SHORTENED VERSION OF TITLE NO MORE THAN 50 CHARACTERS 1

Full title of Science Fair Paper

First and Last names of all authors in alphabetical order

Arizona College Preparatory - Erie

Table of Contents

SECTIONPAGE

Abstract 1

Introduction 2

Materials & Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusions

References

SHORTENED VERSION OF TITLE NO MORE THAN 50 CHARACTERS 1

Abstract

Abstract should be between 150 and 250 words. Use the reference sheet and write a rough draft using the guidelines and then trim it down. The Abstract is double spaced in APA and there are to be no indentations. Most abstracts are one paragraph. If your abstract needs to be more than one paragraph, then include a space between the two paragraphs but make sure it is not indented.

Full title of paper should be centered

The introduction should be indented and in paragraph form. Make sure you have in-text citations in this section citing your background research for your project (APA parenthetical citation here). See the works cited page for complete citation. You should have multiple paragraphs and it should be double spaced in its formatting. This section should include the purpose and your goals. It should also include an explanation of what prompted your research as well as what you hoped to achieve. Use your background research as a starting point. You should define your variables and identify why you choose them in your research. This section should conclude with your hypothesis being clearly stated.

Materials and Methods

SHORTENED VERSION OF TITLE NO MORE THAN 50 CHARACTERS 1

  • Material 1
  • Material 2
  • Material 3
  • Etc.
  • Materials can be in two to three columns across the page
  • Do not forget to include units/measurements/quantities and be specific on equipment description

SHORTENED VERSION OF TITLE NO MORE THAN 50 CHARACTERS 1

Experimental Method

  1. Describe in detail the methods you used to collect the data, make observations, design the apparatus (setup of materials), etc. Use a numbered system, be logical and organized.
  2. Your paper should go into enough detail so that someone would be able to repeat the experiment from the information on your paper only.
  3. Include any detailed photographs or drawings if you used a self-designed apparatus or equipment.
  4. If you have any figures (photographs, drawings) they should have captions and describe the photograph or the drawing.
  5. If there are any safety considerations, make sure to include them in the steps of the procedure.

Figure 1: Apparatus for experiment used to model the lander mechanism on the Mars lander.

Results

Amount of gases in the
atmosphere by percent
Nitrogen / 78%
Oxygen / 20%
Argon / 1%
Carbon Dioxide / 0.5%
Other Gases / 0.5%

This section should include your data tables/charts and graphs. Make sure all axes are labeled on graphs and that all tables/charts/graphs have titles. Make sure all raw data is presented. Finally, make sure you used correct SI units (metric). Your data titles should reflect your independent and dependent variables (this is NOT creative writing).

Figure 2: Data table showing percent composition of gases in the atmosphere.

Figure 3: Graph showing annual regional energy consumption of coal for the world.

You have some flexibility as to where and how you want to display your tables and graphs. Make sure they are appropriate. If you cut and paste graphs and data tables/charts in to your document, make sure they are the appropriate font size for the rest of the paper.

Next, this section should include a brief statistical analysis/description of the data including the averages, standard deviation, and measurements of correlation. This area is not meant for discussion/interpretation of the results and analysis when compared to your research, it is just the area to present the statistical analysis.

Discussion

This section should be in indented paragraph form. This section should include multiple paragraphs. This is the section to compare the results of the experiment with those found in the research and those you expected. You may discuss minimums and maximum values (range) and outliers that are found in the data..You should also include the possible sources of error (procedural or mathematical) that may have contributed to trends that you observed in your results. With these errors in mind, address how these errors could have impacted the results you observed. Address the impact of uncontrolled events. Finally, include what other experiments or questions could come from your experiment. Make sure to describe how you would investigate each question presented. Also, make sure to include the implications from the research and what field of study or career field it may impact.

Conclusions and Future Study

This section should be indented paragraph form. In this section you should describe the relationship between variables observed in the data obtained through the experiment. Restate the hypothesis and whether it was supported or refuted. Give clear and specific claims you have drawn about the experiment. Use specific data to support your claims. Cite specific data from the experiment to support the claims. For example, compare one average to another. If there is a difference between the averages that is greater than the standard deviation of the data collected, then the difference between the averages is significant. Make sure your evidence is specific to the experiment.

Example of specific data: The hypothesis was that as the amount of chocolate chips increases, the number of students eating them will decrease was not supported by the data. Some data examples include: when the amount of chocolate chips were 25 per cookie, 20 students ate them. When the amount of chocolate chips were 30 per cookie, 25 students ate them. And finally, when the amount of chocolate chips were 45 per cookie, 50 students ate them, showing a positive correlation in the data.

Finally, state some practical applications of your experiment. This section of the paper should include the future research possibilities of the paper.

References(APA format)

Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Date of publication). Title of article. Title of Online Periodical, volume number(issue number if available). Retrieved from

Bernstein, M. (2002). 10 tips on writing the living Web. A List Apart: For People Who Make Websites, 149. Retrieved from

Hallam, A. Duality in consumer theory [PDF document]. Retrieved from Lecture Notes Online Web site:
index.html

Harlow, H. F. (1983). Fundamentals for preparing psychology journal articles. Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology, 55, 893-896.

Roberts, K. F. (1998). Federal regulations of chemicals in the environment [PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved from

Schultz, S. (2005, December 28). Calls made to strengthen state energy policies. The Country Today, pp. 1A, 2A.

United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. (2008). Indiana income limits [Data file]. Retrieved from