Science Final ProjectClarifying info

• All information can be found on Mrs. Davisson’s website under “Chemistry Final Science Fair Project”

• Get started: Long onto your computer, go to that section, and download “Science Fair Project 2015 Chemistry”

• Explore all the resources!

• Project Sections and Important Deadlines• ________ Initial Ideas • ________ Science Proposal/ Purpose (5 pts)• ________ Project Background (15pts)• ________ Hypothesis, Materials List, Experimental

Procedure (20pts)• ________ Research Data (30pts)• ________ Analysis and Conclusion (30pts) • ________ Research Report (40pts) • ________ Three-Panel Display Board (35pts) • ________ Presentation Due (25pts)

Groups

• You may work with one other person from your class or one of your teachers other classes (with approval).

• If you work with another person, choose someone that you work with effectively. Both of you will earn the same grade.

• If you wish to work by yourself, you also must get teacher approval.

First Step: Identify the Question (Or Selecting Your Science Subject)

• Probably the most difficult part of a biology project is coming up with a good subject to research. I suggest that students think about WHAT INTERESTS them and think of a TESTABLE QUESTION about the subject.

• There should also be some practical applications or interest in your topic. It should somehow apply to, relate to, or interest some part of society.

• Pg2-3 of packet

Background: RESEARCH section: It is written in essay form as an introduction to your topic and explaining other information you collect about your topic and your variable(s). MLA format:• Typed, double spaced, 12 font, Times New Roman• Include in text citations (author last name in

parentheses after info you summarized from them)• Include work cited with minimum of 6 sources (at least 3

academic sources) in alphabetical order, that match your in-text citations.

Minimum of 3 paragraphs1. General intro of topic. What is it, brief

overview2. Discuss experiment: define vocab and

variables3. Discuss other research that relates to your

project

Background:

Common Errors in Background• Avoid 1st person• Be direct, this is informational writing (the point is

to get across information, not show of fancy writing skills) Clear topic/thesis

• Clearly explain the planned experiment in 2nd paragraph

• Must cite in- text (can not be in work cited if not cited in text somewhere)

• Need all web addressed in work cited for online sources

Initial Idea due (pg 2): period 1,2,3: Monday March 16th

period 6: Thurs March 12th

Purpose and Background (pg 3-4) due:Period 1,2,3: Monday March 30th period 6: Thursday 4/ 2

*subject to change, with notice, by teacher

Variables: Control: comparison group

- placebo, water, not change etc

Variables:

Independent: things you are changingDependent: Thing you measure

Constants: Things you keep the same

Procedures:• Use the worksheet to help- fill out and turn in

– (pg 5 & 6)• Hypothesis:

– If…., then… statement: not required, but need to include a cause (______ will happen when…. Or ______ will be observed because….

Ex: If the amount and temperature of water increases, then the plant will grow taller because of the increase water.

• Type your procedures!– You might as well type your hypothesis and materials list

too. – You need them typed for the final report anyway

Due: per 1,2,3- Friday 4/24per 6- Tues 4/28

Plagiarism

• You will be turning your final report in through turnitin.com, and plagiarism will earn you a 0.

• Easiest way to avoid plagiarism:– Cite all sources, in text– Use quotation marks for small quotes, summarize

bit quotes in your own word– Do NOT copy and paste from a website, ever!

Data TablesIndependent Dependent

Independent

Trail 1 Trial 2 Trail 3 Average

Example data tables

Graphs

Dependant variable(units)

independent variable (units)

All Graphs Need:TitleLabeled axisUnits as needed

Title

Key:

• Bar graph: – used to compare things between different groups

often qualitative data (non numbers) but not always

wet dry damp0

102030405060708090

100

Best Environment for Frogs

Type of Environment

Day

s th

e fr

og li

ves

Frog Environment Wet Dry Damp

Days Frog Lives 91 16 46

All Graphs Need:TitleLabeled axisUnits as needed

• Line Graph: – determine relationships between the two different

things– Usually quantitative data (numbers)

1 2 3 4 50

1

2

3

4

5

6

Practice vs skill level

skill level

Days of practice

Skill

leve

l

Days of Practice

Rating of skill on scale of 1-10

1 3

2 3

3 4

4 4

5 5

1 2 3 40123456789

energy level vs food level

Ener

gy le

vel

Number of meals

Day 1 2 3 4

Amount of food

1 meal 2 meals 3 meals 4 meal

Energy level 3 5 7 8

All Graphs Need:TitleLabeled axisUnits as needed

Pie Charts: when you are trying to compare parts of a whole

Common Errors in Background• Avoid 1st person• Be direct, this is informational writing (the point is

to get across information, not show of fancy writing skills) Clear topic/thesis

• Clearly explain the planned experiment in 2nd paragraph

• Must cite in- text (can not be in work cited if not cited in text somewhere)

• Need all web addressed in work cited for online sources