Pre-AP Biology Science Project Guidelines
Intel International Science and Engineering Fair
The science project is required of all students in the Pre-AP Biology course. It is part of a rigorous study to prepare the student for Advanced Placement (AP) science courses.
The science fair is operated under the guidelines of the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. Their website can be accessed by the link below.
http://www.societyforscience.org/ISEF/
From this website you can access the official guidelines, rules, and documents that your student will be completing as he/she proceeds through the project.
I encourage you to visit this site for more information about the science fair process. Throughout this semester your child will bring home forms from this site that will need to be completed before he/she can continue with the project.
If your child loses a form or this science fair package of information, a link to all this “stuff” can be accessed at the RCPS science website by visiting www.rcps.info go to departments, science, science fair, student resources. (http://www.rcps.info/departments/instructional_department/science/science_fair_resources/student_resources/ )
Also, you can find science fair information on my webpage, http://ph.rcps.info/teacher_pages/science/p__maxey/biology/pre_a_p_bio_science_fair/
Pre-AP Biology Parent Letter
October 2016
Dear Parent,
I am excited that your student is enrolled in pre-AP Biology. This is an advanced class and will move at a quicker pace and incorporate more projects and labs. The student will be required to do a research project on a science topic. Students may work alone or in pairs. If students choose to work together, they are agreeing to receive the same grade as their group members for some parts of the project and understand that they are making a group commitment and must work together. The student is responsible for ensuring each member is contributing to the group. Some assignments will be required of all students regardless of whether or not they are working in a group. It is the student’s responsibility to understand all deadlines and which items are required of each member. Please refer to the Science Fair Project Timeline. The teacher will select projects that will be entered in the PH science fair held on January 26, 2017.
Each student will be required to select a science topic, complete a research paper on their approved topic, and formulate and test a hypothesis through an experiment. Students will work on the project outside of class. A timetable for completing various parts of the project is attached and additional information is included in the How to Booklet found on my webpage. (http://ph.rcps.info/teacher_pages/science/p__maxey/biology/pre_a_p_bio_science_fair/)
This is a major project and will represent a significant portion of the student’s grade for the 2nd and 3rd nine weeks. Due to the magnitude of the project and the length of time given to complete the project, no final research papers or experimental project boards will be accepted late.
If you have any questions, Mrs. Maxey can be reached at 853-2255 ext 7307 or .
I appreciate your assistance, and I look forward to a rewarding school year.
______
Parent Signature Date
Science Fair Project Timeline 2016-2017 Name: ______
Parent signature verifies you have seen this form and understand that a project is required of Pre-AP Biology students. Points will be deducted for late work (1/2 credit for one day late; 1/4 credit for second day late, no credit third day late). The final paper and experiment project are not accepted late and will receive a zero if late.
Topic Ideas / 3 possible science topics and indicate if working with a group or alone. If working with a group list all group members and the period, they have Biology. No more than 4 people in a group. / Oct 10 (A, BR)
Oct 11 (B) / /10
Rough draft of background information & 5 sources / Outline science concept being studied
Bibliography of 5 sources in the approved format. / Oct 10 (A, BR)
Oct 11 (B) / /25
TOTAL POINTS = /35
Research Paper / Research paper on your topic completed according to instructions / Oct 20 (A, BR) /50
Oct 21 (B) No late papers accepted.
Research Plan Approval Form / Research Plan Project Approval Form on what you want to study. Form in this packet. / Oct 20 (A, BR) Oct 21 (B) / /20
Procedure / Step by step procedure. Must be approved before experiment begins / Oct 26 (A, BR) Oct 27 (B) / /10
Forms 1/1A/1B* completed
Research Plan Attachment Due (part of Form 1A)
Experiment begins / Must have forms 1/1A/1B turned in to begin project, with student, parent, teacher signatures. Research Plan Attachment Form, with attached typed pages, including procedure.
Forms can be found in the science project folder on my website. Forms must be typed. You may type directly on the form. Don’t forget to sign the forms!
Experimentation should begin by Nov 1 / Oct 26 (A, BR)
Oct 27 (B) / /20
Form 1B Must Be Completed and Turned in Before Experimentation Starts *
Abstract on official form / Complete official abstract form / Nov 18 (A, BR) Nov 21 (B) / /10
Log Book / Follow guidelines in handout. See grading rubric. / Nov 18 (A, BR) Nov 21 (B) / /25
Science Fair
Jan 26 / If selected, student must be present after school for judging. /
Must be present for judging
*To be completed by every member in the group.
Choosing a Project
· Pick a topic related to science. Your topic must be approved.
· Decide if you are working independently or with another student.
· A good project will allow for experimentation NOT demonstration. For example a project on “How Volcanoes Erupt” does not allow the student to experiment; he is just doing a demonstration on how a volcano erupts. A topic such as: “The Effect of Chemical Fertilizers on Bean Plants” allows the student to experiment with different amounts of fertilizer on the growth of plants.
Every Project has a Problem
· The problem of the project is what you are going to experiment on. For example: The problem of this project is to determine if fertilizer makes a difference in plant growth.
Every Project has a Purpose
· The purpose of the project will explain what you tried to discover in your experiment. For example: The purpose of this project is to determine if fertilizer makes plants grow taller.
Hypothesis: is a possible explanation as to what will happen in an experiment.
· Your experiment does not have to prove your hypothesis correct. Remember Thomas Edison experimented nearly 2000 times before discovering what would work in a light bulb.
· The hypothesis will be stated in an “if”, “then” statement. For example: If chemical fertilizer is added to a bean plant then the plant will grow taller.
As you begin your project, save everything! As you complete work on the computer- save everything! Many of the items will be reused, and if you have saved them, then it is much easier when you compile all your information into the notebooks.
Literature Review Research Paper:
The literature review serves as documentation of the first three steps of the scientific method: 1) state the purpose or problem, 2) gather information on the topic, and 3) form a testable hypothesis. Scientists review literature to explain why they are proposing a research study. The review will include important background information on the variables and an overview of prior research on the topic. The student will use information from the literature review to write the introduction, discuss results, and form conclusions when writing about their own experimental projects. The literature review will have several different sections as outlined below. Put your paper in the order listed below.
Paper requirements:
· Typed
· Times New Roman or Arial Font only
· 12 point font
· one inch margins all around
· To include all components in the order listed below
· Minimum 5 sources
Components to be included in the paper:
· Title Page: This page will have the title of your project, name of all group members, and date.
· Body of the report: must include:
a) a clear statement of the purpose of your experiment. The purpose must identify the independent and dependent variables.
b) A brief discussion of how this topic relates to Biology.
c) Review of Literature: This is a summary of the work and research conducted by others that relate to your topic. The information must relate to your variables. Include the results of other researchers. Internal documentation must be used to give credit to your sources. This is where you will use your library, internet, and encyclopedia notes to write the review.
· Hypothesis: your hypothesis should be made as a result of your becoming knowledgeable about the topic. Therefore, it should come at the end of the summary of the research. The hypothesis is in the “if”, “then” format.
· Works Cited: This is the page where you will cite your source materials. It is also called a bibliography page. Use the following format for the appropriate source. Only cite the sources you use in the paper. You will need 5 sources.
Internal Documentation
· When using another’s idea or quotation, you must provide internal documentation in the paper. You do this by putting the author’s name, page number, and year published in parenthesis after the quote or idea, even if you have paraphrased the information.
· For example. “ Physical science- the study of matter, energy, and the changes that matter and energy undergo” (Prentice Hall pg 4, 2005)
Works Cited Basic Rules
· Begin the Works Cited page on a separate page at the end of your research paper. It should have the same one-inch margins and last name, page number header as the rest of the paper.
· Label the page Works Cited (do not underline the words Works Cited or put them in quotation marks) and center the words Works Cited at the top of the page.
· Capitalize each word in the titles of articles, books, etc, but do not capitalize articles, short prepositions, or conjunctions unless one is the first word of the title or subtitle: Gone with the Wind, The Art of War.
· Use italics or underlining for titles of larger works (books, magazines) and quotation marks for titles of shorter works (poems, articles)
· Arrange entries in alphabetical order by the author’s last name.
· Indent the second line
Internet Sites for Creating Works Cited Page
There are several sites that you can use to create a work-cited page. The link below is easy to use: put in the requested information and click save citation. You will need to copy the citation and paste into a word document that you then need to save. Remember a minimum of 5 sources is required.
http://oslis.org/@@mla-secondary
Below is another site you could also use to create a works cited page
http://www.bibme.org/
The important thing is that you have works cited in your research paper. You cannot use a person’s work without citing the source of information. This is considered plagiarism and is a serious offense.
On the following page are examples of how to do a bibliography without using an internet site to create the works cited. I find it easier if students use the internet site, but if that is not possible it can be done the “old fashion” way!
Examples of How to List Works Cited
Here are examples of how to create a work cited page without using an internet site. Remember a minimum of 5 sources is required.
Book withone author / Last name, First name. Title of Book. Place of Publication: Publisher, Year of Publication.
Example:
Henley, Patricia. The Hummingbird House. Denver: MacMurray, 1999.
Articles from reference books / Dictionary entry:
Word. Definition #. Name dictionary. Edition. Year published.
Example:
"Accord." Def.5b. The Oxford English Dictionary. 2nd ed. 1989.
Encyclopedia entry:
Author’s last name, first name. “Title Article”. Name of encyclopedia. Edition. Year published.
Example:
Bergman, P. G. "Relativity." The New Encyclopedia Britannica. 15th ed. 1987.
Website / Name of Site. Date of Posting/Revision. Name of institution/organization affiliated with the site (sometimes found in copyright statements). Date you accessed the site. <electronic address>.
Example:
Felluga, Dino. Guide to Literary and Critical Theory. 28 Nov. 2003. Purdue University. 10 May 2006 <http://www.cla.purdue.edu/english/theory/>.
Research Paper Check and Grade Sheet****
Use this paper to check off the required components of your research paper. This sheet also indicates the point value of each item.
Required Components of the Research PaperRefer to pages 6-8 / Student Check if included / Teacher check if included / Points earned/
Point value
Typed / /5
Times New Roman or Arial Font; 12 point / /1
One inch margins all around / /1
Components in order listed below: / /5
Title page / /1
Table of contents / /1
Body of report: The paper clearly states the purpose of the experiment. Discusses how this topic relates to Biology. Clearly summarizes the research related to your topic.
Includes internal documentation of sources of information. / /25
Hypothesis: If…then statement / /1
Works cited: 5 sources of information listed in proper format. / /10
TOTAL POINTS EARNED / /50
Research Plan Project Approval Form NAME(s)______
Must be approved by your teacher BEFORE experimentation can begin. After this is approved and all forms are turned in you may begin the experiment. You cannot change your experiment without approval from the teacher.
1. Problem or question being addressed.
2. Hypothesis (if/then format)
3. Independent Variable is ______
(remember: you can only have one thing you change)
4. Dependent Variable is ______(this is what you will be measuring; what is changing because of the independent variable).
5. Control is ______
6. Constants in the experiment are ______
(list at least three.)