Pre-AP Biology Science Project Guidelines

Intel International Science and Engineering Fair

The science project is required of all students in the Pre-AP Biology course. It is part of a rigorous study to prepare the student for Advanced Placement (AP) science courses.

The science fair is operated under the guidelines of the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. Their website can be accessed by the link below.

http://www.societyforscience.org/ISEF/

From this website you can access the official guidelines, rules, and documents that your student will be completing as he/she proceeds through the project.

I encourage you to visit this site for more information about the science fair process. Throughout this semester your child will bring home forms from this site that will need to be completed before he/she can continue with the project.

If your child loses a form or this science fair package of information, a link to all this “stuff” can be accessed at the RCPS science website by visiting www.rcps.info go to departments, science, science fair, student resources. (http://www.rcps.info/departments/instructional_department/science/science_fair_resources/student_resources/ )

Also, you can find science fair information on my webpage, http://ph.rcps.info/teacher_pages/science/p__maxey/biology/pre_a_p_bio_science_fair/

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Pre-AP Biology Parent Letter

October 2016

Dear Parent,

I am excited that your student is enrolled in pre-AP Biology. This is an advanced class and will move at a quicker pace and incorporate more projects and labs. The student will be required to do a research project on a science topic. Students may work alone or in pairs. If students choose to work together, they are agreeing to receive the same grade as their group members for some parts of the project and understand that they are making a group commitment and must work together. The student is responsible for ensuring each member is contributing to the group. Some assignments will be required of all students regardless of whether or not they are working in a group. It is the student’s responsibility to understand all deadlines and which items are required of each member. Please refer to the Science Fair Project Timeline. The teacher will select projects that will be entered in the PH science fair held on January 26, 2017.

Each student will be required to select a science topic, complete a research paper on their approved topic, and formulate and test a hypothesis through an experiment. Students will work on the project outside of class. A timetable for completing various parts of the project is attached and additional information is included in the How to Booklet found on my webpage. (http://ph.rcps.info/teacher_pages/science/p__maxey/biology/pre_a_p_bio_science_fair/)

This is a major project and will represent a significant portion of the student’s grade for the 2nd and 3rd nine weeks. Due to the magnitude of the project and the length of time given to complete the project, no final research papers or experimental project boards will be accepted late.

If you have any questions, Mrs. Maxey can be reached at 853-2255 ext 7307 or pmaxey@rcps.info.

I appreciate your assistance, and I look forward to a rewarding school year.

_______________________ ________________Parent Signature Date

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Science Fair Project Timeline 2016-2017 Name: _________________

Parent signature verifies you have seen this form and understand that a project is required of Pre-AP Biology students. Points will be deducted for late work (1/2 credit for one day late; 1/4 credit for second day late, no credit third day late). The final paper and experiment project are not accepted late and will receive a zero if late.

Task to be completed

What’s due Due Date Date in

Grade/Possible Points

Topic Ideas 3 possible science topics and indicate if working with a group or alone. If working with a group list all group members and the period, they have Biology. No more than 4 people in a group.

Oct 10 (A, BR)Oct 11 (B)

/10

Rough draft of background information & 5 sources

Outline science concept being studiedBibliography of 5 sources in the approved format.

Oct 10 (A, BR)Oct 11 (B)

/25

TOTAL POINTS = /35Research Paper Research paper on your topic completed

according to instructionsOct 20 (A, BR) /50Oct 21 (B) No late papers accepted.

Research Plan Approval Form

Research Plan Project Approval Form on what you want to study. Form in this packet.

Oct 20 (A, BR) Oct 21 (B)

/20

Procedure Step by step procedure. Must be approved before experiment begins

Oct 26 (A, BR) Oct 27 (B)

/10

Forms 1/1A/1B* completed

Research Plan Attachment Due (part of Form 1A)

Experiment begins

Must have forms 1/1A/1B turned in to begin project, with student, parent, teacher signatures. Research Plan Attachment Form, with attached typed pages, including procedure. Forms can be found in the science project folder on my website. Forms must be typed. You may type directly on the form. Don’t forget to sign the forms!

Experimentation should begin by Nov 1

Oct 26 (A, BR)Oct 27 (B)

/20

Form 1B Must Be Completed and Turned in Before Experimentation Starts *Abstract on official form

Complete official abstract form Nov 18 (A, BR) Nov 21 (B)

/10

Log Book Follow guidelines in handout. See grading rubric.

Nov 18 (A, BR) Nov 21 (B)

/25

Science FairJan 26

If selected, student must be present after school for judging.

Must be present for judging

*To be completed by every member in the group.

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Choosing a Project

Pick a topic related to science. Your topic must be approved.

Decide if you are working independently or with another student.

A good project will allow for experimentation NOT demonstration. For example a project on “How Volcanoes Erupt” does not allow the student to experiment; he is just doing a demonstration on how a volcano erupts. A topic such as: “The Effect of Chemical Fertilizers on Bean Plants” allows the student to experiment with different amounts of fertilizer on the growth of plants.

Every Project has a Problem

The problem of the project is what you are going to experiment on. For example: The problem of this project is to determine if fertilizer makes a difference in plant growth.

Every Project has a Purpose

The purpose of the project will explain what you tried to discover in your experiment. For example: The purpose of this project is to determine if fertilizer makes plants grow taller.

Hypothesis: is a possible explanation as to what will happen in an experiment.

Your experiment does not have to prove your hypothesis correct. Remember Thomas Edison experimented nearly 2000 times before discovering what would work in a light bulb.

The hypothesis will be stated in an “if”, “then” statement. For example: If chemical fertilizer is added to a bean plant then the plant will grow taller.

As you begin your project, save everything! As you complete work on the computer- save everything! Many of the items will be reused, and if you have saved them, then it is much easier when you compile all your information into the notebooks.

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Literature Review Research Paper :

The literature review serves as documentation of the first three steps of the scientific method: 1) state the purpose or problem, 2) gather information on the topic, and 3) form a testable hypothesis. Scientists review literature to explain why they are proposing a research study. The review will include important background information on the variables and an overview of prior research on the topic. The student will use information from the literature review to write the introduction, discuss results, and form conclusions when writing about their own experimental projects. The literature review will have several different sections as outlined below. Put your paper in the order listed below.

Paper requirements: Typed Times New Roman or Arial Font only 12 point font one inch margins all around To include all components in the order listed below Minimum 5 sources

Components to be included in the paper: Title Page : This page will have the title of your project, name of all group

members, and date. Body of the report: must include:

a) a clear statement of the purpose of your experiment. The purpose must identify the independent and dependent variables.

b) A brief discussion of how this topic relates to Biology.c) Review of Literature: This is a summary of the work and research

conducted by others that relate to your topic. The information must relate to your variables. Include the results of other researchers. Internal documentation must be used to give credit to your sources. This is where you will use your library, internet, and encyclopedia notes to write the review.

Hypothesis : your hypothesis should be made as a result of your becoming knowledgeable about the topic. Therefore, it should come at the end of the summary of the research. The hypothesis is in the “if”, “then” format.

Works Cited : This is the page where you will cite your source materials. It is also called a bibliography page. Use the following format for the appropriate source. Only cite the sources you use in the paper. You will need 5 sources.

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Internal Documentation

When using another’s idea or quotation, you must provide internal documentation in the paper. You do this by putting the author’s name, page number, and year published in parenthesis after the quote or idea, even if you have paraphrased the information.

For example. “ Physical science- the study of matter, energy, and the changes that matter and energy undergo” (Prentice Hall pg 4, 2005)

Works Cited Basic Rules

Begin the Works Cited page on a separate page at the end of your research paper. It should have the same one-inch margins and last name, page number header as the rest of the paper.

Label the page Works Cited (do not underline the words Works Cited or put them in quotation marks) and center the words Works Cited at the top of the page.

Capitalize each word in the titles of articles, books, etc, but do not capitalize articles, short prepositions, or conjunctions unless one is the first word of the title or subtitle: Gone with the Wind, The Art of War.

Use italics or underlining for titles of larger works (books, magazines) and quotation marks for titles of shorter works (poems, articles)

Arrange entries in alphabetical order by the author’s last name. Indent the second line

Internet Sites for Creating Works Cited Page

There are several sites that you can use to create a work-cited page. The link below is easy to use: put in the requested information and click save citation. You will need to copy the citation and paste into a word document that you then need to save. Remember a minimum of 5 sources is required.

http://oslis.org/@@mla-secondary

Below is another site you could also use to create a works cited page

http://www.bibme.org/

The important thing is that you have works cited in your research paper. You cannot use a person’s work without citing the source of information. This is considered plagiarism and is a serious offense.

On the following page are examples of how to do a bibliography without using an internet site to create the works cited. I find it easier if students use the internet site, but if that is not possible it can be done the “old fashion” way!

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Examples of How to List Works Cited

Here are examples of how to create a work cited page without using an internet site. Remember a minimum of 5 sources is required.

Book with one author

Last name, First name. Title of Book. Place of Publication: Publisher, Year of Publication.

Example: Henley, Patricia. The Hummingbird House. Denver: MacMurray, 1999.

Articles from reference books

Dictionary entry: Word. Definition #. Name dictionary. Edition. Year published.Example:"Accord." Def.5b. The Oxford English Dictionary. 2nd ed. 1989.

Encyclopedia entry: Author’s last name, first name. “Title Article”. Name of encyclopedia. Edition. Year published.Example:Bergman, P. G. "Relativity." The New Encyclopedia Britannica. 15th ed. 1987.

Website Name of Site. Date of Posting/Revision. Name of institution/organization affiliated with the site (sometimes found in copyright statements). Date you accessed the site. <electronic address>.

Example:

Felluga, Dino. Guide to Literary and Critical Theory. 28 Nov. 2003. Purdue University. 10 May 2006 <http://www.cla.purdue.edu/english/theory/>.

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Research Paper Check and Grade Sheet****

Use this paper to check off the required components of your research paper. This sheet also indicates the point value of each item.

Required Components of the Research PaperRefer to pages 6-8

Student Check if included

Teacher check if included

Points earned/Point value

Typed /5Times New Roman or Arial Font; 12 point /1One inch margins all around /1Components in order listed below: /5Title page /1Table of contents /1Body of report: The paper clearly states the purpose of the experiment. Discusses how this topic relates to Biology. Clearly summarizes the research related to your topic. Includes internal documentation of sources of information.

/25

Hypothesis: If…then statement /1Works cited: 5 sources of information listed in proper format.

/10

TOTAL POINTS EARNED /50

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Research Plan Project Approval Form NAME(s)______________________________________________________________

Must be approved by your teacher BEFORE experimentation can begin. After this is approved and all forms are turned in you may begin the experiment. You cannot change your experiment without approval from the teacher.

1. Problem or question being addressed.

2. Hypothesis (if/then format)

3. Independent Variable is ________________________________________________(remember: you can only have one thing you change)

4. Dependent Variable is ________________________________________________ (this is what you will be measuring; what is changing because of the independent variable).

5. Control is ______________________________________________________________

6. Constants in the experiment are _____________________________________________(list at least three.)

7. Description, in detail, of the procedures you will use in your experiment. First make a list of materials used in the experiment.

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The Experiment

Your project should include a control group so that you can compare the results of the experimental group to a group that did not have the variable changed.

Your experiment will contain an independent variable, dependent variable, control group and constants.

o Independent Variable : the experimenter changes something to observe what will happen. The thing that she changes in an experiment is the independent variable (also called the manipulated variable). For example, you experiment on the effects of fertilizer on plants, so you change fertilizer amounts. The fertilizer is the independent variable.

o Dependent variable : the factor that changes as a result of changes to the independent variable. In this example plant growth is the dependent variable. Dependent variable is also referred to as the responding variable.

o Control group : this group does not receive the independent variable. In this example you would have a group of plants that are not fertilized.

o Controlled experiment : an experiment that has a control group.o Constants : all the things that stay the same in all the experimental trials. In this

example some of the constants would be: same type of plant, same size pot, same potting soil, same amount of water and light.

You will do repeated trials of your experiment. For example: if you were melting chocolate to determine the time chocolate takes to melt, you would melt chocolate a minimum of FIVE different times and then determine the average of the five times. You must repeat the experiment several times to establish that the experiment is repeatable, and that the results are consistent. The more you repeat your experiment, the more reliable the results will be.

Take photos while you are experimenting. Keep accurate data in your log book. DO NOT erase; just mark through once if a

mistake is made. Use PEN in your log book; NOT pencil. Keep detailed observations in your log book. Date each entry. This is science- use metric measurements in all experiments and units after numbers!

The Results: Organize your data in tables Label data tables. Remember have units with the numbers. Do not “fudge” the data. A judge can tell if your data is not accurate. Average the results of the trials. Graph the data with an appropriate graph. Label the graph and use keys if needed.

Discussion:Discuss the data that was gathered from your experiment. Explain in written detail what the numerical results show. What type of inferences can you make from the data?

The Conclusion:Use the data to infer conclusions from the experiment. Was your hypothesis supported? You must state this in your conclusion. Remember, it is OK if the hypothesis was not supported. Be

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especially careful that your conclusion is not a new hypothesis. Any new hypothesis must be tested.

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The Log Book

The log book is a progressive data book of your science project. Every time you work on your project you will write down what is done or measured.

When experimentation begins, you will write the procedure, in detail, in the log book along with any illustrations that help explain the project.

The log book will be a bound composition notebook (not spiral bound) OR a 3-ring binder.

Use only ink in the book. NO pencil. Number each page in the bottom right corner. If a mistake is made, DO NOT erase. Just mark through one time. DO NOT scribble

through so that you cannot see the original entry. All observations and data are to be entered into the book. Date each entry. The log book will be displayed at the science fair.

The log book will be evaluated for the following: All writing is neat (remember, mark through mistakes only once) Tables and graphs are drawn, using rulers. All tables and graphs have labels and titles.

All tables and graphs are numbered, with captions that include dates. All graphs are on graph paper or through a computer program like Excel.

All procedures are clearly described in a step by step fashion. Modifications to the procedures are clearly described, explained and dated.

Materials list is clearly and thoroughly written Control, constants, and variables are clearly and thoroughly described.

Log book set up (some may require more than one page)

Title page : include title of project (The Effect of….), start date, end date. (your name will not go here because the book is displayed at the science fair)

Problem : This will state the reason for the experiment. Purpose : This will state the purpose of your experiment. Hypothesis : This will be stated in the “if”, “then” format. Materials : List the materials that you used in the experiment. Put them into list form, not

paragraph form. Procedures : This is where you will list your procedures. Make then detailed, so that

someone can replicate your experiment, exactly. List them numerically. Data Tables: include a title above the table, number and caption below the table and

appropriately labeled columns and rows, with units. (use a ruler) Graphs: include title above the graph, number and caption below the graph, and

appropriately labeled axes, with units. (use a ruler). Must be on graph paper. Observations: complete and detailed description of what happened during your

experiment.

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Log Book, Project Book and Exhibit Board Check and Grade Sheet **

Use this paper to check off the required components of your log book. This sheet also indicates the point value of each item.

Required Components of the Log Book Student Check if included

Teacher check if included

Points earned/Point value

Log Book: Use of ink; pages numbered; all entries dated /3Log Book in the following order: Title page Problem Purpose Hypothesis Materials Procedures Data Tables Graphs Discussion Conclusion

/2

All data is in metric units. All graphs labeled correctly /5Discussion and results are clearly stated and well thought out as to what happened in the experiment.

/15

TOTAL POINTS EARNED on LOG BOOK Due Jan 11

/25

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Exhibit Board (only for students attending science fair) :

The board should be a three sided exhibit board that can be purchased from: Wal-Mart (early in school year, otherwise hard to find here), office supply stores (like Staples, Office Max) or If It’s Paper (Apperson Drive).

The boards come in different colors. So before you purchase your board, you may want to think of the color scheme you will use. A display looks better if you use 2-4 coordinating colors, instead of just a mixture of unrelated colors. Use your art class skills here!

The board will be the final step in the science fair process. Make your board neat. DO NOT glue items on your board until you have all the elements prepared. Then place items on the board to see if you like the display. DO NOT glue until you are sure that is where you want the items placed. Then glue and you are done!

The following will be on your exhibit board: (refer to enclosed picture for reference) Project Title (The Effect of…..) Abstract Problem Purpose Hypothesis Materials Procedure Pictures (remember, no people) Graphs Data Tables Results Discussion Conclusion

The above items should be generated on a computer, even the data tables and graphs. When working on this project, ALWAYS, save anything you do on your computer for future reference. If you do not have a computer at home, computers are available at school and the public library. It is your responsibility to produce all items- even data tables and graphs. We are here to show you how, but this is your project, and a great way to enhance your computer skills.

Your research paper will not be attached to the board. The research paper and log book will be displayed in front of your board at the science fair.

Remember, nothing living can be at the science fair. Do not bring plant material or soil to display with the board.

Your name cannot be visible on the board. If you have your name on your board, you must cover it at display time. Your name should never be on the front.

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Exhibit Board Example

Project TitleThe Effect of…

Abstract

Problem

Purpose

Hypothesis

MaterialsList form

Pictures-

Pictures-

Data Tables

Graphs

Procedures-Numerical list

Discussion of results

Conclusion

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