This document provides an introduction, requirements, and timeline for an upcoming science fair at Lawrence Road Middle School to be held on March 24, 2011. It outlines what students in grades 6-8 need to submit, including topic approval, research, hypotheses, procedures, data, results, and conclusions. Sample topics are suggested in various categories like plants, rocks, and electricity. The timeline emphasizes choosing a topic, conducting preliminary research using various resources, getting topic approval, and preparing display boards following the scientific method and including an abstract. Students are encouraged to ask questions and stay on track to complete the requirements.

1. Introduction, Requirements, & Timeline Presentation Created By: Ms. Paula Trapani-Wiener, LRMS Librarian SCIENCE FAIR SCIENCE FAIR

2. “ Who will participate?” ALL 6 th , 7 th , and 8 th grade students at LR

3. “ When will it be held?” March , 24 2011 Only a few short months away!

4. “ Sound scary?” Try not to get overwhelmed. Follow the timeline—don’t fall behind! Use a variety of resources books, websites, teachers, librarians

5. What’s due?… see your science fair packet for exact due dates Topic Approval Background/ Research Hypothesis Materials/ Procedure Data/ Observations Results Conclusion Abstract In-class presentation

6. “ How do I begin?” Choose a topic that interests you Narrow it down/ make it specific Develop an idea for an actual project

7. A Few Off-Limit Topics… No models! Examples: Model of a volcano Model of the solar system

8. Sample Topics… People Animals Plants Rocks Electricity Friction

9. Narrowed-down topics… People: Success in school Animals: Pet training Plants: Rate of growth Rocks: Erosion Electricity: Conductors Friction: Speed

10. Sample project titles… People: Does eating nutritious food make you more successful in school? Animals: Does the length of an animal training session make a difference? Plants: Will soil conditions affect the rate of growth of a bean plant? Rocks: Which factors change the rate of erosion of rocks? Electricity: Can vegetables conduct electricity? Friction: Does surface affect speed?

11. “ Where can I get some project ideas?” Library Books Websites posted on Science Fair Project Page http://lrmslibrary.wikispaces.com/Science+Fair

12. BOOKS… Both the LR Library and our public libraries have plenty of books describing various projects

13. Online Resource… Go to the Science Fair Project Page for links to websites and online databases to help you choose a project and gather background info. on the topic. Click Library from our homepage, click Class Project Pages, click Science Fair, and scroll to the bottom for online resources.

18. So, you’ve picked a topic. Next… Get your topic approved by your teacher.

19. Then… Begin preliminary research Use books, encyclopedias, and websites to gather background information Use note cards or notetaking sheets

20. Then… Cite your sources using proper bibliography format See Ms. T’s “Bibliography Cheat Sheet” on LR Library website under “Research Tips”

21. Then… Begin your project or experiment using the Scientific Method You’ll learn more about this in Science class.

22. Finally…you’ll be ready to prepare your display boards! Include illustrations, digital photos, charts, graphs, etc. AND typed up summaries in the following areas:

23. Title Background/ Research Hypothesis Materials/ Procedures Data/ Observations Results Conclusion

24. Example of a BAD Display

25. Example of a GOOD Display

26. Final Note… One of the 8 headings for your display board is “Abstract.”

27. What IS an Abstract? It is a brief summary of your entire project. Not more than one page.

28. The Abstract Includes: Project title Statement of the purpose Hypothesis Brief description of the procedure Results

29. GOOD LUCK! Stay focused Follow the timeline Ask questions!

30. Presentation Created By: Paula Trapani-Wiener Librarian Lawrence Road Middle School