Download Science Fair Information Packet

Science Fair
Project Packet
Projects are due: ____________________
Presentations will be on: _______________
Dear Parents,
I know that you are anxious to begin
helping your child complete a Science Fair
project. I am looking forward to seeing some
GREAT projects this year! To assist you, this
packet has been created. Follow it step-bystep, and your child will surely have a
fantastic project to present. If you have
questions about the contents of this packet,
please contact me. I’d be happy to help you
throughout the process!
Science Fair Project Process and Information
Topic, Purpose, Problem/Question
-the topic is your overall subject of interest (ex. “Skateboards”)
-the purpose is why you are doing the experiment on that particular
topic (ex. “to learn whether a skateboard travels faster on pavement
or on carpet”)
-the problem/question is what you want to investigate
-the problem/question should be something realistic and relevant
-the problem/question must be measureable and should be stated in
the form of a question (ex. “Will a skateboard travel faster on
pavement or on carpet?”)
-your problem/question will appear on your display board and in your
logbook
Hypothesis
-the hypothesis is what you think will happen during your experiment
-the hypothesis should directly lead to a logical procedure for an
experiment
-the hypothesis should be set up to include 3 key words: IF, THEN,
and BECAUSE (ex. “If I ride a skateboard on pavement and on carpet,
then I think the skateboard will travel faster on pavement because
the thickness of the carpet may affect the skateboard’s speed,
slowing it down.”)
-your hypothesis will appear on your display board and in your logbook
Background Information
-the background information will come from doing research about
your overall topic and/or about something specific to your
problem/question
-use a variety of print and online resources to do research
-use index cards or a notebook to take notes as you do research
-keep a list of the books and/or websites that were helpful to you
-handwrite or type your researched information (1 to 2 pages long)
-please put the researched information into your own words (do not
plagiarize!)
-if you type your background information, please double-space the
document
-your background information will only appear in your logbook
Bibliography
-the bibliography is a list of print and online resources you consulted
as you researched
-the following website will help you know what information to include
for the entries in your bibliography: www.easybib.com
-your bibliography will only appear in your logbook
Materials
-the materials are a list of all the items you will use during your
experiment
-your materials list should be specific, including amounts of certain
items you will use (ex. “1 metric measuring cup”, “3 magnets”, “5 paper
plates”, “50mL of water”)
-don’t forget to include basic materials you may use like a writing
utensil, paper, and a calculator
-your materials list will appear on your display board and in your
logbook
Variables & Constant
-the variables include 2 specific types: the independent variable and
the dependent variable
-the independent variable is what you are changing or manipulating
during your experiment (ex. “pavement” and “carpet” for the
skateboard speed experiment)
-the dependent variable is what you are observing and/or measuring
during your experiment (ex. “skateboard speed”)
-the constant is what is not changing or being manipulated during your
experiment (ex. “the person riding the skateboard” and “the
skateboard”)
-your variables and constant will only appear in your logbook
Procedure
-the procedure is the step-by-step process you will follow during your
experiment
-the procedure should be designed to test for an answer to your
problem/question and for proving or disproving your hypothesis
-your procedure should be listed in chronological, numbered steps
-your procedure should be written in a way that anyone could easily
repeat your experiment’s steps
-your procedure must include doing 3 trials and taking metric
measurements of things that require being measured
-your procedure will appear on your display board and in your logbook
Observations/Daily Log
-the daily log is your day-to-day (or even hour-by-hour) observations
and records as you set up and conduct your experiment
-the daily log should be organized chronologically, either in journal
form (with dates/times) or in a table or chart (also with dates/times)
-your daily log should contain a record of everything you did and/or
observed during your experiment from beginning to end
-your daily log will only appear in your logbook
Photos
-photos are helpful to show the process of your experiment (the setup, experimentation, and the final outcome)
-if your photos contain people, please use stickers to conceal faces
-photos could be placed on your display board and in your logbook
-photos must have captions regardless of where you put them in your
project
Results
-the results are composed of 3 things: data, graph/s, and a written
explanation
-the data is what you have measured during your experiment
-the data should relate directly to your problem/question and your
hypothesis
-the data should show that atleast 3 trials were done during your
experiment
-the data will most often be in numerical form (ex. “1 meter per
minute on pavement” and “2 meters per minute on carpet” for the
skateboard speed experiment)
-the data should be taken in metric measurements
-common metric units of measurement are:
meters, centimeters, or millimeters (for length or distance)
grams or kilograms (for weight)
liters or milliliters (for liquid volume)
-your data should be organized in a table or chart
-your data could also include calculations like finding the mean,
median, mode, and/or range
-your data will appear on your display board and in your logbook
-the graph is a visual representation of your data
-the graph could take the form or a bar, a line, or a circle/pie graph
-bar graphs are used for comparing data, line graphs are used for
showing how data changed over time, and circle/pie graphs are used
for data that is in percent form
-the graph should have a title, appropriate labels, and a key (to explain
any colors or symbols you may have used)
-the graph can include calculations you did (particularly the mean or
average of your data)
-the graph can be done on paper or via computer
-your graph will appear on your display board and in your logbook
-the written explanation should explain 2 things: what your data
shows and whether or not your hypothesis was proved or disproved
-your written explanation should follow your data and graph/s on your
display board and in your logbook
Conclusions
-the conclusions are a summary of your experiment (supported by your
data)
-the conclusions should explain several things: what factors may have
affected your experiment, whether or not your hypothesis was proved
or disproved, what you learned from experimenting, and what you
would change if you could repeat the experiment
-your conclusions should be longer and more detailed than the written
explanation in your results
-your conclusions will appear on your display board and in your logbook
Logbook
-the logbook is where important project documents are organized
-the logbook can be a PowerPoint, notebook or a binder
-the logbook should be divided into 4 sections (using tabs or binder
divider pages):
1) Research
2) Experiment
3) Conclusions
4) Abstract
-Section 1 should feature: the title of your experiment, your
hypothesis, your grade level, the school’s full name, your background
information, and your bibliography
-Section 2 should feature: your hypothesis, your materials, your
procedure, and your daily log
-Photos should be placed in Section 2 if you are including them in your
project
-Section 3 should feature: your results (data, graph/s, and written
explanation) and your conclusions
-Section 4 should feature just your abstract
Abstract
-the abstract briefly summarizes your project from beginning to end
-the abstract must be just 1 page long
-the abstract includes 5 sections:
1) Goals (also known as the purpose of your project)
2) Research (a paragraph of some key points summarized from your
background information)
3) Hypothesis (the same that appears on your display board and in
your logbook)
4) Procedure (the same that appears on your display board and in
your logbook)
5) Conclusions (the same that appears on your display board and in
your logbook)
-your abstract will only appear in your logbook
Display Board
-display boards are not required. You may represent your science
project via PowerPoint or Movie Maker
- you can purchase a display board at any local store (Michaels,
Wal-Mart, Target, etc.)
-the display board layout is very specific (see the page in this packet
that contains the display board layout)
-your display board should follow the layout and all required sections
should be clearly labeled
Project Evaluation
-projects are evaluated by the classroom teacher using a scoring guide
-a series of checkpoints will be used to help students complete their
project in small, manageable segments
-Science Fair Project Checkpoints are also included in this packet
Science Fair Project Checkpoints
The following checkpoints will be used to keep students on track while
completing their required Science Fair project.
The checkpoints are simply a guideline. Points will NOT be taken off if work
is not completed by a checkpoint date. However, students are strongly
encouraged to break their project down into small, manageable segments and
to steadily work towards completing their project long before the official
duedate.
Project Segments
Topic, Purpose, Problem/Question, and Hypothesis
Background Information and Bibliography
Materials, Variables, Constant, and Procedure
Observations/Daily Log and Photos
Results (Data, Graph/s, Written Explanation)
Conclusions and Logbook (Sections 1 and 2)
Logbook (Sections 3 and 4) and Abstract
Classroom Science Fair
Checkpoint Date
On the date of a checkpoint, I will check with each student and touch base
on work that has been completed. Although there are no consequences for
work being incomplete at the time of a checkpoint, there will be a
consequence if a student fails to complete a Science Fair project. Projects
are mandatory for 5th and 6th grade students.
Please contact me if you have any questions about the checkpoints
or about the project segments.