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How To
Begin
What
is a “science project”?
A science project is a controlled experiment, or a student
proposed new theory based on library or experimental research,
or a new concept, invention, program, or design (engineering).
A science project is NOT a report about an area of science. A
science project is NOT building a model that demonstrates
something, unless the point of the project is a new engineering
design. Models of volcanoes, or of the solar system, or of the
heart are not science projects. Use of a model to demonstrate a
new theory or finding is, however, acceptable.
It is a
great idea to read over the
rules and the student
handbook before you begin. You can download them right from
this website.
Society
for Science & the Public Intel ISEF provides
excellent information for starting your project (a "project
primer").
The first
thing a student must do is to choose
a project.
Many people think that this is the hardest part, but in reality,
almost any interest can be turned into a good science project if
you can apply the scientific method to an experiment.
Consider
what your interests are in choosing your topic. Many
students have turned an interest into sports, fashion, art,
baking, or learning and psychology into a good science project!
Think about what special tools or skills you happen to have
access to already. Do you make fabulous websites and
have access to computing power? Do you know someone who can give
you access to a lab? Do you have a green thumb, or are you good
at electronics? Do you have a digital camera or other equipment
you might need? What equipment does your school have that you
might be able to use for your project? Also consider, what are
the hot topics recently in the news. Nanotechnology,
bioengineering, anti-terrorist methods, protection from an EMP,
bird flu or H1N1 (swine flu) detection or prevention, cloning,
environmental hazards, fuel conservation, etc. can draw
judges’ attention at the fair.
You can get ideas while reading the "Tips
and Advice from ISEF Finalists" on the Intel ISEF website.
(See links to sites that might give you ideas on our Science
Links page. Consider flipping through science magazines for
ideas to spark such as Science
NEWS, Science
News for Kids, Science
magazine, Scientific
American, Discover
Magazine, Popular Science,
Popular Mechanics,
Odyssey Magazine for
Kids, or others. The website MagPortal
links to many current issues in science and could be a place to
spark ideas.)
Once you
have an idea to pursue, do background library research to find
out what has already been done in the field. Learn basic
science relating to your topic. If you are experimenting
with plants, you’d better have some idea of the life cycle of
your plant, its classification and characteristics, and basics
such as plant respiration/photosynthesis. If you are
experimenting with planaria, learn something about its
physiology, behavior, place in the environment, and its
classification. You will also be researching to find the
best methods and procedures to carry out your experiment.
The next
step is to make a project research plan. From what you
have learned in your background research, you need to decide on
a problem or question and make an hypothesis about it.
Your plan will include your question or problem, your
hypothesis, detailed methods and procedures for your experiment
including what the independent variables (what you vary or
change), the dependent variables (what outcomes you measure),
and what your controls (means to change only what you intend to
change) are. Your plan should also include a list of
materials needed, the experimental methods that will be used to
collect your data, and the methods used to analyze the data.
The bibliography from your background research is also a
necessary part of your research plan. It shows that you
have “done your homework” before you start so that you can
make a good experimental plan.
Five good references is the minimum bibliography accepted for
your research plan (see rules).
Fill
out ISEF SRC paperwork for your project, and have the
appropriate adults (mentor or teacher, adult supervisor if
needed, and your parent) sign the paperwork. Be sure to
turn a copy of the paperwork into your school’s IRB (Internal
Review Board) or email your complete research plan, email
address, and your grade in school (grade 6-12) to the TCRSF’s SRC (Scientific Review
Committee) at src@tcrsf.org
if your school does not have an available IRB. If your project involves human subjects (even
for a simple survey), microorganisms, hazardous chemicals or
radiation, vertebrates (even only non-intrusive observation of
them), tissues, or rDNA, then you MUST have the project forms
including the research plan reviewed and signed off on BEFORE
you can begin your experimental work! If in doubt ASK! You
don’t want data (or the entire project!) thrown out because it was collected before the
paperwork was signed! Be sure to download and read the
ISEF Rules, ISEF Student Handbook, and the ISEF Forms. ALL
PROJECTS (grades 6-12) must submit the appropriate SRC forms
with their project registration. Many projects require review
and approval before the work can begin. You can use the ISEF
Rules Wizard to help you determine which forms are required
for your project. An
explanation of each form can be found on the Intel ISEF website.
Required
Forms - ALWAYS KEEP AN
ORIGINAL SET of signed forms
to have at
your project. Submit a copy only!
In
addition to these forms (below), there will be TCRSF
registration and parental permission forms required to compete
in TCRSF. For now, the only forms you need (until registration
for the actual science fair competition) are below:
2010 Rules and
Regulations
2010
Student Handbook
2010
All Intel ISEF Project Forms
2010
Abstract Form
2010 Complete
Book: Rules, Handbook, & Forms
NOTE: Be sure
to read the forms. Often the signature is date of approval,
not date of the signature!
An
explanation of each form can be found on the Intel ISEF website.
WARNING:
Keep a file folder or binder of
all your science project forms at home for future reference
until you graduate from high school! (THIS IS NOT YOUR TEACHER'S
JOB TO KEEP YOUR FILE/PAPERWORK.) You may actually need the
paperwork again for future projects. If you are part of
a team project, ALL TEAM MEMBERS should each keep their
own complete set of the required project forms! Continuation
study forms have been required of a team member that does a
future individual project in a similar field of science (and
vice versa).
Run
your experiment and keep excellent records in your lab notebook.
Do not write on scraps of paper. Write everything in a
bound notebook which you use as a daily journal of all your
work. Sign and date each page. It is okay if you have the
coffee stains or dirt on your lab book. Judges expect the
notebook to be used "in the field" or in the lab!
The notebook
should contain your questions, answers, procedures, drawings of
designs, data collected, observations, notes from talking to
experts in the field, and so on. If you use materials that
are dated or have a lot number, it is a good idea to record the
company, the lot number, and the date of the material that you
are using in your project. Everything should be recorded
in your notebook with enough detail that someone could repeat
your experiment just from reading your notebook. Plan
ahead to record your observations and data. In the age of
digital photography, it is a great idea to document your entire
experiment with photographs. You don’t have to use the
photos, but you'll have the option to use them for your display
or paper.
The easiest
project to do well with is an experimental project that follows
the scientific method.
Scientific
method
is a logical step-by-step method to investigate a question or
problem by varying one or more parameters, while holding all
other factors constant, and measuring the outcome or result.
Step 1:
Define the problem or question. What do you want to
investigate?
Step 2:
Gather information (background research) to be able to make an
hypothesis and the design of your experiment (the experimental
plan).
Step 3:
Form an hypothesis, that is, an educated guess, as to what the
outcome of your project will be.
Step 4: Do
the experiment, following your plan. If something doesn’t work
correctly, modify your plan and re-run the experiment. Be
sure to consider how you will analyze your results before you
run the experiment! For example, if you feed one plant
coffee and one plant water, what is the natural variability in
plants that could make a difference? If you ran three
plants of each you would have a better idea of your results;
however, some statistics may require 15, 30, or even more plants
of each in order to make the results statistically significant.
That’s why you need a plan, including what you will measure
and how you will analyze the data, before you begin! You
can refine your procedures and repeat the experiments if needed.
Step 5:
Analyze the data and summarize your conclusions. In some
projects it is appropriate to make modifications to your
procedure or experiment based on your experience and findings
with the first trials and run additional tests. Did you prove or
disprove your hypothesis?
It is totally acceptable to disprove your hypothesis. Your
thinking, application of scientific method, ability to
communicate your work, and your knowledge of general
science/engineering principles will all contribute to your
success at the science fair!
Step 6:
Communicate your findings with others, through your paper, your
project display, your abstract
and/or discussions with experts in your field.
After
you have your results analyzed and summarized, you can write
your research paper, your abstract,
and create your science project display for the fair.
Definitely write a research
paper! You can use the same information in
your research paper as for the research plan, experiment, and
exhibit. Keep at least one copy of your research paper at your
project display during competition. The judges will often want
to see it, even if it is the same material that is also on your
exhibit boards and in your research plan in your forms. You can
enter both the research paper competition as well as the exhibit
(traditional science fair) competition all with the same work
and increase your chances of earning more awards!
It is recommended that you
make backups of your research paper and of your forms and
research plan for your project and save them until after your
have graduated from high school! Some students have even been
able to use some of their research for lab projects in
college!!!
For
information specific to the research
paper, check our Research
Paper page.
For
information specific to the exhibit/display for the science
fair, check our Exhibits page.
If you have further questions,
please feel free to ask us!
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