Title:  How Do You Create A Really Good Science Fair Project

                        

Author:  Bob Schroeder

 

Grade Level:  8

 

 

Task Description:  Students will be creating a science fair project based on their desired interests.

 

To Students:  Since you have been studying science and looking at the world around you, you’ve probably developed many questions or ideas about how something works.  In this project you will have the chance to take these questions or ideas into your own hands and arrive at a solution. 

 

You will be creating a binder recording all aspects of your science fair project.  You will be using the steps of the scientific method to solve your problem. Once you have recognized the problem and formed your hypothesis you will be creating a plan and doing some experiments to test your hypothesis.  Throughout the testing process you will be observing and recording data using tables and graphs in Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel.  Finally you will analyze your data and draw conclusions from it.

After all of your research and experimenting is complete, you will create a display board to present your final project to the public at the White Lake Science Fair. Have fun and challenge yourself!

 

Goals/Outcomes/Standards:

 

bulletStudents will understand how scientific theory, hypothesis generation, and experimentation are interrelated.

            South Dakota Nature of Science Standard 1

bulletStudents will understand how to analyze uses of hypothesis in scientific investigations. (Example: evaluating relevance of data determining data to be obtained, and interpreting old and new data.)

South Dakota Nature of Science Standard 5

bulletStudents will understand the limits of accuracy inherent in a particular measuring device or procedure.

South Dakota Nature of Science Standard 6

bulletStudents will understand how to control variables to test hypothesis by repeated trials, and by identifying sources of experimental error.

South Dakota Nature of Science Standard 7

bulletStudents will understand how to interpret data to justify predictions or conclusions.

South Dakota Nature of Science Standard 8

bulletStudents will understand how to use research methods to investigate practical and/or personal scientific problems and questions.

South Dakota Nature of Science Standard 9

bulletStudents will understand which scientific equipment and technologies to select for investigations and experiments.

South Dakota Nature of Science Standard 10

bulletStudents will understand the use of proper safety procedures in all investigations.

South Dakota Nature of Science Standard 11

 

Technology Goals

 

bulletStudents will use technology to locate, evaluate, and collect information from a variety of sources.
bulletStudents will use technology tools to process data and report results.
bulletStudents will select and use appropriate tools and technology resources to accomplish a variety of tasks and solve problems.

 

Materials:

 

Ø      Various paper-work for entry into the fair

       http://www.dwusciencefair.com/project_paperwork.php3

Ø      Research materials including reference books, Internet, etc.

http://members.aol.com/ScienzFair/ideas.htm

http://www.ipl.org/div/kidspace/projectguide/

http://www.dwusciencefair.com/index.php3

Ø      Microsoft Word

Ø      Microsoft Excel

Ø      Various Scientific Instruments (scales, thermometers, beakers, etc.)

Ø      Display Board

 

Procedure:

 

  1. Select a topic.  Something that is of interest to you.
  2. OK this topic with the teacher.  Have ideas of what you want to learn about this topic.
  3. Do some research of this topic on the Internet and in other reference sources.
  4. Start to organize your thoughts.  Come up with an overall title “something catchy” about your project.
  5. Form a hypothesis about your project.  If… then… statements work very well for this.
  6. Create a plan on how you are going to test this hypothesis. (OK this plan with the teacher)
  7. Fill out the appropriate paperwork using the project paper-work wizard at

http://www.dwusciencefair.com/project_paperwork.php3

  1. Start carrying out your plan, as designed, recording data as you go.
  2. Create many charts/graphs/tables displaying your information in a very organized and easy to read way.
  3. Analyze your data and draw conclusions about your hypothesis.
  4. Create a display board that will enable the public to understand what you were testing and what the results were.

 

Assessment:

 

 

 

Science Fair Project

Information Checklist

 

Binder

 

A. ___ Include the following in the same order as below.

B. ___Cover page [not numbered]- Short catchy title, your name, and date

C. ___Abstract [not numbered]- Summary of purpose, procedure, data, conclusion

D. ___Table of Contents [not numbered]- Do this last.  Include page #’s for items below.

E. ___ INTRODUCTION- QUESTION/HYPOTHESIS-My hypothesis is…and why you  expect this to be true.  Include your theory.  Tell what you hope to learn.

F. ___ LIST OF MATERIALS- for your experiment only

G. ___ PROCEDURE- detailed

H. ___ DATA/CHARTS/GRAPHS

I. ___ DISCUSSION- discuss data and what they show

J. ___ CONCLUSION- summarize your discussion

K. ___ Acknowledgements

L.___ References, cited correctly - minimum of three

 

Display Board

*Much of this will be the same as above.

 

A. ___ Title of experiment- may be in question form.  Make it catchy.

B. ___ INTRODUCTION- (The purpose of my experiment is…)

C. ___ HYPOTHESIS- why you expect a certain outcome and what you hope to learn

D. ___ LIST OF MATERIALS

E. ___ PROCEDURE

F. ___ DATA-tables and/or graphs

G. ___ DISCUSSION- discuss data and what they show

H. ___ CONCLUSION- summarize discussion

I.  ___ Photos or illustrations- take pictures of each stage if possible

 

 

White Lake Science Fair

Grading Rubric 

Name ___________________________

Date ____________

Creativity

Above Average - Average

Fair - Needs Improvement

Demonstration of skills (use of the scientific method)

6

5

4

3

2

1

Originality in approach

6

5

4

3

2

1

Originality in design of project or use of equipment

6

5

4

3

2

1

Effectiveness

Above Average - Average

Fair - Needs Improvement

Accompanying literature is easy to understand

6

5

4

3

2

1

Explanation of project was clear and concise

6

5

4

3

2

1

Project display attractive

6

5

4

3

2

1

Sequencing of display was logical

6

5

4

3

2

1

Was prepared to be presented

6

5

4

3

2

1

Scientific Content

Above Average - Average

Fair - Needs Improvement

Adequate sample size used

6

5

4

3

2

1

Conclusions accurately based on data

6

5

4

3

2

1

Demonstrates comprehension of content material

6

5

4

3

2

1

Evidence of scientific literature citing

6

5

4

3

2

1

Limitations of data discussed

6

5

4

3

2

1

Measurements/Observations are accurate

6

5

4

3

2

1

Study is thorough

6

5

4

3

2

1

Technology Integration

Above Average - Average

Fair - Needs Improvement

Effective use of Microsoft Word/Excel/Internet, etc.

6

5

4

3

2

1

Accurate data displayed in charts/graphs

6

5

4

3

2

1

Effective use of scientific tools (scales, thermometers, etc.)

6

5

4

3

2

1

 

Overall Grade for Science Project---->

 A=91-108   B=73-90   C=55-72   D=26-54   F=<26

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