Science Fair 2006-2007

1. Science Fair 2006-2007 What is science fair?

2. Science Fair • Science fair is a long term project where students create personal projects related to science or some scientific phenomenon. • It is your opportunity to test an idea of your choosing and present your findings to the scientific community!

3. Science Fair • Who must participate? • All students, grade 7 and 8 must participate in the Drew Academy Science Fair. • GT/ACC students must submit competitive projects. • All other students must do an experiment, but do not have to compete on a campus level.

4. Science Fair • Why participate in science fair? • Participating in science fair gives the student the opportunity to explore phenomena which may not be covered in the 7th or 8th grade courses. • Science fair also reinforces all of the scientific skills taught in class and teaches leadership skills.

5. Science Fair • When does all of this start? • Preparation for Science Fair starts now and continues through November 9th at the school level and may progress to the district, regional or even state level. • Students’ will be given a packet that explains everything and will have opportunities at school to work on your project. Most of the work must be done at home.

6. Project Stipulations: • There are three project types: • A competitive Science Fair projects utilizing experimental design (A requirement for the GT/ACC classes.) • A noncompetitive Science Project utilizing experimental design • A research board with a model

7. Science Fair 2006-2007 Science Fair/Project Packet: Section 1 • Page 1- Letter to Parents • Page 2, 3 – Dates At-A-Glance for Competitive Projects • Page 4 – Dates At-A-Glance for Noncompetitive Projects • Page 5 – Parent Acknowledgement Form

8. Science Fair/Project Timeline

9. Important Dates/Deadlines for Projects At-A-Glance • This is for you so that you can keep up with the many pieces of your project. You enter the due dates and the date on which each task is completed. • Parents must initial each due date. This will be turned in with your project and will be a major grade.

10. Science Project Display • Standard Tri-fold display board • Use attractive lettering • Use computer generated graphs and data tables. • If models are used, student must be able to explain them. • Photographs or slides must not show any person’s face.

11. Science Fair 2006-2007 Section 2: Parent Pages • Why Do Science Fair? • Tips for Parents • Ten Steps to Research

12. Ten Steps for Research • Choose a subject • Read for background information • Develop an outline • Prepare bibliography • Find many sources of information • Take notes in project journals • Finalize outline • Write and revise your report • Document your references • Put your report together

13. Science Fair 2006-2007 Section 3 – Intel ISEF 2007 Student Handbook • Getting Started • Elements of a Successful Project • Project Data Book • Research Paper • Materials and Methods • Results • Discussion • Conclusions • Acknowledgements • References • Abstract • Visual Display • Judging

14. Works Cited Samples • Examples have been provided in your Intel ISEF 2007 Student Handbook • Plagiarism is the uncredited use (both intentional and unintentional) of somebody else's words or ideas. • To avoid plagiarism, you must give credit whenever you use • another person’s idea, opinion, or theory; • any facts, statistics, graphs, drawings—any pieces of information—that are not common knowledge; • quotations of another person’s actual spoken or written words; or • paraphrase of another person’s spoken or written words.

15. Science Fair 2006-2007 Section 4 – Science Fair Web Sites and Resources • Science Project Primer • See Intel Rules Wizard to help you figure out which forms you need • Science Fair How-To Web Site Resources • Web Sites for Charts and Graphs

16. Science Fair 2006-2007 Section 5 - Displaying a Science Fair Project • Sample of what a project board needs to include EXCEPT the plant. • Student should take pictures of any living samples but should NOT include them in their project display • Note the Research Journal. It is recommended that you keep all of your work in a binder and the journal in the front cover of our binder.

17. Science Fair 2006-2007 Section 6 – Secrets to Writing a Winning Science Fair Project Report by Dr. Shawn

18. Science Fair 2006-2007 Section 7 – Information for Competitive Projects Only • This information is from ISEF and should answer any questions you may have about your science projects. • Science Fair Checklist • The Scientific Method • Category Descriptions • How to Write an Abstract • Display and Safety Regulations • Forms and Dates Explained

19. Who will help me? • Your parents, science teachers, science specialist, and even individuals from the scientific community will help you. All you need do is ask.

20. Science Fair 2006-2007 Final Due Date • November 9th

21. Common reasons given for why projects aren’t completed on time- • I have too many projects due at the same time! • I have to do History Fair! • Science Fair is too hard! • I gave the teacher my project idea, and he/she wouldn’t approve it! • I don’t know what to do! • The teacher lost it! • My teacher never told me about it! • Mom didn’t get me a project board! • I haven’t had time! • My partner couldn’t come over and work on the project! • My computer ran out of ink! • The internet broke! • I had other commitments! (church, athletics, LOTC, etc.) • I’ll get it to you on Monday. • I’m almost done!

22. Student Expectations/ Misconceptions • Teachers will accept late projects. • Late projects start with a 70 BEFORE points are deducted for quality of work. It is very difficult for a late project to make a passing grade. • Late projects risk not being judged. • If they turn in anything, we will pass them, regardless of the quality.

23. Science Fair 2006-2007 Good Luck!