SCIENCE PROJECT - MRS. SHEFFIELD 1998-1999

In addition to the explorations you carry out in class, you are also expected to conduct your own major project in science. This project may arise out of something covered in class, or you may choose to investigate a topic that is of special interest to you. You are expected to carry out your own designed experiment or design and produce an innovation.


Planning a Science Project

If you are not sure what topic to choose, make a list of your interests. Then, list as many observations as you can about each one. Use your list as a jumping-off place for planning your project. Your project should be a controlled experiment , correlational study or an invention . An example of each is provided for you on the overhead.


Choosing A Project

After you have explored some project ideas, answering the following questions may help you decide on the project best for you.

What do I know about the topic already?
Do I have time to do the project?
If I want to work with a partner, do we work well together?
How difficult will it be to find the materials?
Do I have access to the appropriate measuring instruments?
Do I have the space to set up equipment and tests?
Would my project be ethical? (You cannot experiment with live vertebrate animals).


Designing and Conducting an Experiment


DIAGRAM-1

Source: Science- 9 ©Nelson Canada, 1995.













Correlational Study

A correlational study is an alternative to a controlled experiment. In a correlational study, a scientist examines whether a variable is affecting another variable without purposely changing any of the variables. Instead, variables are allowed to change naturally.

Example : Looking at the relationship between students' hearing ability and the volume of the music they listen to. In gathering data, it would be unethical to make students listen to loud music and then measure hearing damage. However, you could ask many students what the volume settings are on their radios, determine how loud these sounds are with a sound meter, and then test the students' hearing. Correlate the radio volume with each students' hearing ability.

Data would be gathered in a table and then made into a graph. From the graph a conclusion can be gathered in reference to the question being investigated.


Inventions

Inventions can be thought of as solutions to complaints, irritations or problems that we observe in our lives. One of the easiest ways to invent is to choose one variable in an existing product and change it a little at a time. The result of each change should be recorded, so the best changes can be determined.

The designing and testing of an invention are very similar to the procedures used in experimentation. If you wish an example I can photocopy one for you. Just ask!!!



SCIENCE PROJECT TIMELINE

The following is what needs to be passed in to me over the next few months. This allows you time to get organized and allows me to see how you are doing. All project ideas must be approved by me!!!


Proposal

The proposal is a write up which explains to me what you are going to do. Your proposal should include the question you are trying to answer or investigate, a hypothesis (which is your best educated guess as to what the answer will be), a list of materials needed to perform the experiment, and the steps of the procedure.
The proposal can be written on both sides of the paper. Skip a line between sections in the proposal. Please use blue or black pen. If partners, one proposal with both names. Note: The teacher can and will veto any inappropriate project ideas.


Due Date: Monday, October 26th Value: 5%

Proposal Update

This is an update on your experimenting. By now your experiment or invention should be well under way and you are busy collecting data. In this proposal update, you are to include: progress of your experiment, difficulties encountered and any data collected to date. Your data can be in the form of raw data.

Date Due: Tuesday, January 12th Value: 3 %



Presenting Your Project

You will present your project findings to the class. Bring in your backboard , written report and any other pertinent information vital to your project. Your presentation should be about five to seven minutes in length. You will be marked on both your oral and written presentation. You will need to leave your project at school and be prepared to take it home in a few days. There will be a sign up sheet for you to sign up for a time to present. You must be in school on the day you are scheduled to present!!!!


Dates: February 16th, 17th, 19th Value: 20%



Written Report

Every project must be accompanied with a written report. Your report must contain the following:

Title Page: Title of project should be centered. Your name, section and date should be centered about three-quarters down the page.


Table of The sections of your report should be listed in order
Contents: along with the corresponding pages.


Reporting Follow the outine given to you on formal lab reports.
Your Work: Make sure your procedure is well outlined so another person
could clearly follow the steps to carry out your experiment or invention.


Further Your written report tells what is important to know
Explanation about your experiment, but this section provides you
of the with an opportunity to elaborate. Highlight any
Experiment/ difficulties and how you overcame them. You should
Invention: also include a discussion of further research that the results of your experiment/invention might suggest to you. Any
other pertinent and interesting information concerning your experiment/inventionshould be included in this section.


Background This section represents general information of the topic
Information: but no specific information on the experiment/invention.


Bibliography: Bibliography goes at the very end of the report. It is a list of all encyclopedia articles, books, magazines, journal articles, pamphlets, internet and other sources you used to do your project. Put in alphabetical order according to last name of author. You can also list names of people here if that was a resource.


Backboard

When constructing a backboard here are some things to keep in mind:

*Make sure it is sturdy and can stand on its own.
*Collect a variety of display items - pictures, photos, charts, graphs.
*Use different size letters for the text. Most important should have the larger letters.
*Place title in central location.
*Make all lettering neat and easy to read.
*Correct spelling and grammar is essential.
*Simple is best: Use the same kind of lettering throughout.
*Place results in a prominent position.
*Don't cram things together - place only the most important things on the board.
*Develop a catchy title realted to the problem you investigated.


Oral Presentation

Plan it!!!

Practise giving your presentation to friends or family members.

If you have a partner divide the presentation equally.

Prepare for questions by doing some reading.

Your presentation could include the following:
- goal of your project
- why was the topic interesting
- what methods did you use to gather data
- what are the major results of your project
- what conclusions did you make
- how might the findings of your project help others