NAME: SGS Science Fair Project Guidelines Suggested timeframes: Part 1: ASK the question
by Mar 13 o Select Project Topic
o Create Question (record in space provided in this packet) o Identify Variables ▪ Independent ▪ Dependent ▪ Control Pa​rt 2: CONDUCT the experiment Mar 14 - Mar 31 o Materials o Procedure
o Safety Considerations
o Conduct at least 3 trials of each type o Take pictures o Record data onto data table
Part 3: ANALYZE the results
Apr 1 - Apr 7 o Display data as a graph Part 4: CONCLUDE ​ Apr 8 – Apr 27 o Formulate Conclusion(s) o Complete display Board Part 5: COMMUNICATE the results o BRING TO SCHOOL (board due) by April 28 o Oral Presentations ​TBD 1
Part 1: ​ASK​ the question th​
5​ GRADE PROJECTS MUST BE ON EARTH OR LIFE SCIENCE TOPICS. Selecting a Topic - ​All great projects start with great questions, but before you get started on a great question you need to pick a subject or topic that you like. Select a topic that is of interest to you. A.
Write 2 possible topics of interest you. B.
Under each topic, write how you will measure the effect. C.
From the topics below, choose ​one topic​ for your project. ● TOPIC #1:_________________________________________________ what you will measure ___________________________________________________ ● TOPIC #2:_________________________________________________ what you will measure ___________________________________________________ Creating a Question Your question must be answered through experimentation. If you build a model, you must use that model to test your question during your experiment. The ​independent​ (what are you manipulating, or changing) and ​dependent​ (what are you measuring) variables need to be included in your question. 1. How does ​(IV)​ ________________ affect ​(DV)​ ____________________? 2. What is the effect of ​(IV)​ _____________on ​(DV)​ _________________? Checklist for Selecting Question: a. Does the question require experimentation in order to answer it? b. Can I get all the necessary materials to do the experiment? c. Will I be able to run repeated trials? d. Will I be able to measure the results using the metric system? My Final Question: (Write your question on the lines below.) _________________________________________________________
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VARIABLES The variables are any factors that can change an experiment. For your experiment, you should ​only test one variable at a time​. For example, if you want to test the affect that temperature has on the volume of a balloon, then all the balloons (from all 3 trials) need to be the ​same​. These are the ​controlled variables​: same type of balloon material, same amount of gas in each balloon, same location for balloon. The only thing you would ​change​ is the “temperature”. This is called the ​independent variable​. You are “manipulating” it. It is the one thing you are ​testing​. The ​result​ of the manipulation or test is called the ​dependent variable​. The dependent variable is what you are actually ​measuring​. Example from above would be the “volume of the balloon”. Think of the ​independent variable​ as the ​“cause”​ and the ​dependent variable​ as the “effect”. ​The variables become the key to the question you write and the experiment that you conduct is based on that. My ​controlled variables​ are the things that stay the same, remain constant: __________________________________________________________________
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__ My ​independent variable​ is the one thing that changes from one experiment to the next, it is what you are manipulating or testing: _________________________________________________________ My ​dependent variable​ ​it is what you are actually measuring - the result of the experiment: _________________________________________________________ Part 2: ​CONDUCT​ the experiment Design an experiment that will answer your question. A: Materials & Procedure • Make a specific list of materials you will need to conduct all of your trials for your experiment. Example: ➢ 9 balloons (plus some extra, in case)
➢ Thermometer
➢ (cm) measuring tape
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Write a step-by-step procedure for your experiment. Steps must begin with a verb. Each step must be numbered. Example: 1.
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You must perform a minimum of THREE trials for each “independent variable”. Example: ●
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Pump​ 30 times into each balloon.
Tie​ a secure knot on each balloon.
Record​ the outside temperature.
Take​ three balloons outside.
Bring 3 balloons outside and measure volume
Bring 3 balloons inside and measure volume
Place 3 balloons in freezer and measure volume Remember to take pictures or make drawings of everything. Include only ​3​ pictures or drawings on your display board. Observe and note carefully what happens during the experiment. B: Data Collection: ​You must collect data as you do the experiment. This is the information you will use to analyze the results. This means write down or record results of the experiment every time you do it. USE THE METRIC SYSTEM IN ​ALL MEASUREMENTS (meters, liters, Celsius, grams etc.) Record your data from ALL trials in a data table similar to the one below. Volume in centimeters of balloon (Sample) Type of Trial Trial Trial Average temperature 1 2 3 volume 1+2+3 /3 1. cm cm cm 2. cm cm cm 3. cm cm cm 4
Record your data here (rough draft). Title ________________________________________ Trial Trial Trial 1 2 3 1. 2. 3. Average _______ Part 3: ​ANALYZE​ the results It is very important to use the right kind of graph when analyzing data. All graphs have some things in common: • The manipulated / independent variable is on the X-axis (bottom/horizontal). •
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The responding / dependent variable is on the Y-axis (left side/vertical). Each axis is labeled to identify the variables. Units of measurement are included in the ​labels​. The graph has a descriptive ​title​. ​Temperature Affect on Balloons (Example) 0 Temp. A Temp. B Temp. C _______ _______ _______ ​Temperatures 5
Part 4: ​CONCLUDE Conclusions are written answers to the original question. The question is either supported by the data or it is not supported by the data. You should spend time evaluating your data and what the results mean. Your answer should “​always, always” ​be​ ​supported by actual data from the experiment. • Do the results answer your question? •
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Are there any patterns in the results? What can you conclude from this experiment? Do your results prompt you to ask more questions? Example Conclusion: In my experiment, the results of the data show that a colder balloon has a smaller volume. When the balloon was placed in the freezer zero degrees Celsius, the balloon averaged 60 cm. I then took the balloon outside in the winter 15 degrees Celsius, the balloon increased in size to 62.5 cm. Lastly the balloons were taken inside my home where the temperature was 30 degrees Celsius, and it really increased in size to 70.2 cm. If I were to do this experiment again, I would be interested in trying this same experiment using helium to fill up the balloon instead of just regular air. Part 5: ​COMMUNICATE ​the results A. Display Board: NO ACTUAL MODELS OR EXPERIMENTAL EQUIPMENT WILL BE DISPLAYED (PICTURES ONLY) Your Science teacher will provide a sample of what your final product should look like. She/he will show you display boards from previous years. B. Oral presentation. ● The scientific community shares information in the effort to find what is really true and accurate. ● Be prepared to spend time discussing the results of your investigation with your scientific colleagues (classmates). ● An oral presentation is required for your project. ● Practice will make the difference in how well you present yourself and your project. ● Rehearse in front of a mirror, and then make a practice presentation before a “live” audience! 6
The following things should be included in your oral presentation: 1. Make introductions. First, introduce yourself. “Hello. My name is ____.” Next, introduce the project. “The title of my project is ____.” Tell your audience how you got interested in this topic. 2. Go through the parts of the display board in a logical order. 3. Discuss what you learned, invite questions and end by thanking your audience. 7