Download Science Fair Writing Process Part 1

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th
Independent Science Fair 8 Grade
Name: _________________________________ Date: _________________
Period: ___
California State Science Standards: 9: Scientific progress is made by asking meaningful questions and conducting careful investigations. As a basis
for understanding this concept: (a) plan an conduct a scientific investigations to test a hypothesis. (b). evaluate accuracy and reproducibility of data. (c).
distinguish between variable and controlled parameters in a test. (e). construct appropriate graphs from data ad develop quantitative statements about
relationships between variables.
Task: You have been asked to design and conduct an independent science investigation. You may also be asked to
enter your project into the science fair. You must select one of the 8th grade categories for your science project.
You will need to be sure that you are conducting an experiment. You many not turn in a model, collection or report. You
must also have the project proposal approved before you begin. You can not conduct an experiment that is aimed at
harming animals or people. You will need to utilize the steps of the scientific method:
 Title
 Question/Purpose
 Background Information/Resources
 Hypothesis in the “If _____, then _____” Format
 Materials and Procedure
 Chart/Data Table with calculations (Correct units, pictures to show experiment)
 Graph
 Conclusion
 Discussion
4 (Advance) = 100pts / A
3 (Proficient) = 85 pts / B
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All steps of the experimental design are written in appropriate
form and order.
Demonstrates outstanding use of the scientific method,
repeating experiments, detailed and understandable design
and methods.
Accurate and detailed observations and data. Data includes
units.
Collects, organizes, and displays data accurately. Charts and
graphs include titles and labels. Labels include units. All
calculations are shown and accurate.
Conclusion is supported by data collected, refers to whether
hypothesis is correct or incorrect, and answers lab question
referring to data.
Discussion is detailed, gives explanations of usefulness that
explains the results, explains possible errors, and
summarizes experiment.
Uses correct vocabulary, correct grammar, and spelling with a
few minor errors that do not interfere with meaning.
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2 (Basic) = 60pts / D
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Missing one step of the scientific method. 1-2 steps are not
written in appropriate form and order.
Displays little use of the scientific method, no repeating of
experiment and method is hard to follow and/or not
understandable.
Inaccurate observations and data. Data is missing units.
Collects, organizes, and displays data with major errors.
Chart and/or graph may be missing labels and titles. Data has
no units or incorrect units. Calculations are in accurate or
missing.
Conclusion is not supported by data collected or missing,
does not refer to whether hypothesis is correct and may not
correctly answer lab question referring to data.
Discussion is not relevant to experiment results.
Uses vocabulary incorrectly and/or contains several spelling
and grammar errors that interfere with meaning.
0 (Far Below) = 0pts
Less than half complete
Contributed no effort to the task
Demonstrates no understanding
All steps of the experimental design are written in appropriate
form and order. Research not detailed
Demonstrates successful use of the scientific method,
repeating experiments and understandable methods.
Accurate observations and data with minor mistakes. Data
includes units.
Collects, organizes, and displays data with possibly 1-2 minor
errors. Chart and/or graph may be missing title or label. All
units are included. Calculations are shown and possibly 1-2
minor mistakes.
Conclusion is supported by data, but data or average data is
not mentioned in conclusion. Refers to whether hypothesis is
correct, and answer lab question referring to data.
Discussion is not detailed, does not give a clear explanation
of results.
Uses some correct vocabulary, correct grammar and spelling
with several errors that do not interfere with meaning.
1 (Below Basic) = 45 pts / F
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Missing two or more steps of the scientific method. 3 or more
steps are not written in appropriate form and order.
Displays no use of the scientific method. Method and/or
materials are missing.
Inaccurate observations and data. Data is missing or
incomplete (no units).
Collects, organizes, and displays data that is missing or
incomplete. Chart and/or graph are missing or incomplete.
Conclusion is missing or incomplete.
Discussion is missing or incomplete.
Does not use correct vocabulary, contains many spelling and
grammar errors that interfere with meaning.
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Science Fair Timeline and Grade Sheet
 Place a Check next to each item once it is completed.
Item
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Project Proposal
Investigation Set-Up
Problem/Question/Purpose
Research Information and Sources
Hypothesis
Materials and Methods
Data Chart & Graph Set-Up
Complete Rough Draft
Check & Reflection
Final Lab Report Write-Up
Science Fair Display Board
Due Date
Points
Thursday 1/29
10
Monday
2/2
10
Monday
2/2
5
Monday
2/9
20
Monday
2/9
10
Monday
2/16
20
Monday
2/16
10
Friday
3/6
50
Friday
3/13
15
Friday
3/13
100
Friday
3/13
250
Points
Earned
Total
Start Science Fair Experiments No Later than
 Science Fair display boards and Science Fair Reports CANNOT be turned in
LATE FOR ANY REASON.
 Science Fair Rough Draft and Final Draft Reports are Due by Friday 3/13/09 with
your board. If you do not turn in a Rough draft and Final Reports you will receive
a 0 (Fail) on your science fair board. You must have Both Rough Draft and Final
Draft Reports.
THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS TO ANY OF THE ABOVE GUIDELINES!!!!
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Science Fair Experiment Proposals
Deciding on my Science Fair Experiment (Use the list provided to help you decide on a possible science fair
project, be creative. (You may only use 8th grade standard topics)
1st Choice:
For my first science fair proposal choice, I want to find out ___________________________________
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By doing this investigation I will learn _________________________________________________________
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2nd Choice:
For my 2nd science fair proposal choice, I want to find out ___________________________________
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By doing this investigation I will learn _________________________________________________________
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3rd Choice:
For my 3rd science fair proposal choice, I want to find out ___________________________________
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By doing this investigation I will learn _________________________________________________________
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You are approved for Proposal Choice _______________ Teacher Initials: _______
GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!! You only have to do one experiment.
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Science Fair Investigation Set-Up
Question/Purpose: (What are you trying to find out? What do you want to know?)
Dependent Variable:
(What are you measuring?)
Independent Variable:
(What are you testing and changing to see
its effects?)
Experimental Groups
(What groups are being tested?)
Control Group
(What group are you keeping the same?)
In a brief paragraph, summarize your science fair project. Include all the information from your set-up.
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Rough Draft Report
Question/Purpose: __________________________________________________________________
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Research Information:
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Sources: (Title, Author, Date, Page Numbers or Web Address)
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Hypothesis:
If _________________________________________________________________________________,
then _______________________________________________________________________________,
because ____________________________________________________________________________
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Material:
Methods/Procedure:
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Data/Observations:
Data Table:
Calculations:
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Graph
Conclusion:
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Discussion:
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7th Grade Science Fair Categories and Topics
Categories
Botany
Zoology
Microbiology
Environmental Science
Topics
 seed germination
 plant growth
 photosynthesis
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earthworm environment selection
earthworm behavior
meal worm behavior
brine shrimp
cricket environment selection
cricket behavior
goldfish or guppy habitat selection
goldfish or guppy behavior
gold or guppy fish feeding
Ant feeding
Ant behavior
 bacterial growth
 yeast growth
 mold growth
 soil pollution
 soil quality
Health
 heart rate
 blood pressure (you need a blood pressure
monitor)
 lung capacity
 reflexes
 body temperature
 urine Excretion
Physics
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light
sound
light refraction
light refraction
light absorption
lenses
levers
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DO NOT WRITE ON THIS PAPER, DO NOT TAKE PAPER HOME
Possible Independent Variables
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acid rain
age
alcohol
antibacterial soap
antibiotics
aspirin
asthma
bread
caffeine
caffeine soda
candy bars
carbonated water
chemicals
chlorine
color
detergent
detergent pollution
distance running
electric current
exercise
freezing
garlic
gender
hairspray residue
height
household cleaners
insecticides
lenses
light
light color
light direction
liquid plant food
liquid type
magnets
micronutrients
microwave radiations
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moisture levels
mouthwash
movies
music
nitrogen
oil
oil pollution
pellet fertilizer
perfume fumes
pH
phosphorus
potassium
road salt
salinity levels
salt
scuffing
second hand smoke
smoking
soaking
soil covering
soil moisture
soil pH
soil type
sound
sugar
surface texture
surface type
temperature
time of day
ultraviolet light
ultraviolet radiation
video games
vitamins
water pH
water pollution
weight
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