It’s Time for Science Fair! UPDATE: 11/11/13 – THESE PAGES REPLACE ALL PREVIOUS VERSIONS

Dear 7th grade Parents,

Every year UMS Science students do a science fair project. This project is designed to help the students understand and use all parts of the scientific research process. We feel this project helps to give students a solid understanding of how science research impacts their lives. Also, the project will bolster their ability to more critically evaluate media information concerning scientific issues.

Students are encouraged to focus their project on a subject area in which they have a natural interest. They should think about a question or concern having to do with this topic and then challenge themselves to construct an experiment that they can do with materials already available at home. They may have to be quite creative to do this! Students will also have access to experimental models and ideas from one of our many science fair books or from sites online. Once an appropriate topic and related experimental design are developed, students will perform the experiment, record their data on a data table and then graph their results. They will then share their findings with the class using a tri-fold board presentation. All students (along with the teacher) will have a voice in which projects will represent their class in the school science fair. If chosen, the student’s project will be placed in the school science fair in the spring. ALL students may submit their work to the county science fair (also in the spring).

Students will be receiving support in the class room during Hawktime (ELT) to complete this project; however, much of the study is expected to be done at home. In order to support this effort, the UMS Science team has developed a complete guide to the UMS Science Fair project. It is available online through a link on my webpage. This site also has links to other science fair help sources. If you do not have internet access or would like to have a print out of this guide, please contact us.

*Below is a list of due dates, however, work may be turned in early.

Task Student Reference Item or Form to be completed

Final Due Date Grading

1) Find a research area of interest and develop a focus question. (Students will be given class time to start this process.)

Science Fair Project Planning Flow Chart

Find area of interest & make topic decision

Tue, Nov 12 CW10 pts

2) Complete Flowchart with parent signature

Class notes Science Fair Project Planning Flow Chart

Tue, Nov 19 CW20 pts

3) Rough drafts of materials list, procedures and an empty data table

Science fair packet and class notes

Provide on your own paper

Fri, Dec 6 HW30 pts

4) Completed data table and corresponding graph (computer generated)

Science fair packetGraphing rubric

Provide on your own paper

Fri, Jan 31 HW20 pts

5) Final conclusion (computer generated) Science fair packetConclusion guide

Provide your own paper

Fri, Feb 7 HW20 pts

6) Prepare display board. Present board to class.

Science Fair Display Checklist

Completed Display Board

Wed, Feb 26 Lab50 pts

We thank you for your support of this project. As you help to monitor your student’s progress, please keep in mind that our goal is to help students develop a sense of the science research process. A project need not have a complicated experimental design in order to reach this goal. We encourage creativity and exploration consistent with the academic level of the student.

We ask that you please acknowledge reading the above information. This page will remain in your student’s science binder for reference.Parent/guardian signature:____________________________________________________________________

Science Fair Display Check List

On Display Board:

Title Problem/Purpose – State the problem you were originally concerned with. Explain

why you selected the topic. The last sentence should end with a question. Hypothesis – If…then….because…. Materials – Make a list Procedure – Numbered list of steps Data Table & Pictures of you performing experiment (you must be in the picture &

equipment must be visible) Graph which displays information from the data table Results – One or two sentences to describe what happened Conclusion

What was studied? State the problem and briefly describe lab activity. Describe variables: Independent; Dependent and Controlled factors Was the hypothesis supported? Refer to data. Explain scientific ideas learned. Use data and background information to

support. Why did you get these results? Infer a cause. (Infer means to come up with a general explanation by reasoning from research information and data.)YOU NEED TO SITE AT LEAST ONE APPROVED REFERENCE (BOOK, INTERVIEW OR APPROVED ONLINE SOURCE) THAT DOCUMENTS WHERE YOU OBTAINED YOUR RESEARCH INFORMATION USED TO SUPPORT YOUR INFERENCE. YOUR LANGUAGE ARTS TEACHER WILL SHOW YOU HOW TO DO THIS ON YOUR “UMS KEEPING TRACK OF SOURCES” WORKSHEET.

Discuss any problems and how you would change the procedure to fix them and make the experiment more successful.

Relate the experiment and findings to the real world. How could this information be useful outside the science classroom? How does your project fit into the big picture of the natural world?YOU NEED TO SITE AT LEAST ONE APPROVED REFERENCE (BOOK, INTERVIEW OR APPROVED ONLINE SOURCE) THAT DOCUMENTS WHERE YOU OBTAINED YOUR INFORMATION USED TO SUPPORT IDEAS ABOUT APPLICATIONS FOR THE USE OF YOUR RESULTS. YOUR LANGUAGE ARTS TEACHER WILL SHOW YOU HOW TO DO THIS ON YOUR “UMS KEEPING TRACK OF SOURCES” WORKSHEET

UMS Keeping Track of Sources worksheet – 3 documented references are required (one for the “because” part of the hypothesis, one for the “science explanation” and one for the “application”. Tape this sheet securely to the back of the board.

Science Conclusion GuideWhat was studied?- State the problem & briefly describe the lab activity.- Make sure you Define variables:Independent (Manipulated)Dependent (Responding)Controlled factors

Was the hypothesis supported?- Summarize the hypothesis and answer the question, referring to data.Explain scientific ideas learned.- Use data & background information to support.- Why did you get these results? Infer a cause.(Infer means to come up with a general explanation by reasoning from researched information and data.)Discuss any problems.- How would you change the procedure to fix the problems & make the experiment more successful?Relate the experiment & findings to the real world.- How could this information be useful outside the science classroom? How does your project fit into the big picture of the natural world?

Science Fair Board Presentation Rubric Name___________________________ Project________________________Section Comments

Title 4 3 2 1 0

Title should indicate problem investigated

Problem or Question(Include why you are interested in this question)

4 3 2 1 0Clearly state problem or question investigated.Why interested?

Hypothesis If, then, because 4 3 2 1 0

Format problems“Because” section does not propose a scientific explanation.

Materials List4 3 2 1 0

Procedure Chronological Details

4 3 2 1 0List of steps

Pictures of experiment in progress8 6 4 2 0

Experimenter not visible in pictureEquipment not visible in picture

Data Table Organized Titles Appropriate display

4 3 2 1 0

results of each trial not listed“levels” of investigation not clear

Graphs Organized Titles Appropriate display

4 3 2 1 0

T. A. L. K. S. to U. problemsUse graph paperType of graph used not appropriate for data

Results One or two sentences 4 3 2 1 0

Interpret data – do not just summarize

Conclusion Follows science conclusion

guide used in class8 6 4 2 0

Describe what was studied & howSpecifically state if hypothesis is supportedDefine variablesExplain scientific basis for resultsDiscuss problemsGive examples of real world application & explain connection to this experiment.

Display Aesthetics Use of color Neatness Use of space

8 6 4 2 0

Use a ruler to draw straight edgesToo many or too few colorsTyping/Writing too smallNeeds section headings

EXTRA CREDITAbstract 4 3 2 1 0

Total points earned based on rubric AND

corresponding letter grade entered into grade book

56-55A+

54-52A

51-47B+

46-42B

41-34C+

33-26C

25-18C-

17-13D+

12-8D

7-0F