar, complete thoughts, capitals and punctuation
You have met all safety regulations and items in the “Notes” section of the St. Joseph Science Fair Handbook
You have put your name and grade on the board
Please refer to the visual aid in the St. Joseph Science Fair Handbook
Please refer to the Keys to a Successful Project section of the St. Joe’s Science Fair Handbook
Please check the grading rubric for the Science Presentation Board in the St. Joe’s Science Fair Handbook.
Please review the Science Fair Presentation Boards section pgs. 20-21 at back of the Science text
Describe the variables used in your experiment.
The data sheet(s) of your experiment records should be included.
“Example: The variable I used for my experiment was plant growth in different lights. One plant variable was in complete sunlight and the other in complete darkness…”
Parents and students may wish to refer to Janice VanCleave’s Science Fair Handbook
available in paperback at most bookstores or online at
**__http://schooldiscovery.com/sciencefaircentral/scifairstudio/hanbook/scientificmethod.html__**
“Project experimentation is the process of testing a hypothesis: things that have an effect on the experiment are called variables. There are three kinds of variables that you may identify in your experiments: independent, dependent and controlled.
The independent variable is the variable you purposely may (change). The dependent variable is the variable that is being observed, which changes in response to the independent variables; variables that are not changed in an experiment are the same except for one are called controlled variables.
An experiment involving the growth of mold on bread concerns the effect of light on the reproduction of bread mold.
The independent variable for the experiment is light and the dependent variable is bread mold reproduction that is a test, which the independent is kept constant in that it measures changes to the dependent variable. In a control, all are identical to the experiment set up except for—your original set up—the independent variable.
Factors that are that are identical in both the experimental set up and the control set up are the control variables. For example, prepare the experiment by placing three or four pieces of white bread in cardboard boxes the size of a breadbox, one in each box. Close the boxes so that they receive no light. If at the end of the time period, mold grows, you might decide that no light is needed for mold reproduction. But before making this decision, you determine experimentally if the mold would grow with light. The control groups must be set up of bread that receives light through the testing period. Do this by placing an equal number of loaves in comparable-size boxes, but leave them open.
The other variables for the experiment and control set upset the environmental conditions for the room where the boxes are –time, temperature and humidity—and the brand of the bread used is kept the same. These are controlled variables.
Do have only one independent variable during an experiment.
Do repeat the experiment more than once to verify your results.
Do have a control variable.
Do have more than one control, with each being identical.
Do organize data.”
