science fair how to develop a successful project

SCIENCE FAIRSCIENCE FAIR

HOW TO DEVELOP A HOW TO DEVELOP A SUCCESSFUL PROJECTSUCCESSFUL PROJECT

TOPICTOPIC

• How the growth of Marigolds are affected by temperature change?

TOPIC/ PROBLEMTOPIC/ PROBLEM

• You have decided upon a topic and you are thinking, “Where do I begin?

• The best place to visit is the library, read magazines, newspapers, books, consult the internet or talk with a professional.

GATHER INFORMATIONGATHER INFORMATION

• Do not expect that the teacher will solve your problem.

• You must RESEARCH about the question.

• Gather information from different sources.

• Some students find it useful to use flash cards to record research an bibliography.

• Another way is to use the

science notebook.

HYPOTHESISHYPOTHESIS

• This is your personal opinion of what you think the answer to the question will be.

• The hypothesis is not a wild guess, especially if you’ve researched the problem already.

HYPOTHESISHYPOTHESIS

• This is an educated guess which provides a direction to the experimental process.

• A hypothesis can be proved or disproved.

• A hypothesis can be

true or false.

HYPOTHESIS Example:HYPOTHESIS Example:

• It is hypothesized that Marigolds will grow the best under temperatures of 25 Celsius degrees.

HYPOTHESIS Example:HYPOTHESIS Example:

• If testing under different temperatures four groups of Marigolds, then temperatures of 25 Celsius degrees will be the best for their growth because this type of flower likes warm temperatures.

PURPOSEPURPOSE

• The purpose of the project is why you are doing it and what should be the application in future project ideas.

PURPOSE Example:PURPOSE Example:

• The purpose of this project is to find out the best temperature for the growth of Marigolds in Florida. The development of this project will permit to test the hypothesis and find the right temperature for Marigolds. The information will be valuable for people who likes to grow Marigolds at home or in nurseries.

LIST OF MATERIALSLIST OF MATERIALS

• The materials include all the items that are needed for the experiment.

LIST OF MATERIALSLIST OF MATERIALS

• 12 plants of Marigold.• 12 plastic containers.• 2 thermometers• 2 cardboard boxes.• 2 ice packs.• 1 lamp• 2 blankets• water

BIBLIOGRAPHYBIBLIOGRAPHY

• It is the list of books, encyclopedias, magazines, newspapers and web-sites consulted during research and collection of information.

BIBLIOGRAPHYBIBLIOGRAPHY

• Graham, Leland. Science Fair Projects. Tennessee: Incentive Publications.2002.

• Hoffman, Loraine. Middle School Science Projects.USA: McGraw-Hill Publishing.1997.• http://physics.usc.edu/gould/ScienceFairs• http://Encyclopedia.com

LIST OF PROCEDURESLIST OF PROCEDURES

• Buy 12 plants of Marigolds.• Add some soil to each container.• Place the plants inside of 2 cardboard boxes.• Set two thermometers inside of each cardboard box.• Maintain temperature of 28 Celsius degrees and 15 Celsius degrees

inside of each cardboard box.• Lower temperature with some ice packs.• Water the plants every 2 days.• Measure the growth of Marigolds every 3 days.• Make sure the temperature is constant inside of each cardboard

box.• Collect data of the growth in centimeters.• Write observations in a daily log.

VARIABLESVARIABLES

Variable.- Refer to a measurable factor. In a scientific experiment ,there are: independent and dependent variables.

Independent Variable.- Are factors that can be altered manipulated or chosen by the scientist.

For example: Temperature is a common environmental factor that can be controlled in laboratory experiments.

Dependent Variable.- or “Response Variables”Are those that are measured and collected as data.An independent variable is presumed to affect a

dependent variable.

VARIABLESVARIABLES

• Variables in the graphing of data, the dependent variable goes on the y-axisIndependent variable on the x-axis ( Cartesian coordinates).

y

CONSTANTSCONSTANTS

• Constant.- is similar to an immutable variable, but its value can not change during experiment execution.

• Control.- Standard measurement. Control is not included in graphs.

VARIABLES,CONSTANTS,VARIABLES,CONSTANTS,CONTROLCONTROL

• Variables• Different plant growth• Different temperature.• Control• Plant of Marigold outside.• Constants• Same cardboard boxes• Same thermometers.• Same plants ( Marigold )• Same amount of water.

CHARTSCHARTS

N* Plants Growth in cm. 1 2 cm. 2 2 cm. 3 1 cm. 4 0.5 cm. 5 3 cm. 6 2.5 cm. 7 1.5 cm. 8 1.5 cm 9 0.8 cm. 10 2.3 cm. 11 1.4 cm.

CHARTSCHARTS

N* Plants Growth in cm.

1 2

2 2

3 1

4 0.5

5 3

6 2.5

7 1.5

8 0.8

9 2.3

10 1.4

Number of Marigold Plants/Number of Marigold Plants/Growth in cm.Growth in cm.

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3 1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

Marigolds/Temperature/GrowthMarigolds/Temperature/Growth

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Growth

Temperature

RESULTSRESULTS

According to collected data and daily observations, the experiment results are:

1. Marigolds grew nicely in a temperature of 28 Celsius degrees. The experimental group of plants under this specific temperature maintained a better development during two weeks.

2. The other group of Marigolds under 15 Celsius degrees, the results demonstrated that the plants grew very slowly.

CONCLUSIONSCONCLUSIONS

• After growing Marigolds under different temperature conditions , the conclusion is that Marigolds grew incredible nicely in warm temperatures or tropical environments.

MARIGOLDS need a warm place to live. The hypothesis was proven correct.

APPLICATIONSAPPLICATIONS

• This part is a powerful ending, showing why your project has a practical, applicable value in life.

APPLICATIONSAPPLICATIONS

This project has a practical application because majority of Floridians like planting flowers. Therefore, those who like gardening and cultivating colorful flowers, might use this recommendation: find a nice warm place for the beautiful Marigolds. They are easy growing. Marigolds provide a beautiful view to any landscape in Florida.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to thank my Science teacher Mrs…….. who help and guide me through the scientific method. The project was successful because I followed step by step the process. My brother had an important part in this project, watering the plants and showing me how reading the thermometer in the boxes. Finally, thank you to the Public Library where I found important information and valuable books that supported my bibliography. Thanks again to all of those who contributed in the completion of this project.

OUTLINEOUTLINE

Write the outline using the topic as your main idea. Look for sub-ideas and details that in the future will give you support to describe the topic.

The outline is the skeleton , the supportive guideline when developing your research paper.

The outline in science project is the detailed structure of scientific ideas about a specific topic.

RESEARCH PAPERRESEARCH PAPER

• Using the outline compile all information about the project and write a minimum of 1.5 pages describing the topic.

• The research paper is a big ESSAY.

• Write the ESSAY using formal writing and make sure you use proofread.

• The paper will be written double spaced, in third person only and using Font Arial 12.

PHOTOGRAPHSPHOTOGRAPHS

• Make sure the photographs show clearly the experiment and do not show the student face.

• Take many pictures of the experiment and later select the best ones.

ABSTRACTABSTRACT

• The abstract is a 250 words summary of the complete project. It should include purpose, hypothesis, procedures, data, conclusions and possible application.

• Write the summary using third person.

PROJECT DISPLAYPROJECT DISPLAY

• Prepare your board to impress the teacher, judges and public.

• Use colorful letters, decorative borders and fun fonts .

• The information displayed on the board will be in a specific order.

• Teacher will displayed a sample board.

BINDERBINDER

• In order to make a beautiful binder, collect all written information organize the documents in the order required. Later write the page numbers and finally do the INDEX or TABLE OF CONTENTS.

THE ENDTHE END

GO TO THE FAIR

November,2011