SCIENCE FAIR PAPER

The order of your final paper will be:

1) Abstract

2) Safety Sheet

3) Endorsements (only if you are using humans, non-human vertebrates, or microorganisms

in your experiment)

4) Title Page

5) Table of Contents

6) Acknowledgments

7) Purpose

8) Hypothesis

9) Review of Literature

10) Materials

11) Procedure

12) Results/Data (Tables, Charts, etc)

13) Results/Data (Explanation of tables, charts, etc)

14) Conclusion

15) Works Cited

Your entire paper will be:

Times New Roman Double spaced 12 point font Black ink Remember to write out all numbers under 1,000. Do not use contractions.

Safety Sheet Requirements

1. Open up the safety sheet document on the teacher website under forms.

2. In the provided textbox on the safety sheet, your first line should state “The safety concerns for conducting this experiment are:”

3. Then using bullets, list all safety concerns of your project.

4. The safety sheet should only be 1 page long, so make sure the signature lines all stay on the first page.

5. Do not type your name on the student exhibitor line. You will sign your name with black pen once it is printed out.

Before You Begin Typing Anything on Your Paper Set Your Formatting

Setting Margins:

1. Click on “Page Layout” on the menu bar.

2. Click on “Margins”

3. Make sure all margins are set at 1”

Setting Spacing:

1. Click on “Paragraph” on the menu bar.

2. Make sure that the “After” box says 0. Make sure that the line spacing says “Double.”

3. Click “OK”

Setting Font:

1. Make sure the Font box on the Home Tool Bar says “Times New Roman” and the size says “12”

Title Page Requirements

Content:

1. A clear title is used (creativity encouraged).2. Student’s name and school are listed.

Format:

1. Location: 1st page

2. Margins: 1”

3. Line Spacing: Double

4. Centering: Centered between the top and bottom marginsCentered between the right and left margins

5. Font: Times New Roman

6. Font Size: 12

7. 1st Line of Text: Paper’s Title

The first line of each word is capitalized except for words such as “and” “of” “a” & “the”

If “the” begins the title, then “the” would be capitalized

8. 2nd Line of Text: Your first and last name

9. 3rd Line of Text: Manteno Middle School

10. Header: On the top right side of the page.

It has your last name

There are 5 spaces after your last name.

Use the Insert page Number button on the Header/Footer toolbar to create a page number

Last Name 1

Title of Project

Your First and Last Name

Manteno Middle School

Directions for Creating a Header:

1. Go to “Insert”

2. Click on the “Header” arrow

3. A drop-down box appears. Select the “Edit Header” option

4. Hit the “Page Number” button.

5. Select the “Top of Page” option

6. Select the “Plain Number 3” option, where the page number is right aligned.

7. Type your last name in front of the page number, hit the space bar 5 times, and then highlight your name and the page number in the header.

8. Hit the “Home” tab.

9. Select the Text to be “Times New Roman” and the font to be “12”

10. Select the “Header and Footer Tools” tab.

11. Select “Close Header and Footer” button

Setting Tabs

1. Click on arrow near “Paragraph” on the menu bar.

2. Click “Tabs” in the bottom left corner.

3. In the Tab stop position box, type .5 Make sure the “Alignment” section says Left and that the “Leader” section says None.

4. Click “Set”

5. Click in the “Tab stop position” box and delete the .5, then type .6 Make sure the “Alignment” section says Right and the “Leader” section says “None”

6. Click “Set”

7. Click in the “Tab stop position” box and delete the .6, then type 6 Make sure the “Alignment” section says Right and the “Leader” section says “2”

8. Click “Set”

9. Click “OK”

10. Once you start typing your Table of Contents, you MUST press the Tab key after the section title (for example: Acknowledgements) and before you type the page number.

Table of Contents RequirementsContent:

1. Listing of the section title with page numbers.2. Pages are in correct order.3. The first page listed is the Acknowledgments.

Format:

1. Location: 2nd page

2. Margins: 1”

3. Line Spacing: double

4. Font Style: Times New Roman

5. Font Size: 12

6. Tabs: Left tab at .5”Right tab at .6”Right tab with leaders at 6”

7. Title: Table of Contents

8. Title: Centered between the left and right marginsThe 1st letter of each word is capitalized except for the word “of.”

9. Header: On right side of paper. It is set up just the same as the titlepage.

Acknowledgments Requirements

Content:1. A paragraph to give credit to anyone who helped you.2. Use “The researcher” or “The exhibitor” when talking about yourself.

Format:

1. Margins: 1”

2. Line Spacing: double

3. Font: Times New Roman

4. Font Size: 12

5. Header: On the right side of the paper. It is set up the same as thetitle.

6. Tab: Each paragraph begins with a tab.

7. Title: The title is centered between the left and the right margins.

The a in “Acknowledgments” is capitalized.

Purpose Requirements

Content:

1. One to two sentences describing what your experiment is about and why it is a good idea to complete this experiment.

Format:

1. Margins: 1”

2. Line Spacing: double

3. Font: Times New Roman

4. Font Size: 12

5. Header: On the right side of the paper. It is set up the same as thetitle.

6. Tab: Each paragraph begins with a tab.

7. Title: The title is centered between the left and the right margins.

The p in “Purpose” is capitalized.

Hypothesis Requirements

Content:

1. One sentence describing your educated guess about the question being asked. This sentence should be in “If-then” format.

2. One sentence identifying your independent variable. The Independent part is what you, the experimenter, changes or enacts in order to do your experiment.

3. One sentence identifying your dependent variable. The variables that respond to the independent variable (ex: time).

4. One to two sentences identifying your constants. Things that are kept the same during the experiment.

5. One sentence identifying your control. The one thing that you can compare your results to during the experiment.

Format:

1. Margins: 1”

2. Line Spacing: double

3. Font: Times New Roman

4. Font Size: 12

5. Header: On the right side of the paper. It is set up the same as thetitle.

6. Tab: Each paragraph begins with a tab.

7. Title: The title is centered between the left and the right margins.

The h in “Hypothesis” is capitalized.

Review of Literature Requirements

Content:1. 2-3 pages summarizing previous experiments, background information and brief history

about the topic.

2. Must be written in 3rd person.

3. At least three different sources of literature are used. These are books, magazines, interviews, or internet.

4. NO RESULTS ARE LISTED HERE! DON’T MENTION YOUR PROJECT’S PROCEDURE AT ALL!

Format:

1. Margins: 1”

2. Line Spacing: double

3. Font: Times New Roman

4. Font Size: 12

5. Header: On the right side of the paper. It is set up the same as thetitle.

6. Tab: Each paragraph begins with a tab.

7. Title: The title is centered between the left and the right margins.

The r and l in “Review of Literature” is capitalized.

Researching your Topic

1. Find research on your Science Fair topic using the encyclopedias, internet, teacher reference books, interviews, etc.

2. When you find a source, make sure the first thing you do is a citation for that source. Here is what your citations should look like for the different kinds of sources.

Book

Author last name, first initial. (Date published). Title of Book. Place of publication: Publisher.

Encyclopedia

Topic. (Copyright date). Encyclopedia name. (Volume #). Place of publication: Publisher.

Online Encyclopedia

Author last name, first initial. (copyright date). Title of material accessed. Edition. Producer. URL. [search term] [access date].

Internet Site

Author last name, first initial. (revision or copyright date). Title of page. Page Publisher. URL. [access date].

Newspaper

Author last name, first initial. (edition date year, month, date). Title of article. Newspaper name, page #.

Magazine

Author last name, first initial. (date published year, month, date). Title of article. Magazine name, page #.

Taking Notes on Notecards

1. Summarize your information and put it in your own words. 2. This is what your notecards should look like:

Subject of card Source#

Notes

Subject of card=give each notecard a title according to what information you are putting on the card. This will help you sort the cards when you are finished by different topics.

Notes=the information that you found in that source.

Source#=allows you to know what source the information was found in. If it is source 1 card 1 it will be labeled 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, 1-4, etc. If it is source 2 card 1 it will be labeled 2-1, 2-2, 2-3, 2-4, etc.

Outline of your Review of Literature

1. Once you are done doing your research, you can now create your outline. 2. The outline should be main facts that will be discussed in your review of literature. You

do not have to include every detail here. The detail comes when you use this to write your paper.

3. Here is what the outline should look like:

I. Introductiona. Attention getter (try to catch the audience’s attention right away in your paper)b. Thesis (what is your paper going to be about)c. Transition to the next paragraph

II. Body Paragrapha. Main Ideab. Detailsc. Transition to the next paragraph

III. Body Paragrapha. Main Ideab. Detailsc. Transition to the next paragraph

IV. Body Paragrapha. Main Ideab. Detailsc. Transition to the next paragraph

V. Conclusiona. Sum up your paper and restate the main points.b. Introduce your project.

Reference Citations in the Text

1. The following information is about how to make a citation in your review of literature.

Whenever using your own words to refer indirectly to another author's work (paraphrasing), you must identify the original source. The "author-date method" of citation is used for this purpose, but without quotations marks. A complete reference must appear in the reference list at the end of your paper.

One recent study finds a genetic link to alcoholism (Jones, 1997).

If the author’s last name appears in the citation, then only the year is required:

Jones finds a genetic link to alcoholism (1997).

2. Example paragraph that includes citations:

For more examples on citations, visit the Illinois Junior Academy of Science Website http://www.ijas.org/

Materials Requirements

Content:

1. Equipment and materials used are listed; drawings and photographs are present if they help to clarify.

2. Quantities are provided in metric units.

Format:

1. Margins: 1”

2. Line Spacing: double

3. Font: Times New Roman

4. Font Size: 12

5. Header: On the right side of the paper. It is set up the same as thetitle.

6. Tab: Each paragraph begins with a tab.

7. Title: The title is centered between the left and the right margins.

The m in “Materials” is capitalized.

Procedure

Content:

1. A numbered list of step-by-step directions for doing the experiment.2. Controls and variables are listed.3. Multiple trials are included when necessary.

Format:

1. Margins: 1”

2. Line Spacing: double

3. Font: Times New Roman

4. Font Size: 12

5. Header: On the right side of the paper. It is set up the same as thetitle.

6. Tab: Each paragraph begins with a tab.

7. Title: The title is centered between the left and the right margins.

The p in “Procedures” is capitalized.

Results/Data Requirements

Content:

1. Data from this experiment is organized into tables or charts, with graphs if appropriate.2. Data is clear and accurately measured.3. Quantitative data is measured in the correct metric units.

Format:

1. Margins: 1”

2. Line Spacing: double

3. Font: Times New Roman

4. Font Size: 12

5. Header: On the right side of the paper. It is set up the same as thetitle.

6. Tab: Each paragraph begins with a tab.

7. Title: The title is centered between the left and the right margins.

The r and d in “Results/Data” is capitalized.

Creating a Line Graph

1. Enter the information that you want to chart into a Microsoft Excel worksheet.

a. DO NOT include letters with the numbers that you are graphing. (For example, do not enter 5 km into a cell. Just enter 5.)

2. Select (Highlight) the information that you want to create a graph for.

3. Click on the “Insert” tab on the menu bar

4. Click on the “Line” arrow.

5. Click on a Chart sub-type

6. Go to “Chart Layout” and select “Layout 10”

7. Click on the “Title” of the graph and type what you want the title to be. Remember the title should be descriptive.

8. Click on the “Axis Title” on the x-axis and type what you want the x-axis title to be.

9. Click on the “Axis Title” on the y-axis and type what you want the y-axis title to be.

Creating a Pie Chart

1. Enter the information that you want to chart into a Microsoft Excel worksheet.

a. DO NOT include letters with the numbers that you are graphing. (For example, do not enter 5 km into a cell. Just enter 5.)

2. Select (Highlight) the information that you want to chart.

3. Select the “Insert” button on the menu bar.

4. Select the “Pie” button in the chart type section.

5. Select the type of pie chart you would like from the drop down menu.

6. Go to the “Chart Layout” section and scroll down until you can select a layout with a title for you to edit.

7. Click on the Title section to edit the title.

Creating a Column Chart

1. Enter the information that you want to chart into an Excel worksheet.

a. DO NOT include letters with the numbers that you are graphing. (For example, do not enter 5 km into a cell. Just enter 5.)

2. Select (Highlight) the information that you want to chart.

3. Select the “Insert” button on the menu bar.

4. Select the “Column” option on the chart type.

5. Choose the column chart type from the drop down menu that you want to use.

6. Go to “Chart Layout” and select an option that gives your chart a title.

7. Click on “Chart Title” and type the name of your title. Remember it should be descriptive.

8. Click on the “Axis Title” heading on the x-axis and type a title for this axis.

9. Click on the “Axis Title” heading on the y-axis and type a title for this axis.

Conclusion

Content:

1. Evaluation and interpretation of the experiment’s results are present.2. The conclusion refers back to the hypothesis and answers the original questions from the

purpose.3. Improvements are suggested for any difficulties encountered during the experiment.4. Experimental errors are explained.

Format:

1. Margins: 1”

2. Line Spacing: double

3. Font: Times New Roman

4. Font Size: 12

5. Header: On the right side of the paper. It is set up the same as thetitle.

6. Tab: Each paragraph begins with a tab.

7. Title: The title is centered between the left and the right margins.

The c in “Conclusion” is capitalized.

Work Cited Requirements

Content:

1. Listing of sources used in your project.2. Must be in A.P.A. format3. The sources are listed in alphabetical order.

Format:

1. Margins: 1”

2. Line Spacing: double

3. Indenting: If a source is 2 or more lines long, the 2,3, etc. lines are indented ½ inch from the left margin. (Create a hanging indent)

4. Font: Times New Roman

5. Font Size: 12

6. Header: On the right side of the paper. It is set up the same as thetitle.

7. Tab: Each paragraph begins with a tab.

8. Title: The title is centered between the left and the right margins.

The w and c in “Works Cited” is capitalized.

How to Create a Hanging Indent

1. Highlight your typed works cited.

2. Click the “Paragraph” arrow on the menu bar.

3. Click the drop-down arrow next to special and highlight hanging.

4. Click “OK”

Abstract Requirements

1. Open up the abstract document on the teacher website under forms.

2. You can find the category list on the next page of this document. Find the one that goes with your project.

3. On the state region line type: 4

4. On the school line type: Manteno Middle School

5. On the IJAS School line type: 4021

6. On the City/Zip line type: Manteno, IL 60950

7. On the school phone line type: (815) 928-7150

8. On the Sponsor line type: your teacher’s name (Whitten or Lesch)

9. On the Name of Scientist line type: your first and last name

10. On the grade line type: 8th grade

11. On the Second Name of Scientist and Grade line leave it blank.

12. On the Project Title Line type: the title of your project. This should match your title

page.

13. In the provide textbook below your title, include your Purpose, Procedure, and Conclusion. Follow the directions on the bottom of the Abstract form for this section.

14. Your Abstract can only be 1 page long.

15. Remember: If you are using animals or humans in your project, you will need endorsement sheets. These are found on the teachers website under forms.

THE SCIENCE PROJECT

CATEGORIES

Students must design an experiment to investigate a question or problem. A project based solely on library research is NOT an acceptable project. The following guidelines should give you an indication of what type of experimentation can be done within each category and help to place a given project in the proper category for judging. NOTE THAT A MODEL OR DEMONSTRATION IS NOT AN ACCEPTABLE PROJECT.

AEROSPACE SCIENCE... is the science of the study and investigation of the earth's atmosphere and outer space. In the wide sense, it would include the design, manufacture, and operation of aircraft. Some topics that fall within this division are the operation of rockets, guided missiles, anything related to space travel, operation, and/or construction of satellites, observations of airflow patterns within tunnels, and the use of navigational equipment.

ASTRONOMY... is the science dealing with all of the celestial bodies in the universe, including the planets and their satellites, comets and meteors, the stars and interstellar matter, the star systems known as galaxies, and clusters of galaxies. Modern astronomy is divided into several branches: astrometry, the observational study of the position and motions of these bodies; celestial mechanics, the mathematical study of their chemical composition and physical condition from spectrum analysis and the laws of physics; and cosmology, the study of the universe as a whole.

BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE*... is the science that studies the demeanor or deportment of humans and other animals by means of observable response and the interpretation of the same as offered by the social sciences, sociology, psychology, etc. Some topics that fall within this division are the effect of stimuli on organisms and their responses, learning, motivation, emotion, perception, thinking, individuality, personality, and adjustment.

BIOCHEMISTRY*... is the branch of chemistry relating to the processes and physical properties of living organisms. Topics that fall within the biochemistry division are the properties and reaction of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, enzymes, blood, urine, vitamins, hormones, poisons, and drugs. The chemistry of absorption, digestion, metabolism, respiration, and photosynthesis as organic processes also belong in this category.

BOTANY... is the division of biology that deals with plant structure, reproduction, physiology, growth, classification, and disease. Some topics included in this category are specialization in plants, functions of various plant structures, reproduction, and heredity.

CELLULAR & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY*… is the study of the organization and functioning of the individual cell; molecular genetics focusing on the structure and function of genes at a molecular level. Other topics may include the structure and function of the immune system, innate and acquired immunity, and the interaction of antigens with antibodies. Molecular biology concerns itself with understanding the interactions between the various systems of a cell, including the interrelationships of DNA, RNA and protein synthesis and learning how these interactions are regulated.

CHEMISTRY... is the science that deals with the structure, composition, and properties of substances and of their transformations. Some topics included in this category are the composition of various compounds, the formulation of various compounds, the study of gas laws, atomic theory, ionization theory, and the analysis of organic and inorganic products.

COMPUTER SCIENCE... includes the study and development of computer hardware, software engineering, Internet networking and communications, graphics (including human interface), simulations/virtual reality or computational science (including data structures, encryption, coding, and information theory). Topics in this category may include writing an original program and comparing it to an existing one, developing a new language and comparing it to an existing one, etc.

CONSUMER SCIENCE*... is the study of comparisons and evaluations of manufactured or commercial products. Topics included in this category are taste tests, color preferences, quality control, and product efficiency.

EARTH SCIENCE... is the science concerned with the origin, structure, composition and other physical features of the earth. Some topics that fall within this division are geology (earth composition, rock formation, fossils, minerals, and fossil fuel); geography (landforms, soils, classification of streams, erosion, and sedimentation); oceanography (ocean waves, ocean currents, composition of ocean water and coastal zone management); seismology; geophysics; and meteorology.

ELECTRONICS... is the branch of engineering and technology that deals with the manufacture of devices such as radios, television sets, and computers that contain electron tubes, transistors, chips, or related components. Topics in this category are circuits (electrical, electric digital and analog) for communication such as radio, radar, laser, transistor, television, and integrated circuits; electricity; electric motors; solar cells and amplifiers.

ENGINEERING... is concerned with the practical application of scientific knowledge in the design, construction, and operation of roads, bridges, harbors, buildings, and machinery, lighting, heating, and communication systems. Some topics in this category are stress testing of building materials, strength composition of building materials, collection of data from operating systems to compare and contrast their effectiveness.

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE... is the study of the protection and care of natural resources. Topics included in this category are solar energy and its uses, water purification and usage, pollution control, soil chemistry, and insecticides. Within this area is ecology, which is the study of ecological systems, and ecological population studies.

HEALTH SCIENCE*... is that science concerned with the study of the human body and good health practices. Topics to be found under this category are proper diet, care of the teeth, care of the eyes, and hygiene.

MATERIALS SCIENCE... is the study of materials, nonmetallic as well as metallic, and, how they can be adapted and fabricated to meet the needs of modern technology. Using the laboratory techniques and research tools of physics, chemistry, and metallurgy, science is finding new ways of using plastics, ceramics, and other nonmetals in applications formerly reserved for metals.

MATHEMATICS... is the science dealing with the measurement, properties, and relationships of quantities as expressed in numbers or symbols whether in the abstract or in their practical connections. Some topics included under mathematics are arithmetic (use of numbers, symbols, and numerical systems); algebra (probability, theory of equations, progressions, permutations and combinations);

geometry (topology, study of geometric figures, similar figures, and scale drawings); calculus; trigonometry, statistics and graphing.

MICROBIOLOGY*... is the branch of biology concerned with the study of microorganisms. Topics to be found in this category are the structure and physiology of bacteria, viruses, yeasts, fungi, and protozoa, and studies involving cells or tissues in cultures.

PHYSICS... is the science that deals with the laws governing motion, matter, and energy under conditions susceptible to precise observation as distinct from chemistry or sciences dealing with living matter. Topics found in the category of physics are hydrostatic force and pressure, gravity, Newton's Laws, relativity, kinetic theory, motion forces, work, energy, sound, light, and magnetism.

ZOOLOGY*... is the science that deals with animals with reference to their structure, functions, development, evolution, and classification. Some topics that fall within this category are structural and functional studies of vertebrates and invertebrates, physiology, reproduction, heredity, and embryology.

Display Board Requirements

1. You may use whatever font size you would like.2. The title should be brief, captivating, and sufficiently descriptive to identify the project. 3. Lettering should be neat, easily visible, and uncluttered. Check correctness of spelling.4. Displays should be neat and presentable. 5. Do not display any previous awards on your project.6. Wall space for posters, tape, tacks, etc., is not available. Construct displays so that wall

space is not required. 7. The Abstract, Safety Sheet, and any endorsements must be placed on the front of the

display board. They may be reduced to a minimum of a half sheet of standard paper and stacked.

8. Your board layout should be as follows:

Oral Presentation Requirements

1. Notecards may be used during your presentation.2. Speak slowly and clearly and make eye contact.3. Show interest in your project.4. Present a summary of your project. Make sure you include your purpose, hypothesis,

procedure, materials, research, data, and conclusion.5. Practice your presentation.6. Avoid reading directly from your display or your notecards.7. Presentation should be about 5 minutes in length.