1. HOW TO WRITE A SCIENCE PAPER

2. Numbering  Upper right hand corner of each page including title page, type a shorthand version of your title followed by five spaces and the page number

3. Parts of the Paper  Title Page  Abstract- short summary in 1 paragraph  Introduction – about three pages  Materials / Methods – List materials, method in numbered form  Data – tables with headings  Results – Graphs, Charts,Statistical calculations, etc.  Discussion of Results – summarize the tables and graphs  Conclusion  Bibliography  Acknowledgements – be sure to acknowledge your parental types and any mentor

4. TITLE PAGE Short title 1 Title of your project centered Name Class and Period Grade Teacher Date (February 7 2011)

5. Abstract  The abstract is a short one paragraph summary of your project: 1.State what the project is and why it was important to do this project 2.Summarize method used 3.Summarize data that was collected 4.Explain why this data is important to the real world  Center the word abstract 1 inch from the top of the page  Double space  175-250 words that expresses your main idea and key points, it may also include implications or applications

6. INTRODUCTION 1.First paragraph: summarize project: what is it and why was it done, what are the variables (ind., dep., control), give hypothesis with explanation 2.Second paragraph and on: give research and background info to explain any topic used in project and to explain more indepth the logic behind hypothesis  Be sure to reference anything that is not common knowledge  The rule of thumb is, when in doubt, cite the reference in APA style… (author, date).  REMEMBER…. PERSONAL PRONOUNS ARE NOT TO BE USED!

7. (goes in the first paragraph of Intro) Variables  Controlled variables: These are the things that are kept the same throughout your experiments.  Independent variable: The one variable that you purposely change and test.  Dependent variable: The measure of change observed because of the independent variable. It is important to decide how you are going to measure the change.

8. (goes in the Intro) Hypothesis Based on the research you have done, you will be writing an answer or solution – your best educated guess – to your question. Make sure you write down your hypothesis before you begin your experiment.

9. (goes in the Intro) Research Have three to five good research sources to help one to understand your project (background information) or to explain hypothesis more indepth. Also, using primary sources in this section is a great way to support your hypothesis. Ideas about background info: Physics laws and equations needed, parts of the brain described, how a plant takes in water/nutrients, plant anatomy, chemical structures and jobs in the body, bacteria structure

10. MATERIALS  List all materials in the project in bulleted format

11. METHODS  In numbered format, describe the procedure used to conduct your experiment  One step per number  If you are using a kit’s instructions or copying on-line instructions, make sure you make it fit to what you did in your project

12. DATA AND RESULTS  This section should include any tables, charts, graphs, or other data which you have.  Give all raw data that was collected in a table  Include averages on the raw data tables  However, with the results (which are your graphs and stats), only show the important data (not all raw data has to be seen in the graphs…the averages could be used, for example)  Do not use the typical graphs and colors that Excel creates…make the tables and graphs unique to you (but still clear and to the point) and make it look like you knew how to be manipulate Excel

13. DISCUSSION OF RESULTS  In this section, each of the charts and graphs are explained as to what they are or what they show  Nothing more (no research here), just a summary of the data and graphs (usually a nice paragraph in length)

14. CONCLUSIONS  This is where you research to explain your outcomes!!!  What did you determine? (paragraph)  Was your hypothesis supported? Why or why not? (research to explain…many paragraphs)  What could you have done differently? (paragraph)  What could you do to expand this project in the future? (paragraph)  In the end, three pages is a good length for the Conclusion

15. Bibliography  This is a bibliography  All references should be listed in alphabetical order of the author  See Bedford (and I will hand out APA examples)

16. ACKNOWLEGMENTS  This is the place where you thank your parents for driving you to lab and putting up with you while you do this  If you worked at another facility, this is where you thank the facility and people who helped you.  Only page in which personal pronouns can be used

17. PROJECT BOARD CON Abstract HYPOTHESIS METHODS CONCLUSION MATERIALS RESULTS (include your graphs here DATA TABLES PICTURES

18. Project board should be  NEAT  DO NOT WRITE FREE HAND  BE CREATIVE  FIRST IMPRESSIONS GO A LONG WAY  INCLUDE PICTURES WHEN POSSIBLE  Ex. TAKE PICTURES OF YOURSELF WORKING IN THE LAB  PICTURES OF YOUR PROJECT / EQUIPMENT  AT YOUR DISPLAY : NO LIVE PLANTS OR ANIMALS, NO WATER, NO CHEMICALS, NO AGAR PLATES

19. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE NIGHT BEFORE

20. SCIENCE FAIR DAY  Dress for success – no JEANS  Be on time- DON’T COME AT THE LAST MINUTE  NO GUM  Introduce yourself to the judges – shake hands, look the judges in the eye  Ask the judges about themselves (where they work, what they do…)  Be confident in yourself, your project, and what you know… you are the expert on your project