Science Fair Packet

Middle School

(6th-8th Grade)

Pinecrest Cove Preparatory Academy

2019-2020

PCPA Science Fair Guidelines- Students & Parents

• Students in grades 6th-8th will be completing individual science

fair projects using Power Point presentations.

• Science fair topics must be approved by your teacher prior to

beginning your project. The Science Project Proposal Form will

be due no later than Monday, October 14th.

• All projects will be due on Friday, November 22nd .

• Students in grades 6th-8th will be assessed using the attached

Digital Presentation Rubric for their Power Point presentation

and Oral Presentation.

• The top two (2) Power Point presentations in each 6th-8th grade

classroom will be invited to our annual Science Fair Night for

grade level judging and award placement. Students that are

selected will have to convert their Power Point presentation to a

science fair board. Top presenters will receive a board display

from teacher. The required board size is 3 feet by 4 feet.

• If you would like more information, please visit the Miami-Dade

School Science website:

http://science.dadeschools.net/scienceFair/generalRulesAndRegula

tionsRSEF.html

Websites That May Be Helpful for Projects

Please remember that your problem must be testable!

http://www.sciencebob.com/sciencefair/index.php

http://www.invention-help.com/invention-help-books.htm

http://www.inventivekids.com/2010/10/05/step-by-step-guide-to-inventing/

http://www.sciencebuddies.org

http://www.showboard.com

http://science.dadeschools.net/

http://www.proteacher.com/110031.shtml

http://www.sciedunet.org

http://sciencepage.org/scifair.htm

http://my.integritynet.com.au/purdic/science-fair-projects-ideas.htm

http://www.ipl.org/div/kidspace/projectguide/

http://www.super-science-fair-projects.com/elementary-science-fair-projects.html

www.kidsinvent.org

www.howstuffworks.com

http://edweb.sdsu.edu/courses/EDTEC596/Project1/Inventors.html (teachers only)

http://ctinventionconvention.org/

http://library.thinkquest.org/J002783/InvCon.htm

http://all-science-fair-projects.com/

*** Inventions or models, such as volcanoes, solar systems, and cells are NOT testable problems ***

1. SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION: In this type of experimental project you ask a question (that is testable), construct a hypothesis, test your hypothesis using an experiment, and draw conclusions from your experiment. It involves using the scientific method. It must follow an experimental design.

A. Experiment: In this kind of investigation, your purpose is to change something (test or independent/manipulated variable) and record the outcome of this change (outcome or dependent/responding variable). EXAMPLE: Which material, aluminum foil or plastic wrap, will insulate cold water better? The experiment selected must be testable using quantitative information (measuring height or temperature). Problems with opinions are NOT testable. For example, “Are dogs better pets?” is not a testable problem.

B. Experiment with a Control Group: This kind of investigation involves a more complex investigation that is designed to test the effects of a single condition or factor on a system. For example, you might have a group of plants as an experimental group and another group of the same type of plants as a control group. The test, or independent variable, in this experiment is the amount of chemical fertilizer added only to the experimental plant group. No fertilizer would be added to the control group. Both the control group and the experimental group would have the same constants (the normal conditions) such as, the amount of water and sunlight received during experimentation. The outcome, or dependent variable, is the difference observed in the growth of the plants. The difference must be measureable. For instance, the experimental plant group (the ones fertilized) grew a total of 15 inches and the control group (the plants NOT fertilized) grew a total of 12 inches. The outcome/dependent variable in this example are measured with a ruler.

Scientific Investigation Project Guidelines

THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD: 1. Asking a question that is TESTABLE.

2. Forming a hypothesis (If….. then statement). Example: IF aluminum foil is wrapped around a

cold water bottle, THEN it will insulate the water better than plastic wrap.

3. Designing an experiment.

a. Identifying variables

b. Developing procedures that are specific and detailed with measurements of any materials.

c. Gathering materials and equipment

4. Collecting data.

5. Analyzing the data.

6. Forming a conclusion.

Step 1 – Choose a Topic, Problem Statement, and Research Plan/Project Summary Begin by exploring a scientific concept that you are interested in. This can be something that was read about or was introduced in the classroom. Go to the library or internet to learn more about your topic. Complete a Research Plan/ Project Summary BEFORE commencing your experiment by completing the following:

a. RATIONALE: Include a brief synopsis of the background that supports your research problem and explain why this research is important and if applicable, explain any societal impact of your research. b. RESEARCH QUESTION(S), HYPOTHESIS(ES),and EXPECTED OUTCOMES: How is this based on the rationale described above? c. Describe the following in detail:

Procedures: Detail all procedures and experimental design including methods for data collection. Describe only your project. Do not include work done by mentor or others. Risk and Safety: Identify any potential risks and safety precautions needed. Data Analysis: Describe the procedures you will use to analyze the data/results. BIBLIOGRAPHY (minimum of 5): List major references (e.g. science journal articles, books, internet sites) from your literature review.

• At this point, your brain will start asking "What if...." questions. One of these questions is what you will use to design your experiment. It is called the "TESTABLE QUESTION”. This will become your problem statement. Make sure that this has been approved by your teacher BEFORE you proceed any further.

• Anything to do with your project should be recorded in your lab notebook. Your teacher will be making frequent checks of your progress. Make sure that you note all due dates in your agenda!

Step 2 – Form a Hypothesis Once you have a testable question, you have some decisions to make that should be recorded in your lab notebook.

• How do you design the experiment to answer your question?

• What measurements do you need to take to record your results?

• Think about what might happen in your experiment. This is called a HYPOTHESIS.

• Write down what you think will happen BEFORE actually doing the experiment using the “If….. then statement”. Example: IF aluminum foil is wrapped around a cold water bottle, THEN it will insulate the water better than plastic wrap.

• Be specific.

Step 3 – Experimental Design

The experimental design is a plan to test your hypothesis. This is not a specific item in your Power Point presentation; however, it is determined by what your hypothesis is, the variables (test or independent, outcome or dependent, and control) and the materials that you need and the procedures that you will carry out.

Step 4 – Materials/Equipment Now that you have planned your experiment, gather all the materials you will need to do the experiment. As you begin the experiment, make detailed observations of what is happening. Take your measurements carefully. Keep written notes about what you do and how you do it. Display a list of materials in your Power Point presentation using a column form with metric units identified (Example: 3 ounces of water). Make sure materials are available.

Example of Material/Equipment list:

Measuring Tape

Paper Towel

3 ounces of water

2 cups of baking powder

Step 5 – Procedure Write a detailed description of how to do your experiment. As you work through it, you may find that you have to change it. Make notes and change your procedure afterwards, to show the changes. Remember, any scientist should be able to take your procedures and repeat your experiment following your instructions without confusion.

• Write your procedures using a numbered list.

• Start each sentence with an action verb: mix, stir, get, measure, etc.

• Include quantities or amounts that you will measure using metric units.

Example of Procedure:

1. Mix 3 cups of baking powder with 2 ounces of vinegar in bowl using spoon. 2. Pour mixture into an 8 ounce glass.

3. Place glass in an area with sunlight and observe for 30 minutes.

4. Measure the liquid after 30 minutes using measuring cup.

Step 6 – Variables and Control Group

• Identify the test variable (independent/manipulated). This is the variable that you are changing on purpose in your experiment to observe what will happen. For example, the amount of chemical fertilizer added to an experimental plant group.

• Identify the outcome variable (dependent/responding variable), this is the one that reacts or changes in response to the test or independent/manipulated variable and can be measured. For instance, the height that the plant grew with the chemical fertilizer.

• Identify the constant variables in your experiment. These are the variables in your experiment that you do not change so that you can compare the effects from only one test (independent/manipulated) variable. Constant variables are quantities that a scientist wants to remain the same or be held constant. Most experiments have more than one constant variable. Some people refer to controlled variables as "constant variables." In the plant experiment example, this would be the type of plants, the amount of water that the plants are receiving, and the placement of the plants.

• Use a control group if applicable in your experiment. A control group is the group that does not receive the experimental variable. Both it and the experimental group have what is usually considered normal conditions. For example, there would be a plant that is not receiving any chemical fertilizer, since the experiment is to determine if the chemical fertilizer affects the growth of plants.

Step 7 – Experiment

• Design a data table to keep track of your results.

• Carry out your experiment following your written procedures.

• Observe and record the results in a data table using metric units i.e., centimeters (cm); grams (g); or degrees Celsius (˚C).

• If qualitative observations are made, a numbered scale must be developed to quantify the observations.

• Use photographs and/or videos to record observations. (NO FACES IN PHOTOS). These will be inserted into your Power Point presentation.

Then, REPEAT THE EXPERIMENT at least two more times. Record your results as carefully as you did the first time. ALL scientists repeat their experiments; we INSIST you repeat yours as well. All experiments must have a minimum of three trials. Step 8 – Results

• When you have all of your results, you need to design the way that you will report the data.

• Many students use graphs, charts and written summaries of what happened in the experiment.

Graphs and/or charts will need to be inserted into your Power Point presentation.

• Determine averages or the mean when appropriate.

• Use photographs to show changes (NO FACES IN PHOTOS). These will be inserted into your

Power Point presentation.

• Display all your data in charts, graphs, and/or pictures even if it does not match what you thought was going to happen under the heading Data in your Power Point presentation.

• Explain your results in words and display this narrative under the heading Results in your Power Point presentation.

• Results and Conclusion are NOT the same! The results state what happened during experimentation and the conclusion compares what happened to your stated hypothesis.

Step 9 – Compare your results with your Hypothesis Look again at your HYPOTHESIS and at the results of your experiment. Think about what happened and why it happened that way. Determine if your hypothesis was supported or not supported. You will use your observations to help you write your Conclusion in the next step.

Step 10 – Draw Conclusions

Answer the following questions to summarize what you have learned from the experiment.

• What was the purpose of the investigation?

• Was your hypothesis supported by the data? (Indicate evidence and reasoning that supports

your conclusion. This is called Claim Evidence Reasoning (CER).

• What were the major findings? What are possible reasons for the results?

Step 11 – Applications

Answer the following questions to complete the Application.

• How can you use the findings from this investigation in your day-to-day life? How can the

investigation be improved?

• What new question(s) has your experiment lead you to ask that could be tested in a new

investigation.

Step 12 – Abstract and Bibliography

The abstract is a complete summary of the investigation and must consist of three to five paragraphs that includes the following:

• Describe your purpose and hypothesis. Briefly describe your procedure.

• Describe and explain your results and state if your hypothesis was supported or not by the results. Suggest a reason why it was or was not supported.

• Explain your conclusion and application(s).

It's important to cite your sources for a science fair project. Put your bibliography of at least 5 different sources in your Power Point presentation. Here are some examples of how to cite books, online references, and conversations:

1. Here is an example for a book or magazine -- Jones, Jenny R., "Science Experiments to Try" Science Time, New York: Sterling Pub. Co., May 2004, Vol. 3:12-15.

2. Here is an example for a Web site -- Helmenstine, Anne, About Chemistry Website, http://chemistry.about.com, Oct. 4, 2005.

3. Here is an example for a conversation -- Smith, John, Telephone Conversation, Mar.5, 2013.

Investigation Project Abstract / Bibliography

(Submit to your teacher BEFORE inserting into your Power Point Presentation)

Student’s Name__ ______________________________________________________

Project Title:

Abstract

Be sure to answer the following questions in the abstract of your project:

1. The purpose of the project: Why did you choose to do this project or how did you get the idea

to do it?

2. State briefly what you thought would happen. Also, describe how you conducted your project.

3. What happened? Tell the results of your experiment.

4. What was the conclusion? Was your hypothesis correct?

5. What are the applications of your project? How can the information you learned be used?

6. How could your project be improved if you were to repeat it? If you were to continue your

project, what would you do?

Bibliography

There should be at least five (5) references.

1. ________________________________________________________________________

2. ________________________________________________________________________

3. ________________________________________________________________________

4. ________________________________________________________________________

5. ________________________________________________________________________

Name ____________________________ Teacher: _____________________Date: _____________

MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE FAIR PROJECT PLANNING PACKET GRADES 6-8

Research Plan/Project Summary: Do Research to collect background information. Write a brief summary of the background information. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Bibliography for Resources (minimum of 5) : ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Problem Statement: (It is written in the form of a question.) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Form a Hypothesis: (An educated guess of what you think will happen. Use the “If… then statement) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Experiment Design: Variables: Independent/ Manipulated Variable (What do I change?) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Dependent/ Responding Variable (What data do I collect?) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Control /Constant Variables (What do I keep the same in the experiment?) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Materials: (Use metric measurement tools and list in column form.) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Procedures: (Use a step by step numbered list. Each step should also begin with a verb.) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Data: Create a data table to collect and record data observed and measured during the experiment. Below is a sample of a data table you may use. Make sure to create and use a data table that best fits for your experiment.

Now you’re ready to conduct you experiment! Remember to take pictures (NO faces) and to repeat the experiment at least three times. Results: (Record collected data from the experiment in a narrative summary form.) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Conclusion: Answer the following questions in a narrative format. 1. What was investigated? (State the purpose of the experiment by describing the problem

statement.) 2. Was your hypothesis supported by the data? (Write a statement as to whether the data

supports or does not support the hypothesis including a restatement of the hypothesis.) 3. What were the major findings? (Describe the data collected that provides the evidence as to

why the hypothesis was supported or not supported.) 4. What possible explanations can you offer for your findings? (Think about everything that may

have affected your results.) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Application/Extension: Answer the following questions in a narrative format. 1. How can the investigation be improved? 2. What are some possible applications of the experiment? (Describe how the findings from this

investigation can be used in day-to-day life.) 3. What questions has your experiment lead you to ask that could be tested in a new

investigation? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Abstract: Write three to five paragraphs that address what was being investigated and the hypothesis. Write about the procedures followed in the investigation. Include information on the data and conclusions reached. Finally, write about your project’s applications. Remember to use the form that your teacher reviews to guide your final submission. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Sample of Board Display for top presentations ONLY: All boards are required to place items as shown below

Good Luck!!!

Title of the Project Three words or less

Problem Statement

Hypothesis

Abstract/Bibliography

Required position. Obtain

approval from teacher

before placing

Charts, graphs, and or

photographs

Results

Conclusion

Application

Procedures Materials

Variables: Independent, dependent, and control

Data

Oral Presentation Grading Rubric Student Name:_____________________________________________________

CATEGORY 10 7 4 1

Content Student shows a full understanding of the scientific method and describes their experiment with details.

Student shows a good understanding of the scientific method and/or describes their experiment well.

Student shows a good understanding of parts of the scientific experiment and/or describes their experiment some.

Student does not seem to understand the scientific method very well and/or gives little information about their project.

Time-Limit Presentation is 4 minutes long.

Presentation is 3 minutes long.

Presentation is 2 minutes long.

Presentation is less than 2 minutes OR more than 4 minutes.

Posture and Eye Contact

Student stands up straight, looks relaxed and confident. Establishes eye contact with everyone in the room during the presentation.

Student stands up straight and establishes eye contact with everyone in the room during the presentation.

Student sometimes stands up straight and does not always establish eye contact with everyone in the room during the presentation.

Student slouches and/or does not look at people during the presentation.

Speaks Clearly Student speaks clearly all of the time, and has good volume.

Student speaks clearly all of the time and/or is hard to hear at times.

Student speaks clearly most of the time and/or is hard to hear.

Student often mumbles or can not be understood.

Presentation Order and Relevance

Entire presentation relates to the scientific method/experiment and their presentation follows the proper sequential order.

Most of the presentation relates to the scientific method/experiment and/or order of presentation is not in proper sequence.

Little of the presentation relates to the scientific method/experiment and/or the order of the presentation is jumbled.

Very little of the presentation relates to the scientific method/experiment and/or no order is evident.

Comments Total points earned out of 50:

Digital Presentation Rubic

Student Name: _______________________________________ Date: _______________

Presentation Slides Criteria Needed Possible Points Points Received Title Problem Statement Hypothesis

Three words or less and placement. Question format, testable problem, and placement. If, then statement and placement.

5

Abstract Bibliography

Three- five paragraphs, required questions are answered, and placement. At least five sources are correctly cited and placement.

30

Procedures

Numbered format, each step starts with a verb, includes exact measurements, is specific, and placement.

20

Materials

Column format, includes specific amounts, and placement.

5

Variables

Correctly identifies independent, dependent, and/or constant variables. Placement of each.

5

Data

Chart/table included, pictures (no faces), and placement.

5

Results

States what happened in narrative format and placement.

10

Conclusion

Required questions are answered in narrative format, hypothesis is re-stated, and placement.

10

Application

Required questions are answered in narrative format and placement.

10

Teacher Comments

Total Points: