Student Guide to

Science Projects and

Science Fair Preparation

Haggard

Middle School

Science Department

In science there are no failures… only unexpected results.

Dear Parents and Pre AP Science Students,

As a science faculty, we look forward to working with you this school year as you develop a

broader understanding of the nature of science. The major goal of the Plano ISD middle school

science program is to help students develop a working knowledge of the major science process

skills that lead to effective problem solving and the science literacy necessary for success in

high school AP science courses. To help accomplish this, all pre AP science students are required

to complete an Independent Research Project.

All students must have a log book in class by September 2. After submitting your research

problem and getting approval, you must select Option 1 or Option 2. Option 1 allows you to

compete in the building level science fair, with the possibility of continuing on and competing at

the District, Regional, and State levels. ISEF forms are required for Option 1. Option 2 will

include all of the research and experimentation, but will conclude with a typed experiment and

log book. Option 2 will NOT allow you to compete in the science fair at any level.

The experimental phase of your project consists of designing and conducting an experiment that

tests your hypothesis. The first step of your experimental phase is due on October 1. At that

time you must turn in your problem, hypothesis, materials, procedure and IVCDV chart. You

may not proceed with the experiment until your teacher has approved the materials and

procedure. All Science Fair (ISEF) forms must be turned in by October 8 (Option 1 ONLY). Your

experiment should be completed by the beginning of November. The final project for Option 1,

which includes Log book, Research Notebook, and Presentation Board is due November 18. The

final project for Option 2 includes the Typed Experiment and Log book, and it is also due

November 18.

If you select Option 1, you MUST write a Review of Literature of your topic. (The Review of

Literature is NOT REQUIRED for Option 2.) The Review of Literature is due on October 18.

If you choose Option 1, you will have opportunities to participate in a series of science fairs.

The first competition is your school science fair, with an opportunity of advancing to District,

Regional, and finally State competitions. Plano ISD has been well represented over the past few

years, with individual students and groups receiving numerous first place awards, scholarships,

and special recognition. Many of our high school students have successfully represented the

state of Texas at the International Science and Engineering Fair. Most of those students

started by entering their projects at the middle school level and expanding their ideas every

year until they graduated.

Best wishes for a successful science project!

The Haggard Science Department

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Independent Research and Science Project Timeline

Science Fair Dates: School Fair Thursday, November 18, 2010

District @ Plano Civic Center Thursday, February 3, 2011

Regional @ Fair Park Saturday, February 26, 2011

State @ San Antonio, Texas TBA

Activity Due Date Grade

Three Problem Possibilities sheet 9-9-10 MAJOR GRADE

Problem, hypothesis, materials, procedure,

and IVCDV Chart to test hypothesis. Do

not proceed beyond this point until you

have your teacher’s permission

10-1-10

Major Grade

Science Fair (ISEF)forms

REQUIRED for OPTION 1 10-8-10

350-400 word, 12 font, double-spaced,

word-processed Review of Literature

paper with bibliography.

REQUIRED for OPTION 1 ONLY

Notes:10-11-10

10-18-10

Major Grade

“Science fair-ready” presentation board,

research notebook, and log book

(Option 1)

TYPED experiment and log book

(Option 2)

11-18-10

MAJOR GRADE

MAJOR GRADE

MAJOR GRADE

Detach and return signed

I have read and am aware of the timeline, Option chosen on back, and all requirements for the

Haggard Middle School pre-AP Independent Research Project.

Student name __________________________ Student signature ____________________

Parent name ___________________________ Parent/guardian _____________________

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Science Fair Problems

The first assignment for the Independent Research

Project is a description of three possible problems.

Included in this packet is a handout on which to write

these problems and select Option 1 or 2. This is due

September 9 . The three possible problems must be well

thought out and must be on the middle school level. Do

not attempt an experiment that is below your academic

level (i.e. Does bleach or water make plants grow

faster?). Your teacher will approve your problem sheet.

DO NOT PROCEED BEYOND THIS POINT UNTIL

YOU HAVE YOUR TEACHER’S PERMISSION.

**Some types of projects need additional paperwork. Before you

do any type of behavioral study, medical study, or microbiology

project, make sure you talk to your teacher to get prior approval.

Some of these studies also require a qualified scientist to do the

experiment, which you will be required to find. These types of

projects can ONLY be done for Option 1.

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Three Problem Possibilities

Problem 1: _____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

IV: __________________________________________________________

DV:__________________________________________________________

How will you MEASURE the DV?

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

Brief description of project: _______________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

Option 1 or Option 2 __________ initial

Problem 2: _____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

IV: __________________________________________________________

DV:___________________________________________________________

How will you MEASURE the DV?

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

Brief description of project: _______________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

Option 1 or Option 2 __________ initial

Problem 3: _____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

IV: __________________________________________________________

DV:___________________________________________________________

How will you MEASURE the DV?

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

Brief description of project: _______________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

Option 1 or Option 2 __________ initial

Note Taking Skills

To create a Review of Literature, you will need to take detailed notes in your log book. You will

be expected to research your topic independently each week. Approximately one page of notes

should be written per week and kept in your log book. All notes (3-pages) must be neatly hand-

written. The research phase of your project should be finished by October 11th.

When you are taking notes, begin every entry with a complete bibliography in APA format. The

easiest way to do this is by using a citation maker to help you. Go to the web page

http://k-12.pisd.edu/cyberweb/, select Middle School, Science and Independent Study. Click on

the link labeled Landmarks Citation Machine. Now all you have to do is pick the source, type in

the information, and copy the citation exactly in your notebook page.

Good writers surround themselves with ideas from many sources

such as books, magazines, TV, the Internet, teachers, and even

other writers. Other people’s ideas and information often help in

the writing process, but they must be used correctly. When a

writer chooses to use the words and ideas created by someone else

without giving the original author credit, this is stealing! This type of idea theft is called plagiarism. It’s against the law in the state

of Texas! When you are taking notes, do not copy them word for

word; instead, paraphrase the idea. Follow the steps below when

paraphrasing:

• Carefully read the passage that interests you. Then cover it up so you aren’t tempted to

look at it.

• In your own words, summarize the ideas. Then look at the original passage again so that

you didn’t copy it by accident.

• Even though you paraphrase someone’s words, the ideas still don’t belong to you. You

must still cite the source using the guidelines above.

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Developing a Review of Literature

No scientist works alone. In order to solve problems, like to find the cure for the cure for

cancer --- scientists help one another by sharing information in published journals.

Now that you have completed the background research, you will write a paper called a Review of

Literature. A Review of Literature typically has a title page, approximately 2 pages of

information, and a bibliography (12 pt. font, double-spaced). Include only the most significant

and relevant information you have read. No references to experimentation in any way should

be in the paper. No opinions should be stated in the paper. No personal pronouns should be

used in the paper.

In your Review of Literature, you will use the APA format for internal citations. Every time you

use someone else’s ideas, you must list their name(s), the date of publication, and a page number

(if from a magazine or book) in parentheses. Examples: (Warner & Meehan, 2001, p. 295) or

(Kramarski, 1999, p.204). You will use at least 6 sources (three online, two magazines, and

one book). Those sources will be listed at the end of the paper on a bibliography.

The paper should follow the following format:

Introductory Paragraph (must include the following):

• Brief description of topic/project

• Importance of topic to society

• 2-3 summarizing sentences of current research on the topic

• Summarizing sentence of entire paragraph

1st Section

• Thorough description of information known about the independent variable

2nd Section

• Thorough description of information known about the dependent variable

3rd Section

• Thorough description of information known about how the independent variable affects the

dependent variable

Conclusion Closing or summary paragraph(s)

• Restates the problem/topic and summarizes the entire research paper. In this paragraph,

mention the hypothesis of your experiment.

You should spend as much time editing your paper as you did writing it. The final draft is due on

October 18. You will need to make two copies of your final paper. One copy will be placed in your

notebook while the second copy will be turned in to your teacher. Make sure that you save the

paper, because you will need it later when you turn in the experimental part of your Independent

Research Project. -6-

Preparing to Experiment

When you have finished with your paper, you should be an expert in your topic. You should

already know what you are going to be testing and be able to predict what might happen. . Make

sure to fill out the IVCDV chart before you start the materials list and procedure. Before

starting on the actual experiment, create a materials list and a detailed procedure. You must

have your teacher’s permission before proceding beyond this point. Science Fair Forms will

be created at this time.

In creating the materials list, everything that will be used should be included in exact

quantities. All quantities should be listed using metric units (meter, liters, grams). If you are

adding water to something, make sure to determine exactly how much you will be using.

(Watering 5 plants 10 mL of water, every day for 5 weeks would require 1750 mL of water for

the experiment).

You will also have a detailed procedure which must include numbered steps. It must be precise

enough so that any other person can recreate your lab independently. A step saying “make a

paper airplane” would not work. How would someone make it? Make sure the plane would look

exactly like yours by following your instructions.

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Designing the Experiment

Complete the IVCDV chart.

Independent Variable (IV) Constants Dependent Variable (DV)

Complete V Chart.

-8-

Hypothesis:

Independent Variable Dependent Variable

If ( IV ) + verb, then ( DV ) + verb.

+ verb + verb

Materials Page

Material Amount

-9-

Procedure Page

1. _______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

2. _______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

3. _______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

4. _______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

5. _______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

6. _______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

7. _______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

8. _______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

9. _______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

10. _______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________ -10-

Collection of Raw Data

The next section in your project data book is the collection of your raw or field data. As you

work on the next stage of your project, your data book should stay by your side at all times!

This will be a diary of your work and as rough as it may appear will be one of the most important

parts of your project. You should not recopy your raw data even if it appears to be messy. You

will record all observations here, both success and failures. It is from this data you will extract

the information for your display and conclusion. Follow these guidelines when making entries:

• All entries should be handwritten in ink! (The raw data is not typed!)

• Each entry should be stated in the present tense.

• Include the date and time of the observations being made.

• Other items may be included in the entry that might affect the experiment such as

location or temperature.

• Describe the observations being made and use both quantitative and qualitative data.

• Use accurate metric measurements.

• Use constant time intervals when collecting data.

• Make each entry as detailed as possible.

• Diagrams, sketches or photographs are encouraged in this section. If you take

photographs, make note of who took the photograph as well as the location and date of

the photograph.

• The information you collect should be factual information. You should not include you

personal feelings or attitude toward the project.

Remember the data book is a complete record of how the experiment was carried out, not just a

copy of what appears on the backboard!

Example entry

Date: October 11, 2007 Time: 8:00 pm. Temperature of growing box: 28 °C Data: Plant A- 23cm (this is a 3cm increase) Plant B- 24cm (this is the same as last observation) Plant C- 18cm (this is a 1cm increase) Plant D- 26 cm (this is a 5cm increase) Additional Observations: All plants are looking healthy except for plant C which seems to be dying.

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Using Science Skills

Refer to the following skill sheets:

Before and during experimentation

• Making a Scientific Drawing

• Making a Data Table

• Making a Graph

All data, graphs, drawings,

notes and all other

observations for every trial

are recorded in the logbook.

Remember to include all the

data and notes each step

along the way, even for

failed trials!

After experimentation

• Developing a Conclusion

• How to Write a Scientific

Abstract

Creating the Final Project

Presentation Board

You have collected all of the data, and you have your results. A scientist presents his or her

findings in an organized manner. You will create a presentation to show your work. It is due

November 18 and will be presented on a science fair board if entering science fair or a typed

experiment if you are not. The presentation must include the problem, hypothesis, materials,

procedure, summary of results, chart(s), graph(s), conclusion, error analysis, future applications,

and a log book. If you choose to enter your project in the science fair, you will have

opportunities to participate in a series of science fairs, beginning with the school science fair,

with possibilities of advancing to district, regional, and finally state competitions. In each phase

of the competition, the eligible projects become fewer, with only the top three places in each

division advancing. Plano ISD has been well represented over the past few years, with individual

students and groups receiving numerous first place awards, scholarships, and special recognition.

Many of our high school students have successfully represented the state of Texas in the

International Science and Engineering Fair. Most of those students started by entering their

projects at the middle school level and expanded their ideas every year until they graduated.

Your science fair board does not have to be set up exactly like this one, but it is an excellent

example of how the board should flow. Start out with the introduction (problem, hypothesis,

etc.). Then show your data followed by the entire conclusion. Everything on the board is placed

where it is for a purpose. Remember, the backboard is the judge’s first, and often final,

impression.

Make sure that all pictures used are credited (i.e. picture from: webpics.com or picture by Jane

Doe). -13-

Title Problem

Hypothesis

Variable

Procedure Data

Tables and

Graphs

Pictures

Conclusion

Error

Analysis

Future

Applications

Abstract

(in frame)

Materials

Research

Notebook

Log

Book

Research Notebook

A Research Notebook should be prepared and available along with the Log Book and necessary

forms or relevant written materials. A research notebook helps organize data as well as

thoughts. You research notebook should be a 1 inch 3-ring binder and is included in the final

presentation at the science fair. Use tab dividers to keep sections separate and well defined.

The research notebook is required for Option 1 students only, and it should be neat, organized,

and include the following:

1) Title Page - Include title of project and date.

2) Table of Contents - Include this to allow the reader to follow the organization of

the project quickly. Accurately number all pages in the notebook.

3) Introduction – Include your problem-- (and engineering goals, if any) --hypothesis,

an explanation of what prompted your research, and what you hoped to achieve.

4) Materials – List all materials and their exact quantities used in the experiment.

5) Procedure – List and number the exact steps used in the experiment.

6) Data – Include all data tables—minimum of 1--results, graphs—minimum of 1--

and charts used in the experiment. Photos should be included. * PHOTOS ADD

DOCUMENTATION TO YOUR PROJECT!

7) Conclusion – Use the Pre AP/IB “Developing a Conclusion” skill sheet for writing

the conclusion. Be specific; do not generalize. Never introduce anything in the

conclusion that has not already been discussed. Do not write in 1st person; keep a

scientific perspective regarding your experiment.

8) Acknowledgments – You should always credit those who assisted you, including

individuals, businesses, and educational or research institutions.

9) References / Bibliography – Your reference list should include any

documentation that is NOT your own. Use APA format. Landmarks Citation

Machine is available on Cyberweb (see page 5).

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PLEASE CIRCLE

ONE

Independent Research and Science Project Options Option Requirements for the Option

Option 1:

Science Fair Project

This is the option for students who want to compete in the

various Science Fair Competitions. The student will be required

to follow all ISEF guidelines and to fill out all of the required

paperwork. The student’s idea must be original, and can not come

from the science fair idea page.

REQUIRED Parts of the Project: Review of Literature, ISEF

paperwork, and complete Science Fair Project including a

presentation board, a three ring research notebook and Log Book.

Option 2:

Typed Lab Project

This is the option for students who do not want to compete in the

Science Fair Competitions or who can not develop an original idea

and need to use the science fair idea page. The student must

still follow the ISEF guidelines, but will not have to fill out all of

the ISEF paperwork. Instead, the student will fill out an

approval checklist provided by their teacher.

REQUIRED Parts of the Project: TYPED Experiment and

complete Science Log Book.

Detach and return signed

I am aware of the two options for the pre AP Independent Research Project and that my child

has chosen to do Option 1 / Option 2

Print Student name ______________________ Student signature ____________________

Print Parent name _______________________ Parent/guardian _____________________

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IVCDV Chart Evaluation

Problem is Stated as a Question

Problem is Clear

Problem Relates Directly to Hypothesis

Problem

IV is Correctly Identified

DV is Correctly Identified

Constants are Correctly Identified

If. . .then Format Used

Prediction is Made

IVCDV Chart/

Hypothesis

Hypothesis is Predicted Answer to Problem Question

Material and Procedure Approval Checklist

Exact Quantities Given

Exact Types Given

Thorough LIST of Materials Given

Metric Measurements /Strength of Chemicals Given Materials

Safety Equipment/Precautions/Parent Supervision

Listed (On BOTH Materials and Procedure)

Steps Listed

Steps Numbered

Steps Have Enough Detail/Are Thorough

Safety Procedures are Followed

Proper Disposal of Chemicals Noted

Diagrams Included (if appropriate)

Procedure

Procedure Can Be Duplicated

This project has (been approved / not been approved). If you have been approved

you may start your project at this time. If your project still has something wrong

with it, you MUST correct it before you continue.

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