Creating a Science Fair Project

Experiments! What’s the difference between an experiment and a science project? A science project has a hypothesis and variables. It will test multiple times to prove or disprove your hypothesis. An experiment is conducted just to see what happens. Nothing is measured or tested.

Vocabulary Purpose or problem Hypothesis Procedure Conclusion Variable Research paper/journal

Purpose or Problem What do I want to know more about? What am I interested in exploring and researching? I wonder how garbage breaks down and becomes nutrients for the soil? I wonder what breaks down the fastest? How will I explore this and find out more?

Hypothesis I think that if________________ then ________________ because ________. I think that if I collect apple peels, banana peels, table scraps, and grass clippings, then the grass clippings will compost the fastest because they are smaller in size than the other items.

Procedure List in sequential order step by step what you will do to conduct your experiment. 1. Collect banana peels, apple peels, table scraps, and grass clippings. 2. Place 2 cups of each into a dark container of the same size. 3. Turn items in all containers every four days using a spoon. Take pictures each time. Take written notes each time. Collect data every four days for a period of four weeks. Create a Observation Notes chart and a Display chart of the pictures taken.

Conclusion Your conclusion will restate your hypothesis. It will also share information about what was observed and learned during the investigation. You will also state whether you proved your hypothesis to be correct, or disproved it.

Variables Control Variable – also called the dependent variable. This variable remains constant and doesn’t change. There can be several control variables. Manipulative Variable – also called the changing variable or independent variable. This variable is what is being tested. There is never more than one manipulative variable! Responding Variable – This is the variable that responds or reacts to the changes.

Examples of Variables If I conducted an experiment to see how light and dark affects the growth of a plant: Constant Variables - would be the kind of plant, size of plant, type of dirt, how often I watered it, how much water it received. Manipulative Variable – would be the light and dark. Remember, there is only one of these! Responding Variable – would be the plants.

Research Before even beginning the investigation students should look for more information to support what they want to learn about. They need to have a bibliography included with their research paper so they should write down all their sources! The first few weeks are dedicated to working on collecting information through research.

What Needs to Be on My Board? Purpose/Problem Title Hypothesis Data/Graphs/Written Notes Materials List: Variables Constant (dependent) Responding Manipulative (independent) Observation Notes Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Procedure 1. 2. 3. 4. People Who Helped Me: Safety Issues: Conclusion

Research Paper or Journal This is basically a written report of everything that is on your board. Use a binder, spiral notebook, or report cover for this paper. Number your pages. Include a Table of Contents Include an abstract (1 - 2 paragraphs briefly telling about your project) Include an introduction to your project. Talk about safety issues and how they were addressed. Include all the important parts of your project board – variables, conclusion, purpose, procedure, materials, hypothesis, etc.

Continued -- Include your results from your investigation. Include all graphs, pictures, illustrations, charts, etc. that are on your board. Include 2 – 3 paragraphs explaining what you would do to further your investigation in order to continue to learn more. Include a bibliography page.

Oral Presentation We will present our projects in class. This will be a part of their communication grade. Students have a rubric in their project outline packet for the oral presentation.

Science Fair Judging Rubric Students also have a judging rubric in their project outline packets. They should often refer to this as they work on their investigations. Students should also place their project outline page on the fridge to use as a pacing guide. This will help them with procrastination and keeping organized.

After School Assistance Mr. Winkler and Ms. Fowler will remain after school for a day or so to help students with their projects. We will send home permission slips prior to this time. Students may use the computers as well since everything on their boards must be typed.