ASPIRING SCIENTISTS

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ASPIRING SCIENTISTS
BURKE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS SCIENCE FAIR GUIDING
INQUIRING MINDS THROUGH THE INTEL INTERNATIONAL
SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING FAIR
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Science is a way of exploring the world around
you. When you took your first steps, you
investigated the physics of balance and
equilibrium. The last time you played basketball,
you explored projectile motion, changing the
speed and direction of the ball to get it through
the hoop. Each attempt to convince your mother
that youve already cleaned your room is actually
a study in human behavior. Even washing the
dishes is an investigation into the chemistry of
soap. You might not be wearing a lab coat,
taking measurements, and formally analyzing data,
but youre still a scientist.
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Science Fair basics

• Read about a scientist and his/her work
• Review sample science fair projects (display,
  plan, results, documentation)
• Come up with a fun, original question that really
  excites you
• Review and follow the scientific method to find
  an answer to your question.
• Do your best and work methodically.

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Planning

• Make a plan of action- a good scientist wouldnt
  start an experiment without a well-thought out
  plan. It will cut down on the time it takes to
  do your experiment, ensure accurate results, and
  allow another scientist to duplicate your
  experiment to verify your results.
• Get a Notebook. It will be your lab notebook
  (log book or journal), and it will only be used
  for your science fair project.
• Make a schedule. Use a calendar. Mark the date
  of the science fair.

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Keep on Track Scientific Project Schedule

• Identify the tasks
• 1. Choose Topic
• 2. Research your topic
• 3. Organize what you have learned from your
  research so that you can focus on a particular
  idea. Write your big question
• 4. Write a hypothesis
• 5. PLAN/DESIGN YOUR EXPERIMENT Write a
  step-by-step procedure. Consult with your adult
  sponsor AND DETERMINE IF SRC/IRB APPROVAL IS
  NEEDED.
• DETERMINE WHICH INTEL ISEF FORMS AND
  DOCUMENTS ARE NEEDED.
• 6. SUBMIT FORMS AND DOCUMENTS FOR APPROVAL.
• 7. Collect all materials needed
• 8. Conduct your experiment and collect all
  data in a journal or data log
• 9. Record the results of your experiment
  you may need to form a new hypothesis
• 10. Analyze and organize your results
• 11. Draw a conclusion and organize the results
  on easy to-read charts or graphs. Make sure
  your graph format (bar, circle, line, etc.) is
  the best means to display the data
• 12. Write a report that includes the question,
  the hypothesis, the step-by-step procedure and
  the results
• 13. Build a display using charts, graphs,
  photos, illustrations, neat lettering, and models
  of your experiment

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Keep on Track Scientific Project Schedule cont.

• List due dates for each component
• Document dates when tasks were completed
• Have your parent check your work
• Have your teacher check your work

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Ideas for Projects

• Something you are interested in
• Something you can investigate yourself
• Worded as a question so you can answer it by
  experimenting
• An investigation where the results can be timed,
  weighed, or somehow measured

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I have my topic Now What?

• Before you begin experimenting, you will need to
  find some background information about your
  topic.
• Places for background info encyclopedias (use
  more than one), science magazines, school text
  books (science, health), library books on your
  topic, people talk to people who are involved in
  your topic (doctors, veterinarians, engineers,
  professors, science teachers, etc.)

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Research Time

• Write down everything you already know about the
  topic in your journal. What do you like best
  about it? Read information from other sources.
  Find some experts on the topic and talk with
  them. Take notes and document your sources.
• Once you know a little more about your topic, you
  can start thinking of questions.

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Choose a Question

• Write down every question you can think of about
  the topic in your journal. Come up with at least
  three questions. Make sure the questions can not
  be answered with a simple yes or no.

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Choose a Question cont.

• Popcorn
• 1. What makes popcorn pop?
• 2. How is microwave popcorn different from
• air-popped popcorn?
• 3. Does it matter whether you butter the
  popcorn before or after you
• pop it?
• 4. How can I get the most popcorn without
  burning it in the microwave?
• CAN I MEASURE SOMETHING TO HELP ANSWER ONE OF
• THESE QUESTIONS?
• 4 is the best question because you can easily
  measure the amount of popcorn.

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Choose a Question cont.

• Good science questions usually come in a specific
  form.
• How does ______ affect ____?
• How does ______ compare to __?
• How does _____ determine _____?
• 4. How can I get the most popcorn without burning
  it in the microwave?
• How does the amount of time in the
• microwave affect the number of burnt kernels?

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Form a Hypothesis

• A hypothesis is just a guess at the answer to
  your question. All you need to do is take your
  question and make it into an answer.
• I think ____ will affect ___.
• I think ___ will not affect ___.
• I believe ___ will determine ____.
• I believe ___ will not determine ____.
• I think the amount of time the popcorn cooks in
  the microwave will determine the number of burnt
  popcorn kernels.

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Experiment!

• Is Once Enough?
• A good investigator gathers as much data as
  possible about his/her experiment, so once is not
  enough.
• If you are growing plants, you will want to
  have at least six to ten plants in each group.
  You will need to record the measurements of the
  plants every three or four days for at least a
  month.
• Your measurements and other observations
  about the conditions of the plants should be
  recorded in your journal. Be sure to date each
  entry and refer to specific plants. (Your plants
  should be labeled for easy reference.)

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Experiment!

• Designing your experiments
• 1. You, the investigator, will have to write
  a recipe for doing your investigation (like a
  chef has a recipe to follow)
• 2. List all steps, one at a time, so that
  another investigator could repeat your experiment
  without your help
• 3. Make sure your test is a fair test. Your
  experiments must be done under the same
  conditions. These conditions are known as
  variables factors that have an effect on your
  experiment.
• Dependent Variable- Variable that may or
  may not be changed as a result of effect of the
  experiment. It is the variable that will be
  observed at the end of the experiment.
• of burnt kernels
• Independent Variable- Variable that causes
  change. It starts the experiment. It is the
  first thing that is allowed to change. Time in
  microwave
• Extraneous Variable- The unanticipated,
  unwanted events which cause incorrect
  experimental results and wrong conclusions.
  Different microwaves number of kernels in
  microwavable bag of popcorn
• Controls- What variables will you control?
  What factors might affect the results? Make sure
  these factors dont change during the experiment.
  These things are your controls. Examples
  brands of items, temperature, power settings,
  etc.
• 4. Your directions should indicate exactly how
  you will perform the tests. If a test is to be
  repeated three times, be sure your directions
  state that. Dont assume that other people will
  know what you have planned

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INTEL ISEF FORMS General

• Required NC Elementary and Middle School Science
  Fairs (grades 3-8)
• Forms 1, 1A, and 1B required for high school
• Complete top section (names, addresses, phone
  numbers
• Determine Adult Sponsor teacher, parent,
  professor, or scientist in whose lab the student
  is working responsible for working with student
  to evaluate possible risks, reviewing guidelines
  and rules, discussing project, experiment,
  equipment, data collection, and etc. with the
  student during and after development of plan.
  Obtain signature of Adult Sponsor and discuss
  qualified scientist
• Determine Qualified Scientist May be required
  for research involving human subjects, vertebrate
  animals, potentially hazardous biological agents,
  and DEA- controlled substances (INTEL ISEF FORM
  2)
• Knowledgeable of the topic and scientific
  method and of guidelines and rules. May be same
  as Adult Sponsor.
• If the Qualified Scientist is in another city or
  state, a Designated Supervisor is needed. A
  Designated Supervisor directly overseas the
  student experimentation and can be the Adult
  Sponsor.

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INTEL ISEF FORMS General

• Determine where the project will be completed.
• Non-Regulated Research Institution school,
  field, or home FORM 1C
• Regulated Research Institution university lab,
  industrial setting, doctors office FORM 1C is
  required

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INTEL ISEF FORM 3

• Risk Assessment
• Required for projects using hazardous chemicals,
  microorganisms, activities, or devices
• Determine any potential physical and/or
  psychological risks when developing the plan.
  Guidelines require that no more than minimal risk
  exists when the probability and magnitude of harm
  of discomfort anticipated are not greater than
  those of everyday life.
• Always consider your groups and activities

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INTEL ISEF FORM 3 cont.

• Risk Groups pregnant women, children, mentally
  challenged persons, economically or educationally
  challenged persons, individuals with cancer,
  asthma, diabetes, cardiac disorders, and other
  health issues. Specific safe guards must be
  documented on form.
• Risk Activities Physical- Exercise, ingestion,
  tasting, smelling, application of substance
  Psychological- survey or questionnaire viewing of
  stimuli that could result in emotional stress
• If your experiment does not contain any of these
  risks, you do not complete Form 3

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INTEL ISEF FORM 4

• Human Subjects Required for all experiments
  using human subjects. Must have approval by the
  IRB before research begins.
• Physical exertion or ingestion of any substance
• Psychological opinions, surveys,
  questionnaires, tests
• Behavioral any interaction where the environment
  has been modified (ex. post a sign, place an
  object), in day cares, doctors offices
• HUMAN SUBJECTS FORM 4 IS NEEDED

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INTEL ISEF FORM 4 cont.

• Not considered human subjects, if it uses
• - product testing that does not pose a health
  hazard (minimal risk)
• - data/record review studies (e.g. baseball
  statistics, crime statistics) in which the data
  are taken from pre-existing data sets that are
  publicly available
• - behavioral observations in unrestricted,
  public settings (e.g. shopping malls, public
  park)
• HUMAN SUBJECTS FORM 4 IS NOT NEEDED

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INTEL ISEF FORM 5

• Vertebrate Animals Form 5A- Required of all
  research involving vertebrate animals that is
  conducted in a Non-Regulated Research Site
• Vertebrate Animals Form 5B- Required of all
  research involving vertebrate animals that is
  conducted at a Regulated Research Site. Requires
  documentation of student training.
• No experiment is accepted if it may cause or
  eventually lead to stress, pain, weight loss,
  allergies, and any discomfort

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INTEL ISEF FORM 6A

• Potentially Hazardous Agents required for
  research involving microorganisms (bacteria,
  viruses, fungi, rDNA, fresh/frozen tissue, blood
  and body fluids
• Documentation available of source of agents,
  quantity and the biosafety level risk group of
  each microorganism

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INTEL ISEF FORM 6B

• Human and Vertebrate Animal Tissue fresh/frozen
  tissue, primary cell cultures, blood, blood
  products and body fluids (must complete FORMS 6A
  6B

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INTEL ISEF FORM 7

• Continuation Project For projects that are a
  continuation in the same field of study as a
  previous project
• According to FORM 7, the previous project can be
  from 2006-2007 and 2007-2008

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Research notes

• As you gather information take notes . Without
  your notes you may leave out important
  information. Your notes are necessary to
  establish background knowledge.
• You should always research your topic before
  beginning experimentation

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Data Log/Journal

• Always record the date and time of each of your
  actions, observations, data, and reactions.
• Good notes on your background information with
  sources noted gives you the knowledge and details
  that will guide your ideas and planning.
• Good notes show consistency and thoroughness and
  will help you when you write your research paper
• Make any necessary calculations. Make sure that
  your calculations and tools are the same. Note
  use either standard or metric measurement not both

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Data and Analysis

• Your data should be a neat record of the dates
  and times of the events of your experimentation
  and what was observed. Example
  
  10-31-08 400 pm
  popped popcorn on Med. High 52 burnt kernels
  10-31-08 430 pm popped popcorn on High 76
  burnt kernels
• Other info
  brand of popcorn kind of popcorn (butter,
• caramel,
  etc. standard time popcorn
• Analysis Similarities and differences in of
  burnt kernels, observations
• similarities of brands or
  kinds of popcorn, notice of burning
• smell, etc.

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Charts, Graphs, and Tables

• Ways to present your data they visually
  organize your data for easy and quick
  understanding.
• Data Tables Best used if you have a few numbers
  (four or less)
• Title your table and label each column, also
  include the units of measurement. The left-hand
  column should contain your independent variable.
  The columns to the right contain your dependent
  variables.

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Charts, Graphs, and Tables cont.

• Bar Graph Normal data (when your independent
  variables are names or things rather than
  amounts)
• Use a bar graph to look at average of popped
  kernels in different types of popcorn.
• Bar graphs are used mostly to compare a set of
  measurements.
• Horizontal axis the independent variable
• Vertical Axis the dependent variable or what you
  measures
• Dont forget the title and labels

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Charts, Graphs, and Tables cont.

• Line graph Use when your independent variable is
  a or amount to show patterns or changes over
  time.
• Horizontal axis Independent variable
• Vertical axis dependent variable what you
  measured)
• Dont forget the title, labels, and units of
  measurement
• If you have multiple sets of data on the same
  graph, use different colors or symbols for the
  different sets of data

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Charts, Graphs, and Tables cont.

• Pie Chart To show percentages or fractions The
  whole pie or circle 100 and the different
  pieces make up the whole.
• Pie Charts Do not show changes over time
• Be sure to include the title and a legend for
  understanding the graph

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Error

• No scientist is perfect. This means every
  experiment is going to have some sort of error.
  The key to dealing with error is to identify it
  and point it out before other folks (like the
  judges) can identify it.

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Research Paper/ Work Citation

• See provided Research paper and Abstract
  Guidelines (includes work citation styles and
  internet links)

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Display Board
Title ? Format
Results
Purpose
Any pictures used must identify photographer or
source
Hypothesis
Materials
Procedures
Variables
Data
Graphs
Results
Problem
See page 7 (ISEF Guidelines) for what can be
displayed with the board.
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Your aspirations are now inspirations for others

• IS YOUR MISSION ACCOMPLISHED?
• DATA BOOK
• RESEARCH PAPER
• ABSTRACT
• DISPLAY BOARD

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Sources for Assistance

• http//www.societyforscience.org/isef/about/rules_
  regulations.asp
• For Intel ISEF Rules Wizard
• ? http//www.sciencebuddies.org/
• http//www.societyforscience.org/isef/students/abs
  tract.asp
• http//www.societyforscience.org/isef/document/ind
  ex.asp

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