MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE PROJECTS
or THE SIX MONTH METHOD TO ACCOMPLISH SCIENCE PROJECTS IN SIXTH GRADE
Compiled by Dr. Don Lyle


Overview of Science Projects


THREE BASIC TYPES OF SCIENCE PROJECTS


TYPE ONE--AN INVESTIGATION (Most of the best grades will be from this Investigation group.)
*Can a machine really teach?
*How long does it take the heart to return to normal after exercise?
*What is the most electricity you can make with a magnet coil?
*How rapidly does a plant make starch?

Many of the questions in the list further down the page could become a science project. Just follow the scientific method:

PURPOSE--What exactly are you trying to figure out with your project? To find out I state, "A machine can really be used to teach."


HYPOTHESIS--A hypothesis is an educated guess. Based on what you know, try to make an answer for your question. As you do your project, you will try to find out if your hypothesis is true. A hypothesis is a statement. You might want to write it like this: "A simple machine can teach basic science facts."


PROCEDURE--List the procedures in your logbook.

TYPE TWO--CONSTRUCTION of a model, or Putting together a Collection.
*A model of a solar home
*A telegraph system
*An ecology terrarium
*A model of a recycling plant
*Styles of handwritting
*Insulation materials and their uses

You could use any one of these as a project title. It would be better if you could form a question. For instance: How can a model of a solar home show storage of solar energy? How does a telegraph system work? Follow the scientific method. Make it part of your project.



PURPOSE--If your title is a question, the purpose of your project is to provide an answer.

RESEARCH--Collect information to help you answer your question. Use books, magazines, interviews and TV. Try contacting businesses, utilities government offices, etc.

EXPERIMENT--Test your hypothesis. Try it out. For example, "Can your machine teach science facts better than another method?" How can you find out? A hypothesis must be proved or disproved.

RESULTS--List your results. Use a notebook, charts, graphs, pictures, or tapes. Be clear! Give facts, not opinions.

CONCLUSION--What did your project teach you? Even if your experiment proved your hypothesis wasn't true, you've learned something.

TYPE THREE --DEMONSTRATION of a Scientific Principle.

*Measuring lung capacity
*Faraday's famous ice pail experiment
*An oil-drop model of a splitting atom
*An electrical smoke trap

Any of these demonstrations could be turned into a science fair project. Think in terms of a question to help you get at important ideas. For instance: "Why should lung capacitiy be measured?" To have a guideline for the project, follow the scientific method.

For instance: to find out if solar energy can be stored within a home.

HYPOTHESIS--This is an idea to try out. When tested, it will help you accomplish your purpose. For instance: "A model of a solar home will show that certain materials will store solar energy for use in home heating." An hypothesis is a possible answer to a question or solution to a problem."

PROCEDURE--

Research--Gather information to aid your purpose.

Experiment--Test your hypothesis. "How can you prove that solar energy can be stored as heat energy?"

RESULTS--Give measurements, not statements like "more or less."

CONCLUSION--What might your project lead to? What is its importance?

The previous material comes from www.eduzone.com, a source I can no longer find online.



OTHER ONLINE SOURCES TO HELP YOU UNDERSTAND THE DETAILS OF A GOOD SCIENCE PROJECT.

What Makes a Good Science Project?

What Makes a Good Project?

The Virtual Science Fair

Getting Started with Your Science Project

Steps to Prepare a Science Fair Project.

Overview of a Science Project: It is assumed you will pick an Investigation.

A. Topic Card

B. Research (35, 3x5 cards over five weeks)

C. Report (6 pages AND 1200 words, excluding the required Bibliography)

D. Experiment including Log Book (repetitive and scientific)

E. Backboard (artistic according to requirements)

NOTE-->No grade will be given if entire project and all sections are not at the Science Fair.


A. The Topic and Topic Card has six parts.


Great students (of any GPA level) will go to the Library and get three sources on their topic before turning in a card.

1. Type or write your name in the top right corner of the 3x5 card.

2. Pick a question and type or write the number and question for your Science Project. One per student, no duplicates. First-one turned in gets the topic.

3. You must sign indicating you believe you can complete this project and are willing to put the time, effort, experiements and graphs to do it well.

4. Your parents sign the 3x5 card agreeing this is an achieveable project for you.

5. Your teacher signs the 3x5 card agreeing that this is an adequate project for you.

6. Bring the question and three signatures no later than Friday, September 6. First to choose a topic is the only one to get the topic.



Considerations

In early September, the date will be announced, you need to have three science BOOKS IN CLASS. The word "book" and the preposition, "in" are both intentionally used and both hold great meaning. On this day there will be an "A" or "F" quiz. You bring three books, you pass, you don't you don't. The books must be on the topic of your science fair project. This is the only day you can get credit for this assignment. We will be working with these books in class. I would suggest you get books, magazines, Internet articles, before you determine you are going to choose your topic. But on the appointed day, around the second Monday in September, Please have three books in class.

You will be writing a MINIMUM of 1200 word paper on the topic you pick.

You will do a "hands-on" project with regular and repetitious experiments after Thanksgiving. (Some will need to begin before Thanksgiving to get results by the Science Fair.)

Once turned in this will be your topic for the year, consider it carefully, go to the library and find both books and adequate Internet information.

I give you from August to March to complete this project, I expect quality academics, a good looking paper turned in on time. Most of the Science Fair winners talk to their teacher frequently.

Don't be a lone ranger, Ask your teacher questions. He has been doing this longer than you, and he made up many of these questions and he has a good idea how to help you.

Pray, ask lots of questions, once picked this will be your topic this school year.


Pick a Topic


So where does one look for Science Projects?

You can also use the list directly below this paragraph. This is a list I update several times a year. I have had so many requests I have put it on the web. Feel free to use some or all of this list. Any suggestions of topics that are projects, not reports? I.e. no whales without reproducing Jonah's experiment. No volcanoes without reproducing Joe's experiment.


    Astronomy and Physics Projects and Experiments

  1. Is there a relationship between sunspots and distant (DX) radio stations?(lots of work, but fun if you enjoy listening to the radio)
  2. Are there more Sun spots in September, October, November, December, January, or February? (observational skills)
  3. Is the earth turning? (pendulum, wind)
  4. How many objects can I see on Mars? (Observational Skills)
  5. How many objects can I see on Jupiter? (Observational Skills)


  6. Can I measure the distance to Mars and Jupiter? (Parallax, High math skills required)
  7. How far can you and half-dozen friends hear "C", octave by octave. Which one can be heard the farthest? Can you hear farther in fog, or on a clear day, clear night? Why?
  8. Why can't you see around a corner, but you can hear around a corner? (Harder than it looks. Light/sound, AM/FM)
  9. How fast does a pound of lead and a pound of feathers fall? (Gravity)
  10. What color of light will show the farthest at night? (Angstroms of light, eye)


  11. Not available in 2002-3. What will happen when I flash a laser through (pick 10 different mediums) prism, pool full of water, vacuum, dance ball mirror, 10 mirrors, etc.
  12. What is resonance? Can I make an object resonate?
  13. Can I graph the night of a meteor shower?
  14. How strong is the gravitational pull of the moon?
  15. Can you tell time using the moon?


  16. Not available in 2002-3. How do sailors use the stars for navigation?
  17. What is the best design for a paper airplane in order to keep it in the air the longest? To make it fly the farthest? VCR of experiments.
  18. Can I take a strong magnet along the road and find a small meteorite? There are about 400 tons of dust that hits the earth each day. This may take a whole bunch of work, but you will have a piece of another world, if you find it.
  19. Can I make a VCR tape of the 1000 yard model of the solar system? (I save this project for late in year students)
  20. Can I build a SETI station? Needs lots of $, lots of time, a dedicated computer and short-wave radio. See Internet at Stanford U.


    21. Radio Experiments and Projects

  21. Can I send information over a laser?
  22. Can I hear a distant FM/ 2 meter station when there is a meteor shower? (very difficult)
  23. Using wire and glass jar, make a working incandescent lamp. (Lots of parent help)
  24. Not available in 2002-3. Can I make a car alternator make electricity, without a car? Magnetism, Eddie currents, electricity
  25. What are the fewest parts necessary to build an AM radio (receiver)? What do the parts of a radio do? (No kits! Need to spend lots of time with an interested Amateur Radio person)

  26. Can you build a radio with gum, razor blades and stuff around the house? How do radio's work? (No kits!)
  27. Can I find a non-commercial satellite over my home and get a tape recording?
  28. Can I get an Amateur Radio (HAM ) License and build a simple transmitter and put it on the air, before the Science Fair? (Very difficult, but rewarding for right individual.)


    29. Electromagnetic Experiments and Projects

  29. Can I build a motor and then improve it.
  30. Can I make an electromagnet? Can I make a permanent magnet from something that is not now a magnet?
  31. Can you find two ways to make electricity with a fruit or vegetable?
  32. Does magnetism affect plant growth?
  33. Can I make a solar motor? Solar Power
  34. Can I build a working telephone system from parts, showing how all parts work?


  35. How does light, infrared and microwaves cook food? Can I cook dinner with the Sun? Lots of Experiments
  36. Can I build a working electric car I or my parents can drive? (No kits! Expensive)
  37. How much hotter do objects get behind red sunglasses get than blue sun-blockers? Why?
  38. How would you In the summer Sun, why do we feel hotter in clothes of a dark color than in clothes lighter in color?


    39. Computer Experiments and Projects

  39. Can you build a web page from scratch using only HTML? (I want to see each step and finished code and a finished project on Internet. This is one of the few reports I allow. You will not win science fair, but can achieve a good grade)
  40. How does a computer work? I.e. how does an either/or, 0/1 switch work? Build the switches.
  41. Can you develop a computer program that will time in a day and date back to 0000 and to 2100. When is September 3? First Friday in September 2000? Needs more than Dad or Mom, needs to be researched, purchased programs not allowed.
  42. Can I see an image of a sine wave and my voice on my home computer? (this IS turing your computer into a oscilloscope, it is NOT a voice recognition program)
  43. Can I build my own 3-D computer graphics program?
  44. Can I give my computer intelligence? (This should be experiments in Artifical Itelligence, not any one installed program.)


    45. Sun, Weather and Seasons Experiments and Projects

  45. Is there a relationship between sunspots and the weather?
  46. Can I plot the Sun on the ground? Seasons. (September-March project).
  47. Can you cool a home or model with solar heat?
  48. Can you build a solar-heated greenhouse and grow a plant in winter?
  49. How is a simple solar collector constructed? Build one.
  50. Build your own weather instruments and plot the weather for a month.


    51. Botany and Light Experiments and Projects

  51. Does a flower grow best in dark or light? Why? Photosynthesis
  52. Can you get flowers to grow sideways?
  53. How fast does (pick a variety) of weed grow? Do they grow a foot a day, define and grow. Measure. Is there a difference between fall and spring?
  54. How do different wavelengths of light affect photosynthesis? Does a flower grow best in sunlight or electric light, purple light, etc.
  55. Can color's help or hinder preference of fruit juices?


  56. Can you grow fruit and vegetables only in water?
  57. Can a plant grow from a leaf?
  58. Does sound affect plant growth?
  59. Can you starch a piece of cloth with the starch in weeds?
  60. What effect does cigarette smoke have on plants? (You must have a parent that smokes)


  61. Not available in 2002-3. How do insect-eating plants catch and digest their food?
  62. If a tomato plant is grafted onto a potato plant what do you get? (Research new foods in Brentwood and other places)
  63. What conditions affect the rate of growth of bread mold?


    64. Animal Experiments and Projects

  64. Can a mouse learn to go to through a maze? Can you train a mouse to do anything else?
  65. Can mice live on junk food? Can you live on only junk food?
  66. Can I observe and find if cows do or do not need sleep? (Lots of late night drives on back roads)
  67. How much weight can (pick three and identify) types of spider webs hold before breaking?
  68. Not available in 2002-3. How do the webs of various spiders differ? Does each spider spin just one kind of web? What is spider silk composed?
  69. Are fish affected by magnetism?
  70. Can beetles hear?
  71. Are the activities of nocturnal animals affected by the moon? Why does your cat act that way?

    72. Chemistry Experiments Experiments and Projects

  72. How much lead is in your house?
  73. Can you make oxygen from rocks?
  74. What factors slow the rate at which substances dissolve in water?
  75. What chemical elements are found in seawater? Find and solve, not a report.
  76. What is the salinity (salt content) of tears?
  77. What are the differences between butter and margarine?
  78. Not available in 2002-3. How is blood type determined? What is the most common type? How do the types differ? Can you type your own blood?


    79. Earth Science Experiments and Projects

  79. Can you prove the earth is moving? Plate tectonics. (Lots of visits to Red Top Road)
  80. Learn about clouds and fog and reproduce it in a five gallon plastic jug.
  81. What are the most common kinds of rocks in your area? (Find and correctly identify many rocks.)
  82. Is it possible to create a cloud? If so, how? What type? If not, why not?
  83. What are the water currents in the Bay? (need a parent, boat and lots of time).


    84. Pure Mathematics Experiments

  84. Build a working version of Pythagorean' Theorem I can use in class for the next 10 years.
  85. Using 12 knots, can you make a 3-4-5 triangle with 90 degrees? World Book, P, pg 813


    86. Non-assorted Experiments and Projects

  86. Can prejudice be decreased with knowledge/education? (takes many people)
  87. Can I make natural insecticides?
  88. Not available in 2002-3. Can I make paste and glue from household products?
  89. Not available in 2002-3. What causes a ring on your bathtub?
  90. Do all golf balls/rockets go the same distance? How far can you hit/shoot it into and away from 5 and 10 mile wind?


  91. Using a two liter bottle as a rocket, how much water is the optimum amount to get the rocket to go the highest elevation?
  92. Can I build a robot car? (No kits!)
  93. Can I make a working exoskeleton (Robocop) for myself?
  94. Can I locate and build four types of water wheels?
  95. Can I build a working windmill?
  96. Can people remember things in early life by drawing pictures with their non-dominant hand?


  97. How does Aspirin affect the Body? (Need willing parents for experiments)
  98. Does Coke or Pepsi taste better?(takes a number of large groups)
  99. How does Alcohol affect the nerves? (Must have a parent that drinks alcohol.)
  100. Gotta convince me in 2002-3. Scientifically show how three magic tricks work, using correct laws.
  101. What factors increase the rate at which milk sours?


  102. How fast does human hair grow? Must check black, brown, blond and redhead.
  103. Not available in 2002-3. How fast does human fingernails grow?
  104. How much cooler is it usually in the shade than in the sun? What factors affect this difference?
  105. Why do objects float higher in salt water than fresh water?
  106. How do cameras work? Build a simple camera using ASA 400 film. (No kits!)


  107. How high can a balloon go before it pops? Study Atmosphere and pressure.
  108. What makes heavier than water things float?


New Ideas I haven't had time to develop after going to another science fair.

  • Http://members.tripod.com/simplemotor/myself.htm
  • Do all materials absorb the sun equally? Infrared rays.
  • Hovercraft using leaf blowers
  • How much air is needed for a fire?
  • Surface tension
  • What color holds the heat the longest?


    • C. Science Report



    Science Fair Paper

    A. All papers will be at least 1200 words AND six pages in the Sixth grade! (As a rule of thumb, 200 words or one page per year.)
    B. All papers will be typed!
    C. All papers will be double spaced
    D. All papers will be "Times New Roman," 12 point font
    E. Make sure you use typing rules like two spaces after the end of a sentence. Then the next sentence.
    F. Any papers using Proper Pronouns, such as "I", "You", "We" will be returned with no grade to be rewritten. This is a REPORT on what you have learned from your research NOT a preview of your science project~!
    G. Copying or plagerism will not be tolerated. It is stealing and lying. It is against the law. I will return papers with plagerism without a grade, to be rewritten.

    D. Experiment including Log Book (repetitive and scientific)


    A written report documenting the procedures and materials used including the date and time working on the project. Part of the log should also indicate the length of time involved in the project/experiment. Logbook entries would be things such as: "04/11/2003: 18:00. [or 6:00 pm] My project will be an experiment based on a variety of testing at different times during the date and night." Or "04/11/2003: 20:00. Today I tried to see different colors, as the sun was going down. It was hard to see the difference between the red and the blue. Tomorrow I will try it again at 20:15 [8:15 pm]


    E. Backboard (artistic according to requirements)


    The backboard should be standard three fold cardboard or white board like OFFICE MAX or STAPLES might stock.
    A good portion of the backboard grade will be based on artistic beauty and clarity.


    Backboard
    Left PanelCenter PanelRight Panel
    Purpose in form of a Question Title Results
    Hypothesis Student Name Conclusion
    Procedure Materials used Spritiual Application/Verse
    Graphs and charts


    Illustrations and photos


    Considerations (Redundant, but probably necessary)

    Around September 10, you need to have three science books in class. The books must be on the topic of your science fair project. This is the only day you can get credit for this assignment. We will be working with these books in class. I would suggest you get books, magazines, Internet articles, before you determine you are going to choose your topic.

    You will be writing a minimum of 1200 word paper on the topic you pick. This paper must have a correctly formatted Bibliography as the last page.

    You will do a "hands-on" project with regular and repetitious experiments after Christmas. (Some will need to begin before Chrsitmas to get results by the Science Fair.)

    Once turned in this will be your topic for the year, consider it carefully, go to the library and find both books and adequate Internet information.

    I give you from August to March to complete this project, I expect quality academics, a good looking paper turned in on time. Most of the Science Fair winners talk to their teacher frequently.

    Don't be a lone ranger, Ask your teacher questions. He has been doing this longer than you have and made up many of these questions and has a good idea how to help you.

    Pray, ask lots of questions, once picked this will be your topic this school year.


    Things that don't fit anywhere but you would like to know


    --Steady work wins the day. Those that do their work day by day or weekend by weekend were the clear winners. Remeber the rabbit was faster but lost to the turtle that stayed at the race until he won.

    --There is little relationship between GPA grades and Science Fair winners. Frequently, "poor" students in class can excel at hands on like the Science Fair Project. "Excellent" students frequently find school easy and are not excited about having to do real work.

    --In 2003 most of the best backboards were three fold, black boards. Not sure why, but it was true. For sure, the best looking boards were the painted from the factory boards.

    --Never use tape, always use glue, preferably a glue stick or other neat way to have a permanent stick without "wilting" the paper.

    --Make sure you have the Project Title and your name on the top, middle of the board.

    --Typed work always gets a better grade.

    --If I get pictures of Science Fair projects, I will post them here.


    BIBLIOGRAPHY, Bible or book / graph or writing.

    Bibliography has come to mean a book list.


    MLA Format: Single author in a bibliography entry. When only a single author is listed for a text, typical bibliography entries will appear as follows:

    Kasson, John F. Civilizing the Machine: Technology and Republican Values in America 1776-1900. York:
    Penguin, 1976.

    Martin, Emily. The Woman in the Body: A Cultural Analysis of Reproduction. Boston: Beacon Press, 1992.


    MLA Format: Multiple authors in a bibliography. When more than one person has authored a text, typical bibliography entries will appear as follows:

    Ehrenreich, Barbara, and John Ehrenreich, eds. The American Health Empire: Power, Profits, and Politics. New York:
    Vintage, 1971.

    Fee, Elizabeth, and Daniel M. Fox, eds. AIDS: The Burdens of History. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1988.

    Grossberg, Lawrence, Cary Nelson, and Paula A. Treicher, eds. Cultural Studies. New York:
    Routeledge, 1992.

    Hall, Stewart, Ed al. Policing the Crisis.Basingstoke: Macmillian, 1979.


    MLA Format: Newspapers The following isa sample entry for an article in a newspaper.

    Perez-Pena, Richard, “CUNY and California Curbs: Parallels in Approach.”New York
    Times, 13 May 1998, Late Ed.: B8.

    (The phrase "late ed." refers to "late edition" since some papers like the Times publish several editions daily. The San Francisco Chronicle use stars, "two, three, four or five star editon"


    MLA Format: Encyclopedia articles in a bibliography entry. To cite an article in an encyclopedia, use the same format as if it were an item in an anthology (see above), the only difference being that the editor should not be cited. If the passage designates a particular author (sometimes this is done with abbreviations of the author's name - find the entire name of that author elsewhere in the work), give the name of the author first. If there is no explicit author, then give the title first. If the encyclopedia arranges its articles alphabetically, volume and page numbers may be omitted. If the encyclopedia is very familiar and frequently appears in new additions, only the edition and the year of publication.

    Mealworm, "Encyclopedia Britannica. 1987 ed.

    Garvey, Lawrence. El Paso, Illinois.Encyclopedia Americana. 1982 ed.


    MLA Format: Webpage or Website in a bibliography.

    Format: Author, Author. Editor. Date. Institution. Access Date. URL.

    Examples:

    Student Initiated Drinking and Driving Prevention. 4 Oct. 2000. National GRADD. 16 Feb. 2001 .

    Various contributions. How to be Popular In High School. Jeff Marx Books. 16 Feb. 2001

    All entries should be in alphabetical order by Author’s last name. Taken from Writer’s Workshop, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign


    Science Fair Grading



    Science Fair Grading (by Scientist on Fair Day)
    Student Name .School.Grade Division.
    Project Title .Project Number.Judge's Initials.
    CriteriaSuperior Excellent GoodFair Points
    Origionality and Creativity
    10-9
    8-7-6
    5-4-3
    2-1-0
    		.
    Effective Use of Scientific Method
    15-14-13-12
    11-10-9
    8-7-6-5
    4-3-2-1-0
    		.
    Knowledge Achieved
    10-9
    8-7-6
    5-4-3
    2-1-0
    		 .
    Clarity of Expression
    10-9
    8-7-6
    5-4-3
    2-1-0
    		 .
    Biblical Application
    5
    4-3
    2
    1-0
    		.
    Rating: . . . . Total Points:


    Dr. Lyle's Check-off and Grading sheet



    Student's Name: ____________________

    SCIENCE PROJECT FOR DR. LYLES' CLASS

    Topic: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
    March 10, 2003



    _____ First and last name on the front of the backboard and front page of report and logbook. (10)

    _____ Art: Clean, Clear, Spelled correctly and looking good. (10)

    _____ Report typed, biobliography, in clear binder. (10)

    _____ Logbook: who, what, when, where, why and how clearly stated on each of the ten entries. (10)

    _____ Question or Purpose Card: in the form of a question. (10)

    _____ Hypothesis: "If . . . Then" or "I believe" format. (10)

    _____ Procedure: A step by step recipe. (10)

    _____ Results: Report of informtion. (10)

    _____ Conclusion: Comapre data resultas with hypothesis. (10)

    _____ Bible verse and Spiritual Application. (10) Passage:_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

    _____ Data Collection Sheet. (10)

    _____ Materials (10)



    ___________________ Final Grade (120)

    First place = 30 extra credit points; Second place finish = 20 extra points; Third place = 10 extra points.