Introduction to the CCS Science and Technology Fair 2005

Topics and questions for your project

Any question that can be answered using the scientific method is appropriate. In general the areas of science can be classified as physical, biological, social and mathematical. Under each of these broad categories you will find numerous topics. So, for example, physics and chemistry are considered sub-categories of physical science, while sociology and anthropology are social sciences. Students in grade 9 will be doing an Invention Convention as part of the Fair and other students interested in a project involving an invention or engineering are welcome to do so after talking to their teacher.

Physical Sciences

Biological Sciences

Social Sciences

Mathematical Sciences

Physics

Chemistry

Astronomy

Geology

Meteorology

Oceanography

Botany

Zoology

Genetics

Evolutionary Science

Medicine

Ecology

Psychology

Economics

Sociology

Anthropology

Archaeology

Computer Science

Mathematics

Logic

Some links to science fair web pages can be found below and these will help you get an idea of previous science fair questions to inspire you.

Format for projects

Science is both a method and a body of knowledge generated by this method. Some of you may choose to simply explain, outline or demonstrate previous scientific knowledge, while others of you will choose to extend the body of knowledge by performing an original experiment. We will acknowledge three formats for science fair projects:

1. An original experiment

2. A reproduction of a known experiment or demonstration

3. A purely research-based presentation (though all presentations will require some research)

Marks will be awarded for each format category according to a rubric that will be presented soon. Some categories can earn more points than others: so, an original experiment is worth more marks (has a higher maximum score) than a reproduction, which in turn will be able to gain greater marks than a research project. A good research project, however, could be worth more than a poorly-done original experiment.

Partners

You can work alone or in pairs for the project but if you work as a pair you will be expected to show twice the amount of work as someone who works alone. Further, you will be required to state explicitly which aspect of the project each partner is responsible for, and marks will be awarded to each partner accordingly.

Work required

You will hand in updates about every two weeks telling us about your progress. The exact requirements of each update will be different, so for example the first update, due Jan 28, will consist of your topic choice and some resources you will be using. Throughout the project you will be expected to keep a journal/log in which you will note what you have been doing. A few hypothetical entries might be:

Jan 27 Went to library to get book on web page design to help figure out how to design our web page for the project.

Feb 2 Found good web page (www.howthingswork.com/gunpowder) for topic. Lots of theory and a recipe for gunpowder.

Feb 4 Bought potassium nitrate at chemistry supply store on Lanza for experiment.

Feb 12 Went to Juana’s house to plan when we will do experiment. First trial to be on Feb 14. Need to ask for beakers from lab and possible use of lab.

You should have your research and/or experiments done by the end of February and we will expect a write-up of your experiment (or a paper if you are choosing to due a purely research-based project) by early March. This gives you time to prepare your full presentation – posters, videos, or whatever – for the science fair at the end of March.

Here is a draft schedule:

Bi-weekly updates: requirements and due dates will be given in class

Journal/log: due March 29

Paper or lab write-up: due March 7

Presentation for science fair: March 29

All dates are subject to change, but will be confirmed by mid-February

Resources

You should use a variety of sources for the research aspect of your project: the internet, books, magazines, online discussion forums, etc. In particular, you will be expected to have at least one flesh and blood person who acts as a mentor to you. This should be someone with some expertise in the area of your project (a doctor, engineer, scientist, etc.) and could be a family member, friend or teacher.

The actual science fair

Every student in high school as well as in grade 6 will participate in the fair at the end of March, and we hope to be able to get parents and other members of the community involved in judging the projects. The fair will run during the afternoon and evening (tentatively) so that the elementary school and broader community (family, friends and media) can have an opportunity to enjoy our students’ efforts. Awards will be given in all categories in which there have been a reasonable number of entries. Prizes are yet to be determined.

In planning your presentation think originally, use technology appropriately and prepare far enough in advance to make sure it all comes together successfully. Think of using video, computers, art or whatever will best draw people to your presentation, but also make sure you have lots to show them and tell them once you get them there!

Science fair sources

The library is well stocked with books about how to prepare a science fair project, which include many examples of topics for study. These books will either be in the library or in one of our classrooms. Ask Miss Paula!