Science Fair Research Paper

2009

General Paper Guidelines

MUST be Typed 12 pt. Font Black Ink 1.5 or double spaced At least 4 pages

(not including bibliography)

Parts of the PaperParts of the Paper

Cover Page– In the center of your title page

Official Title of your project Your name

– In the bottom right hand corner of the page Teacher’s Name Date Due Division

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Abstract– An abstract is a paragraph summarizing your entire

research project. Begin with one sentence of why you did this project. Then explain the dependent and independent variables and control group. Tell your reader a little about how you did your experiment. Finish with what you found in your data and explain what it means.

– Don’t forget this will be 1-2 paragraphs long– A paragraph is at least 5 sentences

Parts of the Paper

When you begin writing your research paper for you science fair project refer to the Lab Report Format I handed out at the beginning of the year.

Your research paper will be set up just like you have been setting up your lab reports for the labs this year.

We will not be eliminating any parts of the lab report format for our Science Fair Research Paper.

The sections are as follows

Parts of the PaperParts of the Paper

Observation: Start off by observing the world around you and how it applies to the project you are doing. Explain why you are interested in this topic, and what observations you can make about it before starting your experiment.

This is your reader’s first introduction to your problem so make sure you explain in depth your reasoning for doing this project.

1-2 Paragraphs long. 5 sentences per paragraph.

DO NOT PUT ANY RESULTS IN THIS SECTION!

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State the Problem: In this section you will put the question you are asking through this experiment. You will answer this question with your results and in your conclusion.

Ask your question, then briefly explain why this is important scientific research.

1 Paragraph long. 3-4 Sentences. DO NOT ANSWER THE QUESTION IN THIS

SECTION! **If you would like to group this section with the

Observation section you may**

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Gather Information: Research the topic you are testing. Search online, in books, journals, or magazines for any background information that will help you understand that materials and situations you will be dealing with in this experiment.

You need to explain to your reader the information that they will need to understand what you are doing in this project.

This will be the longest part of your paper– At Least 2 paragraphs. 5-6 Sentences per paragraph. DO NOT INCLUDE INFORMATION ABOUT THE RESULTS OF

YOUR EXPERIMENT IN THIS SECTION.

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Hypothesis: Come up with a guess that will answer the question you asked in State the Problem before you begin this experiment. You are predicting the outcome of the experiment before it begins. Then explain why you have come to this conclusion. Why did you think this would happen? What research supports this?

Refer to the papers you have completed in the early stages of this project. The hypothesis should be written down already.

1 Paragraph long. 5-6 Sentences. DO NOT ANSWER YOUR HYPOTHESIS IN THIS SECTION.

DO NOT GIVE RESULTS.

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Experimentation: A detailed step by step explanation of exactly what you did while carrying out the experiment. Include measurements, and names of products used. (If someone were to recreate your experiment they should be able to look to this section and carry out the exact same procedure)

Your independent, dependent variable and control group are explained in this section as well.

DO NOT INCLUDE ANY INFORMATION ABOUT THE RESULTS OF YOUR EXPERIMENT. Only explain what you were doing.

Can be in paragraph form if you want. Also can be in numbered sentences. Either way all parts should be explained in COMPLETE sentences.

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Recorded Data: Charts, Graphs, Tables. A short paragraph on the numbers and data you gathered from this experiment.

Parts of the PaperParts of the PaperRecorded Data Continued

Please Make sure you title your charts and tables, and include title for the X and Y axis. Explain these charts and tables in a paragraph in your Recorded Data.

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Conclusion: Start by answering you question asked in State the Problem. Then tell whether you proved your Hypothesis right or wrong. This section is to explain your Recorded Data to your readers. Tell them what the numbers in the charts and graphs mean. This is also where you can explain any problems you ran into while doing your experiment, and how to avoid them the next time. Explain what you would do differently if you had the opportunity to do this experiment again.

2 Paragraphs. 5 Sentences each. PLEASE DISCUSS YOUR RESULTS IN THIS SECTION

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Bibliography– Refer to the paper your teacher gave you in

English to see how to do the Bibliography. – Also the internet is a good reference.

Type in “how to do a bibliography”

Poster Board

To achieve an A:– Type all sections out– Mount them behind colored paper to make them stand out– If you have bad handwriting please do not write on the board– Go over any writing with marker– Make it colorful and organized– Include pictures, graphs, charts, tables– Make sure you spell everything correctly– It needs to have all of the parts of the lab report format– The backboard must be done on a tri-fold poster board

Tri-fold poster boards can be bought at the school store for $5

Science Fair Journal

Including entries from each time you worked on your science fair project. Whether it was gathering background information or collecting data form your experiment.