Intermediate Science Fair Project

Due: June 6, 2008

The Science Fair will take place on June 10

(Details will follow)

*You must write a proposal of what you intend to do for your project before you begin.

Proposal should include:

1. Your question or purpose, what are you testing or trying to find out?

2. The materials you will need for the experiment

3. Your hypothesis of what you believe will happen

4. A rough outline of your procedure (the steps you will follow)

5. A statement of why you would like to do this experiment

Proposal should be typed and in very clear statements.

No two experiments can be the same.

Proposals are due May 5.

If you cannot think of a question or purpose, please see Miss BJ or Miss Christine immediately. Questions and Science Fair ideas are enclosed. Choose something you are interested in.

Science Fair Criteria

The display board, a short oral presentation, and answering questions from the audience will be expected. The display board should be neat and attractive. All information should be done in complete sentences and typed.

*Your experiment should include the following items on your display board. See example in class.

1) Question or Purpose: The student should develop or find a question that he or she would like to have answered. Next, the student writes a paragraph on why he or she wants to have this question answered or the study done. What are you trying to find out?

Resources, Reading and Research Facts: The student should find at least one book/resource on their topic of study or that may be directly related to the question being asked. Resource should be listed once the materials are read and any important facts directly relating to the study should be written down and posted on the board.

2) Predictions or Hypothesis: The student should predict the answer to the question or study by writing his or her hypothesis in a complete sentence.

3) Materials and Equipment: Before experimentation begins the student should gather all of the materials needed. Once the materials are gathered the student writes them down in a detailed graph for the display board.

4) Procedure: The procedure should first be well thought-out and then completed. Every step should be well documented. Procedures, or the experiment, are usually done several times so that the student can show consistency in the experiment. This will help support his or her conclusion.

5) Diagrams, Pictures, Data tables, Charts, Graphs, Written data comments: As the results of the experiment or study are noticed the student needs to select a method(s) of displaying the data or documenting periodic changes. These are completed and displayed on the board. Pictures of the experiment are wonderful additions to the display board that help others understand the procedure that was followed.

6) Results/Conclusion of the experiment is clearly stated on the display board: What actually happened and what did you learn.

7) Project Title: A creative title should be decided based on the student’s reflection of the entire project.

Written Report that includes the R.E.R.U.N. steps:

1. Recall why you did the investigation: explain as fully what your investigation was about. What is your testable question?

2. Explain how you did the investigation: list materials used, describe procedure in detail, describe exactly how and when you recorded the results

3. Results: What you found out. Summary of data table. Label units and identify information.

4. Uncertainties and Problems: Did you have any problems with the experiment? How confident are you in the results?

5. New things learned: This is your conclusion, answer your original question here. Does our conclusion make sense? Any new questions?

The student writes a final report answering the initial question or decides if the purpose of the study was accomplished. Student should have one paragraph for each step. Remember that this one study or experiment will not prove cause of effect but only support a position. This part should also contain the student’s evaluation of whether or not this project was worth doing.

Finally, attach the grading rubric to the back of the Science Fair Board!

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Grading Rubric: Student Name _________________________________

Points Item

5 _____ Question or Purpose

5 _____ Resources, Reading, and Research Facts

5 _____ Prediction or Hypothesis

5 _____ Materials/Equipment

5 _____ Procedure

10 _____ Diagrams, Pictures, Tables, Charts etc.

5 _____ Results

40 _____ Written report R.E.R.U. N.

5 _____ Project Title

15 _____ Neatness and attractive display

Total _____ Grade: _____

Possible Questions for Consideration

Does hot or cold water freeze faster?

Does temperature affect how things float?

Will a nail rust faster in salt or fresh water?

What kind of candle will burn longest?

What colors of light affect plant growth?

What kind of fertilizer makes the plant grow best?

In what soil do plants grow best?

Do plants grow better with tap water, pond water or distilled water?

Which milk spoils faster – whole, skim, 2%, or formula?

Which environment does a hamster prefer: Wood shavings or sand?

Can you teach a hamster or mouse to run a maze without a treat?

What brand of paper towels absorbs best?

Which kind of bread molds fastest?

Where does mold grow best?

What kind of food do mice prefer?

How fast can a snail crawl?

Does a magnet still work in water?

Which color of liquid absorbs the most heat?

Will crystals form faster at room temperature or in the freezer?

Which kind of soda pop has the most acid in it?

Which kind of soil do worms prefer?

Do worms prefer light or dark?

How many minutes of commercials are there in a week’s worth of TV shows?

Which popcorn pops best?

Which toothpaste cleans teeth the best?

Which banana contains the most sugar: yellow or green?

Which cleans better: soap or detergent?

Can vitamin C affect the growth of mold?

Which type of wrapping can best prevent mold growth?

Can people learn to write just as well with their opposite hand?

Is the refrigerator at a constant temperature throughout?

What is the cost per hour for different types of batteries?

What brand of tennis ball bounces the highest?

How much water is wasted in your house?

At what pH will beans grow best?

Does the creek on Silverwood property have a good pH for a creek?

What effect does ultra violet rays have on yeast growth?

How does vitamin E affect plant growth?

What is the effect of different soil mulches on plant growth?

Are people more likely to remember color or shape?

Can you train your brain to remember more numbers in a row?

Does the pH of water affect the growth of selected algae?

Do roots of plants always grow downwards?

Does a bath take less water than a shower?

Is a gerbil more active during the day or at night?

Does the behavior of mice change when the size of the cage is decreased?

Are all mice wall seeking?

Do people pass in the hall to the right or left?

What influences plant growth? (pollutants, temperature, water, crowding, soil, depth of planted seed)

Will a plant grow upside down?

Is gravity or light more effective at making plants bend?

Will a plant’s roots grow towards a water source? How far?

Can a growing plant find its way through a maze?

Does garlic inhibit seed germination in other plants?

What temperature is best for planting tomatoes? Lettuce? Spinach?

Can tomato seeds survive the heat of compost?

Will tomato seeds sprout in rotten fruit?

Do weed seeds germinate faster than garden seeds?

Does compost improve plant growth?