Science+fair

Welcome to the Y7-8 2015 Science Fair page

Science Fair is a BIG DEAL for year 7 & 8 at Seatoun School. The following page has copies of our classroom handouts, information and links to help you through this massive project.

 This is the booklet that every student is using in the science fair. It has loads of helpful information in it, as well as the **timeline** for when each thing should be done. At the back of the booklet is the **marking schedule**, use this to make sure you can get the best mark possible!
 * Classroom Handouts! **

This is a report that you have researched yourself and contains **relevant** information on scientific ideas/theories and understandings related to your project. You need to make sure you have the appropriate structure and language features. Check the handout to see if you have them all.
 * Background research report **

Your hypothesis needs to say what you predict (guess) will happen to the thing you measure when you make your changes. The basic formula for a hypothesis is: “If (I do this) then (this will happen).” or "When I change (what you change) then (something will happen) to (the thing you measure)"
 * Hypothesis **

The **independant variables** are your controls. The **dependant variable** is the one that you are measuring. To find out more about independant and dependant variables [|Click here]
 * Variables **

**Procedure** The procedure will cover your aim, materials and method. This is not a very long piece of writing but needs to have very specific and detailed information. Like the report, it has a number of structural and language features that are required. Check the handout to see if you have them all.

You need to start thinking about coming up with a topic for your science fair project, as we will be starting them on day 1 next term! You will only have **six** weeks to complete these projects, so the more ideas you can bring back to school, the easier your job will be! Remember what Kent shared with us about **Good Projects:**
 * Science Fair Ideas - Easter Holidays 2014 **

5: Be achievable
The first thing you need to do is thin about a topic area you are interested in. Then you can use the to help you come up with questions around your topic.

On Day One of Term Two, you will receive a science fair booklet, which will guide you through your project. It will have the timeline on the front, and the marking schedule on the back so that you know when everything needs to be done, and how you will be marked on it.

Last year we were visited by Onslow College who showed us some great science demonstrations. They were great for giving us some ideas about science fair questions. The demonstrations were: Using **Magnets** to levitate (float in the air) or balance objects Dropping a **Magnet** through a non-magnetic tube - how it slows down - why and what might change it Ball bearings **Steel Balls** when smashed together with a piece of tin foil in between.... Bead chains - flowing out of a jug ... investigating **gravity** see a demonstration [|here] Optical Illusions - using a candle to lift water by changing the gas in a container Spinning tops and **Gyroscopic Forces** we saw a bike wheel spinning and it made Mr B spin on his chair without even moving himself... we could vary the orientation of the surface or the direction of the axle in an investigation, or ask questions like how do bikes balance without a rider? or how does a frisbee fly?
 * Light reflection and refraction** to make objects dissapear when placed in a dish full of liquid
 * Bouncy Balls** using rubber balls of different sizes, temperatures, groupings, rubber type to see which bounces highest
 * Newtons Cradle** how can we use this to investigate transfer of energy - put magnets in the cradle, add or remove balls in the chain

Here are some sites you can have a look at to help you:

=== [|Question ideas and helpful information] This site has a [|Project Guide] to science fairs with sections on Background Research, Hypothesis, Testing, Analysing and Results. ===

[|Question ideas] This is the one that Mrs Parry showed us in the library. It is called **The Ultimate Science Fair Project Resource** This website also has a lot of information on putting a project together.

[|Science Fair Ideas!]

[|Science Fair guide] another guide, but in a document form and containing much more detail.

These links take you to pages that give a quick description of the graph type and then have some practise questions.
 * Graphing Data **

[|Bar graphs] [|Pie graphs] [|Line graphs] [|Histograms]

Remember that every graph needs - A TITLE  and LABELS.


 * Summarising Data: **

[|Analysing Data] [|Summarizing data]


 * <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 200%;">Example of a finished one! **

[|Here] is a finished one. Although it is from an american site, so they have not included the application. This shows all the writing, tables and graphs, not the display.

Check your booklet!!!
 * <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 200%;">How to put it all together! **

Below is an example of one way to lay out your board. Remember, depending on the length of information, number of graphs etc... This layout may vary. The important thing to remember is to keep the same order as the eg below. If you have any questions, please see your teacher:)

[|Click here for advanced ideas: How to make your board really good!] And examples of what Not to do.

We think science is pretty important, and this 28 minute film explains in clear and simple terms why a lot of other people consider the study of science to be vitally important for students and society. You can also watch the [|film in short sections].

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 * <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 26px;">Classroom Handouts! **

This is the booklet that every student is using in the science fair. It has loads of helpful information in it, as well as the **timeline** for when each thing should be done. At the back of the booklet is the **marking schedule**, use this to make sure you can get the best mark possible!