Dear Parents,

Very soon your child will begin their science project. We would like you to be
aware of the attached due dates to help both you and your child. Also, please take a few
minutes to read the following information on how you, as parents, can assist your child in
achieving their greatest potential. t is our desire that all students have a successful and
enjoyable experience as they complete this project! We appreciate the support and
encouragement that you give your child!
Thank you for the investment in their development. Please feel free to contact me
regarding any questions you may have about the process.
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$&PPORT YO&R CHILD EMOTIONALLY
Bond with your chiId
Emphasize the benefits ($ee back).
Encourage your chiId
$&PPORT YO&R CHILD PHY$ICALLY
Take them to the Iibrary
HeIp them buy materiaIs
For the experiment
For the dispIay
Make sure they are ready for checkpoints
CHECKPOINT #1 (9/12)
CHECKPOINT #2 (9/30)
CHECKPOINT #3 (11/7)
CHECKPOINT #4 (12/6)
hat is a science project?
A process in which research and experimentation
prove that a given hypothesis is true.
hat a science project is NOT:
only a report
only a model
only a display of previous work found in research
BENEFIT$ OF $CIENCE FAIR
PROJECT$
Promotes organizational skills and the ability to meet
deadlines.
Teaches students how to reach a long-term goal through
reaching a series of short-term goals.
Teaches students to research a topic and prepare a paper
according to an expected format.
Allows students to explore an area of science in which they
have a particular interest.
Gives students an opportunity to complete a project with many
facets.
Writing a research paper
Hands-on experimentation
Reasoning using the scientific method
Presentation of results
Benefits
$cience Fair Project
$chedule

DATE A$$IGNMENT
Thursday 8/25 dentify a Problem & Research (#1-2) email
Friday 9/2 dentify a Problem & Research (#3) email
Friday 9/16 dentify a Problem & Research (#4) email
Friday 9/16 CHECKPOINT #1 - turn in packet
Monday 9/19 Form a Hypothesis (#5-6) email
Monday 9/26 Form a Hypothesis (#7-10) email
Thursday 10/6 Design & Perform an Experiment (#11) email
Thursday 10/6 CHECKPOINT #2 - turn in packet
Monday 10/10 Design & Perform an Experiment (#12-15) email
Monday 10/31 Record & Analyze Data (#16) email
Monday 11/7 Record & Analyze Data (#17) email
Monday 11/7 CHECKPOINT #3 - turn in packet
Monday 11/14 Write a Report (#1) email Cover Page, ntroduction, Data
Table
Monday 11/21 Write a Report (#2) email Materials and Methods, Results
Monday 11/28 Write a Report (#3) email Discussion
Tuesday 12/6 Write a Report (#4) email Conclusion
Tuesday 12/6 CHECKPOINT #4 - turn in packet
Friday 1/6 Make a Display Board
Tuesday 1/17 BRNG D$PLAY BOARD, LOG BOOK, & PAPER
CONGRAT&LATION$ YO& HAVE $&CCE$$F&LLY COMPLETED YO&R PROJECT
$cience Fair Guide
$teps in Conducting a $cientific Investigation
dentify a Problem & Research. . . . . .2
Form a Hypothesis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Design & Perform an Experiment.. . . 6
Record & Analyze Data. . . . . . . . . . .8
$tate a Conclusion. . . . . . . . . . . . .8,11
Write a Report. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Make a Display Board . . . . . . . . 10,11
References
Display Board Outline . . . . . . . . . . .11
Bibliography Reference. . . . . . . . . . 12
$coring Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
CHECKPOINT$
Checkpoint #1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Checkpoint #2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Checkpoint #3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Checkpoint #4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Page 1
dentify a Problem & Research
1. Choose a category
Choose an interesting topic from the following categories:
Biology
Engineering and Computer Application
Physical $cience***
Environmental $cience***
Behavioral $cience
Mathematics
2. Brainstorm
dentify problems you have seen around you. (Be a detective).
Then, ask a scientific question that might help to solve the problem.
Write the questions below. ($ome topics are listed below to help you brainstorm).
Questions to heIp soIve the probIem
1) 3)
2) 4)
acceleration
adenine
air pressure
asteroids
boiling point
buoyancy
carbon dioxide levels
cell cycle
cell division
centriIugal Iorce
centripetal Iorce
chemical reactions
chloroplast
cloud Iormation
conduction
consumers
convection currents
covalent bonds
crystals
cytokinesis
cytoplasm
cytosine
density
deserts
diIIraction
diIIusion
earthquakes
electricity
electrolysis
endoplasmic reticulum
energy
equinox
erosion
Iermentation
Iingerprints
Iorce
Ireezing point
Iunctions
galaxies
geotropism
glaciers
gravitropism
gravity
guanine
heredity
ionic bonds
lactic acid
magnetism
melting point
minerals
mitochondria
mitosis
mixtures
molds
motion
pH values
photosynthesis
phototropism
planetary motion
polymers
pressure
producers
properties oI gasses
properties oI liquids
properties oI solids
radiation
reIlection
reIraction
respiration
seeds
soils
solar energy
solstices
solutions
stream Ilow
temperature oI a gas
thymine
tides
transpiration
vaporization point
velocity
viscosity
volcanoes
waves
weather Ironts
wind
work
***ndicate a greater chance of success
Page 2
Quote/Fact:
Author:
Book/Magazine:
Date pubIished:
PubIishing company:
Location of pubIishing
company:
Page #:
3. Research your probIem.
What are some solutions others have tried?
s your possible solution one that can be tested by an experiment?
Research your topic by going to the library or going online.
4. CoIIect the research detaiIs in the boxes beIow.
Three books (books, encyclopedias, magazines, periodicals) are needed.
Four online RELABLE resources are required. (No Wikipedia. Use Google $cholar.)
Quote/Fact:
Author:
Book/Magazine:
Date pubIished:
PubIishing company:
Location of pubIishing
company:
Page #:
Quote/Fact:
Author:
Book/Magazine:
Date pubIished:
PubIishing company:
Location of pubIishing
company:
Page #:
Page 3
dentify a Problem & Research
CHECKPOINT #1:
Have your parents sign beIow that 7 resources have been researched
at the Iibrary or at home (onIine).
************************* ************************
(YOUR NAME) (PARENT $GNATURE)
Quote/Fact:
TitIe of ArticIe:
Author:
ebsite address:
Date of access:
Page #:
Quote/Fact:
TitIe of ArticIe:
Author:
ebsite address:
Date of access:
Page #:
Quote/Fact:
TitIe of ArticIe:
Author:
ebsite address:
Date of access:
Page #:
Quote/Fact:
TitIe of ArticIe:
Author:
ebsite address:
Date of access:
Page #:
Page 4
dentify a Problem & Research
6. Check your hypothesis with your teacher.
7. Begin designing your experiment.
The next page will help you design your experiment.
dentify controlled variables.
ONE manipulated variable.
dentify what will be the responding variable.
8. If Iost, see beIow.
Come see your teacher immediateIy.
Also, you can go onIine to http://www.sciencebuddies.com/
For heIp with a more difficuIt topic see www.pIantingscience.org
f you still have no idea, go to the library and check out one or more of
the following books:
1001Ideas for $cience Projects (Marion Brisk)
Ideas for $cience Projects (Robert Gardner)
IIIustrated Dictionary of $cience (ed. Michael Allaby)
hy the $ky Is BIue & Other onders of the Earth (William
Clevenger)
333 More $cience Tricks & Experiments (Robert J. Brown)
NOTE*** These books are ONLY for ideas. You may NOT perform an
experiment that has aIready been performed.
Area of
Interest
PossibIe Questions
Question
Hypothesis
(1
st
try)
Hypothesis
(2
nd
try)
Hypothesis
(FNAL)
5. rite a hypothesis from the questions you wrote on page 2.
Rewrite your question below.
Now, try to rewrite your hypothesis below in "f. . ., then. . . form.
ExampIe Question: Does an electric motor turn faster if you increase the voltage?
ExampIe Hypothesis: f the speed of electric motor is related to voltage, then its speed
of rotation will increase when its voltage is increased.
Page 5
Form a Hypothesis
9. rite a Iist of variabIes.
$cience Fair
ControIIed VariabIes
(The things that remain constant; for
example: same motor, same work that
the motor performs)
ManipuIated VariabIe
(ONE THNG you change;
for example: voltage of the
electricity measure in volts)
Responding VariabIe
(the change you record;
for example: speed of
rotation measured in
revolution per minute)
Control group:
Experimental group 1:
Experimental group 2:
Experimental Group 3:
MateriaI Name Brand Amount (in $I units)
10. rite a Iist of the materiaIs you wiII need.
Page 6
Design & Perform an Experiment
11. rite a DETAILED procedure of how you wiII perform the experiment.
Remember, you must perform at least THREE trials.
Be sure to include the brand name and only METRC units for the amount.
PROCED&RE
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
Page 7
CHECKPOINT #2:
Have your parents sign beIow that you have compIeted the above
procedure. AIso, you must BUY THE MATERIALS for the procedure.
************************* ************************
(YOUR NAME) (PARENT $GNATURE)
Design & Perform an Experiment
12. Obtain the approved procedure from your teacher.
13. Rewrite your procedure and email your teacher.
14. Choose the location for the experiment. (Have it approved by your
parents).
15. Obtain all of the materials on your list.
16. Choose a time in which you can finish the entire first trial. Perform your
first trial and record data.
17. After compIetion of the first experiment, have teacher initiaI.
On another day, compIete the other two triaIs. (Both trials do not have to
be on the same day).
TRIAL ONE
ControIIed VariabIes
(stay the same)
ManipuIated VariabIe
(what you change)
Responding VariabIe (what you
observe that's different)
Control Group
Experimental Group
One
Experimental Group
Two
Experimental Group
Three
Page 8
CHECKPOINT #3:
Have your parents sign beIow that you have compIeted the
experiment & have recorded the resuIts in the packet.
************************* ************************
(YOUR NAME) (PARENT $GNATURE)
Design & Perform an Experiment
1. TitIe page incIudes:
Title (in CAP$)
Hypothesis ("f. . ., then. . .)
$chool
Date (December 15, 2020)
Category ($ee Page 2)
2. Body of your paper incIudes (using Iab report format as discussed in cIass):
Introduction. (at Ieast 3 paragraphs)
Get the reader's attention!
ntroduce the quote by acknowledging the author & the author's credentials!
nclude research (3 books, 1 online sourceCTE $OURCE$***).
nclude the purpose.
nclude the hypothesis.
MateriaIs and methods. (Apparatus, Materials, Procedure)
ResuIts. (observations, factual data & details, calculations, patterns)
Discussion. (Restate results briefly, describe and explain patterns of results, address
whether or not the hypothesis was supported, explain why the hypothesis is correct /
incorrect, an analysis of data, and errors) This should be the longest part of the report.
ConcIusion. (This must be at LEA$T one paragraph in length. Restate hypothesis, state
whether the hypothesis was supported or not, and why. Do not include NEW info).
Figures and tabIes.
BibIiography (new page, centered)
3. BibIiography
Reformat the reference information that you took while completing pages 3-4.
Within the paper: 1) introduce the quote 2) give the quote 3) in parenthesis give the
(Author's Iast name, #). This is citing your sources.***
The Iast page of your paper should only contain the bibliography. On the last page, have
Bibliography typed in the center at the top of the page. Below that you will list the sources,
but only those used in your paper! One entry per source.
Each entry should be in the following format:
Author's Iast name, Author's first name. TitIe (itaIics). City, $tate: PubIishing
Company, Year of PubIication.
4. $ubmitting/Editing
$ave your paper. Turn it in via emaiI.
Edit your paper as directed by your teacher.
Page 9
Write a Report
CHECKPOINT #4:
Have your parents sign beIow that you have compIeted your research
paper on your experiment.
************************* ************************
(YOUR NAME) (PARENT $GNATURE)
How to Present Your Project
Make a COLORFUL & NEAT backboard
(See display board on the next page).
1. Buy a backboard (Iarge size-91.5 cm x 61 c OR 37in x 24in)
2. CoIIect materiaIs. You may need:
construction paper
coIor printer (or bIack & white printer)
coIored penciIs
markers
crayons
graph paper
pictures
gIue
Be sure that your finaI draft is ready and free of errors. rite
your name on the back of the very Iast page in the upper right
hand corner when you print your finaI copy.
Bring your $cience Fair Packet.
Bring dispIay materiaIs to set on the tabIe in front of your
backboard.
$cience Fair
Page 10
TITLE
Be creative
Written large
HYPOTHESIS
This is an educated guess. Written in
II..then Iorm.
APPARATUS & MATERIALS
List everything used to do the
experiment.
Include amounts, brand names and
other descriptions.
Use bullets or numbers.
PROCEDURE
List step-by-step how the
experiment was done.
Be detailed
Use bullets or numbers.
Include:
1. How the data was
measured (time, height,
amounts, length, etc.)
2. Number oI tests/trials
Someone else should be able to
repeat the experiment.
"UESTION
What are you testing?
O Be speciIic.
O 1-2 sentences
O Question Iorm/ Question mark
Data Tables
1.Include the data oI multiple trials
oI each test and an average oI the
trials Ior each test.
2.Include:
* Title
* Labeled columns
* Labeled rows
* Units
* Averages
3.Make it neat. Use a computer
program or a ruler and paper.
RESULTS
Look Ior patterns in the data
and graph.
Describe the patterns in 2-5
sentences.
This is Iactual and read Irom
the graph.
DISCUSSION
Answer the question according
to results.
In one or more paragraphs,
explain the results.
Use background research and
critical thinking.
O In one or more paragraphs,
explain:
OThe problems that
occurred during the
experiment.
OHow could the
experiment be
improved?
OThe things learned
Irom the experiment.
(Be scientiIic.)
OThis should be the longest
portion of the paper.
CONCLUSION
One paragraph
O #estate hypothesis.
O State whether the hypothesis
was supported or not supported
and why.
INTRODUCTION
Use your research to write at least 3
inIormational paragraphs describing
the background oI the topic.
O This should be general research
about the topic.
O #estate hypothesis.
O Give a reason Ior the guess by using
research.
RAPHS
Graph the average oI the tests
Ior all your data.
1. Include: * Title
* Labeled axes
* Units
* Key/Legend
*Axes divided
in equal pieces.
2. Use a computer program or
graph paper.
Display Board
Page 11
PIease refer to this paper for detaiIed information as you compIete each section of your science fair experiment.
1. Title: The title should be similar to that of a book; it should reflect the theme of the experiment. Remember to write it large on your
board. (do not include your name)
2. Question: Write your question in question form, include a question mark at the end. Be specific about what you are testing. This
should be no more than two sentences.
3. Hypothesis: A hypothesis is an educated guess based on your research. This should answer your question and provide a reason
for your guess. Use your research to explain WHY you think it will happen. This should be no more than 5 sentences.
4. ntroduction: The introduction should be one to two informational paragraphs describing your topic. Research should include
information about all things that are being tested. (For example, if you are testing plants and fertilizer, you should research both the
types of plant and the fertilizer that is used). This is a summary of your topic based on research and should not include any opinion
or information about your experimental design. Remember to cite your sources!!!
5. Apparatus & Materials: The material list is a detailed list of all items used including brand names, amounts (metric system),
dimensions (measurements, sizes). This list should be complete so that someone else could set up and repeat your exact
experiment. Use bullets or numbers to separate each item.
6. Procedure: The procedure includes clearly written details about what you did in your experiment. Remember to number each
step. nclude details about how to measure the data and the number of tests/trials. A procedure is like a step-by-step recipe that
someone else should be able to follow so that they can repeat your experiment exactly.
7. Data Tables: nclude your data for each test and trial. Do not forget to also include the AVERAGE$ of your tests and trials.
Remember to include titles, labels for columns and rows, and units. $et up your data tables using the computer or use a ruler to
make the boxes neat.
8. Graphs: Remember that a bar graph is used to show amounts and often compares separate categories, while a line graph shows
any change over time. Graph the AVERAGE results of all of your data. nclude a title, label for each axis (side and bottom of
graph), and include units of measurement. Create your graph using either a computer or graph paper.
9. Results: The results should look for patterns in your data and graphs. Describe the patterns in 2-5 sentences. Results are factual
so do not include opinion or reasoning.
10. Discussion: The discussion should be one or more paragraphs. Answer your question according to your results. Use your
background research to critically analyze your results. Why do you think you got the results that you did? Explain possible errors
and problems that occurred during your experiment? How can your experiment be improved? What did you learn by doing this
experiment? (Be scientific.do not say, " learned that growing plants was fun.)
11. Conclusion: Restate your hypothesis. Was your hypothesis supported or not supported? Explain why it was supported or why it
was not (this should answer your initial question).
12. Bibliography: A list of at least 3 sources. One source must be a book. Refer to citation information that was given to you by your
teacher. Attach the bibliography to the back of your display board.
Remember that you wiII aIso be graded on the foIIowing criteria:
13. Display: Display is the presentation of your board. This includes neatness, artistic skill, color and overall appearance of the
board. Grammar and spelling count.
14. Challenging: Challenging is weighted on the amount of time, difficulty of question and test, quantity of tests and trials, complexity
of the experiment, including the experimental design. A minimum of three trials is mandatory. The more trials completed, the more
valid the experiment.
15. $cientific validity: This looks at the accuracy of your tests and scientific design. Does the experiment make sense scientifically?
Did you test just one variable while keeping the remainder of the factors constant? Was it a controlled experiment? s your
measurement system scientific? s there truth to your results?
$cience Fair
nformation $heet
Bibliography
Book by a $ingIe Author
Fairbanks, Carol. Prarie Women: mages in American and
Canadian Fiction. New Haven: Yale UP, 1986.
Book by 2 or 3 Authors
Berry, Jason, Jonathan Foose, and Tad Jones. Up from the
Cradle of Jazz. Athens: U of Georgia P, 1986.
Book by More Than 3 Authors
Edens, Walter, et al., eds. Teaching $hakespeare. Princeton:
Princeton UP, 1977.
Book by a Corporate Author
American Library Association. ntellectual Freedom Manual. 2
nd
ed. Chicago: ALA, 1983.
AnthoIogy or CompiIation
Allen, Robert C., ed. Channels of Discourse: Contemporary
Critism of Television. Chapel Hill: U of North Carolina P, 1987.
ArticIe in an EncycIopedia
Chiappinin, Luciano. "Este, Jouse of. Encyclopedia Britannica.
1974 ed.
ArticIe in a Reference Book
"Graham, Martha. Who's Who of American Women. 14
th
ed.
1985-1986.
PamphIet (no Author)
Career as an Aerospace-Aircraft Engineer. Chicago: nst. for
Research, 1978.
PamphIet (Author)
Kilgus, Robert. Program Manual. Ft. Worth: Tandy, 1981.
Author
Authors
First Author
Author
Editor's
Name
Author
(if any)
Article
Title
Date
Date
Date
Date
Date
Date
Date
Publisher
Date
City
City
City
City
City
City
City
Title
Title
Title
Title
Title
Article Title Encyclopedia Title
Book Title
Pamphlet Title
Pamphlet Title
Publisher
Author
Date
Publisher
Publisher
Publisher
Page 12
Bibliography
Magazine ArticIe
Lamb, Douglas H., and Glenn D. Reeder. "Reliving the Golden Days. Psychology Today.
June 1986: 22+
Missing Information
Reliving the Golden Days. N.p.: n.p., n.d. n. pag.
TeIevision Program
The First American. Narr. Hugh Downs. Writ. and Prod. Craig Fisher. NBC News
$pecial. KNBC, Los Angeles. 21 Mar. 1968.
Newspaper ArticIe
Ferbinger, Jonathan. "Budgetary Rhythms. New York Times 20 Mar. 1987, early ed.:
A8.
Video Recording
Alzeheimer's Diseases. Video casette. Prod. Hospital $atellite Network, 1985, 28 min.
PersonaI Interview
Pei, .M. Personal nterview. 27 July 1983.
Poussanit, Alvin F. Telephone nterview 10 Dec. 1980.
EIectronic EncycIopedia
Drake, Frank D. "Radio Galaxies, The New Electronic Encyclopedia. Danbury, CT.:
Grollier Electronic Publishing, 1991.
Computer $oftware
"$pain. PC Globe. Vers. 5.0 Computer $oftware. P.C. Globe, nc, 1992. BM PC-DO$
2.0 512K disk.
Date: Page Number
Author
Author
Date
Date
Date, Time.
Date
Date
Date
Date
Article Title
Magazine Title
City
City
Title
Network
Title
Article Title
Newspaper Title
Network
Media Type
Article Title
Encyclopedia Title
Publisher
Article Title
$oftware
nterviewee
Page 13
Bibliography
CD-Roms (not EncycIopedia)
Beach, Joseph Warren. "John $tienbeck: Art and Propaganda. American Fiction:
1920-1940. New York: Macmillian Company, 1941. D$Covering Authors, 1992.
E-maiI
Wall, $hannon. "Works Cited. swallhy@rocochet.com (09 Oct. 1996).
Wall, $hannon "Tonight's Plan. Personal email (09 Oct. 1996).
Internet $ite (ftp, www, teInet)
Bruckman, Amy. "Approaches to Managing Deviant Behavior.
ftp.media.mit.edu.pun/asb/papers/deviance-chi94 (4 Dec. 1994).
Author
Author
Author
Article Title
Primary $ource
City
Publisher
Date
CD ROM Title
$ubject Line Address
Date
Date of
Access
Title
Address of site with full path
Page 14
$coring Guide
CATEORY CRITERIA SCORE
5pts per category
10 pts for Display, Challenging, &
Scientific Validity
Total90 pts
0 not even there
1 terrible, hopeless, but at least it exists
2 marginal, one criterion met
3 Iew criteria met
4 pretty good, almost meets all criteria
5 excellent, perIect Ior grade level
PRO1ECT #_________
TITLE `
#eIlects the theme oI the experiment
Large size on board
"UESTION `
OSpeciIic
OQuestion Iormat/question mark
HYPOTHESIS `
OGuess
O#eason Ior guess
O*both are based on your research
INTRODUCTION `
O#elevant inIormation
OAt least halI oI the inIormation in own words
OOne paragraph (5-10 sentences)
MATERIALS `
Oomplete list
ODimensions (measurements, sizes)
OAmounts (metric system)
OBrand names/descriptions
ONumbers or bullets
PROCEDURE `
learly written steps
(step-by step list)
Describes how to measure the data
(includes instrument and units)
States the numbers oI tests/trials
DATA TABLE `
OTable/chart Iormat
OMultiple tests and trials
OAverages
OTitle and units
Oomputer generated OR on graph paper
RAPH `
Title
Averages oI multiple tests and trials
Labeled axes, units, divided axes
Key/legend
Bars or lines
omputer generated OR on graph paper
RESULTS `
2-5 sentences
Describes patterns oI the graph
Factual
DISCUSSION `
Paragraph Iorm
Answer to question
#easoning/explanation
Error, improvement, what you learned
CONCLUSION `
1 sentence
#estate hypothesis
Supported or not supported
Why
BIBLIORAPHY
(*On the Back oI the Board)
O At least 3 sources
O1 must be book
OProper citation Iormat
DISPLAY
ONeatness
OArtistic skill (use oI color)
Grammar/spelling
CHALLENIN
Amount oI time
DiIIiculty oI the question and test
Quantity oI trials/tests
Oomplexity oI the experiment/experimental design
SCIENTIFIC VALIDITY
Accuracy oI tests
Accuracy oI scientiIic design
Oontrolled experiment
One variable tested
Other Iactors constant
OScientiIic measurement system
TOTAL
Page 15