2. Stage 7 - Publishing the Inquiry – Extra Handout
(Extra Information for Science Fair Presentation)
Publishing an inquiry in the form a science fair presentation is very common way for middle school
students and other people as well. It can be very fun but it is always requires a lot of time and effort
compared to other publishing methods.
As stated in the Publishing the Inquiry help handout, there are three main parts to consider when
creating a science fair presentation.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
PART 1- What resources will be used or created?
A. Pages- for a science fair presentation, you must create the following pages.
Purpose /Topic and Prediction and Materials
Background Hypothesis
List your inquiry’s
Describe your inquiry’s Describe your inquiry’s materials
question prediction and Use information from the
Use information from hypothesis procedure you created
Stage 1 handout- Use information from in
(Exploring a Question) Stage 2 handout Stage 3
(Prediction and Hypothesis) (Creating a Procedure)
Procedure Analysis Application
List your inquiry’s Review and analyze your Apply the Inquiry
procedure’s steps results Use your paragraph from
Use information from the Make a paragraph using Stage 6
procedure you created your Stage 5 handout (Applying the Inquiry)
in (Analyzing the Results)
Stage 3 (optional)
(Creating a Procedure)
Other Sections?? Citations
Grade 8 Test - Science (optional)
You are encouraged to
include other research,
information, ideas or other to
enrich your presentation!
(See Note 1 below)
Note: 1. You may wish to make other pages too such as: Abstract Page
Variable Page
Other Information Handouts
2. Your pages should look professional. Use a computer and printer.
3. B. Charts, Figures and Photos – you must include your chart(s) that you completed in Stage 4.
As well, you may wish includes some figures (eg. graph or diagram) and some photos.
C. Model- you should also include a model of your inquiry. Arrange together some the materials that
you used or created in Stage 4.
------------------------------------------------------------------------- -
PART 2 – How will your resources be organized?
A. Create a Display Board- You need to display all of your pages, charts, figures and photos on a
display board.
Display Board
How? 1. Look at many examples of display boards. The following sites will help!
http://www.selah.k12.wa.us/SOAR/SciProj2002/KiereaM.html
http://www.odec.ca/projects/2004/walk4d0/public_html/
http://www.virtualsciencefair.org/display2003/PublicSelect2009.asp
Type Science Fair Projects in Google-Images
2. Make your display board.
Use a strong but light material (Ex. pegboard, corkboard, plywood, foam board
etc)
Cover your boards with fabric, wallpaper, construction paper etc.
Make a border around your boards using construction paper
3.Make Title Headings
Be artistic and professional
Use fancy paper to draw and cut out letters OR design letterheads on your computer
4. Post all your pages, charts, figures and photos
Post all of your pages, charts, figures and photos in a neat and organized way
Everything should look professional too
5. Set up your model in front of your display board
4. B. Create a Report – You will also need to create a small report containing all of your papers.
Report
1. Obtain a nice binder or file folder
2. Make a copy of your all your pages (Purpose/Topic and Background, Prediction and Hypothesis,
Materials, …etc)
3. Also create a title page and a table of contents.
4. Number all of your pages.
5. Put everything in your binder.
------------------------------------------------------------------------- -
Part 3 – What will you do with your resources?
A. You will bring your display board, model and report to school on the appointed day.
B. You will present your inquiry to all teachers, students in your school and their parents too!
How? Study your resources carefully.
Practice saying the information on your pages to another person or audience.
You could even right a short speech to help you say the information.
You could even dress up in a suit or dress!
5. Science Fair Project – Preparation Handouts
Science Topic: Students may choose but must receive permission
Project Name: Science Fair Project
Project Tentative Due Date: Monday, March 19
For Parent-
I have read and understand my child has to complete the project outlined below by the tentative due
date given above.
저는 이프로젝트 개요를 읽었으며 제 아아가 위에 명시 된 날짜가찌프로젝트를 완성해야 됨을
이해합니다.
__________________________________ (Parent’s Signature 학부모님 서명)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Overview- Over the next month and bit, you must create a science fair project.
What is a Science Fair Project? A science fair project is often (but not always) an inquiry. So you
can follow all 7 stages of the inquiry process. However, for stage 7 (Publishing the Inquiry), you need
to create a science fair presentation. (see extra stage 7 handouts)
** If you want to choose a different format than from below (Ex. a technological
design, a correlational study etc.), it may be possible. However, you must get
permission from your teacher NOW. **
1. Partners- You may choose to do your science fair alone OR you may do it with a partner.
If you do it alone, you will be given a special bonus mark because you
have to do more work!
By <Date to Be Announced> confirm the box below:
2. Topic- You may choose any inquiry topic for your science fair project. Remember, you need to
explore some question. (Inquiry Stage 1) and you need to create a prediction or
hypothesis.(Inquiry Stage 2)
The following sites will give you a lot of ideas. Look at them before deciding your topic!
1. http://chemistry.about.com/od/sciencefairprojects/a/sciproelem.htm
2. http://www.juliantrubin.com/sciencefairprojectsaz.html
3. http://www.juliantrubin.com/fairprojects.html
____ I will be doing my science fair project with _________________.
____ I will be doing my science fair project alone.
Chosen Topic: _____________________________________________
Teacher’s Signature: ________________________________________
6. 3. Steps – Follow all steps on the next page. Also be sure to complete all plan handouts that follow.
Check as you do them.
1. _____ Complete Stage 1 Handout: Exploring a Question
2. _____ Complete Stage 2 Handout: Prediction and Hypothesis
3. _____ Make a page for Stage 3: Creating the procedure
4. _____ Carry out your procedure for Stage 4: Conducting a Procedure
5. _____ Complete Stage 5 Handout: Analyzing the Results
6. _____ Complete Stage 6 Handout: Applying the Results
7. _____ Complete Stage 7: Publishing your Inquiry
4. Marking- Remember that your science fair project will be graded too.
Your project will be marked using the rubric at the end
7. Science Fair Project - Stage 1
Exploring a Question
Stage 1 Instructions-
1. Choose a topic to explore. Look at the websites given on page 1.
2. Ask yourself questions like. What do I wonder about this topic? Do I really understand
everything about his topic? What do I not know? Think carefully.
3. Find and write down some questions that you thought about in step 2 using the format below:
Be sure to use multiple resources such as your textbook, the Internet and other.
Use a proper format such as summary notes or jot notes to properly record your
information
My Topic: _______________________________________
Background Information:
Complete on Other A4 Paper to ensure a sufficient amount is
written!!!
* Remember you have to rewrite your background information when publishing later.
This step must be completed by (Date to be Announced) confirm the box below:
Teacher’s Signature: __________________________________
8. Science Fair Project - Stage 2
Making a Prediction and Hypothesis
For this inquiry, you have already chosen your inquiry’s topic and researched some background
information.
Now you should write a proper scientific prediction about a more specific inquiry focus for your
inquiry’s topic
And, you need to make a proper hypothesis relating to your particular topic
****** MORE HELP ******
Remember to include: an independent and dependent variable
Also, remember to write a two-part sentence where you first show the relationship between your
variables and then you make your guess
Write a –good- reasoning / explanation for making your guess using ―science‖. This is your
hypothesis
Specific Inquiry Focus: Now, I wonder ___________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Here is now what I want to check out more. I think there is a connection between
____________________ (write variable 1) and __________________ (write variable 2)
My Scientific Prediction: ____________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
My Hypothesis:
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
This step must be completed by (Date to be Announced) confirm the box below:
_______________________________________________________________________
Teacher’s Signature: __________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
* Remember you have to rewrite your prediction and hypothesis when publishing
_______________________________________________________________________
later.
9. Science Fair Project- Stage 3
Creating a Procedure
How will you test your prediction and hypothesis? Make a procedure!
Stage 3 Instructions-
1. Brainstorm some ideas to test out your prediction and hypothesis below.
Ideas For My Procedure
2. On A4 paper, write out or type your procedure just like you learned in class.
3. Check that your procedure is proper. Check each item on the checklist below.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Checklist for a Good Procedure
____ The procedure contains a title.
____ The procedure reviews briefly your inquiry’s topic/ purpose
____ A materials section is present.
____ Steps for the procedure are numbered in the right order
____ Charts and diagrams are present and easily understood
____ Charts record multiple repeats of key steps (trials)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
** Remember you have to rewrite your procedure when publishing later.
** Due Date for Step will be <Announced in Class>
10. Science Fair Project- Stage 4
Conducting the Procedure
Now you can test your prediction and hypothesis! Conduct your procedure!
Stage 4 Instructions-
1. Take out your procedure paper that you made in Stage 3 - (Creating a Procedure)
2. Check your procedure one more time. Fix it if you notice a problem.
3. Now have fun! Do your experiment!
Get your materials
Follow your procedure and make observations
Record your observations in your chart.
Also, remember!
Do your experiment many times and record multiple results. (ie. trials)
You can always change it and do again. (if there is some problem or you
know of a better way)
** Remember you will have to redo your chart later and may even create other more attractive
charts and graphs when publishing later.
** Due Date for Step will be Announced
11. Science Fair Project- Stage 5
Analyzing The Results
It is time to WRITE. Review what you did and try to understand your results. Complete ALL boxes.
Directions- 1. ALONE- Complete ALL 5 boxes below by yourself
2. PAIR- Share your writing with someone. Then, make your writing better.
3. RE –WRITE – After sharing, re-write all your paragraphs together on one A4 page.
Stage 5 – Part 1 – Reviewing
1. Question Re-write (Rewrite your inquiry’s topic. SEE STAGE 1!)
2. Useful Information Review (Rewrite some of your background information in STAGE 1!)
3. Prediction and Hypothesis Review (Look at Stage 2 or 3 handout. Which prediction did you
choose? Re-write it! Re-write your hypothesis too!)
12. Stage 5 – Part 2 – Understanding the Results
4. Compare (Look at the results that you got in Stage 4. Write detailed information about
them. Compare them with your prediction)
5. Discuss (Evaluate your content in the above box. Are your results and prediction the
same? If yes, make a conclusion. If no, explain why and discuss possible problems. Add
other relevant ideas too)
** REMEMBER- After writing you must do two more things:1. Have someone check your writing.
2. Write it again or type it on A4 paper
** Due Date for Step will be Announced
13. OPTIONAL!! - Science Fair Project- Stage 6
Applying the Inquiry
Directions-
1. Write an application paragraph about your science fair inquiry.
Answer questions given in your help handout on The Inquiry Process Stage 6
You may use other ideas too.
2. Ask someone to read your paragraph and give you feedback.
Then, rewrite the paragraph again or type it.
____________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
** REMEMBER- After writing you must do two more things: 1. Have someone check your writing
** Due Date for Step will be Announced 2. Write it again or type it on A4 paper
14. Publishing the Inquiry – Stage 7 Science Fair Presentation
Now you must create your medium to show your inquiry to others.
Look at you help handouts for Inquiry- Stage 7 (Publishing the Inquiry)
Remember there are three parts!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
PART 1- What resources will be used or created?
A. Pages- for a science fair presentation, you must create final drafts (ex. second drafts or even
third drafts) for all the proper pages (purpose, prediction and hypothesis, materials, procedure,
analysis, application and research)
B. Charts, Figures and Photos – you must include final copies for your chart that you completed
in Stage 4. As well, you may wish include some other charts or figures (eg. graph or
diagram) and some photos or other illustrations.
C. Model- you should also include a model of your inquiry. Arrange together some the materials
that you used or created in Stage 4. OR Make something to represent an
important part
of your project.
------------------------------------------------------------------------- -
PART 2 – How will your resources be organized?
A. Create a Display Board- You need to display the final drafts for all of your pages, charts, figures
and photos on a display board.
** You may also request to use another format (ex. computer screen and presentation
software). You must receive permission to do so from your teacher.
B. Create a Report – You will also need to create a small report containing all of your papers.
------------------------------------------------------------------------- -
Part 3 – What will you do with your resources?
A. You will bring your display board, model and report to school on the appointed day.
B. You will present your inquiry to all teachers, students in your school and their parents too!
How? Study your resources carefully.
Practice saying the information on your pages to another person or audience.
You could even right a short speech to help you say the information.
You could even dress up in a suit or dress!
** Due Date for Step will be Announced
15. Science Fair Project – Rubric
Student’s Name: ______________________________________________
Student’s Partner? ____________________________________________
Topic: ______________________________________________________
Objective Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4
Needs A lot of Needs Some Acceptable Outstanding
Work Work Work Word
1. Shows Has a limited Can explain most Can explain all 7 Can explain all 7
knowledge of the understanding of stages of an stages of an stages of an
Scientific Inquiry the stages of an inquiry with fair inquiry inquiry with
Process inquiry. understanding. sufficiently. insight.
2. Speaks Able to explain a Able to explain Able to share Able to share
knowledgeably limited amount of some details sufficient details many details and
and eagerly about detail about the about the project. about the project. about the project
the project project. Tells about the Is pleasant and and more.
Answers only project only when willing to share Eager to tell
some of the asked. information. about the project.
questions asked.
3. Written Handouts, pages Some handouts, All handouts, All handouts,
documents clearly and figures have pages and figures pages and figures pages and figures
demonstrate the been completed are completed are completed are completed
use of research, in a limited sense. and/or certain well. well as well as
experimentation parts or details additional
and analysis skills are missing or resources.
lack accuracy.
4. Presents data Data is presented Data is presented Data is presented Data is presented
using a format in a limited on a board with on a board in an on a board in
that is well fashion. A limited some organized and insightful ways. A
organized and model may or organization and attractive way. An very creative
visually appealing may not be attractiveness. A appropriate model is included
present. model is present model is included and used in the
and used with and used in the presentation.
some success. presentation.
Total Score:_________________________
Comments: __________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
16. Information on Writing Citations (Optional Reading)
What is a Citation?
A citation is a quoting of specific information about some resource that you used to obtain information.
(ie. that you researched from)
Students and other people are expected to use a specific format when researching information from
other sources to write pieces of work that require information to be cited.
Why is it Important to Cite Sources?
As a researcher and writer, you have a responsibility to give proper credit to your sources. It is also very
important that you give this credit using a specific format so that it is easy for everyone to follow and
understand. If you fail to cite a source properly, did you know that you have committed plagiarism? (See
below).
What is Plagiarism?
When you do not give proper credit to your sources, you have committed an act called plagiarism.
Basically, you are lying to your readers. You used someone else’s ideas or other information without
telling anyone where you took it from. Whether your reasons for doing this (ex. using someone else’s
ideas as your own on purpose, by mistake through careless research or forgetfulness), you are guilty of
plagiarism. So again, it is important for any information that you received from a source you needs to
cite it. The only exception to this would be any idea or fact that is common knowledge. You do not
have to cite that. For example, you do not have to cite that ―Humans drink water‖ or ―There are 24
hours in a day‖.
How do you cite?
Citing your work is basically the same as writing a bibliography. More specifically, you make a list of all
the sources you researched to write any part of your paper or other publication format. To correctly,
record each a citation for each source, do the following:
1. Put your citation information at the END of your work piece.
2. Each entry of your list is like one long sentence. It does not matter where the second line begins
in an entry; it begins on the second line simply because you ran out of room on the first line.
3. For every entry, indent the second and subsequent lines.
4. Write your entries in alphabetical order.
5. Last, use the following formats to write each of your entries:
17. Proper Citation Formatting (Optional Reading)
1. Book by One Author
Last Name, First Name. Title. Place of publication: Publisher, Copyright Date.
Example: James, Bill. Ellis Island. London: Conpeil Press, 2012.
2. Book by Two Authors
Last Name, First Name and First Name Last Name. Title. Place of publication: Publisher,
Copyright Date.
Example: Smith, George and Betty Trent. Freedom Rides. Toronto: Broad
Shoulder Press, 2008.
3. Encyclopedia (Note: If an author is not listed, begin the entry with the title of the article.)
Last Name, First Name. ―Title of Article.‖ Name of Encyclopedia. Edition Year.
Example: Franc, Charles. ―Dogs.‖ World Books. 2001 ed.
4. General Internet Website
Last Name, First Name (if author is given). Title of Website. Date last updated. Name of
organization that sponsors the site. Date accessed. <URL link>.
Examples: O’Connor, Samson. Samson’s Collection. 7 July 2006. University of Toronto. 31
August 2010. <http://library.gcsu.edu/~sc/foc.html>.
Jones, Kelly. The Effects of Solar Radiation. 15 Mar. 2010. Lamos Research Facility. 14 Oct.
2010. <http://www.larf.org/hiro/radeffect.htm>.
5. Online Database—Encyclopedia
―Title of Article.‖ Name of Encyclopedia. Year. Name of online source. Date <URL (Persistent
link)>.
Example: ―Whales.‖ Encyclopedia Britannica. 2006. Encyclopedia Canadiana Online. 23 August
2010. <http://search.eb.com/eb/article-9076727>.
18. Finish Strong for Your Science Fair Project !
By now, you have almost completed your science fair
project. Hurrah!
But it is important to check that you are completely
ready
Today’s class and HW will help you to finish strongly!
Part 1 – In class Questions
Work with a small group
Take turns showing your board to each other
When showing, have other students ask questions about how you completed your project
Keep in mind that the questions below are more about the process of getting ready. So you
do not need to explain a lot about the scientific knowledge for your topic during today’s class
Questions to ask the Presenting Group Member
1. How many boards did you decide to use? Why?
2. How did you make the background parts for your board? (What colour is your board? Did
you use fancy paper for the background or other? What kind of headings do you have and
how did you make them? etc.)
3. How many papers in total do you have on your board?
4. What kind of diagrams, graphs or tables do you have? Explain how you made some of them.
5. What did you use to arrange your report? (binder, file folder…etc). How did you arrange all
your papers?
6. _________________________________________________________________________
__?
Part 2 – To do for HW Questions
Of course, you are going to make any necessary revisions to your board
But also remember that you need to talk during your science fair presentation.
Most likely, you will be asked questions.
The following are some commonly asked science fair questions.
Answer all questions in full on other paper.
** Remember to answer each question using FULL SENTENCES and include LOTS OF
DETAILS! (A simple Yes or No is not a proper answer!)
Questions that you may be asked during your Science Fair Presentation
1. How did you get the idea for your topic?
2. Can you explain your background research (stage 1)? OR What was the most interesting
background reading you used?
3. What are your variables? Your controls?
4. Can you explain your procedure?
5. How many times did you repeat your experiment?
6. Did you need to make any changes to your original procedure?
7. What does your data (from your results) tell you?
8. What do your graphs represent?
9. What does each photo or picture tell you?
10. How does your apparatus work? (your model, experiment or other)
11. Did you find any experimental errors? What did you do about them?
12. Why is your results and analysis important? OR What application does this project have to real
life? (Hint – use your application paragraph)
13. What problems did you run into while doing your experiment and how did you fix them?
14. Did you acquire any new skills while doing your project?
15. What help did you receive from others (students, adults, teachers, family, and so on)?
19. 16. What are the three most interesting or important things you learned when doing this science fair
project?
17. What further research do you plan on doing, or would do, to this science fair project? (Your future
study)
18. _________________________________________________________________________
__?
Part 3 – (Optional)
Write up a short "speech" (about 2–5 minutes long) summarizing your science fair project. Do not just
you’re your papers word by word. That is too long to keep saying to each visitor! Also memorize it!
- Things to possibly include in your speech are:
How you got the idea for your topic.
How you did the experiment(s) (explain any relevant terms along the way).
Your results and conclusions.
Why your science fair project is important in today's society (how will it help people today?)
Demonstrate (briefly) that you understand the theory behind why your project turns out the way it
does.
- After writing and learning your speech, you could also:
Practice explaining your science fair project to others and pretend they are judges.
Videotaping yourself during practice can also be very helpful. Although it can be painful to watch
the video, you will see the mistakes you made and be able to fix the next time you speak.
Practice explaining your science fair project in simple terms so anyone can understand it.
o Many students do not know how to explain their science fair project to the general public. If
you can explain your project in laymen's terms, you are one step ahead of everyone!
Part 4 – For the Days of the Science Fair
1. Present yourself in a professional way- Always dress up nicely for the science fair judging
period-NO JEANS! Everyone will take you more seriously if you look professional.
2. Make good use of your display board. Point to diagrams / graphs when you are discussing.
3. Always be positive and enthusiastic!
4. Be confident with your answers. Do not mumble and say "Ummmmm...I think maybe this is
happening?" Even if you answer a question incorrectly, at least you tried your best!
5. Emphasize how you were creative/unique/innovative with your science fair project.
6. If you have no idea what a person is asking, or do not know the answer to their question, it
is okay to say "I do not know." (And move on to the next question that you –can- hopefully
answer!)
7. Treat each person who visits you like a judge, even nonscientists.
8. Always ask for feedback from others especially teachers.
