Science Fair Project

Introduction

What is the Science Fair Project?

The Science Fair Project provides students with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience and knowledge in an independent field of study. It is a challenging assignment that allows all Greenwood High School students to use their own ideas to investigate science problems that interest them using the scientific method. The Science Project is an investigation that students will independently complete at home. Students are allowed to have adult mentors (parents, teachers, etc.); however, it is expected that the students will actually complete the experiments themselves. Students will be given a timeline to submit different aspects of the project to ensure that they are on task and to have the opportunity to get feedback from their instructor before the final project is to be submitted.

Task

The Science Fair Project will consist of four main components:

1) Developing a science fair project idea.

2) Designing and conducting an independent experiment.

3) Completing a written report.

4) Completing a display board.

All students enrolled in a science class will be required to conduct and submit a Science Project. If a student is enrolled in more than one science class, the student will be required to submit only one project. However, students will receive a grade in all the science classes for that one project.

Here are some websites you may use to find a project if you can not think of an original project.

https://www.education.com/science-fair/

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project-ideas/list

http://sciencefair.math.iit.edu/projects/

Written Report Format and Suggestions:

The following outline is suggested for the typical written report.

A. Title Page: Center the project title, and put your name, school, and grade at the bottom right.

B. Table of Contents: Include a page number for the beginning of each section.

C. Abstract: The abstract should be one page in length. You are required to write a maximum 250 word summary. The abstract should include the (a) purpose of the experiment, (b) procedures used, (c) data, and (d) conclusions. It may also include any possible research applications. The abstract should focus on work done since the last fair.

D. Introduction: Prepare the reader for understanding the report by writing about the following: (1) Description of the problem (2) Historical background of the problem (3) Scope of the study and report

E. Technical Discussion: Use a general narrative style to describe the project in some detail, progressing from the most important general ideas to the more detailed and specialized discussion. The technical discussion typically consists of the following:

(1) Method: Describe what was done to solve the problem including the basic ideas and approach, experimental procedures and equipment, and data treatment.

(2) Results: This section may include data (in tabular form with dates), calculated results, charts, graphs, illustrations. and photographs.

(3) Discussion of Results: Give an explanation of the results obtained. Wherever possible, relate your experiment to similar material found in the literature. Discuss possible sources of error in your experiment.

F. Conclusions and Recommendations:

(1) State the general conclusions which the results of the study will support.

(2) Describe (recommend) some additional work which could be done to improve the understanding of this problem or a related problem.

G. Acknowledgements: Always credit those who assisted you, including individuals, businesses, and educational or research institutions. Identify any financial support or materials donations received, but do not put on display board.

H. References: Your reference list should include any documentation that is not your own (i.e., books, journal articles).

Example: Foley, J. D. (1987). Interfaces for Advanced Computing. “Scientific American,” 257: 127-135

Process

Science Project Checklist

____Get science fair packet from your teacher.

____Investigation follows the scientific method. (No demonstrations/surveys)

_____Ask a QUESTION/PROBLEM that you can investigate yourself.

_____Fill out your SCIENCE PROJECT PROPOSAL/TOPIC SHEET and sign it. Then, have your teacher and your parents sign it too. Do this before you actually do the steps of your procedure.

_____Begin a JOURNAL to write down everything you do, observe, and think during your investigation.

_____Do RESEARCH on the TOPIC of your question.

_____Form a HYPOTHESIS about what you think the answer to your question will be.

_____Plan a PROCEDURE to TEST your hypothesis. Decide what MATERIALS you will need and write STEP-BY-STEP DIRECTIONS for what you will do and explaining how you will do it. Make sure you follow the rules for SCIENCE SAFETY.

_____Construct a CHART to help you COLLECT and ORGANIZE your DATA.

_____Follow the step-by-step directions of your procedure and RECORD your data onto your chart.

_____Summarize the RESULTS of your testing in a WRITTEN SUMMARY.

_____Make a GRAPH of the results, so others can see at a glance what you've learned.

_____Write a CONCLUSION statement which either restates your hypothesis (if it is supported) or revises it (if it is not supported).

_____Write a SCIENCE PROJECT REPORT/PAPER that summarizes your investigation.

_____Be prepared to give an ORAL PRESENTATION.

_____Construct your SCIENCE PROJECT DISPLAY BOARD.

_____Your teacher will complete a SCIENCE PROJECT EVALUATION (Grade will count twice).

Here is a sample display board.

Science Fair Display

Evaluation

 Due-Dates              Activity

Sept. 15, 2018       Project Title

Sept. 29, 2018       Experimental Design

Oct. 06, 2018        Bibliography

Oct. – Dec.,2018  Conduct Your Experiment/Log Data in Your Journal

Jan. 09, 2019        Display Board

Jan. 15, 2019        Written Report

You will receive a daily grade for each of these assignments.

Points may be deducted for random problems:

  • -10 for each day the assignment is late
  • -10 for messy/sloppy work
  • -10 for incomplete work
  • -10 for assignment not completed as directed
  • -10 for no name on the assignment

 

Final Project Grade

 

 

1

2

3

4

Complete Project

(Board and Written Report)

Lacks detail and is messy.

Some attention to neatness.

Attention to detail and neatness shown.

Attractively presented with exceptional detail.

Effort

Did not attempt to do the assignment.

Did assignment but sloppy.

Project done well

Worked hard, took their time.

Skill and Thoroughness of content

Little  or no content

Minimal content and description is present is various parts.

Project’s content is thorough and adequate.

Projects content exceeds expectations of basic content.

Scientific Thought

Does not show an understanding of the scientific process

Fails to include all the parts of the scientific process

Uses scientific process correctly in investigating problem

Goes above and beyond in using the scientific process by taking extra steps for completeness.

                                                   

                                                                             Total Points: ______/16_____

 

                                                                                             Score:_______________

Conclusion

Final project grade will count twice because it is a test grade.

Students with a grade of 80% or better will advance to the school level science fair.

All 1st-3rd place winners of the school level science fair will advance to the regional science fair.

Credits

education.com

sciencebuddies.org

sciencefair.math.iit.edu/projects

Dayton Public Schools 

 

Teacher Page

Students with a grade of 80% or better will advance to the school level science fair.

All 1st-3rd place winners of the school level science fair will advance to the regional science fair.