Guide to Science & Engineering Fair Notebook Format

The 2 most important parts of this guideline is:

1. The notebook guide&

2. The display board format

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PROJECT TITLE:(Problem)

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Date

2ABSTRACT

Separate sections for: Goals and Objective Methods and Materials Results Conclusions and

Discussions

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

PageProblem……….Hypothesis……Materials……...Procedure…….Log……………..Data……………Results………...Conclusion……Research Report……..Annotated Bibliography..Acknowledgement

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PROBLEM:

A question raised to be answered by a process of scientific inquiry and experimentation.

HYPOTHESIS:

a tentative answer to the question posed in the problem.

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MATERIALS:

A listing or written description of the items used in the experimental procedure.

PROCEDURE:1. A series of steps to be followed in a definite order.

2. The purpose of the procedure is to provide data regarding the validity of the hypothesis

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LOG:

1.The record (observations and measurements) of the progress or changes related to your experiment.

2. Include dates, time and any other pertinent data in a consistent manner.

3. Log may be typed or handwritten and represent original entries by the student.

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DATA:

1. A collection of factual information displayed in an organized fashion. (Tables, charts, etc.)

2. Data can be collected by: measuring weighing timing observing taping

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RESULTS:

Rank outcomes, show averages, perform calculation, and show relationships. Use charts and graphs.

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CONCLUSION:

Answer the question that you stated in your problem. Your conclusion must be based on facts. conclusions that do not support the hypothesis are equally valid and important. *Suggest areas for further experimentation.

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RESEARCH REPORT:

What is the current information on your topic?

Write about the scientific principles and concepts that relate to your investigation.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY:

An organized list of sources you used. Books, pamphlets, magazines, and newspapers are some sources you should consider.

The bibliography must be annotated

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

A list of those who helped you; i.e.,

parentsteacherfriend

professional.

Include a brief description of the type of help received.

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APPENDIX:

1. Drawings2. Copies of letters, pages, books, etc.3. Photographs4. Newspaper and magazine articles

* On the back inside cover of the notebook list your name, teacher and school

SCIENCE PROJECT NOTEBOOK GUIDE

PROJECT TITLE

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

BY

________________________________________________Student’s Name

____________________________Teacher’s Name

____________________________

_____________________Date

ABSTRACT (complete after the experiement)Name ___________________________Grade ___________School______________________

Project Title___________________________________________________________________

Goals/Objective: (What did the students want to find out?)

Methods and Materials: (What were the steps/materials used to investigate the problem?)

Results: (What information or data has been derived as a result of the investigation?)

Conclusions/Discussions: (What were the outcomes of the investigations and do they support the students’ hypothesis? What are the implications of the experiment?)

TABLE OF CONTENTS (number pages last)

Title Page…………………………………………………………………………………………

Abstract…………………………………………………………………………………………..

Table of Contents………………………………………………………………………………

Problem…………………………………………………………………………………………...

Hypothesis………………………………………………………………………………………..

Materials………………………………………………………………………………………….

Procedure………………………………………………………………………………………...

Log…………………………………………………………………………………………………

Data………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Results…………………………………………………………………………………………….

Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………………..

Results………………………………………………………………………………………….

Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………………..

Research Report………………………………………………………………………………..

Bibliography……………………………………………………………………………………..

Acknowledgements……………………………………………………………………………..

Appendix………………………………………………………………………………………….

Student Information Page…………………………………………………………………...

PROBLEM

A question to be answered by a process of scientific experimentation.

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HYPOTHESIS

A tentative answer to the question posed in the problem. (An educated guess).

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MATERIALS

A list of all items used in the experiment.

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PROCEDURE

A series of steps to be followed in a defined order.

______________________________________________________________________

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DATA - Can include label ingredients, charts, tables, graphs, etc.

A collection of factual information displayed in an organized fashion.

Remember, information can be superimposed (layered).

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RESULTSRank outcomes, show averages, perform calculations, measurements, and show relationships. Make a graph.______________________________________________________________________

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CONCLUSION

Answer the question that you stated in your problem, based on facts. Was your hypothesis correct or incorrect? Explain. What would you do differently? What would your next step be?

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LOG

(The record, observations and measurements, of the progress or changes related to the experiment). Copy and use this chart for each trial.

DATE TIME OBSERVATIONS

RESEARCH REPORT

Research facts about your topic on the internet or use books, magazine articles, etc. What is the current information on your topic? Write about scientific principles that relate to your topic.Example: According to the Webster’s Dictionary the word “_____” means ___________. After looking on google, I found information about _____ that stated ______________.

A 5th grade report should be about one page of researched information.

This page is for notes only and to keep track of the websites so that you know what to include in the Bibliography.______________________________________________________________________

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

List of sources that you used: books, pamphlets, magazines, newspapers, computer search, etc. Must be in correct format: see sample bibliography on next two pages.

__________________________ABC order__________________________________

Books:

Internet sites:

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

A list of people or organization that helped you with your science fair project.

______________________________________________________________________

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ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHYThe following are examples of common reference sources and the manner in which they should be listed in the annotated bibliography.

ANNOTATED EXPLAINS HOW AND WHY YOU USED THAT PARTICULAR SOURCE AS A REFERENCE. BookAuthor. Title. City of Publication: Name of Publisher, Year of Publication.

This book discusses science in the kitchen. It covers both the biology and chemistry of food and cooking. It also discusses how we taste things.

Wells, Arthur. The Microscope Made Easy. New York: Warne, 1998.This book explains how to use a microscope and care for it. It explains

the steps to utilize for both a regular and electronic microscope.

MagazineAuthor. "Article Title." Magazine Title Day Month Year of Publication: Page Numbers.

This article explained the concept of artificial intelligence. It was very useful in understanding the concept and how artificial intelligence can be used by scientists.

Cuomo, Mario. "The Tragedy of 9/11." New York 12 May 2002: 84.Mario Cuomo explains in this article why 9/11 was a tragedy. He also

discusses how 9/11 helped bring New Yorkers and the entire United States to help out and serve in different ways.

JournalAuthor. "Article Title." Journal Title Volume Number (Year of

Publication): Page Numbers. This Journal article helps the reader appreciate the amazing diversity of life

forms on earth. It is amazing to realize the enormous number of species that we may never know about because they have become extinct.

LeGuin, Ursula. “American Species.” Paleontology 20 (1998):This article was helpful because it explained the process used to identify

the many species of animals present in America

NewspaperAuthor. "Article Title." Newspaper Title , Date, Month and Year of Publication, Section: Page Numbers.

This article explains what the scientists are doing in Colorado to prevent further erosion of the Rocky Mountains.

Botte, Arthur. "Recycling Made Easy." Los Angeles Times 14 Jan.2003, Section A: 2.

This article told the many ways that the city of Los Angeles is using to encourage recycling. The city is leading the way by using recycling rebates to encourage recycling of cans and bottles.

Encyclopedia "Article Title." Encyclopedia Title. Year of Publication.

This gives a thorough explanation of the process used for excavating.

"Glass." Encyclopedia Britannica. 1996.This article discusses the many uses of glass, especially for industrial

purposes.

Computer Online BookShakespeare, William. Richard III. The Complete Works of William

Shakespeare. 2 Aug. 1995. The Tech. MIT. 20 Apr. 1998 http://thetech.mit.edu/Shakespeare/History/kingrichardiiii/ kingrichardiii.html.

This online book includes an analysis of all the characters in the play aswell as a synopsis of the play.

Computer Online Journal or MagazineHarnack, Andre, and Gene Kleppinger. “Beyond the MLA Handbook:

Documenting Sources on the Internet.: Kairos 1.2 (1998).14 Aug. 1998 http://www.english.ttu/acw/kairos/index.html.This explains how to correctly document sources that come from the

Internet.

Computer SoftwareTitle of Program. Computer software. The Company, Year of Publication.

Publication. Computer for Which the Software was Designed.

This computer program enables the user to do an analysis of variance and also to figure out the mean, mode and median of a sample.

PamphletName of Pamphlet. City of Publication: Publishing Company, Year of

Publication.

This pamphlet was useful in identifying the causes of erosion.

Personal InterviewName of Author. Type of Interview. Day, Month and Year of Publication.

This interview was outstanding. He explained why he chose to be a veterinarian. He related several events that happened during his first year in practice.

Fuller, Alice. Personal Interview. 17 Dec. 2002.This interview was helpful and very informative. She explained why she decided to be a botanist.

Use the Scientific Method

STEPS FOR SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY DATE DUE1. Choose a problem to investigate.

(state problem as a question) Friday, December 6

2. Conduct research: get advice from experts.

3. Develop a purpose and hypothesis.

4. Decide on the procedure to be used.

5. Make a list of materials needed; gather materials.

6. Conduct investigation; collect data.

7. Organize data and results.

8. Draw conclusions.

9. Complete abstract.

10. Write research report.

11. Proofread report.

12. Design exhibit.

13. Construct visual aids and exhibit backdrop.

14. Turn project in. Friday, January 17

15. Present project.In class – January 21 or 22

DEVELOPING A SCIENCE FAIR PROJECTSTUDENT SCIENCE & ENGINEERING FAIR PROJECT CHECK LIST

PROBLEM:1. Is it written in the form of a question?2. Is it identified?

RESEARCH:1. Axe the facts set up in outline form or brief statements?2. Do you have sufficient information?3. Does your information pertain to the problem?4. Is it clear, easy to read? Understand?

HYPOTHESIS:

1. Does your prediction address the problem?2. Is your prediction justified (explained)?3. Is your explanation based on information found in the research section?4. Have you avoided using I, my, me, or mine?

EXPERIMENTAL PLAN:1. Have you identified all the materials required to do this experiment?2. Have you identified the quantities of each item on your material list?3. Have you written a set of directions on how to do the experiment?4. Did you set up the experiment in a step-by-step fashion, and not paragraph

form?5. Did you identify the control group and the experimental groups?6. Did you make it detailed?

OBSERVATIONS:1. Did you identify the date and time they were made?2. Did you write them in such a way that others could understand what you have

written?ANALYSIS:

1. Did you organize your observations into a chart?2. Did you title your chart?3. Did you graph your data?4. Do your graphs have a title?5. Axe the axis labeled correctly?6. Numbered correctly?7. Did you write a summary of what each graph shows the reader?8. Did you graph only the averages for each group and not individual data when

possible?

CONCLUSION:1. Did you begin with stating whether you support or reject your hypothesis or

are inconclusive?2. Do you go on to explain why you answered this way?3. Do you use your data (numbers) to support your explanations?4. Do you discuss all of the possible factors that might have influenced your

results?5. Do you suggest ways to improve on the experiment, if you were to do it over

again?6. Do you make recommendations for other experiments related to this topic?