1. SCIENCE FAIR Mini-Lesson #4
Finishing Your Science Fair Project

2. DO NOT WRITE IN OR ON THE BLUE FOLDER!
Let’s Begin……
On your desk you have some questions to answer. Read “Conducting A Science Fair Experiment” and “What Makes A Great Science Lab Notebook” in the blue folder and answer the questions. You will have 20 minutes to find all of the answers.
Remember:
DO NOT WRITE IN OR ON THE BLUE FOLDER!

3. What tool do you always need to have when working on your science experiment?
Why should your data tables be pre-written in your lab notebook?
Can you make changes to your experimental procedure?
* A laboratory notebook
* So you can quickly write down your
measurements as you observe them
* Yes, as long as you record the changes
in your data notebook

4. 4. Should you take pictures during your experiment?
5. What is a data notebook?
* Yes, Yes, & Yes!!!
* A detailed account of every phase of your
project, from the initial brainstorming
to the final research report

5. 6. What sections should be included in your data notebook
6. What sections should be included in your data notebook? (Do not include a deadline schedule)
a. Daily Notes and Reflections
b. Background Research (library & internet)
c. Information, contacts, supply sources
d. Experimental set-up
e. Data collection
f. Results (pictures, graphs, summary tables
g. Reflections

6. 7. What type of writing utensil should you use when writing in your data notebook?
8. What should your reflection section have in your notebook?
* Pen only (unless notecards / glue in’s)
* Anything you would do differently.
Any way you could think of to change
the procedure to improve the experiment.

7. Do’s & Don’ts for Your
Data Notebook:
_______ Pre-write page numbers in your data notebook
_______ Write in pen only
_______ Tape or glue in index cards / background research paper into your notebook DO DO DO

8. _______ Worry about neatness / Rewrite sections in your data notebook that appear messy
_______ Include both Qualitative and Quantitative Observations
_______ Include rough drafts of any calculations and graphs
DON’T DO DO

9. Making Observations
Observations = information that is gathered using the five _______
also known as _____
senses
data

10. Types of observations:
Quantitative observations = Observations in __________ form.
i.e.
Qualitative observations = Observations that are __________ and do not involve ________
numerical
# organisms, temp., area, mass
descriptive
numbers
behavior, videotapes, pictures

11. Measurement in Biology
Scientist must _______ their results in a common manner so they may be interpreted by other _________
Metric System (SI) = a decimal system of measurement based on certain physical standards and are scaled in multiples of ___
report
scientists 10

12. Meter (m) = measures _______
Gram (g) = measures ______
Liter (l) = measures _________
Second (s) = measures _______
Celsius (C) = measures ___________
length
mass
volume
time
temperature

13. ** You should be using the metric system when making any sort of quantitative observations during your science experiment**

14. DO NOT WRITE IN OR ON THE BLUE FOLDER!
On your desk you have some questions to answer. Read “Data Analysis” and “Summarizing Your Data” in the blue folder and answer the questions. You will have 20 minutes to find all of the answers.
Remember:
DO NOT WRITE IN OR ON THE BLUE FOLDER!

15. If you collect several trials worth of data, what should you calculate when performing your data analysis?
When you graph data, where does the independent variable go?
When you graph data, where does the dependent variable go?
* the average
* X-axis
* Y-axis

16. 4. If you have different experimental groups, what type of graph should you use?
5. What is the mean and how would you calculate it?
6. What is the median and how would you calculate it?
* Bar graph
*The average calculated by adding up all
of the measurements in a group then
dividing by the # of measurements
*The value at midpoint of a group / equal
to the middle value of the group

17. 7. What is the mode and how would you calculate it?
8. In the blue folder your are given examples of mean, median, and mode using “Plant Growth Without Compost”. Please calculate the mean, median, and mode for “Plant Growth With Compost”.
Mean = ___
Median = ___
Mode = ___
*The value that appears most frequently
In a group of measurements 6
8.5 9

18. Guidelines For Data Analysis
Only after you have completed your experiment should you begin your data analysis.
You should calculate the Mean (average) for each control group and experimental group.
You should have a SEPARATE LINE graph for each control group and experimental group.

19. You should have ONE BAR graph that compares each group to the others
You should have ONE BAR graph that compares each group to the others. Use your mean (average) calculated from each group as the basis of comparison.
All Data tables should be typed.
Graphs should be made on the computer if possible. Otherwise, very neatly handwritten with both the X and Y axis labeled. Make sure to include the units with which you made the measurements and a TITLE!!!

20. Sample Graphs
On a separate sheet of paper, you must create 3 graphs for the 2 data tables I have given you. Use your notes and guidelines to figure out the types of graphs you must create and how to label them.

21. On your desk you have some questions to answer
On your desk you have some questions to answer. Read “Conclusion” and “Science Fair Project” in the blue folder and answer the questions. You will have 15 minutes to find all of the answers.
Remember:
DO NOT WRITE IN OR ON THE BLUE FOLDER!

22. What is your conclusion?
What 5 items should be included in your conclusion?
*A summary of how your results support
or contradict the original hypothesis
A summary of science fair project results
2. Results support or contradict hypothesis
3. Relationship between the independent and
dependent variable
4. Summarize and evaluate your experimental
procedure
5. Changes in procedure / possible studies

23. 3. What should you do if your hypothesis is wrong?
4. List (in order) what sections should be in your FINAL report:
*DO NOT change or manipulate results –
simply explain why things didn’t work
Title page
2. Abstract
3. Table of Contents
4. Question, variables & hypothesis
5. Background Research Paper
6. Materials list

24. 7. Experimental Procedure
8. Data analysis and discussion
9. Conclusions
10. Ideas for future research
11. Acknowledgements
12. Bibliography

25. On your desk you have some questions to answer
On your desk you have some questions to answer. Read “Abstract” in the blue folder and answer the questions. You will have 10 minutes to find all of the answers.
Remember:
DO NOT WRITE IN OR ON THE BLUE FOLDER!

26. 1.What is an abstract?
2. What is the maximum number of words allowed in an abstract?
*An abbreviated version of your science
fair project final report
*250 words max

27. 3. What 5 sections should be included in the abstract?
1. Introduction
2. Problem / Statement
3. Procedures
4. Results
5. Conclusions
Sample abstract =
** NO I’S, we, us, etc.!!!!!

28. 4. What 6 things should you avoid in the abstract?
a. Avoid technical words readers will not
understand
b. Avoid abbreviates & acronyms
c. No bibliography / no citations
d. No tables or graphs
e. Only current work
f. Only your procedures /
no acknowledgements

29. On your desk you have some questions to answer
On your desk you have some questions to answer. Read “Science Fair Project Display Board” in the blue folder and answer the questions. You will have 10 minutes to find all of the answers.
Remember:
DO NOT WRITE IN OR ON THE BLUE FOLDER!

30. How many panels should your display board have?
How tall should your display board be? How wide?
In order, what should be on the left side of the display board? (Note – Instead of background research, there should be a copy of your abstract)
* 3
* 36 inches tall / 48 inches wide
a. purpose
b. hypothesis
c. ABSTRACT!!!!!

31. 4. In order, what should be in the center of the display board?
5. In order, what should be on the right side of the display board?
a. materials & procedures
b. Data: charts / photos / models
a. results
b. Conclusion & discussion

32. SCIENCE FAIR MINI-LESSON #4 ITEMS TO BE TURNED IN:
This Mini-Lesson WILL NOT BE GRADED until the 3RD QUARTER!!!!!!!! However, it will be worth 150 Points. Here is what you should turn in:
A FINAL REPORT (with all corrections & typos fixed!) = 50 points
SCIENCE PROJECT BACKBOARD = 50 points
CLASS SCIENCE FAIR QUESTION & ANSWER SESSION = 50 points (See Preparing for the Science Fair Judging – Practice Makes Perfect!)

33. You must bring these items plus any models, parts of your experiment you think necessary on the due date. On the due date, we will have a CLASS Science Fair where you will be expected to set up your backboard and speak to guests about your project.
You may earn up to 25 points extra-credit for “dressing up” (no jeans of any sort!) the day of our class science fair.
Ladies Business Attire = nice dress / suit /skirt & shirt /slacks & shirt / dress shoes
Gentlemen Business Attire = slacks & collared shirt /suit /dress shoes (tie optional)

34. CLASS SCIENCE FAIR &SCIENCE FAIR MINI-LESSON #4 DUE DATE:
There will be some sort of recognition for the 1st, 2nd, & 3rd place CLASS science fair winners overall in each class.
Anyone selected to go to the SCHOOL science fair will earn 25 points extra-credit / 25 additional points for anyone selected to go to the REGIONAL science fair / 50 additional points for anyone selected to go to the STATE science fair.
CLASS SCIENCE FAIR &SCIENCE FAIR
MINI-LESSON #4 DUE DATE:
Thursday 1/5/09