TIP #2Tammy Barnes Science Coach:tamara.barnes@broward schools.com

*Science Fair

*Topics

*Topics must be measurable.

*height grown*distance traveled

*number that changed*Temperature

NOTE: No mold, popcorn, paper towels or any lab the students did in elementary school.

*Problem Statement/Question

*This is the question that you are trying to answer!!

*Example: How many times does a balloon need to be rubbed to create enough static electricity to stick to a wall?*Example: Which metals are better conductors

of heat?*Example: Which mixture of soil filters

impurities from water the best?

*Forming a Hypothesis

*If this is done, then this is predicted to happen

*1. IF a balloon is rubbed 10 times then it will accumulate enough static to stick to a wall.*2. If copper, iron and aluminum wire are

heated, then the copper wire will conduct the heat faster than the iron or aluminum wire.

*PRONOUNS should NOT be used when writing a

hypothesis.*IncorrectIf I mix sandy and peaty soil with dirt then I predict the sandy soil will be effected more by erosion.*Correct!If water is poured on sandy soil and peaty soil that are both mixed with dirt, then the sandy soil will show more erosion.If the experimenter pours water on sandy soil and......

*Materials List*List all materials used in the experiment.

*1.*2.*3.*4.*5.

*THE MATERIALS LIST SHOULD First BE WRITTEN on Page 4 IN THE LOGBOOK

*Procedure*Numbered Steps. *1. Add 8 ounces (236 mL) of room temperature water to one glass.*2. mark the level of the water using a piece of masking tape.*3. Label this glass Control*4. Drop an Alka-Seltzer tablet into the Control water.*5. Time, using a stopwatch, how long it takes for the tablet to

completely dissolve.*6. Document the time in the data table drawn in the logboo.*7. Repeat 2 more times.*8. Fill another glass with 8 ounces of hot tap water.*9. Mark the level of the water with a piece of masking tape.*10. Label the glass HOT*11. Repeat steps 4-7*12. Fill the next glass with 8 ounces of ice cold water*13. Label the glass COLD*14. Repeat steps 4-7

*Variables*The Test Variable is what the experimenter

changes/tests.

*What is the experimenter changing in the conductivity experiment?

*If copper, iron and aluminum wire are heated, then the iron wire will conduct the heat faster than the iron or aluminum wire.

*The different types of metal used.

*NOTE!

*Only ONE test variable should be

tested at a time.

*OUTCOME VARIABLE*What the experimenter is measuring. The effect of the

test variable.

*What is the outcome variable in the conductivity experiment?* “If copper, iron and aluminum wire are heated, then

the iron wire will conduct the heat faster than the iron or aluminum wire.”

*The rate of conductivity: the time it takes for the heat to move through the wire.

*Constant*A Constant is a condition that does not change during the experiment

*In regards to the conductivity experiment, what needs to be kept the

same for every trial?

*The the heat source, *length of the conductors

*The temperature of the location

*Controlled Experiment*A Control is used to make certain the outcome is actually the result of the test variable. *The control for the conductivity experiment would be.....

The metal at room temperature.

*A control is not required. However, students will receive 10 pts extra credit for completing a

controlled experiment.

*Trials

*How many times I have to do the experiment?

*6 and 7th Grades= at least 5 Trials*8th Grade = at least 10 trials

*The MORE repetition the BETTERthe experiment!

*Data Table*Math teachers will review how to make data tables and graphs

*Data Tables must be included on the board and in the research report (print 2 copies)

*Data must also be written on p.12 in the logbook for every trial

*example

Condition

Temperature (Celsius)

Rate of reaction Trial 1

Rate of ReactionTrial 2 (seconds)

Rate of ReactionTrial 3 (seconds)

Average Rate of Reaction (seconds)

Aluminum

Steel

Copper

*Graphs

*A copy of the Graph must be on the display board and with the research report (print 2 copies).

*Writing a GREAT Conclusion

*Written in 3rd person. No pronouns.*Restate the hypothesis.*State if the hypothesis was or was not supported.*Explain what happened.*Explain why it happened.*Support with actual data collected.*How could the experiment be applied in the real world? Who would benefit from the experiment?

*Example Conclusion

*The hypothesis, “If copper, iron and aluminum wire are heated, then the iron wire will conduct heat faster than the iron or aluminum wire” was not supported. The data shows it took 20 seconds for the heat to reach the end of the iron wire. The copper wire conducted the heat much faster at 5 seconds. The aluminum, at 10 seconds, conducted the heat faster than the iron, but slower than the copper. Copper is the fastest of the 3 due to ........Knowing this information would be useful ...........

*Abstract: the last thing*(Should be 3 paragraphs and written in 3rd person past- tense)’ *1st paragraph: State the problem or question you are trying to solve in the experiment.*2nd paragraph: Summarize the procedure. *3rd Paragraph: Summarize your results shown in your data table and graphs and state your conclusion

*Research Report/DisplayPage # Topic of page Copies needed

1 Title page 1

2 Abstract 2

3,4 Research 1

5 Hypothesis 2

6 Materials 2

7 Procedure 2

8 Data table/graph

2

9 Conclusion 2

10 Bibilography 1

*LOG BOOK

*Everything that is done, *topic selection, *hypothesis, *research organizer, *data table with data entered, *written conclusion *observations for every trial *must be documented in the logbook with *a date, time and location. This is like a DIARY.

A LOGBOOK is completed during the experimental process, NOT after all is done!!!!!!

*FAQ’s

What do I need to buy? : *1 display board. (The Science Dept. will be selling these if you need one) *1 folder for the report. Report MUST be in the folder. NO loose or stapled report papers!*1 logbook which must be a spiral notebook or composition book.*All materials needed to successfully complete the experiment.

When is the Science project due?*Monday, December 10th

Does the parent letter have to be turned in?*Yes, for a homework grade.

Can I have a model? NO. You must have an experiment that can be measured. Project itself is not turned in.

However, it is highly encouraged that pictures of your experiment be included on

the display board.

How many trials need to be completed?*6th and 7th grades: 5 or more trial

minimum* 8th Grade 10 or more trials

What happens if the experiment does not work? *It is OK! The grade is not based on the outcome, but on completing the process. The student will need to document what happened and state why his/her hypothesis was not proven.