your log book should have accurate and detailed notes of everything you do for your project. taking...
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Science Fair & the Scientific Method
1. Identify the problem
2. Gather information
3. Formulate a hypothesis
4. Test the hypothesis (variables and controls)
5. Collect and analyze data
6. Make conclusions
Your Log Book
Your log book should have accurate and detailed notes of everything you do for your project. Taking good notes will help you when you write your ABSTRACT, RESEARCH PAPER, & DISPLAY!!!
Should be bound with stitching or glue.Should be written in INK ONLY. Don’t use
pencil or printouts (unless graphs and charts)
Your Log Book
Put your name and school on the frontInclude notes on readings and
bibliographic information (5 sources)Include thoughts, ideas, and trials Include raw data (all the measurements
you collect during your experimental trials)Staple in copies of graphs/charts; attach
photos and label them
Your Log Book (8 tabs) Date every entry and enter each science
activity you doNever remove pages from your log
Table of Contents Page #
Deadline Schedule 1
Daily Notes & Reflections 2Background Research (library/internet)
20
Contacts, Supply sources 26Experimental Set up 35Data Collection 40Results (pictures, graphs, tables) 50Reflections 60
2 COLUMNS AND 11 ROWS FOR YOUR DEADLINE GUIDE
Science Fair Timeline at a Glancep. 1
Date What’s DueAugust 29, 2013 Proposal Form
September 13, 2013 Research Plan
October 11, 2013 Turn in ISEF forms. Forms located: http://www.societyforscience.org/isef/ Research should be complete. Begin organizing and typing paper.
October 15, 2013 Title Page/Introduction portion of research paper
October 22, 2013 Bibliography page due
October 29, 2013 Materials and procedures portion of research paper
November 5, 2013 Table of Contents, Results, Discussion, Conclusion & Appendix portion of research paper due
November 15, 2013 All backboard information due, including graph
November 19 , 2013 Abstract due December 9, 2013 Entire project due December 12-13, 2013 School Science Fair, tentative
QuestionComing up with a question to ask
Comparison/Choice Questions use a set of similar items to compare the action between them. Use a topic, a variable that is changed, and a measurable observation.
Example: Which paper towel soaks up water the fastest?
What’s the topic?
What variable changes?
What can be measured?
Yes or No Questions
Still have variables and measurement.
Example: Do bigger seeds produce bigger plants?
THINK PAIR SHARE
On a scratch sheet of paper try to form your own question. Remember you need your TOPIC, CHANGEABLE VARIABLE, and MEASURABLE OBSERVATION.
ResearchStudy everything known about your topic
Go to the library/internet and record the topic information gathered into your log book.
Find an appropriate work space and be sure you have ADULT SUPERVISION!!!
PREDICTCreating a hypothesis
Developing a hypothesis:
a) IF/THEN statement to show exactly what you’re testing and what you expect to find.
b) At the end of your experiments you want to be able to say, “My hypothesis was supported.”
c) NEVER change your hypothesis after experimenting. It’s just an educated guess.
Your turn
Look back at your question Think about materials you may needThink about how you’ll proceedWhat do you EXPECT to happen?Why do you think it will happen?
RESEARCH PLAN
Research Plan Instructions The research plan must be TYPED and have your name on it. The research plan summary is to include the following parts: (this is an outline of the research, not the complete report)
A. Question or Problem of the projectB. Hypothesis in an “If…then” statementC. Description in detail of method/procedures for experiment and research. Be sure to include the steps that you are following to collect your information during the experiment and during the research. Also include how you will analyze the data to help you answer your question. (Example-I will make a graph and look for patterns)D. Literature Cited: List at least 5 references (articles, books, internet sites, people) that you used to help you collect your research information and learn about your project. (Purdue OWL is a great resource for citing sources http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/section/2/10/ )
