perry high school f=ma science fair 2015-2016 honors …...2015-2016 honors chemistry phs f=ma . ......

PERRY SCIENCE FAIR HCHEM PAGE 1

Introduction

Every year, Perry High, and the rest of the Chandler Unified School District,

participates in the Hamilton Invitational Science and Engineering Fair (HISEF). The

date of the Perry Science Fair is January 30, 2016 from 11AM- 1PM. Keeping that

date in mind, we will begin working on Science Fair activities beginning in October,

2015.

The objective of completing a Science Fair Project is to develop a working

knowledge of the Scientific Inquiry Method. You will learn in Science Class that this

method, used by scientists all over the world, involves the following steps:

1. Posing Questions

2. Forming a Hypothesis

3. Designing an Experiment

4. Performing the Experiment to Collect Data

5. Interpreting Data

6. Drawing Conclusions

7. Communication of Scientific Method Process

Within each of these steps are activities that are performed to ensure your experiment

makes sense and could be repeated with similar results (this is known as being

“accurate” and “valid”).

Perry High School

Science Fair

2015-2016

Honors Chemistry

PHS

F=ma


This packet was put together to help guide you through each activity within the

Scientific Inquiry Method process. They can be summarized as follows:

See Page(s)

CUSD Curriculum Standard*

Strand Concept Performance

Objective

1 Posing Questions

Topic Selection 5 1 1 1 and 2

Research 8 - 14 1 1 1and 2

2 Forming a Hypothesis

Identifying Variables 6 - 7 1 2 3

Posing a Question 6 - 7 1 1 1 and 2

Developing a Hypothesis 15 1 1 3

3 Designing an Experiment

Materials List 16 1 2 2

Procedures 17 1 4 3

Data Table 18 1 2 3

4 Performing the Experiment to Collect Data

Perform Multiple Trials 17 1 2 3

Completing Data Table 18 1 2 5

5 Interpreting Data

Data Summary 19 1 3 1 and 2

Graph 20 1 4 2 and 2H

6 Drawing Conclusions

Formulate Conclusion 21 - 22 1 3 and 4 all

7 Communicating Results

Summary 12 - 14 1 4 3 and 3H

Abstract 23 - 24 1 4 3H and 4H

Display Board 25 - 26 1 4 1-4H

Oral Presentation 27 1 2 4H

* http://ww2.chandler.k12.az.us/curriculum_v2/science/new-standards.asp

Can you name

these famous

scientists that

used the

Scientific

Inquiry

Method?


Science Fair Guidelines

Below is a list of guidelines, explanations, and rules. Make sure you are clear about them. Share

them with the people helping you at home. Ultimately, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE!

1. You will do your own project. Groups of 2 are permissible.

2. Your project must be based on an experiment. You will follow the Scientific Inquiry Method

(see page 2) and collect MEASURED, OBJECTIVE DATA.

3. Please keep in mind not all topics will be approved. You may expand upon an experiment

conducted previously in one of your science classes. Also some projects require additional

approval and lengthy form completion (working with humans, surveys, etc.). There are

restrictions on working with mold, bacteria, explosives, fire and or other dangerous materials.

Human subjects cannot eat or drink any substance.

4. All projects must be approved before beginning.

5. Multiple trials (a minimum of 3, however more than 3

trials are recommended) are required for data collection.

6. Follow the sheets included in this packet. They will guide

you through each step of the Scientific Inquiry Method.

7. The sheets in this packet are rough drafts and are due on specific dates during the development

of your Science Fair Project. There is a deadline checklist paper included in the beginning of

this packet to keep track of what you have done and when things are due.

8. You may NOT change your project idea after your science teacher has approved it. Make sure

you have thought about what you want to do before starting. If you have to purchase items to

complete your project, make sure your parents/guardians have approved the purchases.

9. Even if you are absent on a due date, project papers must be submitted.

You may submit electronically on the due date. 10. The information in this packet must be maintained and turned in with final

project board. Do not lose it. This will also serve as your working notebook where

you will collect and record data, research, and have portions of your project graded.

PROJECT DUE DATE: JANUARY 21, 2016

It is best to just follow

the rules.

Jan. 23!

APPROVED!

!


Project Timeline

Due Date

Check if

completed Topic Selection

Team Selection

Parent Signature

Page 5

10/19/15

Research Summary and

Bibliography

Pages 8 – 15 11/2/15

Experimental Protocol Variables Pages 6 - 7

Hypothesis Page 15

Materials Page 16

Procedures Page 17

11/9/15

Data and Results

Data Table Page 18

Data Summary Pg.19

Graph Page 20

12/10/15

Conclusion

Page 21-22 1/08/16

Abstract

Page 23 - 24 1/15/16

Display Board

Pages 25 - 26 1/21/16

Oral Presentation

Page 27 1/25/16

* Please keep all graded copies of work passed back to you. You will attach these papers, along

with your log book, to the back of your display board! *

Mark your Agenda with these important due dates!


Topic Selection Due October 19, 2015

Animal Sciences, Biochemistry, Biomedical and Health Sciences,

Cellular and Molecular Biology, Chemistry, Computational

Biology and Bioinformatics, Earth and Environmental

Sciences, Energy: Chemical, Energy: Physical, Engineering Mechanics,

Environmental Engineering, Materials Science, Microbiology, Physics and

Astronomy, Plant Sciences

Pick a topic that interests you and one you will enjoy working with for the next 10 - 12 weeks and

can be classified into one of the categories listed above. Consider issues such as costs of materials,

availability of materials, and the project timeframe. Also check that your parents agree with your

choice of topic. Remember, you may not change your project idea once it has been approved by

your science teacher. Human and animal studies, along with experiments involving fire or

chemicals require district level (IRB) approval. Deadline for IRB submission is November 13,

2015.

All students are responsible for topic selection and research. If you are working with a partner, each

student is responsible for producing their own unique research independently.

1. Your name _______________________________________Hour________

2. Category (from 12 listed above)____________________________________

3. Partner’s name (write “none” if you’re working alone.) __________________

4. Topic Description:

5. Describe the experiment you have in mind. What will you measure?

Parent Signature ____________________________________________

P

F


Identifying Variables/Posing a Question

The process of Scientific Inquiry involves testing the effect of

changing one thing (the manipulated variable) on another

(the responding variable).

Manipulated variable: The variable or factor that you decide to change or “manipulate”

Independent variable

Responding variable: The result or effect that you measure as a result of

Dependent variable: changing the Manipulated or Independent variable

An easy way to remember Manipulated and Responding Variables is to pose

your question in a “What is the Effect” format. The words that come before the word “on” form the

Manipulated Variable and the words that follow the word “on” are the Responding Variable:

Example Question What is the effect of the shape of a rocket fin on how high the rocket will fly?

Manipulated variable: shape of fin

Responding variable: height of flight path

It is important in Scientific Inquiry to keep all other things (variables)

that could affect the responding variable the same. These are called

“controlled variables” or “constant variables”, because they are

controlled, as best we can, to make sure they stay constant (stay the

same).

In the example above, for instance, when firing rockets with different

shaped fins, it would be important to try and launch them in similar

weather conditions. Launching a rocket in a 5 mph wind would produce

a different flight path than one launched in a 25 mph wind.

Notice in the example that all variables are measurable in metric units.

Other controlled variables temperature, light, water, soil type, plant type….keep in mind that

everything in your experiment must remain the same ALL

THE TIME except for your manipulated variable.

Hint: Responding and Result both start

with “Res” !

Did you know?

Did you know that the word

“Manipulate” means “to move

with your hands”?


Variable/Question Worksheet

1. Complete your Question (also called your Problem Statement):

What is the effect of ______________________________________________________ on _________________________________________________________________________?

2. What is the Manipulated or Independent variable in your experiment? Why? Be sure

to include the units of measurement.

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

Units of measurement (metric)_______________________________

3. What is the Responding or Dependent variable in your experiment? Why? Be sure to

include the units of measurement.

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________


4. What variables will you control in your experiment? Why? Be sure to include the

units of measurement.

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________


Some Common

Metric System

Units of

Measurement:

Celsius

Centimeter

Meter

Gram

Kilogram


Research

When you do research, you want to find articles and books that will teach you something about the

manipulated (independent) and responding (dependent) variables in your experiment. Learning

about these will allow you to form a hypothesis based on intelligent and objective information.

Once your experiments are completed, you will form a conclusion (see page 21) and your

conclusion should be related to not only what you learned by performing your experiment, but also

what you learned from your research.

It is important that you do not just look for basic, elementary, information. Your research should

help you truly understand the science of your selected topic and the relationship of your

manipulated and responding variables

In the example of “What is the effect of rocket fin shapes on the height of rocket flight”,

information such as the following would be helpful:

“The best fin shape for a small competition model is a rectangle or the parallelogram”.

FROM:http://www.apogeerockets.com/technical_publication_16.asp What Type of Fin Shape is Best?

By Tim Van Milligan

There are many resources available for research. Take advantage of the librarians and interlibrary

loan. Visit other libraries. Speak with someone who has a job or a hobby related to your subject.

Your research must include AT LEAST 4 SOURCES:

1. Must have 2 SCIENTIFIC JOURNALS

2. Must have 1 PERIODICAL (magazine, newspaper)

3. Must have 1 Internet (only from a .org, .edu, .gov site)

4. OTHERS as needed (encyclopedia, Internet, interview with an expert in the field, book, etc.)

To search for resources, it is best to identify some keywords. These should include: your

manipulated (independent) and responding (dependent) variables; any words or phrases related to

them; and any synonyms or acronyms. In the example above, “Rocket” and “Fin Shape” were

keywords. List your keywords below:

KEYWORDS:

_____________________ _____________________

_____________________ _____________________

_____________________ _____________________

_____________________ _____________________

_____________________ _____________________

_____________________ _____________________

_____________________ _____________________

_____________________ _____________________

A “Periodical” is published “periodically” or at some

frequency, such as every day or

every week or once a month.

http://www.apogeerockets.com/technical_publication_16.asp


Once you have found your sources, complete the following forms to help you remember where you

discovered your information. It is very important to be able to give the original author of your

information the credit they deserve for putting the information together. More help on citing

sources can be found at http://www.fcps.edu/KeyMS/library/bibliography.html

Source 1 and 2 – Journal Example: Ashby, R. (2003). The Earth and Its Moon. North Mankato, Minnesota: Smart Apple Books.

Author’s

Last Name

First

Initial

Middle

Initial

(Publication

Date)

Article Title Journal Name Volume

Number

Pages

Used

Ashby R (2003) The Earth and Its Moon North

Mankato,

MN

Smart Apple

Media

34

List two very specific things learned from this source:

1.______________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

2.______________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

Source 3 - Periodical

Magazine Article: Example: Svoboda, E. (2006, June). Flawless Man-made

Diamonds. Popular Science, 43, 60 - 61.

Author

Last

Name(s)

First

Initial

Middle

Initial

(Publication

Date)

Article title Magazine/Scholarly

title

Volume

number

Page

Numbers

Svoboda E (2006, June) Flawless Man-

made Diamonds.

Popular Science 43 60-61

List two very specific things you learned from this source:

1.______________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

2.______________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

http://www.oslis.org/secondary/


Source 4 - Internet

Example: NASA (2007, August 3). Helping Phoenix Land. Accessed August 20, 2008 from

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/phoenix/mission/phoenix-edl.html

Agency or

Author Last Name

First

Initial

Middle

Initial

(Publication date) Article Title Date Accessed Article URL

NASA (2007,

August 3)

Helping Phoenix

Land

August 20, 2007 http://www.nasa.gov/missi

on_pages/phoenix/mission

/phoenix-edl.html


1.______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

2.______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

Source 5 - Your choice

If this source is a book or periodical, see the previous pages for Completion of bibliography.


1.______________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

2.______________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

Extra Source(s) if you need

If this source is a book or periodical, see the previous pages for creation of the bibliography.

1.______________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

2.______________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________


Bibliography

A Bibliography is a list of the sources you used in your research. To finalize your Bibliography,

rewrite each of the sources you listed on the previous pages in alphabetical order by author’s last

name below. Be sure to use correct Bibliographic format.

The correct Bibliographic format is provided in each of the examples on Pages 9 and 10. For

example: The correct format for a book is:

Ashby, R. (2003). The Earth and Its Moon. North Mankato, Minnesota: Smart Apple

Books.

Source 1:

_____________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

Source 2: ________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

Source 3:

_____________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

Source 4:

_____________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

Source, other (if needed):

________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

Did you Know?

Did you know “Biblio” means “Book?”


Research - Summary

Now that you have completed your research and collected new information on your topic and your

manipulated and responding variables, it is important to communicate this new information. All

students must complete research summary as individuals. If you are working with a partner,

each partner must write their own research summary independently. Summarize what you

have learned in 4-5 paragraphs (a minimum of 5 sentences each). Reread your notes on pages 9

and 10. Organize the information in a logical way; don’t just list in order what each source told

you. Think of this as a mini-report about your variables.

Pay attention to grammar, spelling, and sentence structure. Do not use the 1st person (I, we, my,

etc.). Use introductory and concluding sentences. Be sure to give credit to the original authors of

your information by using parenthetical documentation whenever you are writing about their

information.

Before you begin, be sure you read pages 13 and 14 on Parenthetical Documentation and the PHS

Policy on Plagiarism.

Type your summary using 12 Point Font in New Times Roman on the computer and submit to

turnitin.com (be sure to save your work electronically!)


Parenthetical Documentation

When you write research papers of any type it is necessary for you to use the ideas of others to

support your own views. There are three different ways that you can use the ideas of other people:

1. Summarizing

2. Paraphrasing

3. Quoting directly

All of these examples require you to give credit to the person who originally wrote what you are including in

your writing. It shows the reader of your paper that the ideas or words are not your own, and that you have

researched the subject. Whenever you write something you must identify which ideas are not your own and

indicate where they came from. People reading your paper must know when things you write are not your

own thinking and how to find the original source if they need to find it. To do this, the name of the original

author, the date of publication, and the pages where the information you are referring to can be found, are put

in parenthesis after using their ideas.

Examples using this quote from Carl Sagan found in:

Sagan, Carl, (2006) Conversation with Carl Sagan. University Press of Mississippi, Page 36.

There are many hypotheses in science which are wrong. That's perfectly all right;

they're the aperture to finding out what's right. Science is a self-correcting

process.

Summarizing: When you summarize the major point, the general position, or an overall thought of an author, then a

reference to the work as a whole without a page number is okay.

Hypotheses do not always have to be correct. (Sagan, 2006).

Paraphrasing: A good way to use another author's work is to take their ideas and put them into your own words. In this

way you can put emphasis on the parts that relate to what you are studying. However, to reword what

another author has said can be difficult. Make sure that your paraphrase is accurate. Paraphrasing should be

in your own words. Paraphrasing works best if you read the whole section you wish to refer to several times

until it is clear to you. Be careful, you cannot paraphrase by taking sentences or phrases and just changing a

few words - that is plagiarism.

In the scientific inquiry process there is much to be learned even if the hypothesis is

incorrect. (Sagan, 2006, pg. 34)

Quoting Directly: Quoting directly is using the author's exact words. You should only do this if the author has

a very exceptional way of stating something. A good thing to do is paraphrase most ideas

and use one or two direct quotes to capture something an author said. Direct quotes should

be in quotation marks unless the quote is longer than 3 lines, then it should be indented

without quotes (such as the Sagan quote above). Example: “One step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” (Armstrong, Neil. 1979)


Plagiarism

The Perry High School policy on plagiarism is as follows:

PLAGIARISM is considered a serious offense. Students, like other writers, are expected to

acknowledge the work of others and to assist their readers in finding specific locations from

which their ideas are drawn. In other words, if you are summarizing, paraphrasing, or

quoting another person, you need to attribute that material to its source. You may be taking

the information from an interview or other oral text, or from the Internet, or from the

conventional printed text. In either case, the source MUST be documented. Cutting and

pasting a sentence or paragraph from the internet without parenthetical documentation is

considered plagiarism.

Failure to document carries severe penalties.

Perry High School has determined that a plagiarized paper (essay, research paper, or other

document) will warrant an automatic grade of zero (0). This also includes using the work of

another student; all assignments submitted must be your own individual work with proper

credit given to those who you have referenced. The majority of your written work needs to be

in your own words.

DON’T” BE A THIEF! Copying someone else’s work without

giving them written credit is the same as stealing their work.

GIVE CREDIT TO THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR EVERYTIME!


Hypothesis

Now that you have completed your research and have an understanding of the relationship between

the Manipulated (independent) and Responding (dependent) variables, you are ready for the next

step in the Scientific Inquiry Method. This is called Developing the Hypothesis. The hypothesis is

one sentence that states what you think the answer to the question you posed on pages 6 and 7

(also called the problem statement) will be, based on what you learned in the research. The

sentence should indicate what you expect to happen to the Responding (dependent) variable as a

result of changing the Manipulated (independent) variable. Your hypothesis should also include

why you think the change will occur.

The hypothesis should NOT be written in 1st person (I, we, my, etc.). Try using the format below

for writing your hypothesis, or adapt it so that you don’t end up saying “My hypothesis is…”

It is hypothesized that ____________________________ will cause or result in _____________________________________ because_____________________________. Example: It is hypothesized that changing the shape of a rocket fin from rectangular shape to a

parallelogram or a oval shape will cause the rocket to fly less high because of increased drag.

WRITE YOUR HYPOTHESIS BELOW:

It is hypothesized that ____________________________ will cause or result in ______________

_______________________ because___________________________________________.

.

Other examples of Hypotheses

It is hypothesized that plants grown in direct sunlight light will

grow taller than the same plant grown in the dark, because

plants need light to photosynthesize.

It is hypothesized that a basketball bounced from a height of 10 meters will bounce back up

10 meters due to Newton’s First Law.

It is hypothesized that if a PHS student puts forth a good effort in their Science Fair Project, they will receive a passing grade!

It is hypothesized that a rock, frozen in the freezer, will have

more cracks if boiling water is poured on it, than if cool water

were poured on it, because the boiling water is hotter and will

cause more expansion due to heating.


Materials

List all materials, supplies, equipment, tools, etc. that you will need for this project. Remember that

you will need enough materials to perform at least 3 trials of your experiment. Add or delete things

from this list later when you perform the experiment so that the list you include in your final project

is correct. Brand name used, amounts, quantities, etc., should be used to identify your

materials. You may use bullets when listing your materials.

_______________________

_______________________

_______________________

_______________________

_______________________

_______________________

_______________________

_______________________

_______________________

_______________________

_______________________

_______________________

_______________________

Example:

Three identical Estes Rocket kits (Model Alpha, Product Number 1225)

Nine identical Rocket engines (Model AB-3)

One Rocket Launch pad (Estes, Model Q)

Glue (________________, one tube)

1 sheet Sand Paper (100 grit)

Exacto Knife (EZ-Cut)

Altitude tracker from: http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/space/teachers/rockets/act9.html


Procedures

Write a list of all the steps you will need to follow to

run the experiment. Another person should be able to

follow your procedure without ever having to talk to

you, so make it good/very detailed. The procedures

must be written in a numbered step format.

Example:

1. Collect necessary materials.

2. Remove balsa wood fins from Rocket packaging.

3. Using Exacto Knife, and being sure not to cut the side that fits into the body

of the rocket cut the outside corners of the three sets of fins as follows:

a. one set of three fins into three identical rectangles

b. one set into three identical parallelograms, and

c. one set into three identical oval shapes.

4. Construct rockets according to manufacturer’s instructions, gluing one set

of fins on each rocket. 5. Allow glue to dry according to directions. Do not place engine in rocket at this time.

6. Following instructions at http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/space/teachers/rockets/act9.html, construct Altitude

Tracker.

7. On a non-windy day, set-up the launch pad in an area removed from combustible material or dry vegetation.

8. Place one engine in each rocket.

9. Launch each rocket according to manufacturer’s instructions and using Altitude Tracker, determine height of

each rocket.

10. Record height measurements in Data Table.

11. For the second and third trial, repeat Steps 8, 9, and 10 twice.

List your Procedures here, or type them on the computer (save your work!) and attach them to this page.

1. __________________________________________________________________________

2. __________________________________________________________________________

3. __________________________________________________________________________

4. __________________________________________________________________________

5. __________________________________________________________________________

6. __________________________________________________________________________

Hint: Prepare your Materials List as

best you can before starting the

experiment.

If you find you need a few more

items to finish the experiment

once you have started – just add

them to your List!!!

http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/space/teachers/rockets/act9.html


Data Table

You must have a data table drawn before you experiment so that you have a place to record your

observations neatly. It is difficult to draw one sample data table as an example, since yours will

depend on the type of experiment you choose, but the one below may help you get started.

Guidelines: 1. Label each data table with a number and title.

2. Each column should have a heading with units if appropriate.

3. All 3 trials for each group should be shown.

4. The average for the trials in each group should be calculated.

Example of a Data Table

Table 1: Height of Rocket Flight with Different Shaped Fins

Fin Shape Height of Rocket

(meters)

Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3

Average

(meters)

Visual Observations

Rectangle 20 25 30 25 Parallelogram 10 20 30 20

Oval 8 10 12 10 Flights were arched, not straight up.

Sketch your data table below (the grid system is just there to help you keep your lines straight) and

use it to record data throughout your experiment. These will be checked periodically throughout the

experiment so do not wait until the end to record you data. If you need extra room, use another sheet

of paper and add it to your folder

Title: __________________________________________________________


Data Summary

Summarize the data you have collected in your Data Table in a few sentences. This

section should not include any conclusions. Only state the facts from your data table.

This information should directly correlate to your graph and data table.

Example of a Data Summary: The rocket with the rectangular fins flew an average of 25 meters high. The

rocket with fins shaped as a parallelogram flew and average of 20 meters high.

The rocket with the oval shaped fins flew an average of 10 meters high.

Type your Data Summary on a computer.


Data Graph

Guidelines:

1. Graphs must be completed using a computer.

2. Decide whether a line graph or a bar graph is better for your data. Line graphs are

used for changes over time (such as the shortening or lengthening of shadows

measured each day for one month); bar graphs depict discrete or individual events.

The example we have been following of the height of rocket launches would be

best graphed using a bar graph.

3. Label the top of the graph with a title that includes the dependent variable first and

the independent variable second along with units of measurement, if applicable:

i. Example: Height of Rocket Flight (meters) vs. Rocket Fin Shape (no units)

4. Label the x-axis with the independent variable and its units, if applicable:

ii. Example: Rocket Fin Shape

5. Label the y-axis with the dependent variable and its units:

iii. Example: Height of Rocket Flight (meters)

6. Number the axes appropriately. Label the individual bars appropriately.

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

He

igh

t o

f R

oc

ke

t F

lig

ht

(me

ters

)

Rocket Fin Shape

Height of Rocket Flight (meters) vs. Rocket Fin Shape

Rectangle

Parallelogram

Oval

Notice that all The Average of three trials

are shown on the graph!!!


Conclusion The conclusion will be another written mini-report that summarizes the experiment and relates it to

the research and hypothesis. In addition, it should describe how the experiment might be improved

upon. Before writing a rough draft of your conclusion, fill in the information in each area below.

These are the things that you will then organize and summarize in the conclusion.

1. What was the answer to the problem statement? _____________________________________

2. Was your hypothesis supported by the data or not?___________________________

1. Did your results make sense? __________________________________________

Are your results valid (did your experiment follow the requirements of controlled

experimental design with just one manipulated variable and other possible variables kept

constant)

Are your results reliable (were your results accurate because you used a number of

trials?)_______________

4. List data averages that will defend your answers to #1 and #2. __________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

Example: The rocket with the rectangular fin flew an average of 25 meters high. This is 5

meters higher than average of the rockets with parallelogram fins and 15 meters higher than

the rocket with oval fins.

5. List at least 3 errors that might have happened during your experiment and explain how they

may have effected your results. These might be controlled variables that could not be

controlled. ______________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

Example: The wind varied between 0 and 10 mph on launch day. A rocket launched

during a stronger wind might have flown further in the direction of the wind, but not as high

as it would have flown if there was no wind.

6. What could be done differently if you repeated this experiment (either to minimize errors or

help clarify your results)?

_______________________________________________________

7. How could you refine or improve your hypothesis based on the data you collected?_________

________________________________________________________________________________

8. What is the importance of this experiment? What impact could the results have? __________

________________________________________________________________________________

9. What new questions could be asked based on the results of your experiment? _______________

_______________________________________________________________________________


Use the answers to the questions above to write your conclusion. A good format might be to write

one paragraph about questions 1 - 4, a second paragraph about questions 5 and 6, and a third

paragraph about questions 7 - 9.

Use correct grammar, spelling and sentence structure. Write good introductory and concluding

sentences. Do not use the 1st person.

Type your Conclusion on a computer (save your work!) and attach it below:


Abstract:

When a scientist communicates their research to others, he or she also includes a

short summary of the entire experiment. This is called an abstract.

Other scientists interested in the topic of the experiment will read the abstract to

determine if they want to find out more about the experiment by reading the entire

report, results and conclusion.

What is an abstract?

The Abstract is a summary of your science fair project.

Your abstract is made up of a brief statement of the essential, or most important, thoughts

about your project.

Abstracts should summarize, clearly and simply, the main points of the experiment.

Spelling, grammar, punctuation, neatness, and originality are important.

It should be 250 to 300 words in length.

It is one of the last parts of your science fair project that you will complete.

It is an easy part if you are using a computer to record and type your journal entries and

other parts of the project. If you are using a computer then you will only have to cut and

paste this information into the abstract. WILLIAMSCLASS.COM SCIENCE FAIR GUIDE “WRITING THE ABSTRACT"

Example: 220 words

Major problems of the arid region are transportation of agricultural products and losses due to

spoilage of the products, especially in summer. This work presents the performance of a solar

drying system consisting of an air heater and a dryer chamber connected to a greenhouse. The

drying system is designed to dry a variety of agricultural products. The effect of air mass flow rate

on the drying process is studied. Composite pebbles, which are constructed from cement and sand,

are used to store energy for night operation. The pebbles are placed at the bottom of the drying

chamber and are charged during the drying process itself. A separate test is done using a simulator,

a packed bed storage unit, to find the thermal characteristics of the pebbles during charging and

discharging modes with time. Accordingly, the packed bed is analyzed using a heat transfer model

with finite difference technique described before and during the charging and discharging

processes. Graphs are presented that depict the thermal characteristics and performance of the

pebble beds and the drying patterns of different agricultural products. The results show that the

amount of energy stored in the pebbles depends on the air mass flow rate, the inlet air temperature,

and the properties of the storage materials. The composite pebbles can be used efficiently as storing

media.

http://www.languages.ait.ac.th/IMAGES/EL21ABS1.HTM#work presents

http://www.languages.ait.ac.th/IMAGES/EL21ABS1.HTM#composite pebbles


Fill in the following lines to create a successful Abstract:

The purpose of the project was _______________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

The hypothesis for this project was ___________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

The variables (manipulated, responding, and controlled) were ______________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

The experiment was performed by ____________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

The results of this experiment were ___________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

The results show the hypothesis is …(give brief reason why to accept or not) _________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

Type your Abstract on the computer.


Display Board

It is important for scientists to communicate the findings of their research. One of the ways this is

done is on a display board like the one you will create for your experiment.

Your display board must include the following:

o Label (provided by teacher) with Name, Period, and Title of Project. This goes on the back of

your display board

o Title

o Problem Statement

o Abstract

o Research

o Hypothesis

o Manipulated (Dependent) and Responding (Independent) Variable

o Materials

o Procedure

o Data (summary, table, graph)

o Conclusion

o Bibliography

o Pictures, if you have any (must not provide identify of students ex: names/faces)

o Future Research

The most important objective for your board is to effectively communicate the facts about your

project. It can only achieve that objective if it's easy to read. Here are some suggestions for fonts

and font size.

Stick with traditional fonts like Arial or Times New Roman, or similar typefaces.

Use italics or bold for emphasis, not for all your text.

Place captions below the pictures. If they are on top of a picture; they will be difficult to

read.

USING ALL CAPS MAKES WRITING MUCH HARDER TO READ. Please use upper

and lower case letters (called “sentence case” in MS Word)

Don't use reverse type (white text on a dark background). It is hard to read. Use black

characters on a white (or pastel) background.

Artistic Fonts are also very difficult to read.. Use no more than two or three different fonts on your board. Times New Roman for body

copy and Arial for headings makes for a nice combination.

Text Size Suggestions for a Typical Science Project Display Board

Title 150+ You want your title to be visible from across a room!

Headings 32+ Should be easily readable from five feet away by someone just walking by.

Subheadings 20+ This text is smaller than headings, but more noticeable than main text size.

Main Text 16 – 18 This is a comfortable text size for someone who comes closer to read more.

Captions 12 – 16 It's OK to make these a bit smaller than the body text if necessary.

Before you attach anything permanently to your board, arrange each of the sections on the display

board. They should be in order of the scientific method. Once you are satisfied, attach them neatly

*


to the board. Feel free to have a colorful background. Use some creativity. Your poster should be

eye-catching, but not so overdone as to detract from your experiment and its results. A suggested

format for your display board might be:

Keep in mind, your grade is not based on how beautiful and colorful your board is.

Actual projects cannot accompany the science fair board (plants, rocks, etc.). If you want to

show what happened to your experiment, you may take pictures or attach small pieces of the

experiment (nails, rocks) to your board.

Question

HINT: Take pictures of your experiment as you are

performing it. It will help you remember as

you write your summary and conclusion, and

the pictures can add to your display.


Oral Presentation Guidelines

_____ Prepare for your presentation by reviewing each part of the experiment so that you

know it well. Review your research so that you can speak intelligently about your

topic.

_____ Think about the following questions:

What were your results?

Why did you choose this project?

What was the hardest part (or easiest)?

What were the one or two things you learned?

What would you do differently next time? Why?

_____ Use note cards for your presentation. Do not read from your poster.

_____ Practice your presentation before you actually present.

_____ Prepare a 2 - 4 minute introduction of your project.

_____ Explain how you tested your hypothesis.

_____ Review your major findings.

_____ Discuss your conclusions.

_____ Prepare a 1-2 minute conclusion to your presentation.

_____ Ask if there are any questions.


Science Fair Checklist

Use this checklist to help you make sure you have remembered what is required in your Science

Fair Project.

Problem Statement

_____ Manipulated or Independent Variable and units of measure (METRIC UNITS)

_____ Responding or Dependent Variable and units of measure

_____ Controlled or Constant Variables and units of measure

Research Sources:

_____ Two Journals

_____ One Periodical

_____ One Internet

_____ Other

Bibliography

_____ Alphabetical by Author’s Last Name

_____ Correct Bibliographic Format

Research Summary

_____ 4 – 5 paragraphs, using correct grammar, sentence structure, and correct spelling

_____ Words and works of other cited with Parenthetical Documentation

Hypothesis

_____ No 1st person

_____ Manipulated or Independent Variable

_____ Responding or Dependent Variable

Materials List

_____ Brand Names

_____ Amounts or Quantities

_____ All Materials Used

Procedures

_____ Numbered

_____ Step by Step

_____ Include at least three trials

Data Table

_____ Label table

_____ Label Columns (include units)

_____ Label Rows (include units)

_____ All trials (at least 3)

_____ Calculate averages

Data Summary

_____ Summary of data table information

Data Graph

_____ Completed on a computer

_____ Line or bar graph choice is appropriate for type of data

_____ Title

_____ Label X and Y axis (include units)

_____ All trials (a minimum of 3) and averages are shown on a single graph

Conclusion


_____ Not in 1st person

_____ Problem statement answered

_____ Data did or did not support hypothesis

_____ List at least three possible errors

_____ Possible improvements

_____ Refine hypothesis

_____ New questions

_____ Future research

Abstract

_____ Summarizes entire experiment

Display Board

_____ Text in correct size and font

_____ Format follows steps in Scientific Inquiry

_____ Label (provided by teacher) with Name, Period, and Title of Project on back

_____ Title

_____ Problem Statement

_____ Abstract

_____ Research

_____ Hypothesis

_____ Manipulated (Dependent and Responding (Independent) Variables and units

_____ Materials

_____ Procedure

_____ Data (summary, table, graph)

_____ Conclusion

_____ Bibliography

_____ Pictures, if you have any (no faces or names, no brands, “photos taken by student” credits)

_____ Future Research

perry high school f=ma science fair 2015-2016 honors …...2015-2016 honors chemistry phs f=ma . ......

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