In order for a student to begin experimentation for the science project, the following steps must be completed
1. Find a topic,
2. Fill out the background plan sheet. If you lost yours or need to read more go to
http://www.sciencebuddies.com/science-fair-projects/project_background_research_worksheet.pdf
3. Check with the teacher. If she says NO, then she means NO you may not do that project. If she says yes, then start your formal proposal.
4. Go to www.nefrsef.org and fill out forms. You will need 1, 1A, 1B, and 3.
5. Be sure to type out a complete and I mean COMPLETE Research Plan. You know, the one that says...
Provide a typed research plan and attach to Student Checklist (1A).
The research plan for ALL projects is to include the following:
A. Question or Problem being addressed
B. Hypothesis/Engineering Goals
C. Description in detail of method or procedures (The following are important and key items that should be included when
formulating ANY AND ALL research plans.)
• Procedures: Detail all procedures and experimental design to be used for data collection
• Data Analysis: Describe the procedures you will use to analyze the data that answer research question or
hypothesis
D. Bibliography: List at least fi ve (5) major references (e.g. science journal articles, books, internet sites) from your
literature review. If you plan to use vertebrate animals, one of these references must be an animal care reference.
o Choose one style and use it consistently to reference the literature used in the research plan
o Guidelines can be found in the Student Handbook
You do have to have a bibliography BEFORE you start your work.
REMEMBER, THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE AN EXPERIMENT WITH A TEST (INDEPENDENT) VARIABLE AND AND OUTCOME (DEPENDENT) VARIABLE. IF YOU DON'T HAVE THESE THEN IT'S NOT GOOD TO GO.
You will have to have a way to measure the dependent variable for this to be a good experiment.
When should this be completed?????
Everyone should have a topic and a background sheet completed by MONDAY. That way I can talk to everyone and approve any projects that I haven't already approved. I will plan for time in class especially for my B day students. If you don't have a topic then go to http://www.sciencebuddies.com/
and pick one out. Most of their suggestions are investigations, but you can find one variable to change and turn it into an experiment. Check their suggestions for variations.
Since the entire project is due December 7, it's very important for you to get not just approval from your teacher, but from your sponsor (parent). It would be good if you could begin your experimentation next weekend when you have a 3 day weekend. That's right, you have planning day (October 25) off. What a great day to spend on your projects.
REMEMBER, Some projects may NOT be done by students. No mold, bacteria, people, vertebrates, tasting, licking, surveys, or anything that requires special forms. At least not this year.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Sunday, October 10, 2010
FAQ for Sample Size
I received a question via e-mail that will be helpful to many students so I'm answering it here also.
If you are doing plants do you need a lot of plants?
Let me say it this way...
In order to develop a solid conclusion, one must have lots of data. This can be accomplished in one of two ways.
1. Repeated Trial: This is when the same test is performed over and over. Think about Drops on a Penney. In that experiment you tested your independent variable at least 2 times. This is how you will get data for experiments where it's easy to repeat the test (rolling a ball, dropping something, cleaning up oil, chromatography to identify something and so on.
2. Multiple Subjects in a Group: This is where plants fall. Due to the length of time that it takes plants to grow it is nearly impossible to grow one plant to observe it and then start again and again and again. So, you grow many, many plants. How many? That depends on several factors. If you are testing something on plants that you buy, the stronges limiting factor is your budget. However, the minumum number of plants in a group should be between 5 and 25. Twenty five is not an unreasonable number if your plants are small. BUT that's 25 in EACH group: the control group and each test group.
If you grow plants from seeds then you can probably plan that the groups should have a minimum of 25 plants, but 100 would be ideal. After all, not all seeds sprout. Read the germination data on the package.
Is this a lot of seeds and plants??? Yes, but if you want to have a valid, data based conclusion you will need to have lots of data.
Other limiting factors besides your budget include the space that your project will take up, the time of year in which you are starting your project, and how fast your plants grow.
Can you do a plant project? Sure you can, but please make sure that the project you choose is doable for your time, expertise, budget, and how much room you have at home. And please don't put soda on plants unless you know why you are doing this.
If you are doing plants do you need a lot of plants?
Let me say it this way...
In order to develop a solid conclusion, one must have lots of data. This can be accomplished in one of two ways.
1. Repeated Trial: This is when the same test is performed over and over. Think about Drops on a Penney. In that experiment you tested your independent variable at least 2 times. This is how you will get data for experiments where it's easy to repeat the test (rolling a ball, dropping something, cleaning up oil, chromatography to identify something and so on.
2. Multiple Subjects in a Group: This is where plants fall. Due to the length of time that it takes plants to grow it is nearly impossible to grow one plant to observe it and then start again and again and again. So, you grow many, many plants. How many? That depends on several factors. If you are testing something on plants that you buy, the stronges limiting factor is your budget. However, the minumum number of plants in a group should be between 5 and 25. Twenty five is not an unreasonable number if your plants are small. BUT that's 25 in EACH group: the control group and each test group.
If you grow plants from seeds then you can probably plan that the groups should have a minimum of 25 plants, but 100 would be ideal. After all, not all seeds sprout. Read the germination data on the package.
Is this a lot of seeds and plants??? Yes, but if you want to have a valid, data based conclusion you will need to have lots of data.
Other limiting factors besides your budget include the space that your project will take up, the time of year in which you are starting your project, and how fast your plants grow.
Can you do a plant project? Sure you can, but please make sure that the project you choose is doable for your time, expertise, budget, and how much room you have at home. And please don't put soda on plants unless you know why you are doing this.
Friday, October 08, 2010
UPDATE for Students and Parents 10/08/2010
Grades have been updated. Some students have not completed the Assessment Questions for the Plants Gizmo. I will plan for B day classes to have time on Tuesday to make up those questions if you are having problems with the program at home. A day will have time on either Monday or Friday. I apologize for the confusion re. the SEG due date. I am sorry that I caused the confusion. If there are any Student Exploration Guides that have not been turned in please give them to me on Monday. I will be in the gym on duty from 7:20 - 7:40.
SCIENCE PROJECT IDEAS should be almost finalized. I have seen a few questions. Students, just because an investigation is on Science Buddies doesn't mean it is appropriate for you to do. Remember, no food tasting, no surveys, no mold, bacteria, or stuff from outside. If you are trying to replicate someone's previous study make sure it's worth doing. If you don't know anything about the subject how can you ask an intelligent question and develop a good hypothesis and a good design. By reading about the topic you will be able to identify what should be used as your independent variable.
Let's get these projects moving. You need to be experimenting before the end of this month IF/WHEN you have a good question. If you want to get the forms going then just go to www.nefrsef.org and "get 'er done".
Your homework is to get your science topic and prepare your proposal. See you next week.
SCIENCE PROJECT IDEAS should be almost finalized. I have seen a few questions. Students, just because an investigation is on Science Buddies doesn't mean it is appropriate for you to do. Remember, no food tasting, no surveys, no mold, bacteria, or stuff from outside. If you are trying to replicate someone's previous study make sure it's worth doing. If you don't know anything about the subject how can you ask an intelligent question and develop a good hypothesis and a good design. By reading about the topic you will be able to identify what should be used as your independent variable.
Let's get these projects moving. You need to be experimenting before the end of this month IF/WHEN you have a good question. If you want to get the forms going then just go to www.nefrsef.org and "get 'er done".
Your homework is to get your science topic and prepare your proposal. See you next week.
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