2011-2012Sequoia Secondary

Junior High Science Fair Student Guide

Science Fair Information Letter/Parent Acknowledgment

Dear Parents,On November 22 and 23, 2011 Sequoia Secondary School will be holding its Science Fair. All

junior high general science students must participate. Students are allowed to work alone, in pairs, or in groups of three. Most of the project will be completed during class time. There are many check points along the way to a completed project. If you would like to see your child's progress during the project, please check PowerSchool or contact Mrs. Hedman via email: joan.hedman@edkey.org

This project is a major portion of your child’s science grade for the first semester. It is very important that your child stay on track and meet all the required due dates while following the steps of the inquiry process.

The project must include the following: Research Project Overview form (outline of the research to be done) Written experiment design and procedures At least three sets of results displayed in tables and graphs Materials from research to show at the science fair (exhibit) Display board that can stand by itself Typed report with bibliography In-class presentation

A science project is NOT a report about a scientific topic. It is NOT a demonstration or something your child builds.

A science fair project IS research that tries to answer a scientific, testable question with information gathered during an experiment. Students' projects must measure something.

The attached packet has directions on each part of the project (project, research report, display board, and presentation) along with suggestions that will help your child succeed. The guidelines will help your child narrow down a topic, focus on the deadlines and expectations, and give directions and ideas on creating an effective project. There are many science fair websites with ideas and “how to” information. Please see the Science Fair page on the SequioaSecondary.org Teacher Pages (under For Students - JH General Science) for links to websites with helpful information and suggestions.

Please contact Mrs. Hedman (joan.hedman@edkey.org) with any questions.Parent Acknowledgment: I have reviewed the Science Fair Handbook with my student. I understand that attendance is very important during this time since most of the project will be completed during school hours.

Student Name (please print): _________________________________ (Teacher Use) Project #: ________

Student Signature: __________________________________________ date __________________

Mark one: _____ my student is working alone _____my student is working with the following student(s) (up to three students may work together on a science project): _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Parent signature:____________________________________________ date ________________

Research Project Overview Form Date Due: ____________

Project #:_____________________ Day: _______ Hour: ______

Question:

Hypothesis (Your tentative explanation of the problem-an attempt to answer question)

Experimental Design/Procedure (Explain what you intend to do & how you intend to do it-use specific amounts in metric only):

What is your independent variable (what are you changing on purpose):

___________________________________________________________________________

What is your dependent variable (what are you measuring because you changed the IV):

Control(s) (what are you keeping the same, so you know changes are because of the IV):

List any equipment you will be using:

Teacher Approval: ________________________________________ Date:_______________

Sequoia Secondary Junior High Science Fair Student Guide Revised September 2011

Sequoia Secondary Junior High Science Fair Student Guide Revised September 2011

The Inquiry Process ( The Scientific Method): How to do a science experiment1. Choose a problem. (What do you want to explore? Ask a question about it.) Date Due: __________

Choose something that interests you. Choose something you don’t know the answer to. Choose something you can work with.

2. Research your problem. (How can you find the answer to your question?) Date Due: __________ Look in books. Research the internet. Get advice. Make observations.

3. Develop a hypothesis. A hypothesis is an idea that is based on known facts and can be tested. (What do you think the answer will be?) Date Due: __________

State the hypothesis as a fact. Do not use personal pronouns (I, me, we, my). You may use “The scientists think" or "Investigators believe.” Form your hypothesis from a simple question. Your hypothesis must be very clear so you can test it.

4. Write your procedures. (Tell what you will do to test your hypothesis) Date Due: __________ List the materials you will need. List each thing you will do. Number each step in order. Write down everything you will do. Others

should be able to repeat your experiment by reading your procedures. Be sure that you are testing your hypothesis. (Is there anything you haven’t considered that could

affect your experiment?) Control your variables. (A variable is anything that can change or vary during an experiment. In an

experiment, everything should be the same each time you test, except the one variable you are testing.)

5. Test your hypothesis. 1st Set Due: ________ 2nd Set Due: __________ 3rd Set Due: __________ Get your materials. Follow your procedures. Make observations. Collect data and record it in a journal (notebook): AT LEAST 3 sets of results Be honest.

6. Organize your data. Date Due: ______________ Make tables, charts, or graphs. Write a summary of your observations. Draw pictures or take photographs to show your results and/or procedures.

7. State your conclusions. (What happened? Was it what you expected? Did you find out what you wanted to know?) Date Due: _______________

Look at your data. Decide what your data tells you about your hypothesis based on your results. Decide how you might change your hypothesis based on your results. Think about what you might do to experiment further. Communicate the results with others.

Writing the Research Report

The research report is in addition to the information put on display and goes beyond the actual experimentation. It gives more detailed information about the science project and may include pictures, diagrams and added knowledge you have gained through reading or talking with professionals in your topic's research area. The research report may also include any materials that you may have sent away for, newspaper or magazine articles, and emails from other research scientists.

Creating your research report file1. You MUST use the Science Fair Research Report TEMPLATE found on the Science Fair page of SequoiaSecondary.org Teacher Pages - JH General Science.2. Use the "save as" function to save a copy of the document to your H: drive so it will be AT SCHOOL. 3.The name of your document should be your PROJECT NUMBER. Do not put any names on the report.

I. Title Page Date Due: __________________Center the project title. Students are to put their PROJECT NUMBER, assigned by the teacher, at the bottom. DO NOT put any names on the research report. Add graphics, clip art, or pictures. This handbook has an example of a title page.Checklist___ Is the title centered on its own page?___ Is the title interesting?___ Does the title tell you what the project is about?

II. Abstract Date Due: __________________The Abstract is a single paragraph no more than 250 words long that summarizes your entire project. The abstract should be on the first page after the title page, and it should be on a page by itself. The Abstract should contain the following sentences: 1. Purpose: The statement that explains why you are doing the experiment 2. Question: The question that you are trying to answer with your research3. Hypothesis: A testable hypothesis including your independent variable and what result you expect.4. Procedures: A brief summary of how the experiment was performed and the key points. Do not number the steps of your procedure in the abstract.5. Results: A brief description of the important results that lead directly to your conclusion-do not give too many details or include tables or graphs of data.6. Conclusions: A statement of what you learned through your testing, including whether or not your hypothesis was supported.

Checklist___ Is the abstract on its own page?___ Is the abstract page immediately after the title page?___ Is the abstract ONE paragraph, with a MAXIMUM of 250 words?___ Does the abstract contain each of the 6 sentences listed above?

III. Introduction Date Due: __________________ The Introduction section includes your purpose, problem, research information, and hypothesis.

1. Purpose: The reason why you are conducting this research and doing this experiment.

Checklist___ Is the purpose a single sentence?___ Does the purpose tell why you did the experiment?2. Problem: In question format-the scientific question to be solved. It should be an open-ended question that is answered with a statement, not a yes or no. Ex: “How does the color of light affect the growth of a plant?”

Checklist___ Is the problem presented as a single question?___ Is the question testable? ___ Can you measure what the question is asking about?

3. Research & Background Information: A summary of all of the information you have learned by doing your initial research on the problem. Report of all information related to the subject telling what was found out about the problem, using reference materials (books, magazines articles, personal communication, internet, etc) before and during the experiment.

Checklist___ Is the research section in paragraph form?___ Did you describe or show how the research helped you decide how to test your question?

4. Hypothesis: The ‘educated guess’ that answers the problem. It is statement with a reason. The experiment is designed to test the hypothesis. The hypothesis does not change even if the results are different. Ex: “All plants need regular white light to grow." The format can be a simple statement, for example, "All plants need regular white light to grow," or use an "If… then" format: "If (the independent variable is changed) then (a certain result will happen)." Ex: "If plants are exposed to different amounts of light, the plants receiving the most light will grow the most."

Checklist___ Is the hypothesis a single, testable statement?___ Does the hypothesis include the independent variable (what you are changing)?___ Does the hypothesis say what results are expected?___ Does the hypothesis avoid the use of personal pronouns (I, we, etc)? IV. Methods (Experiment): Date Due: __________________ The Methods section includes the subjects, variables, materials, and procedures used.

1. Subjects: Explain what you are testing. For example, if you are looking at how light affects plant growth, your subjects are plants. If you are testing how energy drinks affect athletic performance, your subjects are the athletes. If you are testing how far Matchbox cars travel compared to Hot Wheels, your subject is the cars.Checklist___ Does your list of subjects tell what you are doing your research on or with?

2. Variables: The items that have an effect on the experiment. There are three kinds of variables: Independent, dependent, and controlled.

a. Independent: The variable or something that you change on purpose to produce different results. In the plant example above, the independent variable is the amount of light the plants are getting.

b. Dependent: The variable or something that changes because of the independent variable. The dependent variable is what you are observing and measuring. You expect it to change because of the changes in the independent variable.

c. Controlled: The items that do not change during the experiment. For example, if you are testing the effects of light on plant growth, you would make sure that you are using all the same kind of plant, because some plants grow faster than others. It wouldn't make sense to compare a sunflower (fast growing) to a strawberry (very slow growing).

Checklist___ Is your independent variable the one you are changing to see what happens?___ Is your dependent variable the one you are measuring?___ Is your list of controlled variables complete? (The only thing you should be changing is the independent variable)

3. Materials: List any supplies and equipment you will use to do your experiment and test your hypothesis. Use specific amounts and brands so that another researcher could reproduce your experiment exactly.

Checklist___ Is your list of materials complete so that someone else could do the same experiment and get the same results?___ Did you include specific brands and amounts?___ Did you include all equipment, including the devices you used to measure?

4. Procedures: Exact directions on how to do the experiment, step by step. It should be detailed so that someone would be able to repeat the experiment. Use numbers to list steps like in a recipe. Use only metric units. Ex: 1. Mix 2 grams of salt and 2 grams of sugar.

2. Heat mixture for 3 minutes at 78 degrees Celsius.3. Let the mixture stand for 5 minutes.4. Observe.

Checklist___ Are your steps numbered?___ Are your steps clear and easy to follow?___ Do your steps make sense?___ Did you include information about what and how you measured, including the metric units you used?

V. Results: Date Due: __________________ The Results section includes the outcome of your research, shown by tables, graphs, and/or diagrams.

1. Tables, graphs, diagrams: Your data should be shown in a clear, organized format. You must include at least one data table and at least one graph. Your results must include at least 3 sets of measurements to increase the reliability of your data.

Checklist___ Did you include all of your raw data in one or more tables?___ Did you include a graph or chart?___ Does your chart have a title, and are all the axes and data series labeled correctly?

2. Analysis: An explanation of whether or not the hypothesis is supported by the data and how it is supported. Do not use personal pronouns (I, me, we, etc.) Try using “The scientists or investigators found...”

Checklist___ Did you include a graph or table of data showing your results?___ Did you explain in words what your data showed? ___ Does your explanation make sense?___ Did you say whether or not your hypothesis was supported, and why?

VI. Discussion Date Due: __________________The Discussion section includes your conclusion, application and recommendations.

1. Conclusion: Specifically summarizes what you have discovered and how the results compare to the hypothesis and why the hypothesis was supported or not supported. Review how the data related to any information you have learned while doing your background research.

2. Application: A brief description about how the project relates to real world problems or situations.3. Recommendations: Describe ways to make your research project better. Did you make any mistakes?

How would you fix them if you did the research again? How could you make your research more valuable to real-world situations?

Checklist___ Did you restate your hypothesis and say whether or not it was supported?___ Did you describe some real-world use for your research?___ Did you talk about ways to extend or improve your project?

VII. Bibliography/References Date Due: __________________List of properly formatted list of all sources you have used. Use the website: http://www.bibme.org/, or see the itemized list of proper formats below. Put your sources alphabetical order. This is the last page of the written Research Report.

Checklist___ Did you include all of your reference sources in your bibliography?___Are your sources listed alphabetically?___ Is each source listed with the proper format?

Reference Material How to site informationBook (one author) Author's last name, first name. Title of Book. Place of Publication:

Publisher, Year of publicationEx: Crow, Joan. Toothbrush. New York: Viking Press, 1921.

Book (2 or more authors) First Author's last name, first name, second author’s first & last name, and third author's first & last name. Title of Book. Place of publication: Publisher, Publication year.Ex: Allison, Mead A., Arthur T. DeGaetano, and Jay M. Pasachoff. Earth Science. Orlando: Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, 2008.

Magazine Article (author) Author's last name, first name. “Title of Article.” Title of Magazine. Date magazine issue was published: PagesEx: Persons, Joyce. “The Population Problem.” Time. 3 March 1997:88-89.

Magazine Article (no author) “Title of Article.” Title of Magazine. Date magazine issue was published: pages.Ex: “The Crowded Earth.” Newsweek. 22 May 1998: 22-26.

Interview that you conducted Last name of person being interviewed, first name. Personal Interview. Date of interview.Ex: Presley, Elvis. Personal Interview. 1 January 2004.

Video or Sound Recording Name of Author. Title of Video or Sound Recording. Publisher, Publication year. Ex: U2. All That You Can’t Leave Behind. Interscope, 2000.

Web site (no author) “Title of Article or Website.” <internet address (URL)> Date.Ex: “Earth Day Information.” <www.edu/earthday.org> 2011.

Science Fair Project Display Board Date Due: ____________

After the research, experimentation, time, and effort spent on the preparation of your science fair project, your presentation should show off all your hard work. First impressions can make a difference! Boards are judged on scientific thought, creativity, neatness, punctuation, and grammar. DO YOUR BEST WORK!

All projects will need to follow the guideline below when assembling the display board. I have many of these free-standing display boards from last year or you can purchase one in local stores, or at school and office supply stores. The display board can be easily created by formatting sections of your research report with a larger font size for easier reading, and then pasting these on to the board.

Problem Data

Materials Procedure Purpose

Hypothesis Conclusion

Abstract Application

Data Research

Notebook Report & Exhibit

Display Board Checklist

___Project #___Problem ___Procedure___Purpose ___Controls___Hypothesis ___Variables___Abstract ___Data ___Title ___Conclusion___Materials ___Application

Remember to put your PROJECT NUMBER on the front of your display board, near the title.Do NOT put any names on your display board.

Variables (IV/DV)

TITLE Project #

Controls/Constants

Graphs, charts, tables, photos

and/or pictures/drawings

Presentation Tips

Each group will present their project during regular class time. In order to have a successful presentation, you should do the following:

Begin by telling the class your PROJECT NUMBER and then introducing yourself . For team projects, each team member may introduce him- or herself, or they may be introduced by the first speaker.

After introductions, state the name of your project, then describe the project’s purpose, problem (question), and hypothesis.

Clearly explain your procedure. Point out pictures, diagrams, or other objects on the display board. Visuals help to explain the project and help the class understand how much work you’ve done.

Explain your results

Discuss the conclusion. Was the hypothesis supported or not? Tell the class about any interesting observations you may have made or recommendations you might have to continue your project

Discuss any application or practical uses in the real world.

Be sure to know and understand all the terms associated with the report.

You must speak for at least 3 minutes and no more than 5 minutes. At the end of your presentation, you may ask the class, “Do you have any questions?”

Write the presentation on note cards. Only refer to them but never read word for word.

If someone asks you a question on something you do not know, don’t get stuck on that but discuss what you do know.

Be sure to practice the presentation. Use family members, friends, or a mirror

Make sure you can properly pronounce terms that will be used in the presentation.

Stand up straight and face the class.

If you get nervous, it’s usually a good idea to reference pictures and graphs. Remember every one wants you to do well.

Speak clearly and slowly.

Project Timeline

All assignments must be turned in on time for full credit. Late projects will not be eligible for prizes.

Due Date Points Assignment (unless otherwise noted, due at END of class)

Sep 13&14 -- Start project

Sep 15& 16 Teams formed; Parent letter (due at beginning of class)

Sep 21 & 22 10 Question: what will you be investigating? (Project Numbers assigned)

Sep 26 & 27 10 Research complete

Sep 28 & 29 10 Bibliography/References due

Oct 3 & 4 10 Hypothesis

Oct 5 & 6 20 Procedure

Oct 5 & 6 25 Research Project Overview Form (p. 3 of this handbook)

Oct 17 & 18 10 Results set 1 (results from first round of testing)

Oct 25 & 26 20 Introduction section of report duePurpose * Problem * Research information * Hypothesis

Oct 25 & 26 10 Results set 2 (results from second round of testing)

Oct 27 & 28 25 Experimental Design/Method section of report dueSubjects * Variables * Materials * Procedure

10/31, 11/1 10 Results set 3 (results from third round of testing)

Nov 2 & 3 25 Results and Discussion sections of reportTables, Graphs * Analysis * Conclusion * Application * Recommendations

Nov 2 & 3 25 Abstract due

Nov 9 & 10 20 Rough Draft 1 of Research Report due

Nov 16 & 17 20 Rough Draft 2 of Research Report due

Nov 22, 23 300 Complete project due AT BEGINNING OF CLASSResearch report (200 pts) * Physical project (exhibit) * Display board (100 pts)

Nov 22, 23 50 Sequoia Secondary Science Fair; presentations during class time

Total Points: 600

Junior High Science Fair winners will be announced after the Thanksgiving Break.

Judging and AwardsJudging

Science projects are judged on three parts: the research report, the display board, and the presentation. All parts of the science project should be identified by PROJECT NUMBER only, except the presentation, during which team members must introduce themselves after telling their project number. Using project numbers helps to keep the judging fair.

The research reports will be graded by Mrs. Hedman and at least one other judge according to the rubric which will be posted. The final score will be the average of the scores awarded.

The project display boards will be judged during science fair hours by at least two judges according to the rubric which will be posted. The final score will be the average of the scores awarded.

Presentations will be given during regular class time on November 22 and 23 at the Science Fair in the gym. Each student MUST judge at least five (5) other presentations. The score for each presentation will be the av-erage of all the scores submitted. Training on judging presentations will take place before the Science Fair, and students should score according to the rubric which will be distributed to them at the Science Fair.

The research report and the display board must be completed at the beginning of class on November 22 or 23, and the students must present during their regular class time, to be eligible for awards. Projects or presen-tations which are late FOR ANY REASON will be disqualified for consideration for prizes. (Late work due to excused absences will be accepted and graded according to the usual policies.)

The total score for each project will be the sum of the score for the research report (200 points), display board (100 points), and presentation (50 points).

First place winner(s) have the highest total score for their grade. Second place winner(s) have the next high-est total score, and third place winner(s) have the next highest total score.

Awards

First, second, and third place winners are recognized in each of the seventh and eighth grades.

Each first place winner receives a first place ribbon and $25 cash.

Each second place winner receives a second place ribbon and $15 cash.

Each third place winner receives a third place ribbon and $10 cash.

Winners will be announced and awards distributed at a time to be determined.