Steps for completion
Steps for Completion
*Only required for projects that involve:
Topic Selection
This may seem obvious, but you will choose a topic or theme for your project. This could be something very broad like Global Warming or Paleontology, but you will need to be able to narrow down your focus to an aspect of the topic. This will be done in the next step. Use the given topics handout if you need help
Research
Once you choose a topic you will need to research as much as possible. Gather facts about the topic to help you narrow down your topic to the problem you will conduct your experiment to try and solve. When you find information that you will use in deciding on a problem, hypothesis or experiment you will need to write the information down on a note card and record the citation for your research plan. Use the give research and note cards handout for help.
Problem
As you research you will narrow down the focus of your project to one problem that you can create a hypothesis for and create an experiment to test that hypothesis. This should be a specific question. For example, in our class we tested this problem, ”How does osmosis affect chicken eggs?”
Hypothesis
Once you have decided on a problem to test create a hypothesis for that problem. A hypothesis can vary but should be:
This is the procedure that you will use to conduct the experiment and collect data. The steps of the experiment need to be absolutely specific. This will include all materials used and means that you will do everything that you have in your procedures and do nothing else.
Methods of Data Analysis
This is the method(s) that you will use to analyze the data that answers your problem or proves your hypothesis.
Subject Specific Guidelines
If you have a problem that requires you to test any of the topics listed below, then you will need to follow the guidelines listed below:
Type and Turn in Research Plan. Once you have completed all the steps above, then you are ready to type your research plan. The research plan includes all the information that you have gathered up to this point. The research plan requires the following criteria:
Conduct Experiment and Record Results
This is very obvious, but you will carry out the procedures that you detailed in your research plan. As you conduct you science fair project you will keep a laboratory journal. Use the laboratory journal handout for help
Create Abstract and Display
After you have conducted the experiment, collected data, completed the journal, analyzed the data then you will write an abstract. The abstract is a kind of summary of the entire experience. Finally display your project following the display guidelines. See the abstract and display handout for help.
Prepare for the Science Fair
You will need to give an oral presentation of the project to each judge that comes to see your display. Practice explaining what you will say to family members and friends. Props are a nice idea, but many are not allowed in the fair, check with me first.
- Topic Selection
- Research
- Problem
- Hypothesis
- Design Experiment
- Design Data Analysis Methods
- *Subject Specific Guidelines Followed
- Type and turn in Research Plans
- Conduct Experiment & Record Results
- Create Abstract and Display
*Only required for projects that involve:
- Human Subjects
- Vertebrate Animals
- Potentially Dangerous Biological Agents
- Dangerous Chemicals, Activities and Devices
Topic Selection
This may seem obvious, but you will choose a topic or theme for your project. This could be something very broad like Global Warming or Paleontology, but you will need to be able to narrow down your focus to an aspect of the topic. This will be done in the next step. Use the given topics handout if you need help
Research
Once you choose a topic you will need to research as much as possible. Gather facts about the topic to help you narrow down your topic to the problem you will conduct your experiment to try and solve. When you find information that you will use in deciding on a problem, hypothesis or experiment you will need to write the information down on a note card and record the citation for your research plan. Use the give research and note cards handout for help.
Problem
As you research you will narrow down the focus of your project to one problem that you can create a hypothesis for and create an experiment to test that hypothesis. This should be a specific question. For example, in our class we tested this problem, ”How does osmosis affect chicken eggs?”
Hypothesis
Once you have decided on a problem to test create a hypothesis for that problem. A hypothesis can vary but should be:
- Testable
- Tentative
- Expected Outcomes of the experiment
- Goals for the experiment
- Written as an "If,then" statement if at all possible
This is the procedure that you will use to conduct the experiment and collect data. The steps of the experiment need to be absolutely specific. This will include all materials used and means that you will do everything that you have in your procedures and do nothing else.
Methods of Data Analysis
This is the method(s) that you will use to analyze the data that answers your problem or proves your hypothesis.
Subject Specific Guidelines
If you have a problem that requires you to test any of the topics listed below, then you will need to follow the guidelines listed below:
- Human Subjects
- Participants . Describe who will participate in your study (age range, gender, racial/ethnic composition). Identify any vulnerable populations (minors, pregnant women, prisoners, mentally disabled or economically disadvantaged).
- Recruitment . Where will you find your participants? How will they be invited to participate?
- Methods . What will participants be asked to do? Will you use any surveys, questionnaires or tests? What is the frequency and length of time involved for each subject?
- Risk Assessment
- Risks. What are the risks or potential discomforts (physical, psychological, time involved, social, legal etc) to participants? How will you minimize the risks?
- Benefits. List any benefits to society or each participant.
- Protection of Privacy . Will any identifiable information (e.g., names, telephone numbers, birth dates, email addresses) be collected? Will data be confidential or anonymous? If anonymous, describe how the data will be collected anonymously. If not anonymous, what procedures are in place for safeguarding confidentiality? Where will the data be stored? Who will have access to the data? What will you do with the data at the end of the study?
- Informed Consent Process . Describe how you will inform participants about the purpose of the study, what the will be asked to do, that their participation is voluntary and they have the right to stop at any time.
- Vertebrate Animals
- Briefly discuss potential ALTERNATIVES to vertebrate animal use and present a detailed justification for use of vertebrate animals.
- Explain potential impact or contribution this research may have
- Detail all procedures to be used
o Detailed chemical concentrations and drug dosages- Detail animal numbers, species, strain, sex, age, source, etc
- Describe housing and oversight of daily care
- Discuss disposition of the animals at the termination of the study
- Potentially Hazardous Biological Agents
- Describe Biosafety Level Assessment process and resultant BSL determination
- Give source of agent, source of specific cell line, etc.
- Detail safety precautions
- Discuss methods of disposal
- Hazardous Chemicals, Devices and Activities
- Describe Risk Assessment process and results
- Detail chemical concentrations and drug dosages
- Describe safety precautions and procedures to minimize risk
- Discuss methods of disposal
Type and Turn in Research Plan. Once you have completed all the steps above, then you are ready to type your research plan. The research plan includes all the information that you have gathered up to this point. The research plan requires the following criteria:
- Name on each page
- Title
- Question or Problem addressed
- Goals/Expected Outcome/Hypothesis
- Description in detail of method or procedures
- Procedures for Experimentation
- Procedures for Data Analysis
- Bibliography (At least 5 major references, books, journal articles, internet sites)
Conduct Experiment and Record Results
This is very obvious, but you will carry out the procedures that you detailed in your research plan. As you conduct you science fair project you will keep a laboratory journal. Use the laboratory journal handout for help
Create Abstract and Display
After you have conducted the experiment, collected data, completed the journal, analyzed the data then you will write an abstract. The abstract is a kind of summary of the entire experience. Finally display your project following the display guidelines. See the abstract and display handout for help.
Prepare for the Science Fair
You will need to give an oral presentation of the project to each judge that comes to see your display. Practice explaining what you will say to family members and friends. Props are a nice idea, but many are not allowed in the fair, check with me first.