How do I write my Science Fair Report



How do I write my Science Fair Logbook?

The logbook is both a journal and a workbook. Everything you do that is related to the Science Fair will go in to your logbook. You will begin writing in it the first day you do research towards your question, and will continue updating the logbook periodically until your project is complete.

The logbook should be a standard sized composition book. You should only use black or blue ink, never pencil or other colors. If you make a mistake while writing, simply cross it out. Entire pages can be crossed out if need be. You should never use white-out or remove pages from the logbook.

Every page should be numbered and each entry should be dated. You only need to update when you actually do science fair related work.

What goes in your logbook?

• Choice of topic for experimentation

• How or why the topic was selected

• Experimental question

• Background information (Research, etc)

• Bibliography

• Hypothesis

• Designing the experiment

• Material List

• Procedure

• Observations

• Data collection

• Graphs, Charts, Tables (may be printed out and pasted in)

• Results

• Conclusion

• A copy of your Abstract

• Ideas for your presentation

Helpful hints for logbook:

• You should save the first page for a title page and the second page (front and back) for a Table of Contents.

• Do not waste pages.

• If you make a mistake, cross through it with one line. No white out or scribbles!

• Your entries should be in order. The procedure should not come after experiment!

• Your logbook should be around 25-30 numbered pages, front and back.

• Everything should be hand-written with the exception of data tables, charts, and graphs (Which should be neatly taped into the notebook. No staples).

• Write Neatly!

• Do not waste pages.

2012-2013 SCIENCE FAIR PROJECT TIME LINE 

The due dates below are subject to change. Any changes will be announced in class. It is suggested that everything which is turned in be typed & saved on a computer for editing purposes. It is required that a Research/Project Notebook and Project Log Book be maintained and that all notes of the project be entered in ink into the log book. Each segment which is turned in is a rough draft of a specific segment of the project. Every Check Point date is devoted to Science Fair instruction and help during class time.

|Check |ASSIGNMENT |DUE Date  |Changes |

|Point | | | |

|1 |Project Notebook & Log Book Check (log book is set up for day to day documentation of project) Notebook is for|Friday 8/31 |  |

| |drafts and final copies of work. | | |

|2 |Draft of notes on background information of your topics.  Works Cited (at least 3 different references).  |  |  |

| |Project Notebook & log book check. |9/7 | |

|3 |Topic Selection: Identify & write your purpose or problem. Hypothesis statement in the proper format ("If, |9/14 |  |

| |then" statement). Project Notebook & log book check. | | |

|4 |Experimental setup & design rough draft: This includes the materials to be used, written procedures which are |9/21 |  |

| |very specific and an explanation of the experimental setup including the independent variable, dependent | | |

| |variable, constants, and control. The length of this list depends on the complexity of your procedures, but | | |

| |the procedures MUST BE specific enough for someone to read, and redo the experiment the exact way in which you| | |

| |plan to conduct it. Project Notebook & log book check. | | |

|5 |Science Fair forms are due. Final Approval and changes before you begin your experimental design. Project |9/24 |  |

| |Notebook & log book check. Feedback form | | |

|6 |Draft of Research Paper. Title & Intro. paragraph which includes "catchy" topic sentence (s),  (typed). |10/5 |  |

| |Background research paragraph (s) which relates to & backs up the reasoning of your hypothesis & includes | | |

| |extensive information on all components of your topic. (2 to 3 pages). Works cited (5 sources; no | | |

| |encyclopedias). Evaluation or Evaluation w/o LA  | | |

|7 |Complete a progress report signed by a parent. Project log book check. Data/observations: Proof must be shown.| 10/19 |  |

|8 |Completed Research/Project Notebook Turn in for grade. Project log book check. |11/9 |  |

|9 |Research/Project Notebook and Project log book, Abstract, and Display. Yes, it is all due today! |11/16 |  |

|  |School science fair: Open for viewing Evening of Thursday Dec. 6  or Dec.  Hours 5-8 p.m. |12/6 |  |

For Check Points 1-4: Grade received reflects a brief progress review only. No project is approved until submission of Science Fair forms and formal approval from the review committee.

For Check Point 5: Grade received reflects a brief progress review and the submission of documents to allow the project to undergo a more detailed review.

For Check Points 6 & 7: Grade received reflects a brief progress review only. Final grade will be determined once the entire project is submitted for the fair.

It is very difficult to give a project a concise grade until the entire project is completed. The check points are progress reports and provide proof that the student is working towards a completed project on time. Students must make all correction on draft work and turn in for a final grade once the entire project is completed.

How do I write my Science Fair Report?

After you have finished your research and experimentation, you are to combine your information into a written report of the project. Your report is to be written in third person and will include the following items:

• Title Page: Center the research project title, and put your name, your address, school, and grade at the bottom

• Table of Contents

• Introduction and Review of Literature: This sets the scene for your report. The introduction should include a brief statement of your choice of area to study and the goals of your project. From your background research, summarize the information essential for understanding the topic and your chosen path of experimentation. Include any critical information you see as necessary for understanding your project. Following the review of literature, state your problem and hypothesis, leading into the next portion of the paper.

• Procedures: Describe in detail the methods used to produce your data and observations. Use photos or illustrations to further your reader’s understanding of your procedures. Step listings are not acceptable. This portion of your paper should include a clear description of any materials and variables in your experimentation.

• Presentation of Data: Your results (including data collected) and any analysis of the results. Present data in tables and graphs in an Appendix. Within the text of your report, reference the appendices and summarize in narrative form. Do not include raw data; this will be in your logbook. Include your interpretation of the results.

• Discussion: Your results and conclusions should flow smoothly and logically from your data. From your findings discuss your research, original question, and your thoughts about what happened. Compare you results with published data, commonly held beliefs, and/or expected results. A complete paper should include a discussion of possible errors or problems experienced. Remember to write in third person!

• Conclusions: Briefly summarize your results. Discuss if your data supported your hypothesis and what your next steps in experimentation may be.

• Recommendation: Your thoughts on possible benefits from the use of your findings and recommendations of any additional tests that should be made.

• Acknowledgements/Credits: Credits to those providing you with help or advice; (mentors, parents, teachers, and other sources)

• Bibliography: Listing of works cited in report and in back ground research using MLA format. Format issues to be discussed at a later date.

• Appendices: Additional information or graphic detail not presented in the body of your report. Any critical information that is too lengthy for the main section of the paper. (i.e.: tables and graphs copies of surveys. Diagrams of special equipment)

Some additional Science Fair Report tips

• Don’t overuse the word “one” when writing in the 3rd person. For example, “One’s data would be shown in a graph in the appendices section of one’s report. One’s interpretation of one’s data is that the corrosion developed more in one’s coins placed in the saltwater.”

• Don’t skimp on the Review of Literature. This is an important section that shows you understand the underlying principals behind your experiment.

• Don’t use your own name in third person. No “Hulk Smash!”

• Only one header per page. Don’t try to combine sections just because you didn’t write much on one page.

• The Science Fair Report should be placed in a thin presentation binder. No 3-ring binders or staples/paperclips.

• The main text should be typed in 12 point font and titles should be in 26 point, both in Times New Roman.

How do I complete my abstract?

An abstract is a short summary (200-250 words) of the main points of your project. It is to be printed twice on to the special form. It should include your title, problem, purpose, hypothesis, procedure, and conclusions stated in a concise manner. Write it in third person and past tense.

The abstract should be written in the following format:

_____________ (Your question) was the problem being researched in this project.

The purpose of this study was ____________. (what did you want to learn)

It was hypothesized that _________. The experiment was performed (# of trials) times. (Insert summary of the experiment here)

The results of the experiment demonstrated that ___________.

The hypothesis was (accepted/rejected/inconclusive). It was concluded that _______ because _______.

How do I make my Science Fair Display?

Your display should look interesting and inviting to the observer, with all information presented clearly. You should not attach anything too ungainly that would prevent the easy transport of your board. You should also refrain from placing models or examples in front of the board. The text on your display board should be able to be seen from across the room. You want to make sure to not have too much empty space (if my hand can fit on your board without covering up anything, you have too much empty space).

Your project title should be prominently displayed. Also on your display should be:

• Purpose

• Hypothesis

• Materials

• Procedures

• Variables

• Photos or drawings of experiment (No photocopies)

• Results (graph/table/chart)

• Conclusion

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