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Science FairProject Planner

Science Fair Project Planning Packet

Science Fair Steps: Due Dates:Science Fair Project Proposal completed and signed Friday, Jan. 24Background Research notes and key words due (quiz grade) Friday, Feb. 7Hypothesis written in Science Fair Planning Packet Friday, Feb. 141st Project Planner Check Friday, Feb. 282nd Project Planner Check Friday, March

13ALL display board paperwork due (to be checked before finalizing board)

Friday, March 28

Display board check and presentations to class (TEST GRADE) Wed., April 2FIFTH GRADE Science FAIR Friday, April 4

1. Think of a Question - Your question will drive your entire project. Make sure thatyour question is something that can be measured and answered by following thescientific process. You may use the project question for your project title.

Project Question

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2. Research Your Topic - spend some time learning more about your topic. Use reliable Internet sources, books from the library, your science book, or other resources. Not only do you want to be an expert on your topic, but you want to teach others about your topic.

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A. Key Words - locate at least 3 key science words related to your topic. Your science book is an excellent place to find these. Make sure that the words you choose are directly related to your topic. Provide a definition of each key word IN YOUR OWN WORDS.

Key Words

Key Word Definition

B. Resources used to gather information. You must cite your resources by filling out the chart on the next page. Resources can be books, websites, etc. You must list where you found the background information for your research so that others may look it up. You must have three resources listed. One of those resources must be a book.

Examples:Books

Title: Watching the Universe Outside Your WindowAuthor: Giles Sparrow

WebsitesName: Discovery EducationURL: http://www.discoveryeducation.com/

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BibliographyResources Used to Gather Information:

Books:Title: _________________________________________

Author: (Last, First name) _________________________

Copyright Date: __________________

Title: _________________________________________

Author: (Last, First name) _________________________

Copyright Date: __________________

Websites:

Title of site: ____________________________________

URL: __________________________________________

Title of site: ____________________________________

URL: __________________________________________

Other Resources:Description: ____________________________________

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C. A paragraph describing the science behind your project - after you have completed your research give us, your audience, some background information on your topic in a complete and well-written paragraph (5-7 sentences). Give us specific, rather than general information. Use the space provided to write a draft. You will edit a final copy to place on your display board.

Background Research

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3. State Your Hypothesis – You must decide what you think the outcome of the project will be and make a good guess as to what you think the answer to your question will be. Also explain WHY you think that will be the outcome. Remember, it is ok if you don't have the right answer; that is how scientists make discoveries. Make sure that your hypothesis is written in a complete sentence. This should be an “If________, then ______ because” statement.

Hypothesis_____________________________________________________________________

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4. Variables- Remember that your experiment needs to follow the scientific process and that you need to have one variable that you are going to change (independent variable).

A. Independent Variable: This is the one variable you manipulate (change) in order to test your hypothesis.

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B. Dependent Variable: This is the outcome – what is being observed.

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C. Constant Variables: These are the things in your experiment that you must keep the same in order to be sure that the results were caused solely by your independent variable.

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D. Control group: This group gets no variable applied to it. It helps you, the scientist, understand how the experiment would react under normal conditions. Most experiments have a control group, but not all. If you are not sure if yours does, ask your teacher.

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5. Gather Materials - list all the materials that you will need to complete your experiment.

Materials (bullet points)

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6. Procedures (Step by Step)

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7. Conduct the experiment – When you do your experiment you need to collect data and make observations. You will complete these in your Experiment Log. After you have completed the experiment use your log to write down the data and observations below. In your log you will need to:

A. Collect Data – You will need to collect numerical data; that means you need to take measurements during the experiment. It can temperature, distance, height, etc. You will analyze the data later to determine the results of your experiment.

DATA_____________________________________________________________________

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B. Make Observations – As you conduct your experiment you will use your senses (sight, smell, touch, etc.) and write down any observations you make during the process.

Observations

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8. Determine the Results – A. Now it is time to review your data and observations to find out what happened.

Think about the best way to show your data: bar graph, line graph, chart, etc. and then create a table or a graph using your data.

Results (graph or chart)

Use this space, or a separate sheet to sketch 1 or more tables, charts, or graphs to analyze your data.

B. Write out the results of each test in the experiment in paragraph form using complete sentences. Make sure that you include the numerical data (measurements) as well as any other important observations that you made.

Results (paragraphs)

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C. Draw Conclusions –After you have determined the results it is time to decide the answer to your original question. Write your answer in a complete sentence using the question to begin your answer.

Conclusions

Answer to your original question: _____________________________________

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You also need to tell whether your hypothesis was correct or incorrect. If it was incorrect explain why you think so.

Is your hypothesis correct or incorrect? If incorrect, why? ________________

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If you were to complete this experiment again, what changes would you make? How would you improve this experiment?

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9. Display board - Now that you have completed your experiment you will begin setting up your display board to communicate the results of your experiment to others. Remember, the board is graded on the information not how colorful or pretty it looks. Your display board must have ALL of the following components located in the same places. Other board guidelines:

• Font should be easy to read and at least a size of 16pt or greater.

• Information on the board can be typed or written neatly by hand

Display Board

Hypothesis Question/Title Results

Key Words/Research Photos/Drawings

Independent Variable

Dependent Variables Graphs

Procedures and Materials

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Conclusion

Fifth Grade Science Fair Grading Rubric

Component Points Possible Points ReceivedScience Fair Project Planning Packet 10 pts

Display Board with: Question/Title Research (including key words and Works Cited) Hypothesis Variables Procedure Materials Photos/Drawings Results Chart or Graph Conclusion

10 pts

Non-negotiables (conventions/spelling/grammar) 10 pts

Neatness/Organization (Correct display board format, legibility) 10 pts

TOTAL 40 ptsProject Components:

Project Content:

ContentQuestion*Question is relevant and testable through experimentation

10 pts

Hypothesis*Hypothesis is based on observations and/or research. It is stated in an “If … then …” statement

10 pts

Research*Key words and research are relevant to the question being tested, Works Cited complete

10 pts

Procedure*Procedure is clearly outlined and presents a controlled experiment (variables have been correctly identified and engaged)

10 pts

Results*Results are communicated clearly through a chart or graph with a well-written explanation

10 pts

Conclusion*Conclusion includes appropriate evaluation of data and proves or disproves the hypothesis (The original question is answered and recommendations for improvement are addressed)

10 pts

TOTAL 60 pts.Final Score and Grade

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