How to Complete your Science Fair Project Display Board and Written Paper

(The heading of each page should be a larger size font and centered)

Checklist for Written Paper Title page Table of Contents Purpose/Problem Hypothesis Research Materials Procedure Variable Chart Results in Words Data charts, graphs, pictures, daily journals, etc. Conclusion Recommendations for Future Experimentation Bibliography Acknowledgements

Title Page -Include name of project, date, and project number only. -Use larger font for Title of project. Any color of ink can be used for the title page. -DO NOT PUT YOUR NAME OR TEACHER’S NAME ON THE PROJECT PAPER OR DISPLAY BOARD.

Table of Contents Purpose………………………….1 Hypothesis……………………..2 Research………………………..3 Etc….

Problem/Purpose The question you are answering with your experiment. Should be short and right to the point (1-2 sentences) “The purpose of this project is…”

Hypothesis Should be short and right to the point (1 sentence). *Must be expressed in using an “If. . . . then statement.” If…independent variable, then…dependent variable. *Make a prediction regarding the outcome of your experiment based on your research. *NO I think, or My hypothesis is….

Background Research 1-2 pages double spaced. This is required for everyone to complete. It does NOT go on the display board. *What do other researchers know about your topic? *What background information/research did you gather on the independent variable that helped you further understand your topic?

Materials: (only 1 page) *Include a bulleted list of materials that you used for your experiment. Be specific!

Procedure -This is a very important part of your paper/display board and you want it to very clear and concise. -Have someone take pictures of the project being completed. ***do not have your face in the picture. -Try to put on 1 page if possible. -Type like a list of steps that would be easy to follow. 1. . . . . 2. . . . . 3. . . . . *Someone should be able to look at your material list and procedure and actually complete your experiment using your paper.

Variable Chart On 1 page. Your experimental design notes on variables or the group examples will help you with this. Independent Variable _____________________________ Dependent Variable ______________________________ Constants______________________________________ Control _________________________________________ Trials__________________________________________

Example Variable Chart Ben wonders if water temperature has an effect on goldfish respiration. Ben places a goldfish in a beaker with 500 ml of room temperature water. After giving the goldfish time to adjust Ben uses a stopwatch in order to time how many respirations (the number of times the gills open and close) that occur in 15 seconds. After this, Ben adds one ice cube and again records the goldfish’s respiration rate. Ben then repeats the same procedure again going all the way up to 3 ice cubes. VARIABLE CHART Independent _______Temperature of water________________________ Dependent _________Goldfish respiration_________________________ Constant/s__Amount of water(500ml), type of fish (goldfish), type of____ container (beaker), time respiration was observed (15 seconds)_________ Control____Goldfish in room temperature water____________________ Trials______1_______________________________________________

Results (words) -Only 1 page or less. -You can not complete this until you are actually finished with your experiment. -When you complete this part of your paper, be sure that you are very detailed. In this section of the paper, things are often left out. Be sure to include ALL of your results. *Write the actual results of your experiment in words.

Data (charts, graphs) -This may be several pages. -You can not complete this until you are actually finished with your experiment. -Can either be created using computer or hand- written. -always use metric units, not customary. -graph overall averages (not individual trials) *You should always organize your data in a table or chart first, then graph it. This makes it easy for someone to understand your results.

Conclusion -Only 1 page. -You can not complete this until you are actually finished with your experiment. *Briefly explain your answer to the problem. *Did you prove the hypothesis correct or incorrect? Explain why or why not… *How does this project relate to real-life? *What have you learned?

Recommendation for Future Experimentation -What suggestions could you give to improve the project? -What do you recommend if someone were to complete the project next year?

Bibliography -Only 1 page. -Be sure to alphabetize your entries. -Remember, you should have 3 sources. *Be sure you use RTMS’s Bibliography format.

Bibliography *You will need to use AT LEAST 5 sources. *One has to be a book. *The other 4 can be an encyclopedia, internet sites, magazine articles or newspaper articles. DO NOT USE THE WIKIPEDIA WEBSITE!!! *All sources should be documented on the bibliography page.

Acknowledgments -Only 1 page *Thank anyone who helped you with your project. This includes your teacher(s), parent(s), and anyone else who may have helped you.

Abstract -Must be neatly hand-written or typed in paragraph form. -Only 1 page (250 words or less) -Do not use words in first person, such as I, me, mine, etc. -Do not put your name on the abstract. Each project will be assigned a number. **The abstract restates the purpose, procedure, results, and conclusion. Think of the abstract as the BIG SUMMARY of the entire project.

Your display board should: -look attractive -be the appropriate shape and size -be easy to read -follow the “blueprint” layout provided on the next slide -be in an easy to read font such as cosmic ms, times new roman or arial

Display Board (don’t forget pictures) (Make it colorful and creative) Purpose: Explain what you are investigating. Hypothesis If…then…statement Materials Bulleted list Title Procedure 1. 2. Variables Ind. Variable Dep. Variable Constants Control # of Trials Data/Graphs Graph only averages! Results (words) Conclusion Do not include pronouns such as I, we, my.