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Science Fair Inquiry ActivityJuly 28, 2014

Christina McDaniel, Region V MSEF CoordinatorIntel International Science and Engineering

Advisory Council Chair Elect

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BE AN AWESOME SCIENTIST!

Can You Reason?Find a Solution?

Solve a Problem?Work Until You Find the Answer?

Design and Build?

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Sample Science Fair Board

Question or Problem

Hypothesis

Experimental Design• Materials• Procedures

Tables, Graphs, Pictures with descriptions.

Results

Conclusions

Works Cited or Bibliography

Scientific Title

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Runny Ketchup! Yuck!Question: Why is ketchup so runny? Are all types of ketchup runny? Which type of ketchup is the least runny? (Research)

Hypothesis (a testable statement): ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Experimental Design (contains materials and procedures of the experiment:Materials Needed:• 3 different types of ketchup:

____________, ___________, ___________

• 3 sheets of paper with 3 circles at the top

• Clip Board• 3 teaspoons• Stop watch • Pencil• 4 paper towels

Procedures1. Place Sheet with circles on clip board.2. Place 1 tsp of same ketchup in each circle.3. Raise paper vertical to the table and immediately

count for 10 seconds. After 10 seconds, quickly lay it flat on the table.

4. Measure in centimeters(cm) the distance the drop of ketchup traveled from the top of the circle to the bottom of the drip for each.

5. Record each distance in the table.6. Repeat for the other two types of ketchup.

Left Side of Display Board or lab foldable

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GreatValue

Hunts Heinz

Trial #1

Trial #2

Trial #3

Average DistanceOf Drip

Title--->

What is the table discussing? ---->

Middle section of foldable.

Use metric system! cm or mm.

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Place Picture Here-->

What is this a picture of? --->

Middle of Display Board Also.

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1. Decide what type of graph.______2. What goes on the x-axis (horizontal)________ Label it. (Independent variable)3. What goes on the y-axis vertical________ Number it with the smallest numbers possible. (Dependent variable)4. Create a graph on the paper below.5. Be sure to give the graph a scientific title and a legend.6. When you are finished, cut out the graph and place on lab foldable.

Graphing the Data

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Results

Results can also be called Discussion, Discussion of Results, or Analysis of Data. Things to include in a discussion of result:• Complete sentences• Averages or number results• Discuss what these numbers mean to the experiment.• Be sure to describe anything that was a “WOW”.On the next page, I have provided lines for you to write your Results. Be neat!

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Results

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Cut out and place on the right side of the display board or lab foldable.

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ConclusionA conclusion contains 4 things.1. A restatement of the hypothesis.

Example: This experiment was trying to provethat………………………………………………..

2. Was the hypothesis correct? Ex: This hypothesis was/was not proven to be true because………………………………………….

3. Did any problems happen during the experiment that might have changed the results of the experiment? If so describe it and how you can prevent this from happening again.

Ex: Drips the same size? 4. Lastly, if you were going to continue this project, how would you

change it and why?Ex: Cold vs. Hot, Different types of ketchup.

On the next page I have provided lines for you to write your conclusion. Be neat. Write in complete sentences. Do not number or letter.

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Conclusion

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Cut out and place on the right side of the display board or lab foldable.

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Works CitedThis activity was pre-planned for you. Therefore, the only works cited will be:“Runny Ketchup! Yuck”. Christina McDaniel, Region V MSEF Coordinator, Bagley College of Engineering, Mississippi State University.

However, when doing your science fair project, you must include:• All specific internet sites. NOT GOOGLE or another search

engine!!!!!• Books• Magazines• People (interviews)

For more information on how to write a works cited or bibliography use the following website: http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_bibliography.shtml

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Important things to remember for science fair projects and display board.

1. Keep a notebook. Composition books are great for this!2. It is okay to search for ideas in books and on websites.3. Make sure your idea is original not copied from a website or book!4. Be sure to check display rules on website.5. Make sure all photographs, tables and charts are properly labeled.

EX: All graphs and tables created by student using Microsoft Word 2003. All pictures taken by student using Sony 300X.

6. Make sure you submit the correct paperwork. If your not sure use the Forms Wizard found on the MSU science fair website and the ISEF website.

7. Read important information found on www.sciencefair.msstate.edu.

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Important Dates for this year

November 1, 2013-All School Registrations dueJanuary 13, 2015-Upper Fair Student Registration, paperwork, and fees due.February 13, 2015-Lower Fair Registration paperwork and fees due.February 17, 2015- Region V MSEF Upper Fair in the Humphrey Coliseum at MSU.March 24, 2015- State Science Fair for grades 7-12 at Greenville, MS.April 7, 2015- Region V MSEF Lower Fair in Humphrey Coliseum at MSU.