Science Fair Report and Display Guidelines

Transcription

1 Middle School Science Fair Report and Display Guidelines Modified July 2014

2 Student Name: Period Experimentally Based Research Paper Rubric Your final paper should be put together in the order presented in this rubric. All information should be typed in a 12- point font with the exception of the headings. Total Parts of the Experimentally Based Research Paper Rough Draft Total TITLE PAGE Name of Project and centered on page Capitalized and spelled correctly Name, date, and period in lower right hand corner ABSTRACT 2 Includes a purpose (paragraph) 2 Includes a hypothesis (included at end of purpose) 2 Includes a procedure (briefly stated in a paragraph) 2 Includes results (paragraph) 2 Includes a conclusion (paragraph) 2 Includes a real world application (paragraph) 2 Grammatically correct, no spelling errors 2 Does not exceed 250 words 2 Single space type in 12 point font 2 Written in third person TABLE OF CONTENTS 2 All sections included except title page & abstract 2 Two columns (parts of paper (left) page number (right)) 2 Page numbers for each section listed PURPOSE What is the problem or goals of the project Why are you doing this project What do you hope to achieve Grammar and spelling correct RESEARCH 6 Explains experimental topic learned from research (not experiment) in detail 2 Paragraphs are used to separate information learned from research 2 Clear and easily understood 2 Written in researcher s own words 2 Spelling and grammar correct 2 Double space type in 12 point font pages long HYPOTHESIS 4 If part of statement relates to what you are changing (test/independent variable) 4 Then part of statement is the outcome/dependent variable with prediction to be tested 2 Because part explains why MATERIALS 2 List all materials needed to complete project 2 Given quantities of materials needed in metric units

3 Total Rough Draft Total Parts of the Experimentally Based Research Paper PROCEDURES 2 Written as a numerated list of steps 2 Test/independent and outcome/dependent variables are clearly identified 2 Control experiment is clearly identified 2 Instructions to repeat experiment for a total of at least 3 trials 2 Reader could conduct experiment using given directions 2 Pictures or drawings used to support written directions if needed DATA TABLE 2 Data is placed in a data table 2 Data table has a title and is clearly labeled appropriately 2 All trials are presented 2 Data is summarized with an average 2 Measurements given in metric units GRAPH 2 Correct type of graph is used (bar, line, pie, etc) 2 Graph has a title 2 Axes labeled correctly including metric units 2 Test/Independent Variable on X-axis and Outcome/Dependent variable on Y-axis 2 Proper scale is used on the graph 2 Data plotted clearly and color is used 2 All trials are graphed 2 Summary graph of all trials is provided OBSERVATION/ANALYSIS 5 All observations described 5 How did the data vary between trials (use numbers from experiment) 5 Compare results to the control experiment 5 Explain source of errors/potential errors in data CONCLUSION 2 Restate the hypothesis 2 Accepted or Rejected the hypothesis 10 Used data (numbers) to support decision to accept or reject by comparing one average to another average 4 Showed how knowledge gained can be used in real life 4 What would you do differently 4 What other experiments should be conducted BIBLIOGRAPHY 2 At least 3-5 appropriate sources cited 2 Typed in proper format (ss within source-ds between sources) 2 Contains proper bibliographic style ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Thanked everyone who helped PAPER MECHANICS Professional in appearance (typed and pages numbered) Organized in the appropriate order Received by Due Date Yes/No 180 TOTAL POSSIBLE 180 Total Score Earned on Paper

4 1. Title TOPIC INFORMATION 2. Is this an experiment or demonstration? Remember, demonstrations not allowed! Experiment: Varying a factor to observe the cause and effect Demonstration: Showing how something works (no cause and effect) 3. What is the question that you are conducting your experiment about? 4. What are you changing in the experiment (cause)? (Test/Independent variable) 5. What are you measuring in the experiment (effect)? (Outcome/Dependent variable) 6. What METRIC unit will you use to collect data? (centimeters, meters, liters, grams, etc) 7. Brief description of what you are doing. 8. Can you obtain the materials for this project? 9. Can this project be completed in 3 weeks? 10. How can information from this project be used in the real world? Student signature: Parent signature: 1. Title is Blood Splatter Detectives. Topic Information Example 2. This is an experiment because there is a cause and an effect. 3. The question is: How does height affect the size of the blood splatter. 4. The independent variable is the height blood is dropped. 5. The dependent variable is the diameter of the blood splatter. 6. Height will be measured in meters and the diameter of splatter will be measured in millimeters. 7. Using a meter stick, blood will be dropped from different heights and the splatter diameter will be measured to determine how height affects the splatter diameter. 8. I can get artificial blood, droppers and rulers to do this project. 9. The project can be completed in one day. 10. Information from this experiment can be used by law enforcement to help solve crimes.

5 SCIENCE FAIR: ORDER OF FINAL REPORT ****Only one section per page and the section title should be written in capital letters centered at the top of the page. No section titles are needed on additional pages within the same section. All sections should also be typed in 12 font. Sections of the science fair report in order TITLE PAGE ABSTRACT TABLE OF CONTENTS PURPOSE RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS MATERIALS PROCEDURES DATA TABLE GRAPHS OBSERVATIONS/ANALYSIS CONCLUSION BIBLIOGRAPHY ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS TITLE PAGE DO NOT include section title (TITLE PAGE). Only place where section title is not written on top of page. Name of project capitalized properly and spelled correctly. May use larger than size 12 font. Heading in lower right-hand corner. Use correct heading. Write out date (January 1, 2013) and DO NOT USE numbers like 1/1/13 No pictures

6 SCIENCE FAIR ABSTRACT ABSTRACT Includes a purpose (paragraph) 2 Includes a hypothesis (included at end of purpose) 2 Includes a procedure (briefly stated in a paragraph) 2 Includes results (paragraph) 2 Includes a conclusion (paragraph) 2 Includes a real world application (paragraph) 2 Grammatically correct, no spelling errors 2 Does not exceed 250 words 2 Single pace type in 12 point font 2 Written in third person 2 Rough Draft ABSTRACT Summary of project Written in 3 rd person and typed with 12 point font single spaced with paragraphs. Includes the purpose. Why are you doing this project, why did this experiment interest you? Include the hypothesis written as an If, then because statement. Brief procedure. No numbered steps and only the important steps are listed. This should be a shorten version of your procedure. Summary of analysis. Summary of conclusion. Do not have to restate hypothesis. Include how knowledge gained can be used in the real world. Example: BLOOD SPLATTER The purpose of this project is to examine patterns of blood to determine the distance it came from. The hypothesis statement was if blood splatter is related to drop height, then dropping blood from 100 cm will create the largest splatter because it is farthest from the ground. The experiment required artificial blood, rulers, a pipette and paper. Blood was dropped from 10cm, 25cm, 40cm, 55cm, 70cm, 85cm and 100cm. The diameter of the blood splatter was measured for each height. Blood was dropped from each height a total of 3 times to create an average blood splatter diameter. Trial 1 showed an increase in diameter size from 4 to 15 mm when the height was increased from 10cm to 100cm. Trial 2 had inconsistencies and had a decrease in diameter size at a height of 40cm. Here the diameter was measured at 7mm where trial 1 and trial 3 measured 9mm. Blood dropped at 10cm, 50cm and 100cm had average splatter diameters of 5mm, 10mm and 15mm respectively. The blood that was dropped from 100cm was the largest diameter obtained during the experiment. The blood splatter increased from 5mm to 15mm with a total of a 10mm increase because gravity caused the blood to travel faster when dropped at higher heights. Information from this experiment can be used by law enforcement when analyzing crime scenes. Knowing how far blood dropped from the victim can help to determine the position of the victim during the crime.

7 TABLE OF CONTENTS Type all section titles in all capital letters and double space between parts Section titles on left side and page numbers on right side Only put number of first page if section is more than one page long. Double space between parts PURPOSE Page 1 RESEARCH Page 2 HYPOTHESIS Page 6 MATERIALS Page 7 PROCEDURES Page 8 DATA TABLE Page 9 GRAPHS Page 10 OBSERVATIONS/ANALYSIS Page 14 CONCLUSION Page 15 BIBLIOGRAPHY Page 16 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Page 17 PURPOSE No first person or personal pronouns Explain why are you doing this project Why did THIS experiment interest you? Should be a paragraph and single spaced

8 SCIENCE FAIR BACKGROUND/RESEARCH RESEARCH RUBRIC Explains experimental topic learned from research (not 6 experiment) in detail Paragraphs are used to separate information learned from 2 research Clear and easily understood 2 Written in researcher s own words 2 Spelling and grammar correct 2 Double space type in 12 point font pages long 2 Rough Draft MISSED RESEARCH Assume the reader doesn t know anything about your topic and you are explaining them all there is to know about your topic and your variables. This information is based on what you already know about your topic and what you learned from your background research. For example, if you are doing an experiment on paper towel absorption you would write about what paper towels are and how they absorb water. You would also include what makes each brand of paper towel (that you will use in your experiment) unique in absorbing liquids (quilting, double-ply, etc). Paragraphs 1-2=Introduction to problem/question including why your problem/question is important and general information about the topic (include statistics to show the significance of your problem). End this section with the question that you are trying to answer. Paragraphs 3-6+=Fully describe the experiment group (changes of test (independent) variable). For example, if you change soil, clay and sand for planting beans; describe the properties of soil, clay and sand completely including why they were chosen for your project. Find this information from books, journals, and/or websites. **DO NOT talk about the actual experiment because you haven t performed it yet. Paragraphs 6-7=Clearly detail what is already known about your problem including a description of the relationship between the test (independent) and outcome (dependent) variables. For example, explain why the bean plants grow taller in soil than clay or sand. Explain why you are measuring height instead of counting leaves or measuring growth rate. Try to find this information from books, journals and/or websites. Last Paragraph=Summary/conclusion. Summarize the importance, variables and relationship. Background information written in expository style writing (third person). No first person or personal pronouns. Written in your OWN words. Do not cut and paste information from sources. Should be 2-4 pages double-spaced typed with size 12 font. MAKING A RESEARCH PLAN (From Sciencebuddies.org) 1. Identify the keywords in your question. For example: If your problem is Does drinking milk help to decrease spiciness than water or Pepsi? The keywords would be milk, spiciness, water, Pepsi. 2. Then relate your keywords to who, what, where, when and why questions. For example, why do spicy foods taste hot? How does the tongue detect spiciness? What causes spiciness to increase or decrease? 3. Make sure your questions will help you understand your experiment. 4. Remember, your research is written information to help one become knowledgeable about the topic and what to expect during the experiment. After completing the research you should be an expert about the subject you are experimenting about.

9 SCIENCE FAIR HYPOTHESIS HYPOTHESIS RUBRIC If part of statement relates to what you are changing 4 (test/independent variable) Then part of statement is the outcome/dependent 4 variable with prediction to be tested Because part explains why 2 Rough Draft MISSED HYPOTHESIS Size 12 font Written as in IF.., then..because statement that is a complete sentence. If is the cause part of the statement that relates test (independent) variable. Then is effect part of statement that is the outcome (dependent) variable with prediction of what will happen to the dependent variable that is being measured. Because part of the statement is a reason why supported from your research. Written as a formalized style using the following template: If (test/independent variable),then (prediction:what will happen to the outcome (dependent) variable when the test/independent variable changes) because (why?). **When making your prediction, pick one of your test variables and then predict if the outcome variable will be greater or less and why. If the blood drop height increases, then the splatter diameter will increase because blood at higher heights will take longer to fall causing the blood to spread out YOUR EXPERIMENT (In your lab book, write the Test, Outcome and your hypothesis) Example: Test (Independent) variable: Drop height of blood **Cannot just say drop height. Need to put drop height of blood (Cause-only thing that changes) Outcome (Dependent) variable: Blood splatter diameter **Cannot just say diameter. Need to put blood splatter diameter (Effect-what is being measured/observed) If the blood drop height increases, then the splatter diameter will increase because blood at higher heights will take longer to fall causing the blood to spread out.

10 SCIENCE FAIR MATERIALS AND PROCEDURES MATERIALS RUBRIC Rough Draft List all materials needed to complete project 2 Given quantities of materials needed in metric units 2 PROCEDURES RUBRIC Written as a numerated list of steps 2 Test/independent and outcome/dependent variables are clearly 2 identified Control experiment is clearly identified 2 Instructions to repeat experiment for a total of at least 3 trials 2 Reader could conduct experiment using given directions 2 Pictures or drawings used to support written directions if needed 2 MATERIALS Double-spaced type with size 12 font. List all materials used including Science Journal. Use metric measurements. Each material should be listed separately. Be specific with amounts, sizes, brands, etc. PROCEDURES Number the steps. Do not write the word step or use order words or bullets. Double-spaced type size 12 font. If step is longer than 1 line, single space that step, then double space between numbered steps. List all steps separately Be specific with amounts/ sizes. Don t forget to use metric measurements. Clear and concise-sequential. No first person or personal pronouns. Reader should be able to conduct experiment using your directions. Independent and dependent variables and the control are emphasized meaning the reader should know what is being changed, what is being measured, and what is used as a comparison. Pictures or drawings are used to support written directions if needed. Make sure one step says to record data in Science Journal Also include a step that references to multiple trials (at least 3) Example: Materials Artificial blood Dropper Paper (1/2 sheet-about 24 pieces) Meter stick Metric ruler Journal Camera to take pictures blood splatters Experimental Procedure TV=Drop height of blood OV=Blood splatter diameter Control Group= Blood dropped at height of 10 cm. Controlled Variables=type of blood, dropper, type of paper 1. Gather your materials. 2. Put the paper on a level surface. 3. Take the meter stick and place on top of paper. 4. Using the meter stick, measure a height of 10 cm above the paper. 5. Using a dropper with artificial blood, carefully place the end of the dropper at the 10 cm height and drop one drop of blood onto the paper. **Be careful and do not get the blood on the ruler** 6. Write on the paper 10 cm to indicate the height the blood was dropped. 7. Allow the blood to dry and then measure the diameter of the blood splatter using millimeters and record your measurements and observations into your journal. 8. Follow steps 2-7 for heights of 25 cm, 40 cm, 55 cm, 70 cm, 85 cm, and 100 cm. **Use drop height of 10cm for your control*** 9. Repeat each measure 3 times 10. Take the average of 3 trials and graph results.

11 SCIENCE FAIR DATA TABLES DATA TABLE RUBRIC Data is placed in a data table 2 Data table has a title and is clearly labeled appropriately 2 All trials are presented 2 Data is summarized with an average 2 Measurement given in metric units 2 Rough Draft All data should be represented in a data table and then transformed into a graph. Data table should be properly labeled and show all measurements taken during the experiment. Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Average List Control Experiment Name your Data Table List Experimental List Experimental Groups Groups List Experimental Groups SCIENCE FAIR GRAPHS GRAPHS RUBRIC Correct type of graph is used (bar, line, pie, etc) 2 Graph has a title 2 Axes labeled correctly including metric units 2 Test/independent variable on X-axis and outcome/dependent variable 2 on Y-axis Proper scale is used on the graph 2 Data plotted clearly and color is used 2 All trials are graphed 2 Summary graph of all trials is provided 2 Rough Draft For help creating graphs go to: Graphs are all on separate sheets and should be colorful. If graphs are not created by computer they should be on graph paper and not completed in pencil (you may use colored pencils) All trials (at least 3) and averages of trials are represented on separate graphs. Each graph should have a title and the X and Y axis should be labeled in metric units X axis (horizontal) is test variable; Y axis (vertical) is outcome variable Control is evident. This is what your data is being compared to.

12 SCIENCE FAIR DATA ANALYSIS OBSERVATION/ANALYSIS All Observations Described 5 How did the data vary between trials (use numbers from 5 experiment) Compare results to the control experiment 5 Explain source of errors/potential errors in data 5 Rough Draft Single space type paragraph No first person or pronouns Describe observations Compare results (averages) to your control experiment Discuss results by using specific data (will include numbers) by comparing the results in your experiment. What happened to the data? Did the variable increase, decrease? By how much? How did the data vary between trials Explain the source of errors/potential errors in data Example: The control experiment consisted of dropping blood at a height of 10 cm and was used as a comparison for the experimental group where the drop height varied between 25 cm to 100 cm. Blood dropped at 10 cm had an average blood splatter diameter of 6.3 mm and the diameter increased about 1 millimeter in size each time the drop height increased. The 100 cm drop height had the largest splatter diameter of 14.7 mm and the 25 cm drop height had the smallest blood splatter diameter of 7.7 mm. Data within trials varied slightly. There was a 0.2 mm-0.5 mm difference between trials for blood dropped at the 40 cm height. Blood dropped at 55cm height only had a variance of 0.4 mm between trials. All other drop heights remained fairly consistent and there were no significant variances between each trial. During the experiment there could have been some sources of error due to not dropping the blood at the exact height and could have accounted for slight variances between trials. Other problems encountered from air getting into the pipette and causing air bubbles to form on the blood splatter making it difficult to measure the splatter diameter.

13 SCIENCE FAIR CONCLUSION CONCLUSION Restate the hypothesis 2 Accepted or Rejected the hypothesis 2 Used data (numbers) to support decision to accept or reject 10 by comparing one average to another average Showed how knowledge gained can be used in real life 4 What would you do differently 4 What other experiments should be conducted 4 Rough Draft No first person or personal pronouns Single space with 12 font 1 st paragraph Restate the hypothesis in If then form. State if hypothesis was supported or not supported and tell WHY, include data from your experiment to support conclusion. Compare averages from your trials to help support your decision. You should use numbers (data) from your experiment to prove why you support or do not support your hypothesis. 2 nd paragraph Show how knowledge gained can be used in real life. 3 rd paragraph What would you do differently if you did this experiment again? What other experiments should be conducted if you wanted to expand on the same idea in the future? Example: If the blood drop height increases, then the splatter diameter will increase because blood at higher heights will take longer to fall causing the blood to spread out. The hypothesis was supported because the blood dropped from 100 cm had the largest diameter obtained during the experiment. The blood splatter increased from 6.3 mm to 14.7 mm with a total of an 8.4 mm increase because gravity caused the blood to travel faster when dropped at higher heights. Raising the height caused a greater impact when the blood reached the ground which ultimately created a larger splatter diameter. Since the blood that was dropped at 10 cm was closer to the ground the impact was smaller therefore creating a smaller blood splatter diameter. Information from this experiment can be used by law enforcement when analyzing crime scenes. Knowing how far blood dropped from the victim can help to determine the position of the victim during the crime. If this experiment were repeated extra care would be given to make sure that the drop height was measured accurately. Also, additional drop heights would be used to provide more information from various heights. Other experiments that can be completed would be to analyze the blood splatter if blood was dropped from various angles and not just at one position.

14 SCIENCE FAIR BIBLIOGRAPHY BIBLIOGRAPHY Websites to help you (use MLA citations) See Reference Section of your Binder for directions on how to write a bibliography. Need at least 3-5 current sources Alphabetical order by first word of each entry. 2 nd line and all others indented 5 spaces. Each entry is single space typed BUT double spaced BETWEEN entries. Period goes at end of each entry. Do not number entries or use bullets. Size 12 font MLA FORMAT EXAMPLE Article from a magazine SPIRAL STRUCTURE, DUST CLOUDS, AND STAR FORMATIONS. Frank H. Shu in American Scientist, Vol. 61 pages ; Book with one author THE LARGE-SCALE STRUCTURE OF THE UNIVERSE. J.P.E. Peebles. Princeton University Press, Book with an editor INTERSTELLAR MOLECULES. Edited by B.H. Andrew. Reidel Publishing Company, Online website Planning for College and Academic Planning. The College Board. 7 June Deviant Crimes. Deviant Crimes. N.D. < BIBLIOGRAPHY Freeman, Shannon. Blood Stain Analysis. How Stuff Works. N.D. < J. Slemko Forensic Consulting. Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Tutorial. June/September < >

15 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Who do you want to give thanks for helping you with your project? DISPLAY Maximum size 76 centimeters deep from front to back (30 inches) 122 centimeters side to side (48 inches) 274 centimeters floor to top (108 inches) Section titles should be big and easy to see Information within each section should be larger than 12 font, but not to big Board should be neat and EYE CATCHING Be creative and use a variety of materials to draw attention to your board Use both tables and graphs of the average from your trials Photographs must have credit lines. Example: Photograph taken by. Or Image taken from Student s name must not appear on any display materials on the front of the board. Put your name and science teacher on the back. 122 cm wide maximum MATERIALS AND PROCEDURES TITLE CONCLUSION PURPOSE HYPOTHESIS 274 cm high max ABSTRACT OBSERVATIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS (use data tables, graphs, pictures etc to get your point across. However, no pictures of individuals faces should be shown without written consent) REAL- LIFE APPLICATIONS (How can the information from this project be use in the real world?)

16 DISPLAY AND PRESENTATION RUBRICS SF Board Rubric (Sections 5 pts each) Material Procedure Abstract Superior 10 pts In proper order Easy to read Extra effort into display Title Purpose Hypothesis Graphs Charts Satisfactory 5 pts Somewhat in order Somewhat easy to read Somewhat effort into display Total (with 20 pt curve) Unsatisfactory 2 pts Most not in order Not easy to read Little effort into display Conclusion Application Sections Information Neatness in Display SF Presentation Rubric Superior 10 pts Can be heard easily Organized Good understanding of major concepts Does not exceed 3-5 minutes Effective presentation Satisfactory 5 pts Somewhat easy to hear Somewhat organized Some basic understanding of major concepts Beyond 5 minutes Somewhat effective presentation Unsatisfactory 2 pts Not speaking loud enough Poorly organized Poor understanding of major concepts Less than 3 minutes Ineffective presentation Expression Organized Knowledge Length Overall Total (with 50 pt curve)