Introducing Our Science and Engineering Fair

Science and Engineering Fair 2014-2015 Ft. Huachuca Accommodation School District

Colonel Smith What:What: Science Science and and Engineering Engineering Colonel Smith OpenOpen House House MiddleMiddle SchoolSchool When:When: TBD TBD ScienceScience andand 8:00-3:158:00-3:15 pm pm EngineeringEngineering FairFair Where: Colonel Smith Middle Where: Colonel Smith Middle SchoolSchool

1 INTRODUCING OUR SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING FAIR

Dear Parents and Guardians:

Soon your child will be taking part in an exciting school event – a Science and Engineering Fair. Science and Engineering Fairs offer children experiences in exploring beyond the classroom to understand more about their world. Investigating a selected science topic in detail can open up new vistas and a new appreciation for scientific exploration. I would like to invite you to work along with your child as he/she selects, investigates, and reports on an appropriate area of science. With your interest and encouragement, your child can develop the skills and attitudes he or she needs to make this project a valuable experience. However, do encourage your child to do most, if not all, of the work. Parents sometimes want to build an entire project, to make it “perfect.” It is more important that your child wrestles with problems and tries to solve them, because learning is in the doing. Guide your child whenever and wherever you can, but let the final project reflect your child’s individual effort and design. I am sending home instructions and suggestions in the attached packet. These guidelines will give you and your child some ideas on how to create an effective project. While these guidelines will be discussed in class, please plan to take some time with your child to review the enclosed materials. Students will present their project and display board orally to the class in January/February. The exact date will be given at a later time. I look forward to your participation in our upcoming Science and Engineering Fair. Please call any time during the preparations with your questions. Sincerely,

Mrs. Filleman – 6th grade Science Teacher Mrs. Howell – 7th grade Science Teacher Mrs. Snell –8th grade Science Teacher

Useful Science and Engineering Fair Sites

1. Selah School District: Science Fair Project Ideas and Help http://www.selah.k12.wa.us/LINKS/sciprojects.html 2. Great Science Projects: A Student Science series on how to achieve excellence in independent research https://student.societyforscience.org/search?st=greatscienceprojects 3. Sparticl - A new web and mobile service for teens that collects the best internet resources in STEM. Sparticl is created by National Productions division of Twin Cities Public Television. http://www.sparticl.og/ 4. Science Buddies - A non-profit organization providing science fair ideas, resources, answers, and tools. Including a Science Fair Project Guide and an Ask an Expert online bulletin board, staffed by volunteer scientists and top high school students. http://www.sciencebuddies.org/

THE SEVEN STEPS OF THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD

2 REQUIRED INFORMATION TO BE SHOWN ON PROJECT

You must display the first six steps of the scientific method on the backboard. 1. STATE THE PROBLEM – Specifically state what you are attempting to find out. This should be i n the form of a question. (e.g. Do plants grow larger if given Miracle Grow plant food?) 2. GATHER INFORMATION – Display a bibliography of books, websites, magazine articles, etc. to be used to find information concerning the problem stated in Step 1. 3. FORM A HYPOTHESIS – It must answer the question in Step 1. Form an opinion and explanation to the problem stated in Step 1 based on information gathered in Step 2. 4. RUN AN EXPERIMENT TO TEST THE HYPOTHESIS – Design and run an experiment that sol ves the problem or answers the question from Step 1. A control and adequate samples should be used. (A control is the standard for comparison and is an unaffected sample that is compared to the experiment al sample.) You may test only one variable at a time, so all possible variables must be controlled except the one being tested. 5. RECORD AND ANALYZE DATA – Present your data so that the viewer can see the relative effect s of one or more variables. Results can be observable or measurable quantities and can be presented in t abular or graphical form. Remember, always use metrics for all measurements. 6. STATE THE CONCLUSION – It must answer the question in Step 1. What was discovered during the experiment? Is there sufficient evidence from the results to answer the original question? Review th e hypothesis. Was it correct? If not, why not? Just because the conclusion does not support the hypothe sis, it does not mean the experiment failed. In your conclusion, report the facts as you found them. 7. REPEAT THE EXPERIMENT – This step is not mandatory, however, it will confirm the results to be accurate. Again, repeating the experiment is suggested but not

What is a journal and do I have to have one? A journal is a notebook with the details of every phase of your experiment. It’s where you draw out and plan your experiment, where you make a checklist of the materials you need, where your original data is recorded, where your day-by-day observations are recorded. Much of this information will be transferred to your backboard later; this is where you record it originally.

Seldom do journals look perfect. The pages of genuine journals are usually ruffled and the writing is sometimes smeared due to the constant use; so you can feel confident in displaying your journal, even if it shows some signs of wear. Also, do not think for a moment that you will fool anyone by hastily putting together a journal the night before it’s due.

3 Project/Journal Template 2014-2015

 This booklet is a template for you to use during the writing part of your science project.  The sections are arranged in the order you should have them in your final journal to be turned in with your project in January 2014.  (Throughout this booklet, the words in parenthesis and the bulleted words in italics are for your clarification only. Do not copy them.)  You may copy the words that are written for you or modify them to suit your taste.  Some of the ideas for this booklet were found on the following web site: Selah School District: Science Fair Project Ideas and Help http://www.selah.k12.wa.us/LINKS/sciprojects.html  The following template is how you may order the items in your journal. .  It lists all of the journal’s Table of Contents sections which you will include and the pages they may start on.

Table of Contents

Abstract…………………….………………....1 Purpose………………………………….….…1 Hypothesis……………………………….……1 Experiment design (variables)……..….…..…2 Materials ………………..…………………….2 Procedures…………………………………….3 Experiment Information should include………..4+  Observation Log  Table/charts

Analyze data……………...……….………..5  Graphs Conclusions……………………………….…..6 Bibliography……………………………….…6

Abstract

 All projects must have a typed abstract. The format below should be followed closely.  A copy should be in your journal and next to the display model

4  There should be four paragraphs when you are finished. The sentence beginnings below were spread out for your clarity.  Abstracts must be less than 250 words, and fit on one page. (There are about 50 words written for you already.)  The title should be centered and should simply say ‘Abstract.’

Abstract Template

Paragraph One

 The purpose of this experiment was to… (Put your problem here, including your manipulated and responding variables.)  The hypothesis was… (Just the prediction, not the reason.)

Paragraph Two

 My experimental procedure consisted of… (Explain the major steps but be very brief.)  The sample included… (Name the items you tested and tell how many.)  The manipulated variable was… (This is the one thing you changed from your control.)  The responding variable was… (This is what you measured, such as the leaves or pulse rates.)  To measure the responding variable, I… (Mention the equipment or procedures you used and how you used it/them.)

Paragraph Three

 The results of the experiment were…  Some of the errors were…  My hypothesis was supported/not supported… (Simply say one or the other.)

Paragraph Four

 My findings should be useful for (whom and why)…  In the future…

Question/Purpose

State the problem in the form of a question……

The purpose of this experiment was to…

I became interested in this idea…

The information gained from this experiment… (Mention how this will help you, society, the world, future generations, etc.)

5 Hypothesis

 My hypothesis was… If……..then…….statement

I based my hypothesis on…  A hypothesis is NOT just a guess! It is based on research. Example Hypothesis Statements:

Try putting different words in these blanks:

If ______, then ______.

What is the effect of ______on ______? Detergent germination of seeds Temperature the volume of the air

How/to what extent does the______affect ______? Humidity growth of fungi

Experiment Design (variables)

Real science is setting up a fair test. In order to really and truly see if your test is making a difference, you have to have two groups exactly the SAME. Then, after you change ONE thing about ONE of your groups, you compare and contrast the results. Your constants are what you control to make sure you have a fair test. List everything you will make sure is the SAME for both of your groups.

The manipulated/independent variable was… (The ONE thing you are changing to make it different from the control.)

The responding/dependent variable was… (The change you will be looking for and measuring. Note: All measurements must be in metric units.)

To measure the responding variable… (Mention the equipment and techniques you will use and how you will use it/them.)

Materials

List the quantity and the item…i.e.…2 thermometers, 3 beans, etc  Use metrics!  If you convert from English to metrics using a calculator or online converter, round please round off the number. 33°F equals 0.555556°C. Round it to 1°C.

6  List only the materials needed to repeat your experiment. You do not need to list your backboard or the construction paper and glue you used on your backboard.

Procedures/Steps Measurements (Remember  Your procedure should tell someone how to repeat that all measurements must be in metric.) your experiment exactly. Details, details, relevant details! Need help with the English standard  Personal pronouns are not allowed in procedures. system and metric system Instead of ‘I dropped the ball’; put ‘The ball was conversions? Visit these websites for additional help: dropped.’  On Line Conversion http://www.onlineconversi  If you are repeating someone else’s experiment, do on.com not plagiarize. Your best bet would be to study the other  World Wide Metric http://www.worldwidemetr person’s procedures until you know them, put them ic.com/metcal.htm away, and then write the procedure from your own  Convert Me http://www.convert- memory. Do not cut and paste from the website. It is me.com/en/ better to make a mistake or forget something than to copy. 1. Number the procedure steps. 2. Give each step one task only.

Experiment Information

 “What Makes a Great Science Project Logbook [journal]?” Please visit the following site to learn what a “great” log book looks like. http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/printable_project_logbook.pdf  If you haven't already, obtain a notebook to record all of your observations during your experiment.  Before starting your experiment, prepare a data table so you can quickly write down your measurements as you observe them.  Follow your experimental procedure exactly.  Be consistent, careful, and accurate when you take your measurements. Numerical measurements are best.  Take pictures of your experiment for use on your display board.

Data Tables

7  Below is an example of a data chart.  Yours will need to have your information on it.  All data from your chart/table will be displayed in a graph

CHART TITLE

Control Group Experimental Group Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 ______Average

Graph Examples

e Effects of Walking on Resting Heart t

a Rate of Formerly Lazy 8th Graders R

t r 200 a e ) Week 1

H 150 M

g Week 2 P 100 n B

i Week 3 ( t

s 50 Week 4 e

R 0 1 2 3 Subjects 1, 2, and 3 over a four week period

This graph tracks the effects of walking on the resting heart rate of three 8th grade students over a four week period. At the beginning of week one, the students had not done any exercising for at least two months. After getting their baseline readings, the students walked every day at lunch for thirty minutes. As the data shows, the resting heart rate of all three students was lowered.

8 Effects of Acid on Pinto Bean Height s r e

t 9 e 8 m i

t 7 Control Plants -

n 6 No Acid e

i 4 Plants

t 3 Exposed to h g

i 2 Acid e 1 H 0 4 8 12 16 20 Days Since Planting

This graph shows the average height of two hundred pinto bean plants separated into two groups. The blue group, the control, received no acid. The pink group was exposed to 5mL of acid every four days. At first, the heights were about the same. Then, on day twelve, the acid plants grew more, but after that they didn’t do as well as the control group. At the end, the control group grew 2cm taller than the acid group.

Analyze Results The original purpose of this experiment was… (Remind the reader what the experiment was about.) The results of the experiment were… (Write what actually happened) Include a graph to show the results of your experiment

Conclusion

My hypothesis was…

The results indicate that this hypothesis should be… (Supported/Not supported) Because of the results of this experiment, I wonder if… (Big new question raised by your experiment.) If I were to conduct this project again… Discuss what part of the experiment you could improve or expand upon if you were to do it over again.)

Google and Yahoo are search Bibliography engines. Do not cite Google or Yahoo.

 Your bibliography find information for  You should gather as should contain your glossary. much information as sources you used to

9 possible from a sources of different found on the web or variety of sources. media. in a science fair book,  You are expected to  If you are repeating that source must be use at least three an experiment you cited.

Bibliography Need help citing your sources? Please visit the following websites for more help: Science Buddies http://sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_bibliography.shtml BibMe http://www.bibme.org/ EasyBib http://easybib.com

COLONEL SMITH MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE FAIR RULES AND GUIDELINES 1. All entries will be by individual students and/or groups of students. (Approved by teache r) 2. A student may enter only one project and in one category. 3. The only place the student’s name may appear is on a 3X5 card. On both sides of that 3X 5 card, put the student’s name, grade, school, and science teacher. Attach the card so that it hinges on the top right corner of the backboard. 4. Colonel Smith Middle School will be providing science fair backboards. 5. An exhibit may not be an identical replication of one shown by any student at a previous Science Fair. 6. All safety precautions must be observed. Read all rules and regulations from the Internati onal Science Fair. (7th and 8th grade only) 7. No live insects, animals, un-hatched eggs, or disease carrying organisms may be displaye d at the fair. Use photographs, and/or drawings to illustrate results of projects with such organisms. 8. The entry must be the work of the individual student, not the teacher, other adult or other child. 9. All projects must be able to stand up on their own.

10. NO hand lettering allowed.

10 HELPFUL HINTS FOR DISPLAYING A PROJECT 1. The title gets the largest lettering, the headings the next largest, and the other information smaller yet, but still easy to read at a distance. 2. Proofread all text and have someone else proofread it, also. 3. Be brief. Long explanations are often left unread. 4. Be neat. Sloppy displays are hard to take seriously. 5. Use color! Attract the viewer’s attentions with an eye-catching color scheme. 6. Keep in mind the WOW Factor. Does the first impression make the viewer stop walking by? Pull them in? Make them want to learn more? Does the first impression make the m say “WOW!

SCIENCE FAIR CHECK LIST 201 4 -201 5 The following check list will help you plan your project. Please see the entire Science Fair p acket for specific rules and guidelines. ______1. Perform topic research, choose a subject, and write the question to be investigated.

______2. Check with teacher for approval of your idea before proceeding.

______3. Research the topic, create a bibliography, and write a hypothesis. ______4. Design an experiment that tests one variable. Write your procedures. ______5. Gather materials to run the experiment. ______6. Run the experiment. Keep a journal. ______7. Analyze your data, create a graph, and write a conclusion. ______8. Write an abstract then type it for display. ______9. Gather materials for your backboard. ______10. Create a winning display on your backboard. ______11. Turn in your projec

11 SAMPLE SCIENCE FAIR BOARD

TITLE HYPOTHESIS  Put your hypothesis Should be large and grab the statement in an “if” and audience’s attention while describing “PROBLEM/then “format. PURPOSE RESULTS  If I test (Question)this variable, your work. This is your data, thenStated this in will the be form my of a Charts, graphs etc. results.question. What happened  Form your hypothesis when you tested the from one simple variable? PROCEDURES question. List each thing you will do CONCLUSION Number each step Was your hypothesis Make certain you are testing your hypothesis supported? Why or why not? Provide enough information so that other people reading your conclusion will see what you learned What might you do differently next time? Explain what you would do differently. DATA…DATA…DATA MATERIALS  All materials being RESEARCH/ used, no matter how CHARTS & GRAPHS, Etc… BIBLIOGRAPHY minor, need to be  Label all parts of you graph!  Where did listed.  Make sure your pictures do not have you find the information? faces in them.  What did you learn from each resource used?  Use the correct format.

On table in front of display board

ABSTRACT Paper (Project Name only) DISPLAY JOURNAL typed) (MODEL Optional) Must be hand written Please do not put your Include a photo and hand drawn name or school name album with pictures observations on your abstract of each step of project

Please return this letter to your science teacher by______

SCIENCE AND ENGEENERING LETTER OF ACKNOWLEDGMENT 2014-2015 I have read the contents of the Science Fair template and understand that the science project is re quired and will be a major part of the third quarter science grade. While time will be given in cla ss for parts of the project, a majority of the work will need to be done outside of the classroom. I understand I will present my project orally to the class in January/February, 2015 on the date assi gned by my teacher.

______

Parent Signature Date

______Student Signature Date