Science Fair Terms
Problem
· Must be in the form of a question.
· Must not have a yes or no answer.
· Must be testable and measurable with an experiment
(A demonstration is not an experiment! You must have variables in an experiment.)
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Research Paper
The research portion of the scientific method occurs BEFORE the hypothesis is determined and the experiment is performed. The research paper consists of original material summarizing the information taken from your sources. (Minimum of three sources must be used and documented) Your research paper should NOT include any data from the experiment. It should merely state the background information used in determining your hypothesis. The research paper must be typed in 12 pt font, doubled spaced in Times New Roman.
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Hypothesis
· The hypothesis should answer the question (Problem Statement) and predict the outcome of the experiment.
· A hypothesis should be supported or not supported by the experimentation and data collected. Example: “If three plants are exposed to 0%, 5% and 10% concentration of fertilizer, then the plant with the 5% fertilizer will grow the most.”
· Most hypothesis can be stated in the form of an “If _________, then __________ statement.”
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Materials
Include ALL items used during your experiment. Remember to include quantities in a consistent unit of measurement. (All measurement MUST be recorded in METRIC!!!)
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Variables (Information below come from www.sciencebuddies.org )
Scientists design experiments so that changes to one item cause something else to vary in a predictable way. These changes are called variables. A variable is any factor, trait, or condition that can exist in differing amounts or types.
· Independent – is the one that is changed by the scientist.
· Dependent – the scientist focuses his/her observations on this variable to see how it responds to the
change made to the independent variable.
· Controlled – are the conditions that a scientist wants to remain constant.
Example: If you are testing fertilizer benefits on plants, the type of fertilizer would be your independent variable. The growth of the plant would be your dependent variable. The controlled variable would be the location of the plants, the amount of water provided to each plant, the exposure to sunlight, etc... (Those items would be the same for all plants.) The number of dependents variables in an experiment varies, but there is often more than one.
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Procedure
“Your Method” – numbered steps so that the reader could easily follow how you conducted the experiment.
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Data Collection (Don’t forget to take photos throughout your experiment process)
Raw Data
Every experiment must have some form of data to be collected and analyzed in order to address the problem and support or reject the hypothesis.
The first form of data collection can be a “raw data log”. This is your written observations and/or measurements. This can be a simple notebook with data entries. Be sure that you note the unit of METRIC measurement and keep it consist.
It is required that you put the log where you recorded results in your handwriting and the notes you took during your experiment in your handwriting in the binder behind the graphs of your data. You may put pictures in your binder that you didn’t have room for on the back board, too.
Data Tables - Complete data tables with available data from raw data log.
Organizing your data collection – Think carefully about columns and rows. The trials in your experiment should be in rows and the independent variables should be in columns (You must have at least 3 trials for your experiment!!!) The dependent variables will be the information you put in each cell. You must label the x and y axis of each graph. You need to include a title and a key. (It is recommended to use only a bar graph or line graph. Line graphs can only be used IF you are showing change over time!)
A great online website to help create a graph is: http://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/graphing/Classic/
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Conclusion
Drawing a conclusion means making a statement summing up what you have learned from your experiment.
Conclusion should:
· Refer to the hypothesis (restate)
· Determine whether the data supports the hypothesis or rejects it.
· Cite proof from data.
· State what might be done to further investigate the same problem.
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Abstract
The abstract is a summary of your entire science fair project. Thus, it includes the important information from each section of your binder.
The abstract should include:
· Title of the project
· Problem
· Brief summary of the procedure
· Results/Data
· Conclusion
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Bibliography
You must have at least 3 sources. To ensure you are using the correct format, it is suggested that you use MLA Elementary Citation Maker to create your bibliography. That website is:
http://elementary.oslis.org/orig-steps/resources/cm/mlacitationse
If you do not have internet available at home, then please contact your child’s teacher.
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Problem
· Must be in the form of a question.
· Must not have a yes or no answer.
· Must be testable and measurable with an experiment
(A demonstration is not an experiment! You must have variables in an experiment.)
******************************************************************************************
Research Paper
The research portion of the scientific method occurs BEFORE the hypothesis is determined and the experiment is performed. The research paper consists of original material summarizing the information taken from your sources. (Minimum of three sources must be used and documented) Your research paper should NOT include any data from the experiment. It should merely state the background information used in determining your hypothesis. The research paper must be typed in 12 pt font, doubled spaced in Times New Roman.
*******************************************************************************************
Hypothesis
· The hypothesis should answer the question (Problem Statement) and predict the outcome of the experiment.
· A hypothesis should be supported or not supported by the experimentation and data collected. Example: “If three plants are exposed to 0%, 5% and 10% concentration of fertilizer, then the plant with the 5% fertilizer will grow the most.”
· Most hypothesis can be stated in the form of an “If _________, then __________ statement.”
*********************************************************************************************
Materials
Include ALL items used during your experiment. Remember to include quantities in a consistent unit of measurement. (All measurement MUST be recorded in METRIC!!!)
********************************************************************************************
Variables (Information below come from www.sciencebuddies.org )
Scientists design experiments so that changes to one item cause something else to vary in a predictable way. These changes are called variables. A variable is any factor, trait, or condition that can exist in differing amounts or types.
· Independent – is the one that is changed by the scientist.
· Dependent – the scientist focuses his/her observations on this variable to see how it responds to the
change made to the independent variable.
· Controlled – are the conditions that a scientist wants to remain constant.
Example: If you are testing fertilizer benefits on plants, the type of fertilizer would be your independent variable. The growth of the plant would be your dependent variable. The controlled variable would be the location of the plants, the amount of water provided to each plant, the exposure to sunlight, etc... (Those items would be the same for all plants.) The number of dependents variables in an experiment varies, but there is often more than one.
*******************************************************************************************
Procedure
“Your Method” – numbered steps so that the reader could easily follow how you conducted the experiment.
********************************************************************************************
Data Collection (Don’t forget to take photos throughout your experiment process)
Raw Data
Every experiment must have some form of data to be collected and analyzed in order to address the problem and support or reject the hypothesis.
The first form of data collection can be a “raw data log”. This is your written observations and/or measurements. This can be a simple notebook with data entries. Be sure that you note the unit of METRIC measurement and keep it consist.
It is required that you put the log where you recorded results in your handwriting and the notes you took during your experiment in your handwriting in the binder behind the graphs of your data. You may put pictures in your binder that you didn’t have room for on the back board, too.
Data Tables - Complete data tables with available data from raw data log.
Organizing your data collection – Think carefully about columns and rows. The trials in your experiment should be in rows and the independent variables should be in columns (You must have at least 3 trials for your experiment!!!) The dependent variables will be the information you put in each cell. You must label the x and y axis of each graph. You need to include a title and a key. (It is recommended to use only a bar graph or line graph. Line graphs can only be used IF you are showing change over time!)
A great online website to help create a graph is: http://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/graphing/Classic/
********************************************************************************************
Conclusion
Drawing a conclusion means making a statement summing up what you have learned from your experiment.
Conclusion should:
· Refer to the hypothesis (restate)
· Determine whether the data supports the hypothesis or rejects it.
· Cite proof from data.
· State what might be done to further investigate the same problem.
********************************************************************************************
Abstract
The abstract is a summary of your entire science fair project. Thus, it includes the important information from each section of your binder.
The abstract should include:
· Title of the project
· Problem
· Brief summary of the procedure
· Results/Data
· Conclusion
*******************************************************************************************
Bibliography
You must have at least 3 sources. To ensure you are using the correct format, it is suggested that you use MLA Elementary Citation Maker to create your bibliography. That website is:
http://elementary.oslis.org/orig-steps/resources/cm/mlacitationse
If you do not have internet available at home, then please contact your child’s teacher.
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