Science fair projects at the middle school level are much

more advanced than elementary projects.

Main differencesMain differences

More stringent rulesMore stringent rules A proposal must be submitted to teacher A proposal must be submitted to teacher

for approval.for approval. Forms MUST be filled out, signed and Forms MUST be filled out, signed and

dated prior to experimentation.dated prior to experimentation. 66thth -8 -8thth grade compete with each other. grade compete with each other. A student can advance to state level A student can advance to state level

competition.competition. This is not a class project.This is not a class project.

So what does/does not make for a So what does/does not make for a good middle school project?good middle school project?

Product comparisons and surveys are not Product comparisons and surveys are not suitable for middle school.suitable for middle school.

Models and demonstrations are not science fair Models and demonstrations are not science fair projects.projects.

A good project allows for measurable results, A good project allows for measurable results, such as time, distance, capacity or temperature such as time, distance, capacity or temperature changes.changes.

Speaking of measurement…Speaking of measurement…

Metric is the language of science: meter, Metric is the language of science: meter, liter, gram, Celsius.liter, gram, Celsius.

Do NOT use cups, pints, ounces, pounds, Do NOT use cups, pints, ounces, pounds, inches, feet, Fahrenheit.inches, feet, Fahrenheit.

Time is the same in metric: seconds, Time is the same in metric: seconds, minutes, hours.minutes, hours.

Where do I begin?Where do I begin?

Research topics that interest you. Topic Research topics that interest you. Topic selection is the hardest part!selection is the hardest part!

Write a proposal of experiment in your log Write a proposal of experiment in your log book.book.

What problem are you investigating?What problem are you investigating? Write a DETAILED procedure.Write a DETAILED procedure. Identify your variables.Identify your variables.

Submit your proposal to your teacher.Submit your proposal to your teacher.

Log Book Log Book

EVERYTHING you do should be recorded in EVERYTHING you do should be recorded in your log book.your log book.

Use BLUE pen, not pencil.Use BLUE pen, not pencil. Date every entry (extremely important).Date every entry (extremely important). Do NOT tear out pages or white out or scratch Do NOT tear out pages or white out or scratch

out changes. Draw ONE line through changes.out changes. Draw ONE line through changes. Your entries should document your topic Your entries should document your topic

research, your proposal, the date the proposal research, your proposal, the date the proposal was submitted and returned—everything!was submitted and returned—everything!

Log book sample entryLog book sample entry

9/8/119/8/11

Today I logged on to the internet toToday I logged on to the internet to

research possible experiment topics. I found research possible experiment topics. I found several that interested me. Here are the several that interested me. Here are the website addresses: website addresses:

http://www.fantasticidea.com

http://www.iwonfirstplace.org

I discussed the prospects with my teacher I discussed the prospects with my teacher and my Mom and then I decided to do….and my Mom and then I decided to do….

What next?What next?

AFTER your teacher has approved your AFTER your teacher has approved your proposal, (record the date submitted and proposal, (record the date submitted and approved in your log book) you MUST fill approved in your log book) you MUST fill out all required forms.out all required forms.

These forms are required—they aren’t These forms are required—they aren’t hard to do, but you must pay attention to hard to do, but you must pay attention to the details! (That is part of science, too.)the details! (That is part of science, too.)

Which forms do I fill out?Which forms do I fill out?

ALL projects require a form 1, 1A, Research ALL projects require a form 1, 1A, Research plan, 1B, and 3.plan, 1B, and 3.

These MUST be completed in blue ink and These MUST be completed in blue ink and submitted to your teacher. submitted to your teacher.

Leave no line blank EXCEPT actual start Leave no line blank EXCEPT actual start and end date (form 1A, #6).and end date (form 1A, #6).

Research planResearch plan

This “form” does not look like a form because there This “form” does not look like a form because there are no blanks to fill in. Read it carefully. You are no blanks to fill in. Read it carefully. You must provide all of the information outlined on must provide all of the information outlined on this form on another sheet of paper. It should be this form on another sheet of paper. It should be typed.typed.

It must include a bibliography, with a minimum of 5 It must include a bibliography, with a minimum of 5 sources. Your bibliography must use MLA sources. Your bibliography must use MLA format. We will go over this in class.format. We will go over this in class.

If your project involves a vertebrate animal, there If your project involves a vertebrate animal, there MUST be a 6MUST be a 6thth source on care of that animal. source on care of that animal.

Refresh my memory, what is a Refresh my memory, what is a vertebrate?vertebrate?

FishFishAmphibiansAmphibiansReptilesReptilesBirdsBirdsMammalsMammals

More formsMore forms

Additional forms MAY be required depending on the Additional forms MAY be required depending on the nature of your project.nature of your project.

Examples:Examples:Working with a vertebrate animal?Working with a vertebrate animal?

You will need ONE of the #5 forms.You will need ONE of the #5 forms.Humans involved in your project?Humans involved in your project?

Form 4.Form 4.Working with a scientist at a research lab?Working with a scientist at a research lab?

Form 1CForm 1CBeing helped by a scientist?Being helped by a scientist?

Form 2Form 2

PRIOR APPROVALPRIOR APPROVAL

All projects requiring additional forms require All projects requiring additional forms require prior approval by a specific review board.prior approval by a specific review board.

Your teacher will get the forms to the board, Your teacher will get the forms to the board, and you MAY NOT start your project until and you MAY NOT start your project until the board approves the project. (Your the board approves the project. (Your teacher will let you know.)teacher will let you know.)

Where do I get these forms?Where do I get these forms?

http://www.societyforscience.org/(Go to the documents library on the Intel (Go to the documents library on the Intel

ISEF page)ISEF page)

http://www.edfoundationirc.org/p/13/www.edfoundationirc.org/p/13/science-fairscience-fair

(Education Foundation Website)(Education Foundation Website)

But I want to start NOW!!!!!But I want to start NOW!!!!!

Write your proposal.Write your proposal. Get it approved by your teacher.Get it approved by your teacher. Fill out your forms.Fill out your forms.

Your teacher will be your adult sponsor:Your teacher will be your adult sponsor:

Joan MartinelliJoan Martinelli

IFIF I approve your project, I approve your project,

you may begin work on your project.you may begin work on your project.

ExperimentationExperimentation

After you gather your materials and are After you gather your materials and are ready to start, document everything in your ready to start, document everything in your log book.log book.

Create a chart to record data.Create a chart to record data.

A good experiment is repeated many times A good experiment is repeated many times OR has a large test group.OR has a large test group.

ExamplesExamples

If you are doing an experiment with plants, insects, If you are doing an experiment with plants, insects, brine shrimp, or human subjects you should brine shrimp, or human subjects you should have a LARGE number in each test group. (And have a LARGE number in each test group. (And always have a control group.)always have a control group.)

If you are running an experiment that involves If you are running an experiment that involves timed trials, repeat the experiment as many timed trials, repeat the experiment as many times as possible and find the mean of your times as possible and find the mean of your results.results.

VariablesVariables

These are factors in your experiment that you must These are factors in your experiment that you must identify. (They are a part of your proposal.)identify. (They are a part of your proposal.)

Independent-the one thing that you are changing Independent-the one thing that you are changing in your experiment.in your experiment.

Dependent-What are you measuring?Dependent-What are you measuring? Constants-everything you keep the same for Constants-everything you keep the same for

fairness.fairness. Control-a group to which the independent Control-a group to which the independent

variable is NOT applied to.variable is NOT applied to.

ReportReport

I require a detailed research report on the topic of I require a detailed research report on the topic of your experiment to be done. In this way I know your experiment to be done. In this way I know if you have done sufficient research to if you have done sufficient research to thoroughly know your topic and develop your thoroughly know your topic and develop your hypothesis.hypothesis.

In order to write a report, you should research your In order to write a report, you should research your topic and make copies of websites that have topic and make copies of websites that have information specific to your topic. READ them, information specific to your topic. READ them, become familiar with your topic. Place them in a become familiar with your topic. Place them in a folder labeled “Reprint file” and display this with folder labeled “Reprint file” and display this with your project.your project.

Important form informationImportant form information

You may NOT begin experimentation until You may NOT begin experimentation until all forms are signed and dated by the all forms are signed and dated by the necessary adults.necessary adults.

*The adult sponsor is usually your teacher.*The adult sponsor is usually your teacher.

Parent signature is required on forms 1B Parent signature is required on forms 1B and 3.and 3.

Graphing resultsGraphing results

The Excel program or other computer The Excel program or other computer graphing programs should be used to graphing programs should be used to develop computer generated graphs.develop computer generated graphs.

The judges will be looking for good math in The judges will be looking for good math in your results. Can you find the mean, your results. Can you find the mean, median and mode? Your teacher may median and mode? Your teacher may teach you some more advanced statistics teach you some more advanced statistics for analyzing your results.for analyzing your results.

AbstractAbstract

An abstract is a summarized version of your An abstract is a summarized version of your project. It must be typed on the official state project. It must be typed on the official state abstract form. It includes the purpose, abstract form. It includes the purpose, hypothesis, procedure, data analysis and hypothesis, procedure, data analysis and conclusion.conclusion.

It is written in past tense and 200-250 words in It is written in past tense and 200-250 words in length. length.

Make 3 copies, one for your final report, one for Make 3 copies, one for your final report, one for your show board, and one for your records.your show board, and one for your records.

www.fffs.ucf.eduwww.fffs.ucf.edu

TitleTitle

Problem MaterialsProblem Materials Data Data

(graphs)(graphs)

Hypothesis ProcedureHypothesis Procedure Data Data

AnalysisAnalysis

Abstract VariablesAbstract Variables ConclusionConclusion

Completed ProjectCompleted Project

Title PageTitle PageAbstractAbstractTable of contentsTable of contentsIntroductionIntroduction

problem, hypothesis, why you selected this project and what you problem, hypothesis, why you selected this project and what you hope to achievehope to achieve

Materials and proceduresMaterials and proceduresData (tables and graphs)Data (tables and graphs)Data AnalysisData AnalysisDiscussionDiscussionConclusionConclusionRecommendationsRecommendationsAcknowledgementsAcknowledgementsResearch reportResearch reportBibliographyBibliography

The Education Foundation of Indian River County are the proud sponsors of this program and provide funding for the regional fair.

In addition the foundation provides thefunds for student participation in stateand international competition.

Take out your planner and write Take out your planner and write this down…this down…

http://www.edfoundationirc.org/p/13/science-fair

FYI: This Power Point is on my teacher page… except for that web address, so make sure your write it down!!!!!