1. Science Final Project Clarifying info
All information can be found on Mrs. Davisson’s website under “Chemistry Final Science Fair Project”
Explore all the resources!
Think of a topic: use textbook or internet to get ideas

2. Project Sections and Important Deadlines
_____ Initial Ideas
__2/27___ Science Proposal/ Purpose (5 pts)
__3/15___ Project Background (30pts)
________ Hypothesis, Materials List, Experimental Procedure (20pts)
________ Research Data (40pts)
________ Analysis and Conclusion (35pts)
________ Research Report (40pts)
________ Three-Panel Display Board (20pts)
________ Presentation Due (10pts)

3. Groups
You may work with one other person from your class or one of your teachers other classes (with approval).
If you work with another person, choose someone that you work with effectively. Both of you will earn the same grade.
If you wish to work by yourself, you also must get teacher approval.

4. First Step: Identify the Question (Or Selecting Your Science Subject)
Probably the most difficult part of a science project is coming up with a good subject to research. I suggest that students think about WHAT INTERESTS them and think of a TESTABLE QUESTION about the subject.
There should also be some practical applications or interest in your topic. It should somehow apply to, relate to, or interest some part of society.
Pg2-3 of packet

5. Background:
RESEARCH section: It is written in essay form as an introduction to your topic and explaining other information you collect about your topic and your variable(s).
MLA format:
Typed, double spaced, 12 font, Times New Roman
Include in text citations (author last name in parentheses after info you summarized from them)
Include work cited with minimum of 6 sources (at least 3 academic sources) in alphabetical order, that match your in-text citations.

6. Background: Minimum of 3 paragraphs
General intro of topic. What is it, brief overview
Discuss experiment: define vocab and variables
Discuss other research that relates to your project

7. Common Errors in Background
Avoid 1st person
Be direct, this is informational writing (the point is to get across information, not show of fancy writing skills) Clear topic/thesis
Clearly explain the planned experiment in 2nd paragraph
Must cite in- text (can not be in work cited if not cited in text somewhere)
Need all web addressed in work cited for online sources

9. Due dates Purpose: Background (pg 3-4) due:
*subject to change, with notice, by teacher

10. Variables:
Control: comparison group - placebo, water, not change etc Variables: Independent: things you are changing Dependent: Thing you measure Constants: Things you keep the same

11. Procedures: Use the worksheet to help- fill out and turn in
(pg 5 & 6)
Hypothesis:
If…., then… statement: not required, but need to include a cause (______ will happen when…. Or ______ will be observed because….
Ex: If the amount and temperature of water increases, then the plant will grow taller because of the increase water.
Type your procedures!
You might as well type your hypothesis and materials list too.
You need them typed for the final report anyway

12. Plagiarism
You will be turning your final report in through turnitin.com, and plagiarism will earn you a 0.
Easiest way to avoid plagiarism:
Cite all sources, in text
Use quotation marks for small quotes, summarize bit quotes in your own word
Do NOT copy and paste from a website, ever!

13. Today
Finish background research (turn in any time between today and Monday)
Hypothesis, materials, procedures
Acid Base comparison chart

14. deadlines Project Sections and Important Deadlines
________ Initial Ideas
________ Science Proposal/ Purpose (5 pts)
________ Project Background (15pts)
____ Hypothesis, Materials List, Experimental, Procedure (20pts)
__5/1__Research Data (30pts)
____ Analysis and Conclusion (30pts)
____ Research Report (40pts)
____ Three-Panel Display Board (35pts)
(presentation due for seniors)
___ Presentation Due (25pts) day of final

15. After Test
Review directions and rubric for data section of science fair project
Plan/ design your data tables
- Can use handout on my desk to see examples of data tables and graphs to help you. Please return the handout.

16. Data Collection Need qualitative and quantitative data
Tables, graphs, observations, pictures

17. Data Tables Independent Dependent Independent Trail 1 Trial 2 Trail 3
Average

18. Things to include in data tables: (when possible) Units!
Observation column
Average of trials (may be separate table)
Table 1: Potatoes Core in solutions
Contents of beaker
Initial mass
Final mass
Change in mass
observations
Distilled water
3.4g
4.1g
+.7g
Turned brown, expanded
.2M sucrose
3.5g
+.1g
Stayed white, almost same size
.4M sucrose
6.2g
5.3g
-0.9g
Brown ring around edges, shriveled

19. More examples

21. Graphs All Graphs Need: Title Labeled axis Units as needed (Key) Key:
Dependant variable
(units)
independent variable (units)
All Graphs Need:
Title
Labeled axis
Units as needed
(Key)
Key:

22. Bar graph:
used to compare things between different groups often qualitative data (non numbers) but not always

23. Frog Environment
Wet
Dry
Damp
Days Frog Lives 91 16 46
All Graphs Need:
Title
Labeled axis
Units as needed

27. Line Graph: determine relationships between the two different things
Usually quantitative data (numbers)

28. Days of Practice
Rating of skill on scale of 1-10 1 3 2 4 5

30. Day 1 2 3 4
Amount of food
1 meal
2 meals
3 meals
4 meal
Energy level 5 7 8
All Graphs Need:
Title
Labeled axis
Units as needed
Number of meals

31. Pie Charts: when you are trying to compare parts of a whole

32. Warm up Read (skim over) the “examples of abstract” on the handout
How long is an abstract?
What things need to be in your abstract?
Restate purpose
Summarize variables/ experiment
Summaries results
word summary of the contents -for help:

33. Finish notebook Pg 604 section review #1,3, 5 Write abstract
Things left to do in chemistry this year!
Finish notebook Pg 604 section review #1,3, 5
Write abstract
Format final report (table of contents)
Submit project to turnitin.com
Work on display board
Plan your presentation

34. Common Core:
HSN-Q.A.2 Define appropriate quantities for the purpose of descriptive modeling.
HSF-IF.C.7 Graph functions expressed symbolically and show key features of the graph, by in hand in simple cases and using technology for more complicated cases. (HS-PS2-1)
Overall goal of final project ties into WHST Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question) or solve a problem; narrow or broaden the inquiry when appropriate; synthesize multiple sources on the subject, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation. (HS-PS1-3)

35. Warm up
What should be included in your presentation? (what should you bring, wear, include in what you say?)
(Hint: see page 11 of project directions!)

36. Today Submit report to turnitin.com Finish display board
Leave complete in back of room or take home to finish and bring back tomorrow!
Plan presentation (make notecard)