Science Fair is required of all students who are in the accelerated
classes and is also required of all who did not complete a
satisfactory INDIVIDUAL project in 7th grade. NO GROUP PROJECTS will
be allowed this year.  Any student not already required to do science
fair may elect to do science fair as an extra credit assignment. 
Students exempted from science fair will have an alternate project to
do about a scientist.  Details on this project to come later.

Finalized science fair topics due by Tuesday, September 28.  
Should be typed and include the following information:  Heading, 
Purpose, Hypothesis, Materials, Procedures, List of Variables

Guidelines for choosing science fair project

The project is to be approved by the teacher. Students may choose
almost any topic. There are some things students may not do for the
project.

What students may not do for the project:

* Anything not allowed by Science Engineering Fair of Houston –
       see SEF Houston

Middle school science fair projects are to be experimental in nature.
An experiment is designed to test a hypothesis – a possible answer to
a research question. A research question always looks at the
relationship between two variables. Variables are factors that affect
something. Manipulated variable is the one you change, and the
responding variable is the one you measure.

Research question is phrased in the format “How does (manipulated
variable) affect (responding variable)?” or “To what extent does
manipulated variable affect responding variable?”

In the course of the experiment, students will change manipulated
variable, while keeping all other variables, or factors, the same, and
measure how this change will affect responding variable. Only one
variable can be tested at a time.

The experiment has to have either a large number of samples, or
several trials. Because it is impossible for students to conduct a
controlled (meaning only one variable is being changed) experiment
with people, there should be no project involving people.

The results of the experiment have to be measurable in numbers, as
they will have to be represented in tables and graphs, and then analyzed.

Over the duration of the project, student should keep a logbook to
record all steps of the project. The logbook will be part of the
display. Photos should be taken as well, to document the work in
progress.LOG BOOK SHOULD ALREADY BE STARTED BY THIS TIME.

Report
Written in MLA style

Information on MLA style could be found on various websites and in the
books, including students’ English textbook.

Students will make two copies of the report: one for the display, and
one for the teacher. The display copy will not have student’s name on it.

Report will have the following parts:

Title Page

* W/a proper heading for the teacher, no heading for the display copy.
* Creatively and attractively decorated.

Abstract

* Short summary of the project written after everything is completed.

Review of Literature

* A research paper-background info about the project                 
MIMIMUM of 2 TYPED pages.  Must have a typed bibliography.

* Should not contain any reference to the student’s experiment.

* Language should be appropriate for technical writing: should not
contain personal pronouns, rhetorical questions, and flowery phrases.
* Should be 2-5 pages long, double-spaced, size 12 font .

Research Question and Hypothesis ( Both on the same page)

* Research question in the format “ How does _____(manipulated
variable) affect_________(responding variable)?” or “To what extent
does _________(manipulated variable) affect_________(responding variable)
* Hypothesis is stated in the format “If… then…”.

Variables ( Separate page)

Manipulated variable: ____________
Responding variable: _____________
     Remember that manipulated variable is the one you change,
     responding – the one you are measuring.
Controlled Variables: __________________
      (Variables that are kept the same so as to make it a fair test)

Materials

* Separate page.
* Written as a list.
* Items not numbered.  Numbers only used to show size or amount.
*Includes a complete list of all materials used for experiment.
* Lists exact amounts used, in METRIC UNITS.

Procedure

* Separate page
* Step-by-step explanation of the experimental process.
* Each step SHOULD BE NUMBERED.
* No personal pronouns.

Observations and Data

* Tables need to contain the measurements of the responding
variable as it changes due to change in the manipulated variable.
Table needs to have a title. Units of measurement need to be clearly
indicated (metric units, please).

* Graph(s) has to have a title. Manipulated variable is to be
placed on the horizontal axis, responding – on the vertical. Units
have to be clearly indicated, axis labeled. Scales need to be
consistent throughout the axis.

Discussion of Results

* One page WITH  THREE PARAGRAPHS.

* First paragraph: describe the results in words.

* Second paragraph: state whether the hypothesis was correct or not  
and factors that might have affected the outcome.

* Third paragraph: application – how can this information be used.

Bibliography

* Formatted according to MLA style:  sources alphabetized,
reverse-indented, NOT NUMBERED

    * Has at least five sources.

    * At least two of them are non-Internet based.



Acknowledgements

    * Short expression of gratitude to those who helped with the
project. Do not use names, only references like Mom, father, brother,
teacher, Home Depot, etc.

Science Fair Display

Backboard display: Please use the standard science fair board. You
will have a section of the 6-foot table for your display.

Written portions should include:

    * Title
    * Research question
    * Hypothesis
    * Variables
    * Materials
    * Procedures
    * Results
    * Conclusions
    * Acknowledgements

Type size for materials on the backboard should be size 16 or larger.

Also please remember:

    * Other things to include: summary graphs, photos, diagrams,
decorations, and trim.
    * Do not include: anything handwritten, things cut directly from
your report and pasted on the backboard, your name visible anywhere,
anything that looks sloppy.

Logbook – handwritten, no name identification; everything you do for
the project is recorded in it.

Science Fair Report - in a nice folder. Do not include your name.

Table display items -- props, photos, any extra materials. Do not
bring anything living or once living, except for plants.

Remember, in addition to the above items, you need to have another
copy of your report, with a full heading, for submission to your teacher.