Agriscience Fair Project – Experimental SAE
Now that you understand the Scientific Method, you have the chance to apply it by creating and conducting your own experiment. This is an Experimental SAE that will count as your midterm exam grade and will be included in our Knightdale Agriscience Fair.
Project Checklist and Due Dates
Project Idea selected and Category determined – Due:
Experiment designed and completed – Due:
Written lab report (minimum of 5 pages) – Due:
Abstract Completed – 300 word summary of total experiment – Due:
Display Created - Due:
Project Details
- Project Idea and Category
Your project should fall under one of the following six categories (a description of each category is listed below):
- Animal Systems
- Environmental Services/Natural Resource Systems
- Food Products and Processing Systems
- Plant Systems
- Power, Structural and Technical Systems
- Social Systems
Animal Systems (AS)
The study of animal systems, including life processes, health, nutrition, genetics, management and processing, through the study of small animals, aquaculture, livestock, dairy, horses and/or poultry.
Examples:
- Compare nutrient levels on animal growth
- Research new disease control mechanisms
- Effects of estrous synchronization on ovulation
- Compare effects of thawing temperatures on livestock semen
- Effects of growth hormone on meat/milk production
Environmental Services/Natural Resource Systems (ENR)
The study of systems, instruments and technology used in waste management; the study of the management of soil, water, wildlife, forests and air as natural resources and their influence on the environment.
Examples:
- Effect of agricultural chemicals on water quality
- Effects of cropping practices on wildlife populations
- Compare water movements through different soil types
Food Products and Processing Systems (FPP)
The study of product development, quality assurance, food safety, production, sales and service, regulation and compliance and food service within the food science industry.
Examples:
- Effects of packaging techniques on food spoilage rates
- Resistance of organic fruits to common diseases
- Determining chemical energy stored in foods
- Control of molds on bakery products
Plant Systems (PS)
The study of plant life cycles, classifications, functions, structures, reproduction, media and nutrients, as well as growth and cultural practices, through the study of crops, turf grass, trees and shrubs and/or ornamental plants.
Examples:
- Determine rates of transpiration in plants
- Effects of heavy metals such as cadmium on edible plants
- Compare GMO and conventional seed/plant growth under various conditions
- Effects of lunar climate and soil condition on plant growth
- Compare plant growth of hydroponics and conventional methods
Power, Structural and Technical Systems (PST)
The study of agricultural equipment, power systems, alternative fuel sources and precision technology, as well as woodworking, metalworking, welding and project planning for agricultural structures.
Examples:
- Develop alternate energy source engines
- Create minimum energy use structures
- Compare properties of various alternative insulation products
- Investigation of light/wind/water energy sources
Social Systems (SS)
The study of human behavior and the interaction of individuals in and to society, including agricultural education, agribusiness economic, agricultural communication, agricultural leadership and other social science applications in agriculture, food and natural resources.
Examples:
- Investigate perceptions of community members towards alternative agricultural practices
- Determine the impact of local/state/national safety programs upon accident rates in agricultural/natural resource occupations
- Comparison of profitability of various agricultural/natural resource practices
- Investigate the impact of significant historical figures on a local community
- Determine the economical effects of local/state/national legislation impacting agricultural/natural resources
- Experiment Design
- Be creative in your project idea, but make sure the idea is of interest to the class and of course, to YOU.
- Make sure that your project findings help to solve a problem related to agriculture.
- Talk to agricultural representatives in your community to find out what are some common problems related to plants, animals, landscaping, environment, etc. This networking will help to find an area that can have benefits after the project is completed.
- The Internet is helpful, but refrain from “stealing” ideas and use it to find an interest and promote brainstorming.
- Be realistic when choosing a project idea. Make sure that you have the abilities, knowledge, and resources available to complete the project.
- The following parts of the experiment should be planned and designed:
- Identify Problem – Why did you choose your particular topic? What problem are you trying to solve?
- Research – Find information about the topic to help design your experiment. Has an experiment like this been done before? If so, how will your experiment be different?
- Materials and Methods – How will you structure your experiment? What supplies do you need?
- Results – Collect data in whatever format fits your experiment (data tables, charts, etc.)
- Written Lab Report
- Final Report should be a minimum of 5 pages, but no more than 15 pages in length and should be written in APA style.
- Use past tense and 3rd person narrative in the final report.
- For example, instead of saying “I measured 15 grams” say “The researcher measured 15 grams.”
- Do not use 1st person narrative or present tense in the final report.
- Parts of the Report
- Title page – make it catchy and precise
- Table of Contents – accurate and with page numbers
- Abstract – Summary of your problem, hypothesis, procedures, and results.
- Introduction – Answers the question “why was the work done?”
- Review of Literature – background research on information relating to project topic.
- Materials and Methods – items used and procedures carried out to complete the project.
- Results – includes data, charts, graphs, photos, etc.
- Discussion and Conclusion – Was the hypothesis supported or not supported by your results.
- Acknowledgements – Who helped with this project? Give them credit.
- Literature Cited – Avoid plagiarism. Cite all sources where information was used, such as journal articles, books, theses, dissertations, proceedings, bulletins, reports, and published abstracts of papers presented at meetings.
- Abstract
The abstract is brief and concisely describes the purpose, methods, results, and conclusion of the experiment. This does not include the title or cited references. It should be no longer than one page. Arrangement of information should make the purpose, procedure, and conclusion clear.
- Display Guidelines
Your display should be a tri-fold board, which includes the summary of your experiment. There should be a heading or section for EACH step of the Scientific Method on your board.
Preparing the Display
-Need a title that is an attention grabber, but that simply and accurately states your research.
-Need PHOTOGRAPHS to show evidence of actual work completed during research.
-Organize your display so that it is easy to read. People read from left to right, then top to bottom.
-Have a NEAT display with colors, labels, and proper headings.
-Use Sans Serif font types such as Arial, Verdana, and Trebuchet MS. Avoid Serif fonts such as Times New Roman, etc.
- Font Size Recommendations
- Headings = 48-60 pt font
- Subheadings = 36 pt font
- Main Text = 24 pt font
Constructing the Display
-Size limitations
- 48” x 30” (distance from front to back)
- If a floor display, it must be no more than 108” high from the floor to the top.
- If a tabletop display, it must be more than 78” high from the table to the top.
Presenting the Display
-Avoid clutter. Do not place items in front of your display that will distract the viewer from your display and information.
- A logbook, photos, and maybe a model are appropriate items in front of the display.
-All projects must have the following information attached to the upper right hand corner of the exhibit:
- Name of person(s) responsible for developing the project
- Class Section
Example
Helpful Links
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-Citation Builder Link at NCSU
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-Science Fair Central at Discovery School: 250 PROJECT IDEAS. A list of ideas sorted by academic field of study.
-The Ultimate Science Fair Resources: This site covers all aspects of developing a science fair project, from start to finish. It also has many links and a supply service.
-Science Fair Project Resource Guide: Includes links to other websites that provide science project ideas. This site also gives you a tutorial on “Getting Started”, “Choosing a Topic”, “Completing the Project”, and “Displaying the Project”.
Examples for Consideration
-Biochemistry/Microbiology/Food Science
- Compare yeast fermentation techniques for converting sugars into alcohol
- Resistance of organic fruits to common diseases
- Control of molds on bakery products
-Environmental Sciences
- Effect of agricultural chemicals on water quality
- Effects of cropping practices on wildlife populations
- Compare irrigation systems for energy efficiency
- Research uniform water quality standards
- Compare water movements through different soil types
-Zoology (Animal Science)
- Compare nutrient levels on animal growth
- Research new disease control mechanisms
- Effects of estrous synchronization on ovulation
- Compare effects of thawing temperatures on livestock semen
- Effects of growth hormone on meat/milk production
-Botany (Plant/Soil Science)
- Effect of substrate particle size on shiitake mushroom growth
- Effects of heavy metals such as cadmium on edible plants
- Effect of ultraviolet light on soil microbes
- Effects of lunar climate and soil condition on plant growth
- Compare plant growth between hydroponics and conventional methods
-Engineering (Mechanical/Agricultural Engineering Science)
- Develop alternate energy source engines
- Absorption media for plant materials
- Compare various tillage methods for energy efficiency
- Investigation of light energy sources