Written Research Paper for a Science Fair Project



Student Name: _______________________Pd. ____ Teacher:__________________________

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Science Research Project Completion Schedule

Parents/Guardians: Please review the information in this packet and return the back page (page 6).

All parts must be turned in on time. Early submissions are welcome.

Not accepted more than 7 calendar days (5 school days) after due date for credit. Students will still need to submit missing assignments to receive approval, and for the final notebook grade.

|Assignment |Pts |Due Date |MYP Rubric |

|1.Idea for project submitted for approval |8 |Oct 4 – B day |N/A |

|(Inquiry Assignment) | |Oct 5 – A day | |

|2. Research article evaluations |16 |Oct 11 – A day |A |

|(Inquiry Assignment) | |Oct 13 – B day | |

|3. Question, hypothesis, materials, procedures, and variables |16 |Oct 18 –A day |B |

|(Inquiry Assignment) | |Oct 19 – B day | |

|4. Science fair forms |TBD |Oct 24 – A day |N/A |

|Approval required prior to experimentation | |Oct 25 – B day | |

|5. Documentation | | |N/A |

|Photos taking during the Investigation |4 |Nov 29 – A day | |

|Data table, graphs of results, results and conclusion | | |C |

|(Inquiry Assignment) |16 |Nov 30 – B day | |

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|6. Report notebook |TBD |Dec 6 – A day |D |

|(Inquiry Assignment) | |Dec 7 – B day | |

|7. Display Presentation (tri-fold board) |TBD |Dec 6 – B day |D |

|(Inquiry Assignment) | |Dec 7 – A day | |

Biology and Chemistry

Dear Parents and Guardians:

It’s time to start working on a project for the County Science and Engineering Fair. Enclosed is a schedule outlining due dates and important information regarding your child’s project. This assignment is a major project and will represent a significant portion of your child’s grade for the semester.

The primary outcome of this project is to have students approach a problem scientifically. This includes asking questions and forming a hypothesis; creating and performing experiments to test those hypotheses, organizing data and drawing conclusions; writing about scientific research and sharing discoveries with classmates, teachers, parents and judge from the community.

The project must be experimental in nature as opposed to research oriented. In other words, students must do a test, survey or experiment to determine the answer to their question, instead of just looking it up in a book or online. We encourage students to pick topics they are genuinely interested in since this project will cover several months. Topics must be original – something students don’t already know.

Students may work alone or in a limited number of teams of up to 2 members. Project guidelines state that the student must do all the work, however teachers, parents and experts may provide assistance. It is very hard to work alone without the exchange of ideas. So we encourage you to brainstorm with your child on different ideas and possible topics your child may want to pursue.

Please keep in mind that our school’s fair is the first step towards participating in the Regional Science Fair. We are looking forward to working with you to make this a valuable learning experience for your child. Please do not hesitate to e-mail us with any questions or concerns.

An e-copy of the Science Fair Guide can be obtained from:

As acknowledgement and part of your child’s project grade, please sign, date, and return the last page (page 9).

Sincerely,

Old Mill Science Teachers

Project Thesis Statement.

Due: Oct 4 – B day/ Oct 5 – A day

Explain what you think you would like to explore and a discussion of the importance and value of doing the proposed project.

• Students must plan to have 5 intervals of the tested variable, e.g. No brand name product testing. For example, if testing effect of temperature on plant growth, must test at least 5 different temperatures.

• This must be “hands-on” research, not just a data analysis project of other research.

Grading Rubric (12 pts). Deductions for lateness.

• Typed proposal

• Proposed project is an experiment and not an investigation.

• Proposed project is significant

1. Evaluation of research articles relevant to your topic (3-5 articles total)

Due: Oct 11 – A day/ Oct 13 – B day

• Find, read, and evaluate a total of 5 articles relevant to your topic.

• Articles should help you form your hypothesis.

• Wikipedia may not be one of your sources. It is not a reliable source.

• See article evaluation rubric (attached at end of packet).

Question, Hypothesis, Materials, Procedure, Variables, Safety Forms

Due: Oct. 18 A-day/ Oct. 19 B-day

• Question: Must have specific question in the correct form. Must be typed.

• Hypothesis: Must state what you think will happen. Must explain why you think this will happen using the information you obtained from your research.

• Materials Needed: List the equipment, chemicals, and other materials you will be using.

• Procedure: Must write out ALL the steps of your experiment. Be specific.

• Variables: Must define the independent, and dependent variables. Must describe what variables will be held constant. Must describe your control experiment.

All of the above must be typed.

Independent variable must have 5 levels of testing, with at least 5 sets of data per testing level.

2. COMPLETED Science Fair Forms:

Access safety forms from: or use the attached copies.

Documentation

Photos

Due: Nov 29– A day/ Nov 30 – B day

In the pictures, students are expected to:

1. carry out scientific investigations

2. use materials and techniques skillfully and safely and

3. show respect for the living and non-living environment.

Data Table, Graphs, Analysis, and Conclusion

Due: Nov 29 – A day/ Nov 30 – B day

• Must perform each interval of the independent variable at least five times to show consistency in data.

• Data Table: Must create a table to put all measurements. Your data must be measured with a number and a unit. Must be typed.

• Graph must be computer generated. Must have independent variable on x axis, and the dependent variable on the y axis, with a label that includes the unit.

• Analysis: A written explanation of results. Describe what happened without rewriting your data. Evaluate averages and statistical results from your trials including outliers and supported explanation of errors, and faulty procedures. Explain what you could have done differently to make it better. Must be typed.

• Conclusion: Answer your question supporting your answer with the data you collected. Make suggestions for further research. Describe the significance of your findings to the real world. How will what you learned make a difference?

3. Report Notebook

Due Dec 6– A day/ Dec 7 B day

Rubric: Criterion B and D

Notebook: Must have a binder that includes the following items:

1. Copy of the title page

2. Abstract (a brief overview of the whole experiment)

3. Acknowledgements (a brief statement thanking anyone who helped or inspired you in your experiment),

4. The thesis statement about the question that you were trying to answer

5. Copies of your research articles (at least first page printed) & your typed evaluations.

6. Hypothesis, materials needed, procedure, variables,

7. Data table, graphs, pictures (must be pictures of the experiment), analysis (revised and graded copy),

8. Analysis of Results

9. The conclusion.

If the notebook is not complete, up to 20% will be deducted for missing portions.

4. Tri-fold Display

Due: Dec 6 - A day/ Dec 7-Bday

Rubric: Criterion B and D

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Science Fair Project Planning: ROUGH DRAFT

Part 1 Due Oct. 4th or 5th Project Thesis Statement TYPED: (8 points)

• Typed proposal

• Proposed project is an experiment and not an investigation.

• Proposed project is significant

• Students must plan to have 5 intervals of the tested variable, e.g. No brand name product testing. For example, if testing effect of temperature on plant growth, must test at least 5 different temperatures.

• This must be “hands-on” research, not just a data analysis project of other research.

|Explain what you think you would like to explore and a discussion of the importance and value of doing the proposed project. |

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Part 2 Due: Oct 11 – A day/ Oct 13 – B day ROUGH DRAFT

5. Evaluation of research articles relevant to your topic (3-5 articles total)

• Find, read, and evaluate a total of 5 articles relevant to your topic.

• Articles should help you form your hypothesis.

• Wikipedia may not be one of your sources. It is not a reliable source.

• See article evaluation rubric (attached at end of packet).

• Attach articles or article citations to your evaluation paragraphs.

|Article 1 Title _______________________________ Date _______Source ____________ |

|Evaluation of Article: |

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ROUGH DRAFT

|Article 2 Title _______________________________ Date _______ Source ____________ |

|Evaluation of Article: |

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|Article 3 Title _______________________________ Date _______ Source ____________ |

|Evaluation of Article: |

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|Article 4 Title _______________________________ Date _______ Source ____________ |

|Evaluation of Article: |

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|Article 5 Title _______________________________ Date _______ Source ____________ |

|Evaluation of Article: |

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This template is provided to be a ROUGH DRAFT. Graded copies must be typed.

Part 3: Question, Hypothesis, Materials, Procedure, Variables, Safety Forms

Due: Oct. 18 A-day/ Oct. 19 B-day

Question: __________________________________________________________

Hypothesis: _________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Materials:

______________ ________________ _________________ _______________

______________ ________________ _________________ _______________

______________ ________________ _________________ _______________

Procedure:

___________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________ (you may want to plan your data table now in order to be prepared)

Control Group: _____________________

Independent Variable: _____________________ (you must have 5 variations)

Dependent Variable: _____________________ (what you will measure)

Variables held constant between all groups:

______________ ________________ _________________ _______________

______________ ________________ _________________ _______________

All of the above must be typed. This is provided as a rough draft only.

Independent variable must have 5 levels of testing, with at least 5 sets of data per testing level.

Access Safety forms from:

STUDENTS/PARENTS/GUARDIANS Please sign and return this page. Thank you.

Name: ____________________Class Period: ____________ Date ______________

I have reviewed the Science Research Project information and calendar with my child and we understand the requirements for a successful Science Research Project.

|Assignment |Pts |Due Date |MYP Rubric |

|1.Idea for project submitted for approval |8 |Oct 4 – B day |N/A |

|(Inquiry Assignment) | |Oct 5 – A day | |

|2. Research article evaluations |16 |Oct 11 – A day |A |

|(Inquiry Assignment) | |Oct 13 – B day | |

|3. Question, hypothesis, materials, procedures, and variables |16 |Oct 18 –A day |B |

|(Inquiry Assignment) | |Oct 19 – B day | |

|4. Science fair forms |TBD |Oct 24 – A day |N/A |

|Approval required prior to experimentation | |Oct 25 – B day | |

|5. Documentation | | |N/A |

|Photos taking during the Investigation |4 |Nov 29 – A day | |

|Data table, graphs of results, results and conclusion | | |C |

|(Inquiry Assignment) |16 |Nov 30 – B day | |

| | | | |

|6. Report notebook |TBD |Dec 6 – A day |D |

|(Inquiry Assignment) | |Dec 7 – B day | |

|7. Display Presentation (tri-fold board) |TBD |Dec 6 – B day |D |

|(Inquiry Assignment) | |Dec 7 – A day | |

______________________________________________________________________________Parent/ Guardian Name & Signature

______________________________________________________________________________Student Name & Signature

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