Information to Know

Reminders

People, Animals, Soil and Plants

  • If you have any people participating in your project, they need to fill out a participant form BEFORE they participate and have it signed. Make one copy of the form, fill out your parts and sign it, and make photocopies so you don’t have to fill out your info each time.
  • If you are planning on involving live animals in your project, you need to see me first as there is a form to fill out and specific guidelines to follow.
  • If your project involves live plants/soil, containers need to be sealed tightly with saran wrap.
  • Food and drink samples need to be sealed in transparent, labeled containers.
  • Cleaning chemicals can’t be brought to the science fair. (You can pour non-chemical substances into the containers to take its place, for display purposes.)

Report Writing

  • NO cutting/pasting unless you take a direct quote and give the author’s name/info in brackets. You need to understand the information and write it in your words. You do give credit to the author if you are not coming up with the ideas yourself, even if it isn’t a direct quote.
  • Write the abstract section last, even though it will be one of the first sections of your final report.
  • Your final report will be several pages long, but don’t be overwhelmed! Most of the sections are made up of information that you have already written. Gather up the information for each section and type it into Word as you complete each part.
  • Save your document often! Frequent saving could save you a lot of trouble. Save a copy at school, email it to yourself or save on to a memory stick.
  • Remember to do a spelling and grammar check on your PC. Also, have a few people proofread your final report. Constructive criticism is important.

Journal

  • Your log book/journal is a separate book/duotang from the report. It is not typed up.
  • Each and every time you work on your project, you need to keep track of what you did in your log book.
  • Your log book will be on the table with your backboard at the science fair.

Title of Project

(Keep it short, sweet, and to the point.)

First and Last Name

March 9, 2018

Science Fair

St. Nicholas School

Table of Contents

Abstract

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Background Research

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Purpose

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Materials and Procedures

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Challenges and Technical Issues

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Experiment Results

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Data Analysis & Discussion

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Conclusion

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Recommendations

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Acknowledgements

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Bibliography

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Abstract

4-5 Sentences

An abstract is a short and concise summary of your project and is typically 4-5 sentences total. The first sentence should state what you set out to do. The next one-two sentences should explain the “take-home message” or what you found out. The last one to two sentences should state why your results are important.

You can’t write this part until your project is done. Then you come back and fill in this section.

Background Research

3+ Paragraphs

When scientists develop an idea, they first perform research to determine what is already known about their idea. Background research enables a scientist to be knowledgeable before beginning their experiment.

Research the Following

Vocabulary: Locate at least 3 key science words related to your topic (most topics will need much more than 3). Yourscience textbooks are an excellent place to find these. Make sure that the wordsyou choose are directly related to your topic. Provide a definition of each keyword in your own words.

Scientific Background. After researching your topic, explain what is already known. What have scientists already discovered about your topic? (1+ grade level paragraph)

Discovery.Who discovered my topic? Or, what kind of research has al When, where, and how did they make this discovery? Why was this discovery important? Is there more to discover in this area? (1+ grade level paragraph)

Application. How is this topic used in the world today? Do we use this knowledge or technology in our daily life? How may we be able to use this knowledge or technology in the future? (1+ grade level paragraph)

*Place your references in the works cited (bibliography) section. Your bibliography is critical to your success with this project.

Note: High level science fair projects go beyond the minimum requirements and expand on areas that are important to the topic being explored.

Experiment Details

Purpose

Write your experiment question here. A good experiment question format is:

  • What is the effect of ______on ______?
  • How does the ______affect ______?
  • Which ______verb ______?

Hypothesis

Write your hypothesis here. A good hypothesis will:

  1. Answer the testable question
  2. Give a testable reason

Based on your research, decide what you think the outcome of the project will be and make a good guess as to what you think the answer to your question will be. Also explain WHY you think that will be the outcome. Remember, it is ok if you don't have the right answer; that is how scientists make discoveries. Make sure that your hypothesis is written in a complete sentence.

Experiment Variables (not needed for innovation/engineering projects)

The chart is background information for you only don’t include in report itself…

Independent VariableThe one and only thing you change

/ What is the variable that you purposely changed in your experiment? For example, the length of the pendulum.

Dependent Variable(s)

The thing(s) being observed and measured throughout the experiment / How did you measure/observe your results?
For example, the time it takes for the pendulum to make 10 back-n-forth swings.

Controlled Variable(s)

The thing(s) that stay the same for the entire experiment / List all of the variables you kept the same in the experiment.
For example, the type of string, washers, angle of pendulum drop, 10 swings, used a digital clock to measure time.

Engineering Design Process (not needed for experiment projects)

In this section, explain or draw a detailed diagram of how you went through the engineering design process to create your project. Be sure to explain your failures and all modifications you made as you went.

Diagram from

Materials

1 detailed list

Provide a list of all the materials and their quantities you used in your experiment. Be as detailed as possible

Example:

  • One Large Circular Ceramic Magnet (5cm diameter, 1.5 cm height)
  • One Medium Circular Ceramic Magnet (3cm diameter, 1.5 cm height)
  • One Small Circular Ceramic Magnet (1.5cm diameter, 1.5 cm height)
  • Ten Standard Sized Paper Clips
  • 1 Metric Ruler
  • 1 Non-magnetic Table Surface

Procedure

1 detailed step-by-step list

Provide detailed procedures for conducting your experiment. It is important that these are specific and well detailed. You should include drawings, diagrams, and/or photos to help show how you conducted your experiment.

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Challenges and Technical Issues

1-2 Paragraphs

Every experiment experiences challenges. What challenges did you have while conducting your experiments?Was it difficult to obtain accurate measurements?Were you able to get the same result during each trial? Did you have to change or modify parts of your experiment? What other problems did you solve?

Experiment Results

At least 1 Paragraph + Charts/Tables/Graphs/Logs

Discuss the results from your experiments including the average and uncertainty from your trials (You should perform at least 10 trials). If there were outliers (measurements that do not fit the pattern – this might be due to poor measurement) in your experiment, explain what went wrong and what you decided to do with that measurement.

Include one or more charts, tables, graphs, or a log. These should be neatly typed in a Word Table or Graph from Microsoft Excel (it looks really good when you have these created on a computer – if you want your project to have a chance on moving onto regional competition, you must have diagrams created using a computer program.)

Data Analysis and Discussion

At least 3 Paragraphs + Calculated Graphical Representation of Data (Graph and Table)

Paragraphs 1 and 2: Take a close look at your results. This section is where you need to explain WHY you received the results from your experiment. Discuss your reasons for the data you received. Use data (evidence) and your original background research to help explain your reasons (This is VERY important). Also explain what your calculated graph shows.

Don’t forget to insert your calculated graph!!!

Third Paragraph: How do your results answer your original question? Looking at your data, does it support or disprove your hypothesis? Why or why not

Conclusion

1 Concise Paragraph

Based on your data and analysis written above, answer your testable question (from your hypothesis). Be sure to include ALL evidence (data) in your conclusion!

Recommendations

1-2 Paragraphs

Based on your conclusions, what do you recommend to future researchers in your field of study? Do you have recommendations for industry, policy makers, consumers, or the public? What recommendations do you have for another student who also does an experiment in this area?

Acknowledgements

At least 1 Paragraph

Scientists usually receive help and assistance from many others. Thank all that helped you put your project together.

Bibliography

On a separate page(s)

A bibliography is a list of the sources of information used for reference. Use EasyBib.com to make and manage your bibliography.

Backboard

Sections to Include on Backboard:

Not everything in your report, goes onto your backboard. For your display board, you include only: Title, Purpose, Hypothesis, Procedure, *Observations, Results, Conclusion, Acknowledgements.

* Don’t put every graph/chart/picture you have in your report either; pick the most important ones that summarize or highlight your project.

Misc:

We follow the same rules for local and regional fairs, as the Canada Wide Science Fair (nationals.) Your project display, including the backboard, title board, presentation and prop material, and all display equipment, must fit entirely within these dimensions: 1.2 m wide, 0.8 m deep and 2.5 m high from the floor.

You should have on display, your report, journal, binder of pictures taken during your experiment with an explanation of what it is showing (if applicable), any artifacts from your project… think about bringing a table cloth or something to dress up your display platform. Dress up yourself, to look and feel more polished for your local science fair and judging time.