1. STEM PROJECT Science Inquiry
K. Stephenson
VMS - 8th Grade
February 2016

2. Background RESEARCH is stated in an ABSTRACT or paragraph summary
ABSTRACT or RESEARCH
Background RESEARCH is diverse, uses multiple sources, and the works are cited;
Background RESEARCH is stated in an ABSTRACT or paragraph summary

3. PROBLEM STATEMENT and should be answerable by a Yes or No
The PROBLEM STATEMENT should be one sentence identifying the hypothesis to be tested
and should be answerable by a Yes or No
It is a Testable Question that references a cause and effect relationship and a measurable change OR
a Proposed Solution/Invention that
references a specific outcome

4. BENEFIT TO COMMUNITY or REAL-WORLD APPLICATION
How could your experiments and data help solve your problem and benefit your community? OR
How is your project applied in the real-world?

5. The HYPOTHESIS is the expected results
based on research, and should be written as an “If….., then…..” statement

6. TEST HYPOTHESIS: Materials
MATERIALS are appropriate and a
detailed list is given;
may be a bulleted list (include exact amounts)

7. TEST HYPOTHESIS: Procedure
Describe the step-by-step procedure and include photos and/or a video of your experimental setup; The PROCEDURE is sequential (a numbered list) and describes the investigation clearly

8. TEST HYPOTHESIS: Variables
VARIABLES are clearly defined
MANIPULATED/INDEPENDENT VARIABLE
(What is changed/what is tested):
RESPONDING/DEPENDENT VARIABLE
(What is measured):
CONTROL/CONSTANTS
(What is kept the same or controlled, so it is a “fair test”)

9. DATA Organize DATA in a table &/or chart and GRAPH RESULTS -
Collect and record both QUALITATIVE and QUANTITATIVE OBSERVATIONS
Quantitative: observations stated in numerical terms using metric units
Qualitative:
observations using words, descriptions or behavioral changes using the five senses
Organize DATA in a table &/or chart and GRAPH RESULTS -
decide how to best represent the DATA COLLECTED
(generally the Manipulated Variable is placed on the X-axis and the Responding Variable on the Y-axis of your graph)

10. CONCLUSIONS
CONCLUSIONS are based on the analysis of the data; acceptance or rejection of hypothesis or success of solution/invention is stated;
ANALYSIS describes the trends or patterns found in the data; includes any uncertainties or suggestions for further efforts
JUSTIFY CLAIMS WITH EVIDENCE
Defend conclusions using results from the DATA collected

11. Bibliography Works Cited and Bibliography are not the same.
In Works Cited you only list items you have actually referred to and cited in your paper. A Bibliography lists all of the material you have consulted in preparing your essay whether or not you have actually referred to and cited the work.
Use to cite sources;
For diagrams and/or images used in presentation,
cite the source on the slide