Science & Engineering Fair Notebook Format

Optional Guide to

Science & Engineering Fair Notebook Format

The 2 most important parts of this guideline is:

1. The notebook guide

2. The display board format

1
PROJECT TITLE:
(Problem)
------
------
Date
2
ABSTRACT
Separate sections for:
· Goals and Objective
· Methods and Materials
· Results
· Conclusions and Discussions / 3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Problem……….
Hypothesis……
Materials……...
Procedure…….
Log……………..
Data……………
Results………...
Conclusion……
Research
Report……..
Annotated
Bibliography..
Acknowledgement / 4
PROBLEM:
A question raised to be answered by a process of scientific inquiry and experimentation.
HYPOTHESIS:
a tentative answer to the question posed in the problem. / 5
MATERIALS:
A listing or written description of the items used in the experimental procedure.
PROCEDURE:
1. A series of steps to be followed in a definite order.
2. The purpose of the procedure is to provide data regarding the validity of the hypothesis / 6
LOG:
1.The record (observations and measurements) of the progress or changes related to your experiment.
2. Include dates, time and any other pertinent data in a consistent manner.
3. Log may be typed or handwritten and represent original entries by the student. / 7
DATA:
1. A collection of factual information displayed in an organized fashion. (Tables, charts, etc.)
2. Data can be collected by: measuring
weighing
timing
observing
taping
8
RESULTS:
Rank outcomes, show averages, perform calculation, and show relationships. Use charts and graphs. / 9
CONCLUSION:
Answer the question that you stated in your problem. Your conclusion must be based on facts. conclusions that do not support the hypothesis are equally valid and important. *Suggest areas for further experimentation. / 10
RESEARCH REPORT:
What is the current information on your topic?
Write about the scientific principles and concepts that relate to your investigation. / 11
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
An organized list of sources you used. Books, pamphlets, magazines, and newspapers are some sources you should consider.
The bibliography must be annotated / 12
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
A list of those who helped you; i.e.,
parents
teacher
friend
professional.
Include a brief description of the type of help received. / 13
APPENDIX:
1. Drawings
2. Copies of letters, pages,
books, etc.
3. Photographs
4. Newspaper and
magazine articles
* On the back inside cover of the notebook list your name, teacher and school

SCIENCE PROJECT NOTEBOOK GUIDE

PROJECT TITLE

______

Student’s Name

______

Teacher’s Name

______

Date

ABSTRACT (complete after the experiement)

Name ______Grade ______School______

Project Title______

Goals/Objective: (What did the students want to find out?)
Methods and Materials: (What were the steps/materials used to investigate the problem?)
Results: (What information or data has been derived as a result of the investigation?)
Conclusions/Discussions: (What were the outcomes of the investigations and do they support the students’ hypothesis? What are the implications of the experiment?)

TABLE OF CONTENTS (number pages last)

Title Page…………………………………………………………………………………………

Abstract…………………………………………………………………………………………..

Table of Contents………………………………………………………………………………

Problem…………………………………………………………………………………………...

Hypothesis………………………………………………………………………………………..

Materials………………………………………………………………………………………….

Procedure………………………………………………………………………………………...

Log…………………………………………………………………………………………………

Data………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Results…………………………………………………………………………………………….

Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………………..

Results………………………………………………………………………………………….

Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………………..

Research Report………………………………………………………………………………..

Bibliography……………………………………………………………………………………..

Acknowledgements……………………………………………………………………………..

Appendix………………………………………………………………………………………….

Student Information Page…………………………………………………………………...

PROBLEM

A question to be answered by a process of scientific experimentation.

______

HYPOTHESIS

A tentative answer to the question posed in the problem. (An educated guess).

______

MATERIALS

A list of all items used in the experiment.

______

PROCEDURE

A series of steps to be followed in a defined order.

______

DATA - Can include label ingredients, charts, tables, graphs, etc.

A collection of factual information displayed in an organized fashion.

Remember, information can be superimposed (layered).

______

RESULTS

Rank outcomes, show averages, perform calculations, measurements, and show relationships. Make a graph.

______

CONCLUSION

Answer the question that you stated in your problem, based on facts. Was your hypothesis correct or incorrect? Explain. What would you do differently? What would your next step be?

______

LOG

(The record, observations and measurements, of the progress or changes related to the experiment). Copy and use this chart for each trial.

DATE / TIME / OBSERVATIONS

RESEARCH REPORT

Research facts about your topic on the internet or use books, magazine articles, etc. What is the current information on your topic? Write about scientific principles that relate to your topic.

Example: According to the Webster’s Dictionary the word “_____” means ______. After looking on google, I found information about _____ that stated ______.

A 5th grade report should be about one page of researched information.

This page is for notes only and to keep track of the websites so that you know what to include in the Bibliography.

______

BIBLIOGRAPHY

List of sources that you used: books, pamphlets, magazines, newspapers, computer search, etc. Must be in correct format: see sample bibliography on next two pages.

______ABC order______

Books:

Internet sites:

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

A list of people or organization that helped you with your science fair project.

______

ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY

The following are examples of common reference sources and the manner in which they should be listed in the annotated bibliography.

ANNOTATED EXPLAINS HOW AND WHY YOU USED THAT PARTICULAR SOURCE AS A REFERENCE.

Book

Author. Title. City of Publication: Name of Publisher, Year of Publication.

This book discusses science in the kitchen. It covers both the biology and chemistry of food and cooking. It also discusses how we taste things.

Wells, Arthur. The Microscope Made Easy. New York: Warne, 1998.

This book explains how to use a microscope and care for it. It explains the steps to utilize for both a regular and electronic microscope.

Magazine

Author. "Article Title." Magazine Title Day Month Year of Publication: Page Numbers.

This article explained the concept of artificial intelligence. It was very useful in understanding the concept and how artificial intelligence can be used by scientists.

Cuomo, Mario. "The Tragedy of 9/11." New York 12 May 2002: 84.

Mario Cuomo explains in this article why 9/11 was a tragedy. He also discusses how 9/11 helped bring New Yorkers and the entire United States to help out and serve in different ways.

Journal

Author. "Article Title." Journal Title Volume Number (Year of

Publication): Page Numbers.

This Journal article helps the reader appreciate the amazing diversity of life forms on earth. It is amazing to realize the enormous number of species that we may never know about because they have become extinct.

LeGuin, Ursula. “American Species.” Paleontology 20 (1998):

This article was helpful because it explained the process used to identify the many species of animals present in America

Newspaper

Author. "Article Title." Newspaper Title , Date, Month and Year of Publication, Section: Page Numbers.

This article explains what the scientists are doing in Colorado to prevent further erosion of the Rocky Mountains.

Botte, Arthur. "Recycling Made Easy." Los Angeles Times 14 Jan.

2003, Section A: 2.

This article told the many ways that the city of Los Angeles is using to encourage recycling. The city is leading the way by using recycling rebates to encourage recycling of cans and bottles.

Encyclopedia

"Article Title." Encyclopedia Title. Year of Publication.

This gives a thorough explanation of the process used for excavating.

"Glass." Encyclopedia Britannica. 1996.

This article discusses the many uses of glass, especially for industrial purposes.

Computer Online Book

Shakespeare, William. Richard III. The Complete Works of William Shakespeare. 2 Aug. 1995. The Tech. MIT. 20 Apr. 1998

http://thetech.mit.edu/Shakespeare/History/kingrichardiiii/

kingrichardiii.html.

This online book includes an analysis of all the characters in the play as

well as a synopsis of the play.

Computer Online Journal or Magazine

Harnack, Andre, and Gene Kleppinger. “Beyond the MLA Handbook: Documenting Sources on the Internet.: Kairos 1.2 (1998).

14 Aug. 1998 http://www.english.ttu/acw/kairos/index.html.

This explains how to correctly document sources that come from the Internet.

Computer Software

Title of Program. Computer software. The Company, Year of Publication.

Publication. Computer for Which the Software was Designed.

This computer program enables the user to do an analysis of variance and also to figure out the mean, mode and median of a sample.

Pamphlet

Name of Pamphlet. City of Publication: Publishing Company, Year of Publication.

This pamphlet was useful in identifying the causes of erosion.

Personal Interview

Name of Author. Type of Interview. Day, Month and Year of Publication.

This interview was outstanding. He explained why he chose to be a veterinarian. He related several events that happened during his first year in practice.

Fuller, Alice. Personal Interview. 17 Dec. 2002.

This interview was helpful and very informative. She explained why she decided to be a botanist.

Use the Scientific Method

STEPS FOR SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY / DATE DUE
1. / Choose a problem to investigate.
(state problem as a question) / Before Winter Break
2. / Conduct research: get advice from experts.
3. / Develop a purpose and hypothesis.
4. / Decide on the procedure to be used.
5. / Make a list of materials needed; gather materials.
6. / Conduct investigation; collect data.
7. / Organize data and results.
8. / Draw conclusions.
9. / Complete abstract.
10. / Write research report.
11. / Proofread report.
12. / Design exhibit.
13. / Construct visual aids and exhibit backdrop.
14. / Turn project in. / Jan 22, 2013
15. / Present project.

DEVELOPING A SCIENCE FAIR PROJECT

STUDENT SCIENCE & ENGINEERING FAIR PROJECT CHECK LIST

PROBLEM:

1. Is it written in the form of a question?

2. Is it identified?

RESEARCH:

1. Axe the facts set up in outline form or brief statements?

2. Do you have sufficient information?

3. Does your information pertain to the problem?

4. Is it clear, easy to read? Understand?

HYPOTHESIS:

1. Does your prediction address the problem?

2. Is your prediction justified (explained)?

3. Is your explanation based on information found in the research section?

4. Have you avoided using I, my, me, or mine?

EXPERIMENTAL PLAN:

1. Have you identified all the materials required to do this experiment?

2. Have you identified the quantities of each item on your material list?

3. Have you written a set of directions on how to do the experiment?

4. Did you set up the experiment in a step-by-step fashion, and not paragraph form?

5. Did you identify the control group and the experimental groups?

6. Did you make it detailed?

OBSERVATIONS:

1. Did you identify the date and time they were made?

2. Did you write them in such a way that others could understand what you have written?

ANALYSIS:

1. Did you organize your observations into a chart?

2. Did you title your chart?

3. Did you graph your data?

4. Do your graphs have a title?

5. Axe the axis labeled correctly?

6. Numbered correctly?

7. Did you write a summary of what each graph shows the reader?

8. Did you graph only the averages for each group and not individual data when possible?

CONCLUSION:

1. Did you begin with stating whether you support or reject your hypothesis or are inconclusive?

2. Do you go on to explain why you answered this way?

3. Do you use your data (numbers) to support your explanations?

4. Do you discuss all of the possible factors that might have influenced your results?

5. Do you suggest ways to improve on the experiment, if you were to do it over again?

6. Do you make recommendations for other experiments related to this topic?