The Fulbright Science Fair will be held on Thursday, November 7, 2013.

The LRSD Science Fair will be held on _________________________. Students are responsible for creating a science display board using the following guidelines:

Independent and dependent variables should be added to this page.

Science Journal-Students will need to keep a composition book containing notes and assignments that are due. Assignments done on a computer may be printed and glued into the composition book. Science Fair topics must fall under the following catergories: Life Science, Physical Science, Earth/Space Science, Behavioral Science, and Chemistry. Photographs of the experiment, students working on the experiment, etc. can be added to enhance the display board. However, faces of the student will not be allowed.

The top Science Fair projects from the 5th grade will move on to the LRSD Science Fair. Fifth graders are required to write an abstract and a report with a bibliograpghy The Science Fair will be judged by impartial LRSD staff members and volunteers. The attached scoring sheet will be used by the teacher to grade the final project, as well as by the judges to score the final project during the science fair. Below is a list of assignments and when they are due:

Problem/Purpose

Due Date: Friday, September 18, 2013

Student will decide on a problem (or question) to be answered by following the scientific process. State the problem that you were originally concerned with and explain why you selected the topic you did? Hypothesis and Variables Due Date: Friday, September 25, 2013

Student will create a hypothesis based on what they think the answer to their questions should be. The hypothesis should be stated in an If.then format. The hypothesis page should also contain the independent and dependent variables for the experiment. Materials and Procedures Due Date : Friday, October 2, 2013

Student will provide a list of materials needed to perform the experiment. State the procedures you followed. What experiments did you perform and why? Materials are ONLY what you need for the experiment. This does not include items needed for the display board.

Data and Graphics

Due Date: Friday, October 9, 2013

As the student conducts the experiment, dates should be recorded. Present any significant data, graphs, and pictures in this section. Visual representations of your results, if done effectively, are worth thousands of words. Results Due Date: Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Students should discuss the results of their experiment what did you learn?

Conclusion and Recommendations

Due Date: Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Was your hypothesis right or wrong? Discuss why you think your experiment was successful or not successful. Can you now make a new hypothesis to test? Based on what you learned, what would you do to change the experiment to make it better or more accurate? Report/Bibliography/Abstract (fifth grade) Due Date: Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Information will be sent home with students regarding these requirements. Final Board Display Due Date: Monday, November 4, 2013

Students must use a trifold display board for the project. The project should have a title header Students will display their boards in the library. Students should be prepared to discuss and answer questions regarding their project. Creativity and neatness should be evident in the board presentation.

Abstract: a short summary of your project. It is usually a separate pate and includes the project title or questions, your purpose for completing this project, the hypothesis, a brief description of the procedure you followed, and the results of your experiment. (This will be needed in the report for those that move on to the next level.) Conclusions: Your conclusions will summarize whether or not your science fair project results support or contradict your original hypothesis. If you are doing an Engineering or Computer Science programming project, then you should state whether or not you met your design criteria. You may want to include key facts from your background research to help explain your results. Do your results suggest a relationship between the independent and dependent variable? If the results of your science experiment did not support your hypothesis, don't change or manipulate your results to fit your original hypothesis, simply explain why things did not go as expected. Professional scientists commonly find that results do not support their hypothesis, and they use those unexpected results as the first step in constructing a new hypothesis. If you think you need additional experimentation, describe what you think should happen next. Conclusions Checklist
What Makes for Good Conclusions? Do you summarize your results and use it to support the findings? Do your conclusions state that you proved or disproved your hypothesis? (Engineering & programming projects should state whether they met their design criteria.) If appropriate, do you state the relationship between the independent and dependent variable? Do you summarize and evaluate your experimental procedure, making comments about its success and effectiveness? Do you suggest changes in the experimental procedure and/or possibilities for further study? For Good Conclusions, You Should Answer "Yes" to Every Question Yes / No Yes / No

Yes / No

Yes / No

Yes / No

Control Variable: Controlled variables are quantities that a scientist wants to remain constant, and he must observe them as carefully as the dependent variables.
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Dependent Variable: The scientist focuses his or her observations on the dependent variable to see how it responds to the change made to the independent variable. (the effect) This is the part of the experiment that is changed by the independent variable. Data: the information collected from the experiment often some kind of measurement

Display Board: Trifold display boards may be purchased at most craft and office supply stores. A variety of colors are available so you will want to think about the theme and topic before you choose your color; however, white is fine.

Graphs: Graphs are used to give a picture of your data. For any type of graph:

Generally, you should place your independent variable on the x-axis of your graph and the dependent variable on the y-axis. Be sure to label the axes of your graph don't forget to include the units of measurement (grams, centimeters, liters, etc.). If you have more than one set of data, show each series in a different color or symbol and include a legend with clear labels.

Hypothesis: an educated guess what you THINK will happen when you conduct the experiment

Independent Variable: The independent variable is the one that is changed by the scientist. To insure a fair test, a good experiment has only one independent variable. (the cause)

Materials: a list of ALL materials and equipment needed to perform the experiment. Make sure you have everything you need to perform the experiment before you start.

Procedures: a complete list of ALL the steps needed to perform the experiment. These should be planned in advance so that the experiment will not be jeopardized by time, temperature, etc.

Variable: A variable is any factor, trait, or condition that can exist in differing amounts or types. An experiment usually has three kinds of variables: independent, dependent, and controlled. Science Fair Project Variables Checklist
What Makes for Good Variables? For Good Variables, You Should Answer "Yes" to Every Question Yes / No Yes / No Yes / No Yes / No Yes / No Yes / No

Is the independent variable measurable? Can you change the independent variable during the experiment? Have you identified all relevant dependent variables, and are they all caused by and dependent on the independent variable? Are all dependent variable(s) measurable? Have you identified all relevant controlled variables? Can all controlled variables be held at a steady value during the experiment?

www.sciencebuddies.org is just one website that contains a wealth of information to help you make your project a success.

Creating a Graph with Excel

You can create great graphs using Microsoft Excel. You will need to first enter your data into a chart on an Excel spreadsheet. It would be best to create your spreadsheet BEFORE you execute your experiment, print it and enter your data by hand. Once you have completed the experiment, add the data to the spreadsheet on the computer.

Ph Levels in Water
Sample A Ph Level 7.2 Sample B 6 Sample c 3

Next, highlight your entire data chart and title. Click on INSERT and CHART Choose the chart that will best convey your data. You may choose and change your mind if something doesnt work properly. You may also show your data in more than one chart. Click NEXT and label your x-axis (horizontal) and y-axis (vertical.) You may also rename your chart if you wish. Click NEXT and you have the option to include your graph on the sheet with your data or as a new sheet. If you choose NEW, you will need to click the tabs at the bottom to view it. Click FINISH TADA! You may now right click on the lines and background to choose your colors should coordinate with the theme of your board.