Developing a Science Project

You will:
1. State the problem to research.
2. Review related literature
3. Form a hypothesis.
4. Plan your procedure.
5. Conduct experiment and record results.
6. Analyze data and create a conclusion.
7. Apply what you learned to real-life situation(s).
8. Present project.

In this packet of information, you will find a variety of helpful information to be used in preparing for and completing your research project.

What is not a science research project?
1. A collection of related or unrelated objects
2. A list of things
3. A report not supported by data or an experiment
4. A model, illustration, or piece of equipment unrelated to an experiment
5. A demonstration-the data must be reported in numbers, not words

Requirements for the Research Report
The report will have four parts:
1. Title page
2. Abstract: Problem, hypothesis, procedure, materials, summary of data collected, conclusions, applications
3. Review of literature
4. Works Cited

Oral Presentation
You should answer the following questions in your oral presentation:
1. Why did you do this project?
2. How did you do this project?
3. What did you find out?

Display Board
The display board should reflect the example included. Be certain to include the application(s) as well. This should be posted beneath the conclusions on the backboard.

Science Fair Project Steps

1. Choose a project idea
2. Conduct background research
3. Write hypothesis
4. Design experiment
5. Collect data
6. Analyze data and draw conclusions
7. Apply findings to real life
8. Present project

1. Choose a project idea (Statement of Purpose)
Consider what interests your child. Help them write a testable question. A good testable question/problem sets up the investigation. A testable question/problem can be written in the following ways:

What is the effect of ___________ on _______?
How does __________ affect ____________?
To what extent does __________ affect __________?

Websites:
sciencebuddies.org, discoveryeducation.com/sciencefaircentral/Parentresources.html

2. Conduct background research (Review of Literature and Work Cited)
Research topic and define vocabulary words. This report should provide the understanding needed by the student to interpret and explain the results to others - especially judges!

Work Cited page is an alphabetical list of sources. An easy website to use is easybib.com. It is free, if you select MLA. The site can reference all sources. **A page of standard examples is included in this packet if you do not have Internet access. Students primarily use books and websites in the middle school; therefore, if using the website, students only need to record the following information for a book and internet resource and the site will do everything else:

Book: record title of book, ISBN number, and volume, series and edition if applicable

Website: record the web address, title of site and date student found the site

3. Write hypothesis (Statement of Purpose and Hypothesis)
Have your child predict what will happen when they conduct the experiment. A hypothesis is a testable statement based on background knowledge, research, or scientific reason. A hypothesis states the anticipated cause and effect that may be observed during the investigation. Have student restate their testable question/problem as a hypothesis and identify variables. Identify the variable the student will change. All other variables must remain the same (controlled).
For example-
Question/problem:
What is the effect of the type of container on the melting rate of ice?

Hypothesis:
If ice is placed in a Styrofoam container, it will take longer to melt than if placed in a plastic or glass container. Variable changed: type of container

Or My hypothesis states that the type of container will affect the melting rate of ice. Variable: type of container

Changed variable: type of container

Controlled variables: size of container, amount of ice, room temperature, placement of containers, time of day

Measured variable: time it took the ice to melt in each container

Make sure your child is only changing one variable and controlling all other variables! A student must change one variable for the project to be considered an experiment. If they do not change a variable, then they are only demonstrating a cause and effect relationship. Demonstrations will be disqualified. If they change 2 or more variables, their test will not be a fair test and it will be disqualified.

4. Design experiment (Methodology)
Your child should list all materials and steps (procedure) one would need to follow to conduct the experiment. Be detailed in the steps. State in the steps repeat 3 times for the 3 required trials!

5. Collect data (Analysis of Data)
Student follows the procedure. Remember to use metric measurement only! Record observations and data. Data should be represented in a graph as well as in a written description.

6. Analyze data and draw conclusions
Student writes about the data collected and their observations. They include averages for each trial. They create graphs of data for the backboard. The student should accept or reject their hypothesis.

7. Apply findings
Student tells how their findings will help solve a problem, or make the world a better place. They tell how one could use the information they discovered in real life.

8. Present project
Students will put the above information in the correct format (see report format listed below and "how to write an abstract" page). Then, the student will create the backboard following the description included in this packet. Finally, the student will prepare for their oral presentation. All students will present their projects to their classmates. The oral presentation consists of a 3 minute talk on their project. The student should explain: why they did the project, how they did the project, and what they found out by doing the project

Report Format

Page 1: Title page: title of project, school, date

Page 2: Abstract

Page 3: Review of Literature: 4th grade at least 1 paragraph
5th grade at least 2 paragraphs
6th grade at least 3 paragraphs

Page 4: Work Cited: 4th grade at least 1 reference
5th grade at least 2 references
6th grade at least 3 references

How to Write an Abstract Research Report

Project Title: ______________________________________

I. Statement of Problem and Hypothesis: What do you want to find out? I
wanted to find how/if ______________ has an affect on ________________. My hypothesis stated that ___________________________________________.

II. Methodology: How will you test for what you think will happen? This will
include in paragraph form your list of materials and the procedure you followed to conduct your experiment.

I stated my problem, reviewed the literature, and wrote my hypothesis. I designed my experiment and gathered my materials (list materials and tell step by step what you did). I conducted my experiment and recorded the data. I analyzed the results.

III. Analysis of Data: Write out the data in paragraph form. Describe all data
here.

I found out _______________________________________________.

IV. Summary and Conclusion: What did you find out? Did you accept or
reject your hypothesis?

I found out that _________________________. Therefore, I (accept or reject) my hypothesis which stated that _____________________ (rewrite hypothesis).

V. Application: How will your research help people solve problems, or make
the world a better place to live? How can you use the new information you have found?

I can apply this to the real world by ___________________________.

Presenting the Project

Size of the Board
All projects must be free-standing and cannot exceed the following dimensions:
30" deep, 36" when opened, and 72" high

Steps in Preparing the Board
1. Choose a color scheme and stick with it. Remember, too many colors
can be unattractive and take away from the information.
2. Cover your board.
3. Place border on board.
4. Plan layout of project. Lay captions, pictures, charts, etc. on board
and make sure everything fits.
5. Permanently attach visuals to the board using rubber cement.

Lettering
The display should have legible and attractive captions with the title of the project centered at the top of the project. Precut letters, dry transfer letters, stencils, and felt-tip pens can be used to make letters. For emphasis use a contrasting color.
*******Before tracing letters or pasting letters on your board, make sure the words and the size of the letters you selected fit the board!

Mounting Pictures, Graphs, Charts, and Diagrams
All pictures, graphs, charts, etc. should be mounted on a piece of construction paper before attaching to the board. Print captions on pictures, graphs, etc. with markers. Use rubber cement to attach items to the board. This will allow them to be easily removed if corrections are needed without damaging the board.

Visual Layout of the Completed Board and Separate Report- See packet students brought home.