Background Research Paper

Science Fair

Resource Packet

Starting Your Science Fair Project

1. Selecting a Topic/Idea to Experiment~Pick something you are interested in learning more about.

~Your problem should be one where the answer is not completely obvious (If the answer is obvious, your topic will probably become stale very quickly and you will get bored)~Make sure you will be able to measure something in your experiment (numbers for data).~Select a problem that wont require a long period of experimentation. (Less than 2 weeks is ideal!!)~make sure you are able to find plenty of research on various variables involved in your problem (Its a good idea to research before you pick a problem)~Growing something seems like seem like a fun idea but it requires a lot of work. Trying to grow something will require work everyday (thats like giving yourself HW every night!!) If you are interested in growing something limit it to something that would do so in less than 3 weeks. It is also important to note that you will be experimenting during the fall and winter months which make it hard to grow something unless you have a greenhouse.

~Some projects require special paperwork before experimenting. Check with your teacher.2. Project Ideas Resources( out these sites. It is not suggested that you use these topics exactly but they can give you a good ideas.(http://www.cdli.ca/sciencefairs/intermed.html Look at intermediate and senior projects to get started. (http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_ideas.shtml(http://www.all-science-fair-projects.com/

*Check search engines like Google, Yahoo, etc. by typing in your topic and various words associated with it. Also, consider checking encyclopedias and books to find information about your project idea.Science Fair Proposal It is suggested that you type (and save) your proposal before turning proposal in to your teacher.

This is not the actual proposal but a guide to help you with writing yours.

Variables

Experiment Methodology

HOW TO GUIDE

(DO NOT USE THE WORDS I, WE, OR YOU ANY WHERE IN YOUR PROJECT(Purpose/Rationale2 sentences in length

Sentence # 1 What is the problem/question you want to find the answer to.

EX: The purpose of this experiment is to find out what effect salt has on how fast water boils.

Sentence # 2- State the independent and dependent variables

EX: For this experiment the independent variable will be the amount of salt and the dependent will be the time it takes to boil.

Save your work on your computer so you dont have to retype it to make corrections.How to Write a Hypothesis1 sentence in length

Hypothesis should be written in the If..then.. format taught in class.

If.(your proposed answer to the problem).

EX: If adding salt to water affects the time it takes water to boil, then..

Then(What you plan on measuring to prove the if portion of your statement)

EX: If adding salt to water affects the time it takes water to boil, then pots of water with salt added will take longer to boil than pots with no salt in them.

Must include numerical prediction Save your work on your computer so you dont have to retype it to make corrections.How to Write a Scientific ProcedureNumbered List Procedure should be typed. Save your procedure to a disk so you dont have to write it again to make corrections. Different steps should be numbered.

Directions should be detailed and specific telling the reader EXACTLY how to perform the experiment and how to set up the conditions under which it should take place.

Description and size of all experimental and control groups, as applicable

The procedure must explain how you will measure the resulting change in the dependent variable or variables

The procedure should specify how many times you intend to repeat your experiment, so that you can verify that your results are reproducible

All measurements should be in metric units (meters, liters, grams, Celsius) Include exactly how measurements should be done, and when!

After the steps are completed read through and compile a materials list of everything that is needed and how much of it is needed to perform the experimentExample Materials List and ProcedureMaterials CD player & a CD (low drain device)

Three identical flashlights (medium drain device)

Camera flash (high drain device)

AA size Duracell and Energizer batteries

AA size of a "heavy-duty" (non-alkaline) battery (I used Panasonic)

Voltmeter & a AA battery holder

Kitchen timer Procedure 1. Number each battery so you can tell them apart.

2. Measure each battery's voltage by using the voltmeter.

3. Put the same battery into one of the devices and turn it on.

4. Let the device run for thirty minutes before measuring its voltage again. (Record the voltage in a table every time it is measured.)

5. Repeat #4 until the battery is at 0.9 volts or until the device stops.

6. Do steps 15 again, three trials for each brand of battery in each experimental group.

7. For the camera flash push the flash button every 30 seconds and measure the voltage every 5 minutes.

8. For the flashlights rotate each battery brand so each one has a turn in each flashlight. 9. For the CD player repeat the same song at the same volume throughout the tests. Background Research *2 to 3 pages in length Font Times New Roman Size 10 or 12, double spaced or 1.5 linesYou must use a combination of a minimum of 5 print and electronic sources

Your background research section should include the following:

1. Introduce the viewer to the topic

To do a good introduction, assume that your audience knows a little science but is not familiar with your topic or subject at all. Quotes from books or other experts are appropriate as long as you document the source and use correct citation.The following are example questions to answer for a topic/subject of Acids----What is an acid?-How are acids made?

-When where they discovered?

-What do acids do?

-what are acids used for?

-How do you identify an acid?

-What happens when you put acid on something? (explain everything you can find so others understand what you are doing)2. Lastly, after laying the ground work, discuss specifically the part of the topic you are experimenting with include discussion about how the variables might affect your experiment.EX last paragraph

The amount of acid that touches an object impacts the amount of damage done to an object. Examples of damage that may occur to a material acid is put on includes; melting, holes, color change, and temperature change. Variables in a situation where the effect of how changing the amount of acid changes the amount of damage done are as follows: starting temperature of the material, type of material, how the acid is applied, and how long the acid is left on the material. It is important to keep the starting temperature for all samples the same because acids act differently in different temperatures. Also it is important to keep them all the same because the ending temperature recorded might get inflated because the starting temp is higher. Material is another variable that influence the action of acids. Since the effect of the amount is being tested the material each amount is put on needs to be the same. Otherwise different results might be produced because of differences in material not amount. For example if one amount was put on cotton and the next sample was put on metal different results would occur but it might be due to the material. Application of the acid to the material needs to be the same for all samples for example a using a dropper instead of a paint brush. The are the acid touches is different for the different applicators. If different applicators were used measurements of the amount of surface areas eaten away by the acid could be observed as different and mistakenly attributed to the amount of acid applied. ..How to Site Quotations or Ideas from a Source in Your Science Fair Background Research

Books, Encyclopedia, Magazine, Newspaper:

Name of author in parenthesis before the period in the quote.

If you used two books by the same author just indicate which book by including the year in the parenthesis.

If multiple authors just put the first alphabetically (by last name) to use as a reference.

EX:Science is the best class in the world(Brown).

Internet:

Source with an author given:

Name of author in parenthesis after quote

If last name the same as another source include date info was accessed with name

Source with no author given:

Name of main web site accessed in parenthesis after quote

EX:

Science is the best class in the world(www.sciencenewstoday.com).

You should site anything in your paper that is not your own original thought. You do not need to cite general information you find on a topic but any specific facts or ideas that you use should be cited. If you use a phrase directly from a source because they word it perfectly that is fine just give credit to the source by citing the source OTHERWISE IT IS PLAGERISM (STEALING SOMEONE ELSES IDEAS)!!!! PLAGERISM IS EASY TO SPOT WHEN DIRECT QUOTES ARE TAKEN FROM ANOTHER SOURCE!!!!

How to Write a BibliographyA bibliography is an alphabetical list of all of the sources you have consulted for an essay or research paper. You must list your sources in a specific format. Use this guide to create your bibliography in the correct format.

Remember: Always underline the title of the work cited.

Alphabetize by the authors last name.

If there is no author, alphabetize by the title.

Always indent the lines after the first line. (1 tab)

Always leave one space after commas and two spaces after periods and colons.

Examples:

For a book with one author:Robinson, Adam. What Smart Students Know. New York: Crown Paperbacks, 1993.

For a book with two authors:Sorensen, Sharon, and Bob LeBreck. The Research Paper. New York: Amsco Publications, 1994.

For a book with no author:The World of Learning. London: Europa Publications, 1995.

A signed article in an encyclopedia:Rupp, Ernest Gordon. Erasmus. Encyclopedia Britannica: Macropedia. 1991 edition.

An unsigned article in an encyclopedia:Mandarin. Encyclopedia Americana. 1991 edition.

An article in a magazine:Begley, Sharon. A Healthy Dose of Laughter. Newsweek. October 4 1982: 74-78.

An article in a newspaper:Brody, Jane E. Multiple Cancers Termed on Increase. New York Times. October 10 1976: A 37.

An article from a CD-ROM:

Settles, Gary S. Absolute Zero. Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia. CD-ROM. 1997.

An article from an internet site:Bradshaw, Gary S. Wilbur and Orville Wright. October 1996: