Quarter Project:

 

Science Experiment

 

And Report

 

What is a Science Experiment?

A Science Experiment is the result of creative thought.   Creative thinking means contributing a new idea, a new approach, or a new solution to a problem.   The purpose of this Project is to stimulate scientific thought and have students use the scientific process while building their self-esteem.   It also gives students the opportunity to begin research and complete a project.   A science project may be described as, “your attempt to answer a science question of interest to you.”   In seeking to answer this question, you use methods employed by professional scientists.   Make certain you control all your variables. Part of your grade is how creative or original your project is, so try and do something impressive, but at the same time something you can do by yourself.   Pick something that interests you and then you will have more fun doing this project.   You cannot use animals in this project without your teacher’s permission.   Any animals that are part of a project must not be harmed in any way.

What is a Science Report?

After completing a project, you will type a report to turn in to your teacher.   If you do not have a computer at home, then you will need to use one after school at Golden West.

What is NOT Acceptable

Your project CANNOT be “which gum lasts the longest” or “which popcorn pops the most?” or “which paper towel absorbs the most?”   These are too simple for your grade level.   You CANNOT do a survey like “which movie do seventh graders like the best?”  You must do an experiment in which you test or do something, so a survey is unacceptable.

How to Complete An Experiment:  

• Choose a topic (do some research)
• Develop a hypothesis (should be in the form of “If…then, because”)
• Test hypothesis (do your test many times, not just once)
• Collect data (charts, graphs, drawings, and/or photographs)
• Record results (what happened)
• Conclusions (this is not if you are wrong or right, but if the results support the hypothesis or not)

How to Write A Report  

Your report MUST be typed, 12 font, double spaced, 1 inch margins , neat, and with correct spelling/grammar.  Part of your grade is based on creativity and will include a 2 to 3 minute class presentation of your project/experiment. You may bring in pictures and/or props of your experiment for your presentation, but no live animals please.

You will be graded on the following : Make certain the pages are in the correct order

• Title page: Include the title of your project (in the form of a question), your name, date, period, and your teacher ’s name. (page 1)
• Table of Contents: A list of what is on each page (Page 2).
• Research page: Include 1 page of written information YOU WRITE about your topic (Page 3).
• Purpose : Why are you doing this project? (Page 4).
• Hypothesis : Your prediction of what will happen, in the form of “If…then, because…” (Page 4).
• Procedure: What you did, IN DETAIL, STEP BY STEP WHAT YOU DID IN YOUR EXPERIMENT, INCLUDING AT LEAST 10 STEPS (Page 4).
• Data: MUST be graphs, charts, drawings, and/or photographs which are clearly titled and labeled using a computer or neatly written using a pen and a straight edge (Page 5 +).
• Results: What happened? (Put on same page as the conclusion, after the data page (5, 6).
• Conclusion : DO NOT write whether you were right or wrong, but instead explain if your results support or do not your hypothesis.   Explain what the next steps might be in a future experiment. (Put on the same page as the results, after the data page (6, 7).
• Bibliography/ Sources page listed alphabetically by Author, Year published, Title (book, article, or web address), Publisher/Journal/Magazine/Web page, # of pages for books or   page #’s for articles (List authors alphabetically by last name, year published/copyright date, publisher, pages). You must have at least 3 sources. (second to the last page)
• Acknowledgements: Who helped you with this project? (Gathering data, assistance on the computer Etc….) (Last page).

DUE DATE: ______________                                                           POINTS: _____

Early bird due date +5% __________________              

One day late = 50% off

Two days late = not accepted