Points Due Step 1 The Research Topic & Summary Rules & Project Safety Form
The topic needs to be something that can be tested (NOT A Demonstration) within the time frame allowed, uses materials that are readily available & safe, & is interesting both to the experimenter & the audience. The topic needs to include a brief summary of how the student plans to test his/her idea.
Both parent/guardian & teacher must approve & SIGN this before beginning any experimentation.
Go to the ISEF Rules Wizard website and answer the questions. http://apps.societyforscience.org/isef/students/wizard/index.asp This will let you know what forms you need for your project. Printout the last page (which lists the forms you will need for your project), add your name & period, & turn it in.
These forms were provided for you. Please follow the directions, complete each one & turn them in on or before the due date.
If your project wins an award at the SSMS Science Fair, but you have not turned in these forms (completed & signed) by the due date, you will not be allowed to participate in the Seminole County District Science Fair. NO EXCEPTIONS.
100 points (25 each) 9/10/14 Step 3
Background Research Report
Research the background of your project, materials to be used, possible issues or concerns, anything that may affect your outcome. Your 2 page report needs to cite 3 outside sources (books, magazines, and websites). Cite using MLA format: www.bibme.com or www.easybib.com
50 points 9/17/14 Step 4 Hypothesis & Procedure (Research) Plan
Once your topic has been approved by your teacher and your research is done, next you begin the planning stage. A hypothesis clearly states what will happen as a result of the experiment based on what the student has already read & observed.
Your hypothesis must be specific, logical & testable. The procedure plan includes the following: Your procedure must be clearly explained in detail & in the form of a list so that the experiment could be easily repeated. Identify the control group, test (independent) & outcome (dependent) variables. Include a list of all materials that will be used.
100 points 9/24/14 Step 5 Experiment Log Book
Keep a daily log or journal of observations including both quantitative (metric) & qualitative (descriptive) measurements. Every step of your project should be documented in your experiment log.
In other words, anytime you work on any aspect of your projectdocument the date & what you did in this log, record any and all observations.
Log books should be clearly identified with the project title and student's name.
100 points 10/8/14 Step 6 The Presentation & Display board
Display boards should be neat, organized, durable and easily understood. See the display board layout on the following page for placement information. The presentation should be clear & enthusiastic & presenters should expect to spend approximately 10 minutes explaining details & answering questions on their project.
Display Board (0-10 each) _____ Organization/Overall Appearance _____ Title _____ Purpose Clearly Stated _____ Hypothesis Clearly Stated _____ Independent/Dependent Variables & Control Clearly Stated _____ Materials Listed _____ Procedure Cleary Stated _____ Data presented using Tables and Graphs _____ Conclusion Clearly Stated _____ Overall Scientific Impression _____ Total Points out of 100
100 points 10/8/14
Top TEN Things to Do in Your Log Book- You and your log book
Use a sturdy hard covered notebook or composition notebook: When using a composition notebook, do not tear out pages as pages later on may come loose and fall out.
Label your logbook. In permanent ink write your full name, school address and teachers name and school phone number on the inside cover.
Number the pages in your logbook before using it and make a table of contents. This makes it easier for you to go back to specific pages. Leave the first four or five pages blank so that you can write down main ideas in the table of contents with a page number.
Always date every entry. Every time you use your log book, place a date at the top of the page.
Don't worry about neatness. Write your records in pen not pencil. Dont worry about mistakes. Neatly cross them out. This record of your work and not a beauty contest. Make sure you do write clearly. Judges always wonder why students have such *neat* notebooks. Science is not always neat and organized, neither should your log book.
It should be used during all phases of your project Jotting down ideas or thoughts for a project, phone numbers, contacts or sources and prices of supplies, book references, diagrams, graphs, figures, charts, sketches, or calculations. Log entries should include your brainstorming, calculations, library/internet searches, phone calls, interviews, meetings with mentors or advisors, notes from tours of laboratories, research facilities and other related activities. Remember that it's documentation of your work.
Use it regularly and write down everything, even if it seems insignificant, it could later be extremely useful. For example, it's the middle of the night and you're frantically preparing that final report but you can't find the title of that crucial reference. Make sure that you describe things completely, so that when you read your notes weeks or months later you will be able to accurately reconstruct your thoughts and your work. For more help with your science project go to www.sciencebuddies.org Page 4
Glue, staple or tape any loose papers, photocopies of important items. Loose papers or other unsecured items are prohibited as they tend to fall out and can end up missing.
Include a reflections section in your logbook. For example, what, if anything would I do differently next time? What part of the experiment could be changed to improve the experimental procedure?
Always include any changes made to procedures, mishaps, failures, or mistakes. As human beings, all of us make mistakes!
Project Display Board
Your project must be presented on a Project Display Board. The following information should be placed on the board using the example below. Information can be hand written (large, clear writing), traced with stencils, stick-on letters, or computer generated. Use one or two colors, and keep your board looking professional.
Title-in the form of a question Purpose Procedure-step by step instructions for experiment Hypothesis-expected outcome of experiment Data-recorded from experiment, in the form of a graph; must have data table to go with your graph (LABEL Independent/Dependent Variables & Control Group) Conclusion-stating whether your findings support or do not support your hypothesis. Remember: DO NOT USE PROVEN/NOT PROVEN OR TRUE/FALSE OR RIGHT/WRONG terminology in your conclusion. Photographs may be included, but not required o if you include people in your photos and they can be recognized, you must have each person sign a Photo Release and Consent Form (see Ms. Szentmiklosi for this form).
Hints: No models or any part of the experiment are to be brought in! You must have an Experiment Log book! A composition book works great! Your project needs to be an experiment. Variables must be testable, and data collected. No investigation projects will be allowed. Your question must be testable. For example: A project on The effect of climate change on the Russian Tortoise would not be acceptable, because you probably are not going to be able to go to Uzbekistan (the Russian Tortoises habitat) to test your hypothesis. A good title is important. It catches attention and observers want to know more. You might wish to include an Acknowledgment page in your log book. "I wish to thank_______________for helping me."
Rules and Project Safety Release Form
Dear Science Fair student and Parent/Guardian:
One of the most important tasks in completing preparations for a science fair project is conforming to State and Federal rules and regulations regarding scientific research. There are numerous laws to ensure both the safety of the researcher and the researcher's subjects, humane treatment of animals, safety of others and the environment. Failure to comply with these rules/regulations will result in disqualification of the student's research in competition.
We ask that you take time to read the International Science & Engineering Fair Rules devoting specific attention to those rules which apply directly to your project research. The ISEF rules can be found on the Internet at: http://www.societyforscience.org/page.aspx?pid=312
When you have completed this task, please sign and date below.
I have read and understand the rules governing all science fair project research and agree to comply with these rules.
_________________________________ ______ Student signature Date
_________________________________ ______ Parent signature Date
Research Topic and Summary: (please write in the space below) ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________