Williston Middle School Science Fair
December 18, 2012
5:00-6:30 in the Gymnasium
Classroom Projects Due
December 10, 2012
Science Fair Topic Planning: DUE _______________________
Today you will have the opportunity to access both books and the internet to find science fair topics that you are
interested in. Please to not write in books. If you decide to choose one of the topics from a book, just ask and Mrs.
Scott will provide you with a copy of the project.
Directions for web search:
1. Go to http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_ideas.shtml?From=Tab
2. Choose Topic Selection Wizard
3. First, you will need to fill in this survey with these answers:
4. Write down any topics that you think are interested in. Pay close attention to
difficulty level, how long each project takes, and the necessary materials.
Directions for book search:
1. Browse books for ideas you are interested in
2. When you have found one, write down the name of the book
3. Write down the name of the project
Ideas from the Internet
Topics I am most interested in:
Ideas from Books
Topics I am most interested in:
1. Website:
1. Book:
Project:
2. Website:
Project:
3. Website:
Project:
Project:
2. Book:
Project:
3. Book:
Project:
My first choice is: _________________________________________________________________
Please select one of the following:
I will be working by myself
I will be working with one or partners – PARTNERS MUST BE IN YOUR CLASS!
Partners’ names:_____________________________________________________________________________
Adapted from Rebecca Scott (MGMS)
Science Fair Project Proposal Form
Due ___________________________
Names of participants: 1.________________________________________________________
2. _______________________________________________________
3. _______________________________________________________
The question I plan to investigate for my science fair experiment is: (phrase as a question!)
Science Fair Project Question Check List
1. Does this experiment meet the teachers’s requirements for this project?
2. Are the people you are working with in your science class and reliable and
dependable enough to work well with for the next 10 weeks?
Yes / No
Yes / No
* You cannot change partners after this form is submitted!
3. Is this topic interesting enough to work on for the next 10 weeks?
4. Can you easily measure the responding variable in this experiment using a
number that represents a quantity such as percent, length, mass, work,
speed, voltage, energy, time, etc. or present/not present?
5. Does this experiment test one and only one variable?
6. Is this experiment approved by your parent/guardians(s)?
7. Do you have access and/or the means to obtain to all the materials you will
need to perform this experiment?
8. Will you be able to perform your experiment more than once in the 10 weeks
before your project is due?
9. Will this experiment be completed at home or at school?
10. Mrs. _______ can stay on __________________________ to help with science fair
projects and provide additional computer time.
Yes / No
Yes / No
Yes / No
Yes / No
Yes / No
Yes / No
Home / School
a. yes / No
* You must have your own reliable and punctual transportation to stay afterschool.
a. Do you need to stay after school for assistance and/or computer time?
b. Do you have transportation that will pick you up punctually at _______?
11. Are you planning to enter the school science fair?
b. Yes / No
* You do not have to enter the science fair, but every student must do a science fair
experiment and the accompanying power point and paper!
Yes / No
12. Are you willing to represent our school at the county science fair if selected as a
school winner?
Yes / No
I have discussed the above project idea and this checklist with my parent/guardian(s) and I agree to
commit to the listed partnerships and requirements through out this project.
____________________________________________________________________________
Student Signature
Date
I have discussed the above project idea and this checklist with my student and I will support his/her
commitment to the listed partnerships and requirements through out this project.
___________________________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature
Date
Adapted from Myrtle Grove Middle School
Science Fair Project: Identifying Variables
Due _____________________
A variable is any factor that can exist in differing amounts or types. A science experiment has three kinds of
variables: independent (manipulated) variable, dependent (responding) variable, and constants.
The independent (manipulated) variable is the factor that is changed by the scientist. In a controlled
experiment, there can be only one manipulated variable.
As the manipulated variable is changed, the dependent (responding) variable is observed and measured.
The value of the responding variable is caused by and depends on the manipulated variable. This variable
must be easily measurable.
Experiments also have constants. Constants are quantities and factors that a scientist must keep constant
in all trials of the experiment. Most experiments have many constants.
Independent (Manipulated)
Variable
What factor is being changed?
Dependent (Responding)
Variable
What factor is being measured?
Constants
What factors will you keep the
same through every trial?
Variables Checklist
Is your Independent variable the ONLY factor you are changing?
Is the Dependent variable easily measurable?
Have you identified a control group to compare your trails against if necessary?
Have you identified ALL factors (constants) that must remain the same to make this a
controlled experiment?
Can all constants be held at a steady value during each trial?
Adapted from Myrtle Grove Middle School
Yes / No
Yes / No
Yes / No
Yes / No
Yes / No
Science Fair Project: Identifying Experimental and Control Groups
Due _______________________________________________
Scientific experiments compare different groups or trials with each other. There are two types of trial
groups: experimental groups and control groups.
The experimental group consists of the trials where the manipulated variable is changed. For example, if
your question asks whether fertilizer makes a plant grow bigger, then the experimental group consists
of all trials in which the plants receive fertilizer.
The control group consists of the trial where the independent variable is in its natural state. In the above
example, the control group consists of all trials in which the plants get no fertilizer.
*Not all experiments require a control group.
Experimental Groups
There should more than one experimental group
that are tested several times each or in groups of
specimens that are experimented on.
Control Group
There should be only one control group that is
tested several times or a group of specimens that
are left in their natural state.
Experimental and Control Groups Checklist
Have you clearly described all of the experimental groups and how you will be changing each?
Have you clearly described the control group and how you will use this as a standard of
comparison for the experimental trials?
Have you specified how many times you will repeat the experiment or how many specimens
will be in each experimental group?
Adapted from Myrtle Grove Middle School
Yes / No
Yes / No
Yes / No
Science Fair Project: Materials
Due ______________________
What supplies, equipment, and quantities are needed to complete the science fair project? Where will you get these
materials? Make a complete and detailed list. This way you can make sure that you have everything on hand when
you need it. Check with your science teacher for any materials you may need to borrow or for help obtaining hard to
get materials.
Materials List
Specify sizes, amounts, and check off where you will obtain each material.
Qty
Material
Home
Store
Teacher
Other
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
Materials Checklist
Can the materials be easily obtained, borrowed, or purchased?
Have you arranged to borrow any materials or equipment you many need?
Have you listed the quantity of each material you will use?
Have you described the size and type of materials you will use?
Adapted from Myrtle Grove Middle School
Yes / No
Yes / No
Yes / No
Yes / No
Science Fair Project: Procedure
Due ___________________________
Key Elements of a Science Experiment Procedure
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Description and size of all experimental and control groups
A step-by-step list of everything you must do to perform the experiment. Record exactly what will
need to be done in each step.
Describe in detail how you will change your one and only manipulated variable
Describe in detail how you will measure the resulting change in the responding variable
Describe in detail how the controlled variables will be kept at a constant value
Specify how many times you intend to repeat your experiment
A good procedure enables someone else to duplicate your experiment exactly!
Procedure
Written in a detailed step-by-step format.
Procedure Checklist
Is the procedure is listed in a detailed step-by-step format?
Have you clearly described the manipulated variable and how you will change this variable?
Have you clearly described the responding variable and how and where you will measure and
record this variable?
Have you included a description and value of all controls?
Have you explained how the controlled variables will remain constant through the experiment?
Have you specified how many times you will repeat the experiment or how many specimens will
be in each experimental group?
Can another person easily duplicate your experiment based solely on the procedure steps you
have written?
Adapted from Myrtle Grove Middle School
Yes / No
Yes / No
Yes / No
Yes / No
Yes / No
Yes / No
Yes / No
Science Fair Project: Data Collection and Table
Due _______________________________
Use a data table to record and organize your results.
For all data tables:
• The data table must have an informative title and columns for both the manipulated variable and
the responding variable.
• The table may have several columns if you conducted several trials of the experiment.
• You may find it helpful to include a column for the average of your trails.
Data Table
Sketch your data table below.
Data Table Checklist
Does the data table have an informative title?
Does the data table have a column and rows for each experimental group?
Does the date table have a column for the responding variable?
Does your table specify units of measurement for all data?
Does the data table include individual columns for each trial of the experiment?
Does the data table include a column for trial averages if needed?
Adapted from Myrtle Grove Middle School
Yes / No
Yes / No
Yes / No
Yes / No
Yes / No
Yes / No
Science Fair Project: Graphs
Due ______________________
Science fair projects should have at least one graph.
For any type of graph:
• The graph must have an informative title.
• Place your manipulated variable on the x-axis and the responding variable on the y-axis.
• Be sure to label the axes of your graph— don't forget to include the units of measurement (grams,
centimeters, liters, etc.).
• If you have more than one set of data, show each series in a different color and include a key.
A bar graph is appropriate for comparing different trials or different experimental groups. It also may be a
good choice if your manipulated variable is not numerical.
A line graph is used if the responding variable is numerical and your manipulated variable is time.
Graphs
Sketch your graph below and on the back.
Graph Checklist
Have you selected the appropriate graphs for your data?
Do the graphs have an informative title?
Is the manipulated variable on the x-axis and the responding variable y-axis?
Are the x and y- axes labeled appropriately and specify the units of measurement?
Do your graphs have the proper scale?
Is your data plotted correctly and clearly?
If needed, have you included a key to describe your data?
Adapted from Myrtle Grove Middle School
Yes / No
Yes / No
Yes / No
Yes / No
Yes / No
Yes / No
Yes / No
Science Fair Project: Key Elements of a Science Experiment Results & Conclusions
Due ________________________
Paragraph 1:
•
Summarize your results in a 4 - 6 sentences
Paragraph 2:
•
•
•
•
•
State if the result support or contradict your hypothesis
Restate the relationship between the manipulated and responding variables
State what was learned about the relationship between the manipulated and responding variables
Evaluate your procedure and design for effectiveness and accuracy
Suggest changes to the experimental procedure and design and possibilities of further study
Results & Conclusion
Write a rough draft of your results and conclusion below and on the back.
Results & Conclusion Checklist
Have you summarized the results clearly?
Have you stated weather the results support or contradict your hypothesis?
Have you stated the relationship between the variables?
Have you explained what you have learned about the relationship between the variables?
Have you evaluated your experimental procedure and design?
Have you included suggestions to improve the experiment?
Have you included possible areas of further study?
Adapted from Myrtle Grove Middle School
Yes / No
Yes / No
Yes / No
Yes / No
Yes / No
Yes / No
Yes / No