1. I’ve Chosen a Project… Now What?!
This is the powerpoint that I go over with my students once they have completed the project planning sheets and selected a final topic.
By, Ashley Bringenberg
Marshall Middle School

2. Identifying Variables
In order to begin the next phase of your project, it is important that you can explain, in detail, what your project is investigating. A good way to do this, is by listing the following:
Independent variable
Dependent variables
Control variables
I found that listing the variables helped students to have a better understanding of exactly what they planned to test and what they thought their outcome would be. I created a variables worksheet for them in order to be sure that they all had these items correct, before moving on to project planning.
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3. Understanding the Risks
Projects involving humans, hazardous chemicals and/or equipment, or vertebrate animals, must receive special teacher approval and may require you to fill out additional paperwork such as the Risk Assessment Form.
If your project poses a risk of physical or psychological harm to participants and/or the researcher, it will likely be denied approval. If this happens, you will need to either alter your project to minimize/eliminate the risk, or choose a new topic.
In addition to understanding their project goals, I wanted students to be aware of any and all safety risks. Once they had determined these risks, we could sit down together to decide if the risks were minor and manageable, or if they need to change or rework their project to avoid them.
Since, you, the teacher, will be approving the project, I strongly recommend that you read the guidelines in the ISEF handbook and follow their rules as to which projects are acceptable and which are not. If you are unsure, reach out to your science department, nurse, school psychologist, or other professional that would have the knowledge to evaluate safety risks and potential legal ramifications.
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4. Science Project Variables Worksheet
Name: __________________________________ Class: _____________ Science Project What is your project idea? _____________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________ What is the independent variable? ______________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ What is the dependent variable? ________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ What are the control variables? _________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________ Does your project involve humans, vertebrate animals, hazardous chemicals, or dangerous equipment? If yes, explain.____________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ Will you have enough material and time to complete 10 trials? ________________ ___________________________________________________________________
This is the sheet that I have my students fill out.

5. Forms to Fill Out Everyone:
Student Checklist
Abbreviated Research Plan
Students with projects involving vertebrate animals, hazardous chemicals and/or equipment:
Risk Assessment Form
Here, I explain to the students which forms they will need to fill out and spend time going over each one and helping them to fill out the some portions now, so that they have less to do on their own later.

6. Researching Your Topic
It is time to determine what you need to know about your project.
You will be completing a section in your lab report entitled, “Background Research.” In this section, you will summarize what you have learned about your project before you begin. You must use a minimum of 3 different sources.
Some items you should look for when completing your background research:
Tips for completing your experiment
Tips for collecting and recording data
Information to support your hypothesis
Information on similar experiments that have already been completed.
This year, I am going to have my students add a section to their lab report/tri-fold board entitled: “Background Research.” I found that they had difficulty understanding what the purpose of the research was, since it didn’t “go” anywhere. I think having a summary of what they learned prior to the experiment will help them see that it is used to form their hypothesis, design their experiment and complete their conclusion.
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7. Conducting Research in the Library
Before you begin your library research, you need to have at least 3 words or SHORT phrases ready to enter into a search engine.
Think about what you need to know, decide how you will search for that information
Our English department is amazing. In sixth grade specifically, they have agreed to teach the research and bibliography skills to the students as well as take them to the library and help them summarize their findings. There is a research requirement for all English classes grades 6-8, so I would encourage you to see if you can get your English department to use this project as a way to meet that standard.
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8. Abbreviated Research Plan
All students will fill out the Abbreviated Research Plan
What is your research question?
What is your hypothesis?
Describe your methods.
Describe any risk and safety concerns.
Bibliography (min. 3)
Once the research has been completed and summarized, students will need to use that research to help form their hypothesis and determine the steps necessary for completing their projects. They will also list the safety risks. At this point, the only risks listed should be those you have already determined are acceptable and they should detail how they will minimize those risks.

9. Science Fair Questions
Where are we presenting?
You will present your project in class, as well as participate in our classroom science showcase. This will give everyone the opportunity to display and talk about their project.
Where/when do we buy a tri-fold board?
FCPS is purchasing them for you, I do not yet know when they will be delivered
The following slides are frequently asked questions from my students, I go over these questions and the answers to help put them a bit more at ease (and to save myself from answering them 50 times ).
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10. Science Fair Questions Continued
How will we be graded?
You will get grades throughout the process for completing each set of steps (ex: you will receive a grade for the paperwork you have completed thus far).
You will also receive a large grade for your completed project/display board
You will receive an English grade for your completed research paper (this is simply all of the pieces you will be writing for me/need on your display board, put into one paper).
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11. Science Fair Questions Continued
When can we begin our project?
You may not begin the actual experiment until after January 6 (earlier only if you receive prior approval from your teacher).
Retrieved From: On 9/25/2015