Managing Science Projects

Phase 1 – Creating Science Fair ideas

Phase 2 – Planning

Phase 3 – Collecting Data and Analyzing Results

Phase 4 – Creating the Display

Managing Science ProjectsPhase 1 – Creating Science Fair

Ideas1. Teacher should create a timeline of student due dates.

2. Teacher should schedule time (3 days) to take the class to the library to view science fair books or Internet sites. Students should generate a list of three possible science fair questions.

3. Student should consult with teacher to determine suitable and testable science fair question from a list of possibilities (control and an experimental group).

4. Student should create a science fair poster to celebrate choosing a topic. Poster will include the testable question and pictures, from magazine or sketches, related to science fair question.

5. Teacher should set a time to organize log books. Students can use composition books, spiral folders or even unlined paper stapled together in a folder as a log book. Meigs 5th graders use three-ring binders.

6. . OPTIONAL: Schedule time in the library to research topics related to science fair project. Students can create a research reports.

7. Student creates a hypothesis based on research and background knowledge.

Managing Science Projects

Phase 2 – Planning

• Teacher should set a date for students to create a list of materials. Materials can be organized in a list or in written in a paragraph format.•Set a date to review the detailed science fair procedure. • Each student should consult with teacher to make sure the appropriate type of (quantitative) data is collected.

Managing Science Projects

Phase 3 – Collecting Data and Analyzing Results

1. Students conduct the experiment with at least three trials. It’s recommended that students take pictures (without faces!) of data collection and setup.

2. Students should place all of the data in charts with labels and units (metric) of measurement. If means or averages are calculated, they should be included in the chart.

3. Organize data from chart in graphs (bar, line, circle, etc.).

4. Students should analyze or describe data in charts and graphs by writing results in a paragraph.

5. Students should describe trends in data in the conclusion section of the project. Then determine if the data supports the hypothesis.

Managing Science Projects

Phase 4 – Creating the display

1. Students should make a sketch of the display board in the log book.

2. FINALLY! Students should create a display of the project using the correct format

Embedding Science Fair into the Science Curriculum

Teach our students how to conduct an independent by providing examples of questions that extend from the science labs that we teach in class

Embedding Science Fair into the Science Curriculum

Practice Makes Perfect!

ExamplesIs salt more soluble in water than sugar? • Does the solubility of salt change when the

temperature of water changes?• Does the solubility of salt change when

dissolved in alcohol?• Does rock salt and table salt have the

similar solubility?

Work Smarter not Harder!

Embedding science fair into the middle school curriculum allows you to meet the grade level standards and also teach students the skills they need to create their own projects

To what extent does the distance from a light source (5, 10, 15 cm) affect the rate of photosynthesis in Elodea

water plants?

Create a Hypothesis

Content Standards:

GLE 0707.3.1 Distinguish between the basic features of photosynthesis and respiration.

GLE 0707.3.2 Investigate the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between living things and the environment.

Embedded StandardGLE 0707.Inq.2 Use appropriate tools and

techniques to gather, organize, analyze, and interpret data.

GLE 0707.Inq.3 Synthesize information to determine cause and effect relationships between evidence and explanations.

GLE 0707.Inq.4 Recognize possible sources of bias and error, alternative explanations, and questions for further exploration.

GLE 0707.Inq.5 Communicate scientific understanding using descriptions, explanations, and models. 

Science Fair Objectives:

Creating a testable questionExperimental variable and Controlled

variableAnalyzing dataHypothesisResultsConclusionMultiple trials

Research/Prelab questions1) What is the equation for photosynthesis?2) Where do plant get the CO2 for this

process (what organisms release this gas)?3) What organelle in plants is responsible for

photosynthesis (producing food)?4) What is the pigment found in this organelle

that absorbs light to power photosynthesis?5) If a plant were under water and was

photosynthesizing, what gas would be visibly bubbling from the plant?

Setting Up the Experiment 1. Obtain a green sprig of Elodea. Remove

several leaves from around the cut end of the stem. Slice off a portion of the stem at an angle and lightly crush the cut end of the stem.2. Place a small pinch of sodium bicarbonate into a test tube (this increases carbondioxide in the water).3. Place the plant into the test tube, stem end up.4. Filled the test with distilled water so that the stem is completely submersed.

Running the ExperimentPlace a source of light about 5 cm from the

plant.2. Wait five minute3. After five minute, count and record the number of oxygen bubbles rising from the cut end of the stem for 3 minutes.

Repeat same experiment 2 additional timesUsing the different distances 10 and 15 cm,

repeat the experiment

Data Table: Graph

# bubbles / 3 mindistance from light source (cm)

Conclusion1) Did your data support your hypothesis?

Explain.2) What went well with the experiment?3) What went wrong with the experiment?4) What new problems (questions for study)

arose as you did this experiment?5) What did you learn from this experiment?

Possible science fair questionsHow does the color of light affect the rate of

photosynthesis?2. How does the type of aquatic plant affect the

rate of photosynthesis?3. How does the intensity of light affect the rate

of photosynthesis? (use different wattages of light)

4. How does the amount of CO2 available affect the rate of photosynthesis?

5. How does the temperature of the water affect the rate of photosynthesis?

Wrap UpResourceswikispaceRecruit help from language, math, and art

teacherSend a letter to parents before starting

science fair projectsGrade sections of the science fair display

before you proceed to another section