Science Fair Packet Description & Perm Slip Research Testable Question Hypothesis 2/4 2/11 2/18 2/25 3/3 3/10 3/24 3/31 4/4 4/7 Final Materials Procedures Project Journal Qualitative Data Quantitative Data & Graph Results Conclusion Complete Packet Comparative Investigation Experimental Investigation Student Name
Participation 5 th graders may choose to complete an individual or team project. Individual Projects: o Completed by one student. Team Projects: o Teams may be 2-3 students that are enrolled at the same school and are in the same grade. o No more than three students per team. Each student may only work on one project. The student packet that you will receive will not include a student journal. Students must create a separate journal to accompany their triptych in a composition or spiral notebook. Journals are a requirement for school and district-level competition. Students will need to pay $3 for the triptych that will be required for the science fair to Ms. Wolfe. All science fair boards are to be submitted by 7:45 a.m. on April 26 th, 2016 in the gymnasium.
Rules & Guidelines Science fair projects must be an investigation using the scientific process and not a research project or a model. The following are Not Acceptable to include in projects: Tobacco products Alcohol and drugs Blood, teeth, or body tissue Dissected animals Explosives Flammable and corrosive materials The following are not acceptable for display: Live bacteria (no mold) Alternating current electrical wiring or circuits (no extension cords or plugs) Live animals * *Live animals may be used in an investigation, but should not be displayed. Investigations using vertebrates (animals with backbones) MUST have a signed form or note from a veterinarian stating that the animal is in good health and will not be harmed by the investigation prior to beginning your investigation. The form must be maintained on file by Ms. Wolfe.
Comparative Investigation Comparative investigations involve collecting data on different organisms, objects, features, events, or collecting data under different conditions (e.g. time of year, air temperature, location) to make a comparison. The hypothesis identifies one independent variable and one dependent variable. Examples: How will different temperatures of tennis balls (freezer, refrigerator or warmed up) affect how far they will bounce off of a brick wall? How will different liquids (sweet tea, soda or punch) affect the growth of a bean plant? Experimental Investigation Experimental investigations involve designing a fair test similar to a comparative investigation, but a control group is also identified. The variables are measured in an effort to gather evidence to support or not support a causal relationship. Examples: How will changing the temperature of a tennis ball (room temperature, 5 C, or 25 C) affect the distance it travels after bounced off of a brick wall? How will different liquids (water, sweet tea, or soda) affect the growth of a bean plant?
Timeline Date February 4 th February 11 th February 18 th Feb. 22 nd April 3 rd Component Due Student project description and parent permission slip due Student research into topic of interest and testable question due Hypothesis, materials, and procedures due Conduct investigation (after teacher permission is granted) **Student packets and project journals will be checked each Thursday** March 5 th Saturday Workshop for help in conducting investigation ** Not mandatory. To attend, students will need to return permission slip** April 4 th Project journal check (investigation complete); Qualitative and Quantitative data due April 7 th Student packet due (complete, written) **All components should be complete at this point, and written in packet** April 12 th Tables, graphs, and results (typed in Word and Excel) ** Students will receive some help with this portion and their conclusion from technology, dependent on their rotation schedules** April 15 th April 18 th April 26 th Conclusion due (typed in Word, one printed copy) Triptychs sent home with students Triptych due (submit in the morning before school) Students will receive grades at each checkpoint along the process, listed above. Students that have chosen to work in a team are each responsible for submitting their own student packets with the required information (through April 7 th ). However, from April 12 th through April 26 th, students working in teams will just need to submit one copy of the requirement listed that will serve as a grade for each student in the group.
Important Terms & Definitions Conclusion A short written paragraph that attempts to answer your question using your data. Your conclusion should include a claim, supporting evidence, and reasoning that illustrates the relationship between them. Based on the data should you accept or reject your hypothesis? Explain how what you learned could be used by others. Control Group All conditions or factors are kept the same between the control group and the experimental group except the independent variable. This control group is the standard for comparison and allows the scientists to determine if the independent variable had an effect. Dependent Variable (DV) This is what you are planning to measure and observe as the result of your independent variable. Experimental Group This is the only group that receives the treatment of the independent variable. Hypothesis A prediction that attempts to answer your testable question. Don t worry if your hypothesis is later incorrect. Independent Variable (IV) This is what you are going to manipulate or change in the investigation. You may have one and only one independent variable. Qualitative Data Observations made using your 5 senses (see, hear, smell, taste, and touch). Quantitative Data Number data from measuring or counting. This could be weight, mass, height, width, volume, or how many you counted. Question A question that clearly describes what you are trying to research. Testable Question Your question should mention your independent variable and what items you are planning on testing. Trial Each time you conduct an experiment is called a trial. We recommend that you complete at least five trials; ten trials are better. This helps to increase the reliability of your results.
Investigation Topic Research Topic I m Interested In: Research 1: Source: Information found: Research 2: Source: Information found: Research 3: Source: Information found: Research 4: Source: Information found: *** Students may not use Wikipedia or ask.com ***
Student Investigation Packet Comparative Investigation Testable Question How will affect of? IV DV Item(s) OR Which will have the greatest effect on? IV Item(s) Variables (Fill in the table with the appropriate information from your investigation.) Independent Variable (IV) What will you manipulate/change in the investigation? HINT: There should only be one. Dependent Variable (DV) What will you measure and observe? Controlled Variables These are the variables that you agree to keep the same (no change) Hypothesis (HINT: Be specific. Do not use the word it ) If [I/we do this], IV then [this will happen] DV because. Explain your reasoning Teacher Approval:
Student Investigation Packet Experimental Investigation Testable Question How will affect? IV DV Variables (Fill in the table with the appropriate information from your investigation.) Independent Variable (IV) Dependent Variable (DV) Control Group What will the control group What will you What will you measure and receive? HINT: This is the manipulate/change in the observe? group that would get the investigation? HINT: There normal treatment. should only be one. Controlled Variables These are the variables that you agree to keep the same (no change) Hypothesis (HINT: Be specific. Do not use the word it ) If [I/we do this], IV then [this will happen] DV because. Explain your reasoning Teacher Approval:
Materials Write down all of the materials you will need to do your investigation. Be specific! Procedures Describe what you will do, step-by-step. Be specific! 1. Gather all of your materials. 2.
Drawing or Photos of My Experiment Qualitative Data
Quantitative Data Data / Graph
Results / Data Analysis Look at your data. Explain what happened in words. Conclusion Claim Evidence
Reasoning Was your hypothesis supported or unsupported and why? How can what you learned help others? What new questions do you have or what would you do next?
Science Fair Board Example Question Title Results [Type a quote from the document or the summary of an interesting point. You can position the text box anywhere in the document. Use the Text Box Tools tab to change the formatting of the pull quote text box.] [Type a quote from the document or the summary of an interesting point. You can position the text box anywhere in the document. Use the Text Box Tools tab to change the formatting of the pull quote text [Type a quote from the document or the summary of an interesting point. You can position the text box anywhere in the document. Use the Text Box Tools tab to change the Hypothesis Materials Procedure Conclusion [Type a quote from the document or the summary of an interesting point. You can position the text box anywhere in the document. Use the Text Box Tools tab to change the formatting of the pull quote text box.] [Type a quote from the document or the summary of an interesting point. You can position the text box anywhere in the document. Use the Text Box Tools tab to change the formatting of the pull quote text [Type a quote from the document or the summary of an interesting point. You can position the text box anywhere in the document. Use the Text Box Tools tab to change the formatting of the pull quote text box.] [Type a quote from the document or the summary of an interesting point. You can position the text box anywhere in the document. Use the Text Box Tools tab to change the formatting of the pull quote text 1. [Type a quote from the document or the 2. summary of an interesting point. You can 3. position the text box anywhere in the 4. 4. document. Use the Text Box Tools tab to 5. change the formatting of the pull quote 6. text box.] [Type a quote from the 7. 7. 7. 7. document or the summary of an 8. 8. 8. 8. interesting point. You can position the 9. 9. text box anywhere in the document. Use 10. the Text Box Tools tab to change the 11. 11. formatting of the pull quote text [Type a quote from the document or the summary [Type a quote from the document or the summary of an interesting point. You can position the text box anywhere in the document. Use the Text Box Tools tab to change the formatting of the pull quote text box.] [Type a quote from the document or the summary of an interesting point. You can position the text box anywhere in the document. Use the Text Box Tools tab to change the formatting of the pull quote text Journal Student faces may not be visible in any photos Do not write student names on the boards. Boards will be assigned a number when submitted.
Science Fair Board Tips Keep a science fair journal; write your project title and project number on it (no names). Come up with a catchy title for your project. Include all required categories and content on your display. Have an adult spell-check and proofread your board to check for any errors. Use a simple, black font that is easy to read. As a general rule, use 24 pt type for headings and 16 pt type for text blocks. Mount typed material on colored construction paper for contrast. Label all graphs, charts, and tables. Space parts evenly across your board, to achieve a balanced, consistent look. Make sure to write descriptive captions for photos. Ask for help from Ms. Wolfe if you need it.