SCIENCE FAIR Mini-Lesson #4

Finishing Your Science Fair

Project

Let’s Begin……On your desk you have some questions to

answer. Read “Conducting A Science Fair Experiment” and “What Makes A Great Science Lab Notebook” in the blue folder and answer the questions. You will have 20 minutes to find all of the answers.

Remember:DO NOT WRITE IN OR ON THE BLUE FOLDER!

1. What tool do you always need to have when working on your science experiment?

2. Why should your data tables be pre-written in your lab notebook?

3. Can you make changes to your experimental procedure?

* A laboratory notebook

* So you can quickly write down yourmeasurements as you observe them

* Yes, as long as you record the changesin your data notebook

4. Should you take pictures during your experiment?

5. What is a data notebook?

* Yes, Yes, & Yes!!!

* A detailed account of every phase of yourproject, from the initial brainstormingto the final research report

6. What sections should be included in your data notebook? (Do not include a deadline schedule)

a. Daily Notes and Reflectionsb. Background Research (library & internet)c. Information, contacts, supply sourcesd. Experimental set-upe. Data collectionf. Results (pictures, graphs, summary tablesg. Reflections

7. What type of writing utensil should you use when writing in your data notebook?

8. What should your reflection section have in your notebook?

* Pen only (unless notecards / glue in’s)

* Anything you would do differently. Any way you could think of to changethe procedure to improve the experiment.

Do’s & Don’ts for Your Data Notebook:

1. _______ Pre-write page numbers in your data notebook

2. _______ Write in pen only

3. _______ Tape or glue in index cards / background research paper into your notebook

DO

DO

DO

4. _______ Worry about neatness / Rewrite sections in your data notebook that appear messy

5. _______ Include both Qualitative and Quantitative Observations

6. _______ Include rough drafts of any calculations and graphs

DON’T

DO

DO

Making Observations

Observations = information that is gathered using the five _______

• also known as _____

senses

data

A. Types of observations:1. Quantitative observations =

Observations in __________ form.i.e.

2. Qualitative observations = Observations that are __________ and do not involve ________

i.e.

numerical# organisms, temp., area, mass

descriptivenumbers

behavior, videotapes, pictures

Measurement in Biology

Scientist must _______ their results in a common manner so they may be interpreted by other _________

• Metric System (SI) = a decimal system of measurement based on certain physical standards and are scaled in multiples of ___

report

scientists

10

• Meter (m) = measures _______

• Gram (g) = measures ______

• Liter (l) = measures _________

• Second (s) = measures _______

• Celsius (C) = measures ___________

length

mass

volume

time

temperature

** You should be using the metric system when making any sort of quantitative observations during your science experiment**

On your desk you have some questions to answer. Read “Data Analysis” and “Summarizing Your Data” in the blue folder and answer the questions. You will have 20 minutes to find all of the answers.

Remember:DO NOT WRITE IN OR ON THE BLUE FOLDER!

1. If you collect several trials worth of data, what should you calculate when performing your data analysis?

2. When you graph data, where does the independent variable go?

3. When you graph data, where does the dependent variable go?

* the average

* X-axis

* Y-axis

4. If you have different experimental groups, what type of graph should you use?

5. What is the mean and how would you calculate it?

6. What is the median and how would you calculate it?

* Bar graph

*The average calculated by adding up allof the measurements in a group then dividing by the # of measurements

*The value at midpoint of a group / equalto the middle value of the group

7. What is the mode and how would you calculate it?

8. In the blue folder your are given examples of mean, median, and mode using “Plant Growth Without Compost”. Please calculate the mean, median, and mode for “Plant Growth With Compost”.Mean = ___

Median = ___ Mode = ___

*The value that appears most frequentlyIn a group of measurements

68.5

9

Guidelines For Data Analysis• Only after you have completed your

experiment should you begin your data analysis.

• You should calculate the Mean (average) for each control group and experimental group.

• You should have a SEPARATE LINE graph for each control group and experimental group.

• You should have ONE BAR graph that compares each group to the others. Use your mean (average) calculated from each group as the basis of comparison.

• All Data tables should be typed.

• Graphs should be made on the computer if possible. Otherwise, very neatly handwritten with both the X and Y axis labeled. Make sure to include the units with which you made the measurements and a TITLE!!!

Sample GraphsOn a separate sheet of paper, you must create

3 graphs for the 2 data tables I have given you. Use your notes and guidelines to figure out the types of graphs you must create and how to label them.

On your desk you have some questions to answer. Read “Conclusion” and “Science Fair Project” in the blue folder and answer the questions. You will have 15 minutes to find all of the answers.

Remember: DO NOT WRITE IN OR ON THE BLUE FOLDER!

1. What is your conclusion?

2. What 5 items should be included in your conclusion?

*A summary of how your results supportor contradict the original hypothesis

1. A summary of science fair project results2. Results support or contradict hypothesis3. Relationship between the independent anddependent variable4. Summarize and evaluate your experimentalprocedure5. Changes in procedure / possible studies

3. What should you do if your hypothesis is wrong?

4. List (in order) what sections should be in your FINAL report:

*DO NOT change or manipulate results – simply explain why things didn’t work

1. Title page2. Abstract3. Table of Contents4. Question, variables & hypothesis5. Background Research Paper6. Materials list

7. Experimental Procedure8. Data analysis and discussion9. Conclusions10. Ideas for future research11. Acknowledgements12. Bibliography

On your desk you have some questions to answer. Read “Abstract” in the blue folder and answer the questions. You will have 10 minutes to find all of the answers.

Remember: DO NOT WRITE IN OR ON THE BLUE FOLDER!

1.What is an abstract?

2. What is the maximum number of words allowed in an abstract?

*An abbreviated version of your sciencefair project final report

*250 words max

3. What 5 sections should be included in the abstract? 1. Introduction2. Problem / Statement3. Procedures4. Results5. Conclusions

Sample abstract = http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_sample_abstract.shtml

** NO I’S, we, us, etc.!!!!!

4. What 6 things should you avoid in the abstract?

a. Avoid technical words readers will not understand

b. Avoid abbreviates & acronymsc. No bibliography / no citationsd. No tables or graphse. Only current workf. Only your procedures / no acknowledgements

On your desk you have some questions to answer. Read “Science Fair Project Display Board” in the blue folder and answer the questions. You will have 10 minutes to find all of the answers.

Remember: DO NOT WRITE IN OR ON THE BLUE FOLDER!

1. How many panels should your display board have?

2. How tall should your display board be? How wide?

3. In order, what should be on the left side of the display board? (Note – Instead of background research, there should be a copy of your abstract)

* 3

* 36 inches tall / 48 inches wide

a. purposeb. hypothesisc. ABSTRACT!!!!!

4. In order, what should be in the center of the display board?

5. In order, what should be on the right side of the display board?

a. materials & proceduresb. Data: charts / photos / models

a. resultsb. Conclusion & discussion

SCIENCE FAIR MINI-LESSON #4 ITEMS TO BE TURNED IN:

This Mini-Lesson WILL NOT BE GRADED until the 3RD QUARTER!!!!!!!! However, it will be worth 150 Points. Here is what you should turn in:

1. A FINAL REPORT (with all corrections & typos fixed!) = 50 points

2. SCIENCE PROJECT BACKBOARD = 50 points3. CLASS SCIENCE FAIR QUESTION & ANSWER

SESSION = 50 points (See Preparing for the Science Fair Judging – Practice Makes Perfect!)

• You must bring these items plus any models, parts of your experiment you think necessary on the due date. On the due date, we will have a CLASS Science Fair where you will be expected to set up your backboard and speak to guests about your project.

• You may earn up to 25 points extra-credit for “dressing up” (no jeans of any sort!) the day of our class science fair.Ladies Business Attire = nice dress / suit /skirt &

shirt /slacks & shirt / dress shoesGentlemen Business Attire = slacks & collared

shirt /suit /dress shoes (tie optional)

• There will be some sort of recognition for the 1st, 2nd, & 3rd place CLASS science fair winners overall in each class.

• Anyone selected to go to the SCHOOL science fair will earn 25 points extra-credit / 25 additional points for anyone selected to go to the REGIONAL science fair / 50 additional points for anyone selected to go to the STATE science fair.CLASS SCIENCE FAIR &SCIENCE FAIR

MINI-LESSON #4 DUE DATE:Thursday 1/5/09