McDonogh 35 Senior High School Science Fair Project Guidelines
Your science fair project must be in the form of an investigative experiment. No models or demonstrations will be accepted. It must follow the steps of the scientific method that includes both experimental and control groups. Your instructor must approve your topic. If not, you run the risk of a failing grade if your project is unacceptable. You are not guaranteed a-passing grade by just turning in something. Your project must meet all of the following requirements to receive a passing grade.
PRE APPROVAL ON ALL PROJECTS THAT USE HUMAN SUBJECTS OR VERTEBRATE ANIMALS IS MANDATORY. ALL FORMS MUST BE COMPLETED AND APPROVED BEFORE EXPERIMENTATION CAN BEGIN. USE OF LASERS AND HARMFUL CHEMICALS ARE ALSO SUBJECT TO PRE APPROVAL.
L Research Paper
This research paper must be a minimum of twelve (12) pages in length, double-spaced and typed. Do not write in the first person, as this is a technical paper.
A Abstract 250-300 word summary of your report. Read by the judges in pre-judging, this is placed
on top of the title page and not numbered. ABSTRACTS ARE THE LAST ITEM TO BE COMPLETED IN YOUR RESEARCH PAPER.
B. Title Page Choose a catchy title. It should be centered on the page with your name, period, and date
in the lower right-hand corner.
C Table of Contents List contents on the left with page numbers on the right.
Ex.: Problem 2
D. Purpose/Problem E Library Research
F. Hypothesis
G. Materials List
H. Method
I. Safety
A brief and concise statement of the question or problem being studied.
A minimum of three (3) typed pages of background report from at least three resources revealing important information about your topic of study. No encyclopedias, dictionaries, atlases, or almanacs are allowed as resources.
A statement that proposes what you think the outcome or solution of what your problem will be. This is the factor(s) in the problem that you will test. It is written as a statement, not a question.
All the scientific materials and equipment used to perform the experiment.
A step-by-step listing of how the experiment was performed. Photos maybe place here are with the observation.
A list of all safety precautions used during your experiment must be included in the report.
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J. Results/observation IN ALL REPORTS, results are presented in two ways:
1. Written summary of your numerical data and observations
2. Graphs and tables of your numerical data.
K. Conclusion Explanation of your solution to the hypothesis. The conclusion explains how your results
answer the question posed in the hypothesis. HYPOTHESES MAY BE PROVEN
CORRECTION OR INCORRECT.
L. Bibliography Listing of all resources used in the project. This must be in accepted bibliographic format.
Encyclopedias are not the best resources for science projects. Find scientific books, journals, Internet or textbook sources that contain scientific information on your topic.
Display Board
Size: Maximum size of the display board is 76 cm x 274 cm. The science department may sell boards. Restrictions: No names, brand names of products, and no photographs where individuals can be identified. Animal parts, preserved vertebrates or embryos are not to be displayed, but pictures may be placed in a notebook. Chemicals, including water, may not be displayed.
Due Dates -
Topic October 31, 2008 Handouts students are given
Outline of Procedure November 20, 2009 (Parts E & H submitted by jump drive)
Review of Literature December 4, 2009 (submitted to blackboard on safe assign)
Completed Project DECEMBER 7, 2009 complete project is due and presentation is given.
SCIENCE FAIR To be announced
List of Requirements for Parts of Science Project
Research Paper
Abstract
Title Page
Table of Contents
Purpose/Problem
Background Research
Hypothesis
Materials
Methods
Safety Precautions
Written Results
Results (data table and graphs)
Conclusion(s)
Bibliography/References
Display Board
Abstract
Title
Purpose/Problem
Hypothesis
Materials Methods
Safety Precautions
Written Results
Results (data table and graphs)
Photographs
Conclusions
HI. Five-minute oral presentation before science class. Students are expected to answer questions about their projects.