School District #23

Science Inquiry Project Student Workbook

Grade 7 Edition

Name ______________________ Period_____ Partner (if applicable) _________________________ Partner contact info __________________________

2016-2017

School District #23 This project is part of a school-wide event that culminates with selected projects advancing to the School District #23 Science Fair in the spring of 2017. Students may wish to participate in this “competitive” event, or may choose not to. The choice is yours.

Components of a Science Inquiry Project THERE ARE THREE MAIN PARTS TO YOUR SCIENCE INQUIRY PROJECT:

1. THE PROJECT DISPLAY 2. LOG BOOK 3. THE PROJECT REPORT (Competitive only)

The Project Display: Tri-Fold Display Board for competitive / Display of your choice for non-competitive

1. Title (must be creative and fun!) 2. Background information

a. In short essay format describe the history of your topic, explain pertinent information, and perhaps even outline other science experiments on this topic that have been done in the past.

3. Question a. What question does your project answer?

4. Hypothesis a. What do you think you will find out? Phrased in the format "If the [Independent Variable] is changed,

then the [Dependent Variable] will be affected". 5. Materials

a. Point form list of all materials you used 6. Procedure

a. Step by step process of what you are doing as your perform your experiment 7. Results

a. You need to have at least one table containing your numerical data (statistical, not raw) b. You also need to have at least one computer-generated graph (Use Microsoft Excel)

8. Discussion & Conclusions a. Paragraph format of what you found out b. A paragraph explaining experimental challenges and sources of error

9. Future Directions a. If you were to do this science fair project again, what would you do differently? b. What other experiments in this same topic area would be interesting to investigate?

10. Bibliography 11. Acknowledgements

a. A thank you to any parent, teacher or other students who helped you The Log Book (a record of your raw data) In your log book you are to record what you did regarding your science fair experiment each day, and the raw data. This can be handwritten in a notepad, notebook, or duotang. The Project Report (*for competitive projects only*) For your report you need to have an "abstract", and all the above sections in a font 12 written report. This needs to be in a duotang. Also include any raw data (or any extra information you discovered and did not include on your board) for your report as well.

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TASK LIST The table below is a task list and suggested timeline to help organize you for the Science Inquiry Project. If you follow this timeline you'll be calm and cool on Presentation day! The dates on here are somewhat flexible, but I suggest keeping as close to it as possible. You will have time in class to work on your project, so it is a good idea to have your work with you (on G-Suite, a USB drive, or email) at all times so you can access it. However, the majority of the experimenting must be done on your own time. CHOOSE A PARTNER WISELY. Remember you always have the choice to do this project BY YOURSELF! The classroom will also be available most days in the morning, at lunch and after school if you need work space, help, and or use of the laptops. Your main source of information is in the Science Inquiry Student Workbook.

Science Inquiry Tasks Timeline (done by)

Completed (√)

Choose a Partner (or decide to do this experiment on your own). Dec 13/14 Choose Topic Dec 13/14 Completed Proposal Sheet due (with signatures) *HAND IN* Dec 16/Jan 3 Start preparing for / performing the experiment. Start Log Book *Only when you get the APPROVED project proposal back*

Begin Background Research Essay Dec 16/Jan 3 Research Essay due *HAND IN* Jan 10/11 Question, Hypothesis, Materials and Procedure due *HAND IN* Jan 16/17 Make sure you have all SAFETY/ETHICS forms filled out. (competitive only) Experiment completed. All data recorded in log book *Remember that you must use a LARGE GROUP and do MANY TRIALS!!!! More data = Stronger results.

Jan 20/23

Data Analysis 1. Calculate Mean / Median / Mode 2. Calculate Percent Increase / Decrease if applicable 3. Present analyzed (not raw) data in tables 4. Graph your data on appropriate graphs (using Excel)

*HAND ALL IN*

Jan 26/27

Discussion and Conclusions due *HAND IN* Feb 1/2 Future Directions and Acknowledgements due Feb 3/6 Create your DISPLAY Feb 7/10 In-class presentation *At this point you must have a completed log book and display*. Feb 16/17

School Wide Science Fair (for those who advance) *At this point you must have a completed log book, report, and display board. February 22

** I suggest recording the "HAND IN" Due Dates in your Agenda** 2016-2017

School District #23

Getting Started…. Project Ideas

If you don't already have an idea of an experiment you’d like to do, check out the websites below for some ideas (keep in mind that not all projects included in the sites below would be acceptable). Check with Mr Pengilly before you get your mind set on a project idea. • education.com/science-fair • sciencebob.com/sciencefair/ideas.php • sciencefair.math.iit.edu/projects • school.discoveryeducation.com/sciencefaircentral/gettingstarted/idea-finder.html • cool-science-fair-projects.com/science-fair-project-ideas.html • energyquest.ca.gov/projects/index.html#chemical • pinterest • sciencebuddies.org • all-science-fair-projects.com/category0.html

Important "Must-Haves"… • An independent variable that you change • A dependent variable that is measureable (using numbers) • The ability to be repeated in multiple trials… a BARE MINIMUM of 5 times… preferably 15-30

Important "Mustn't-Haves"… • Consumption of food / drink / substances • Stresses (cruelty) to animal or human subjects • Explosives, fire-arms, weapons, pesticides, or hazardous materials • Surveys of preference • The blatantly obvious • Product-testing (comparing brands of the same product) • Psychological experiments

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Project Proposal - Science Inquiry ****DETACH AND HAND IN WHEN COMPLETED**** Name(s): ______________________________ ______________________________

1. What question are you going to investigate? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Why do you think this is an appropriate, important and/or interesting topic?

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. Does your experiment have ALL the “Must Haves” from pg 5? Yes / No. If “Yes”, move on. If “No”, reconsider your project. 4. Does your experiment have ANY of the “Mustn’t Haves” from pg 5? Yes / No. If “No”, move on. If “Yes”, reconsider your project. 5. What are the variables in your experiment?

a. Independent Variable (what you are changing) ______________________________________ b. Dependent Variable (what you are measuring) _______________________________________ c. Controlled variables (what must stay the same throughout the experiment) _______________

______________________ _________________________ __________________________ ______________________ _________________________ __________________________

6. What is your hypothesis? (What do you PREDICT will happen)? Answer in the form of an "If… then…" statement, using your independent and dependent variables _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7. What MATERIALS do you need for your study or experiment? Be specific. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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8. In six sentences outline basically how you are planning on doing your experiment or study. How many trials will you be performing? Be specific. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 9. What safety precautions are necessary for your experiment? __________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 10. What can your parents help you with? (Do you need supplies, transportation, tools, etc)? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Now… Show this proposal to your parent, and make sure they're in agreement with you doing this project (particularly what you have them signed up for in #10). If so, have them sign below that they have seen this and agree to you doing this project. If you have a partner, both partners' parents need to sign.

Solo Student Project Partner Project Parent Signature: ____________________________

Partner 1 Parent Signature: _______________________ Partner 2 Parent Signature: _______________________

APPROVAL GRANTED TO PROCEED WITH THIS PROJECT AS PROPOSED: _____________ (Mr. Pengilly to sign)

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Planning a Research Essay Research your topic, and find as many relevant keywords, or terms, as you can. List them below: _________________________ ________________________ _________________________ _________________________ ________________________ _________________________ _________________________ ________________________ _________________________ _________________________ ________________________ _________________________ Now, plug the words above into the Question Generator below, and see if you get any good ones! Question

Word Possible Questions Your GOOD questions, using the

keywords above

What?

What is ________________?

What is the relationship between _______

and __________ ?

What is ______________ used for?

What causes a change in _____________?

What is ____________ made from?

When?

When was _______ discovered / invented?

When does __________ happen?

When does ________ cause _________?

Where?

Where does ___________ occur?

Where does ___________ get used?

Where is ____________ ?

Why? Why does ____________ happen?

Why? _____________

Who?

Who needs ____________?

Who discovered / Invented ____________?

Who ____________?

How?

How does ______________ happen?

How is ______________ measured?

How does _________ detect ___________?

How do we use _________________?

How does ______________ work?

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Writing a Research Essay Now that you have generated some Research Questions, pick the 3 best ones (in your opinion) and research them. Be sure to record your sources, and make sure they stand up to the "C.R.A.P." test (Currency, Reliability, Authority, and Purpose). Wikipedia, Answers.com, Yahoo Answers, and suchlike all fail this test, by the way! Use the space below for planning / recording info: Question 1: __________________________________________________________________ Facts: Sources: Question 2: __________________________________________________________________ Facts: Sources: Question 3: __________________________________________________________________ Facts: Sources:

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Question, Hypothesis, Materials, and Procedure Type these up in a Word document, with headings and text that are consistent, and will be clear and easily readable when posted on your board. Question:

• The question that your Science Fair project attempts to answer

Hypothesis: • Must be written in an "If…. then…" statement that links your independent and dependent

variables.

Materials: • A point-form list of all of the materials necessary to carry out your experiment. • When a certain amount of something is used, include that amount. • Any measurements must be reported in metric units.

Procedure:

• A point-form list of all of the steps necessary to carry out your experiment. • You may number the steps if you like. • Safety precautions should be noted at the beginning. • The steps must be in chronological sequence (the order that you would need to complete

the steps in) • The measurements of any substances used must be included, and they must be in metric

units • Report the number of trials that the experiment needs to be repeated

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Instructions for Writing Up Results Take your "raw" data from your log book and process it… Perform some calculations with it.

• Calculate averages (means) for each group if appropriate

• Calculate medians and/or modes if appropriate

• Calculate percent increase / decrease if appropriate

Data Table(s):

• Use Microsoft Word (not Excel) to create a "Table" that contains your processed data. Displaying the

raw data is not appropriate on the display… That's what your log book is for.

• Remember a title

• Format it nicely… Make headings bold and shaded.

Graph(s):

• Use Microsoft Excel to graph your data.

• Choose an appropriate graph type… Line / Bar / Scatterplot (see chart on the next page)

• Be sure your independent variable is on the x-axis (along the bottom)

• Be sure your dependent variable is on the y-axis (along the side)

• Be sure to include…

o A descriptive title

o Labels for the axes, including units

o A legend if you are comparing different things

o Grid lines

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School District #23

2016-2017

School District #23

Instructions for Writing a Discussion & Conclusions A Scientific Discussion usually consists of a few paragraphs that explain the experiment's results, sources of

error, and suggestions for further exploration.

Include the following discussion points in your write-up:

• In a few sentences, explain what your results say. Summarize them.

• What was your hypothesis again? Has it been proven, or not proven?

o If it was proven, what is the relationship between the independent and dependent variables?

o If it was not proven, explain how your results differed from what you had predicted. Provide

some thoughts as to why.

• Any experiment has "sources of error"… things that could have caused your results to be less than

100% accurate. Some of them are in your control, some of them are not. Discuss what some of these

may have been.

• Were there any parts of the experiment that were particularly difficult, or where you had to be

particularly careful? Explain these.

• How could what you have determined through this experiment impact people in real life? How could

what you have learned change people's behaviours or choices they may make?

Future Directions and Acknowledgements Future Directions: Write a paragraph the includes the following discussion points…

• How could your experiment be further developed?

• Has doing this experiment uncovered another question for you? What?

• How would a person carry on from where you left off.

Acknowledgements: A short paragraph wherein you thank the people that have led to the success of your

project, and why… Typically your parent(s), your test subjects (if applicable), and maybe your teacher if

you found him/her helpful.

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GRADING RUBRIC Criteria Expectations Not Yet Min. Meeting Meeting Fully Meeting Exceeding

SCIE

NTI

FIC

MET

HO

D

QUESTION & HYPOTHESIS

● Creative, original experiment (outcome not apparent) that is also challenging or important ● The hypothesis is stated with an "if… then statement"

● Supported with thorough scientific background research

PROCEDURE (DATA

COLLECTION)

● Thorough and complete procedure that was followed allowed the participant to answer their question. ● Large sample size (minimum 30 subjects) and/or multiple trials (repeated the test a minimum of 10 times) ● All necessary variables considered and controlled. All necessary safety precautions taken and explicitly stated. All ethics followed (signed consent forms).

REPRESENTATION

OF DATA

● Raw data is displayed in log book with correct units.

● Statistical Analysis calculations, if applicable, are shown and displayed in an easy to read table.

� Mean/Median/Mode � % Increase/Decrease � Standard Dev. � T-test

● Calculations were made before the data was graphed (the raw data is not graphed- central tendency graphed) ● Chosen graph types are appropriate and complete.

CONCLUSION (OUTCOME)

● Can summarize the results of the experiment

● Is able to explain if the hypothesis was supported or

refuted and why ● Can identify errors made and how they affected the

results ● Can make connections to the real world and explain the

relevance of their results

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CO

MM

UN

ICA

TIO

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VISUAL

COMMUNICATION (DISPLAY)

● Organized, logical layout, self-explanatory (project is easily understood) ● Attractive, neat, very well-constructed (90˚ corners, typed, straight lines)

● Many photographs, videos, diagrams, and/or models clearly display results and/or process

● Colourful, very creative design and title, interesting to look at

ORAL

COMMUNICATION (PRESENTATION)

SPEAKER IS…

● Appropriate volume, speed, enunciation, and tone

● Positive, confident, and enthusiastic ● Knowledgeable about subject matter

• Can confidently explain what the statistical tests mean

and why they used them • Can describe what their next steps would be if they

continued this experiment • Can confidently answer all questions posed by the judge

Written Communication

• Research essay contains relevant, correct information, and is well written with an introduction and conclusion

● Logbook is detailed, thoughtful, and an interesting account of everything done for the project • Writing is edited for spelling and grammar accuracy

• Bibliography accurate, complete, and well presented

2016-2017