Student Research Project

Student Research Project Year 10 Science Bede Polding College

Welcome to the Student Research Project Presentation This presentation has been designed to: • Help you in organising your SRP this year • Provide information and copies of important sheets involved with the SRP.

What Do I Need to Do? For your SRP, you will need to: • Conduct a first-hand experiment independently • Complete a logbook, detailing your scientific process • Write an experimental report on your experiment The next page outlines the important due dates for your SRP, and procedures if you are absent on these days. Please note these down carefully.

A Reminder About Due Dates and Procedures • Your SRP can be divided into FOUR stages. • Handing in your Proposal Form • Handing in your logbook for the FIRST LOGBOOK CHECK. • Handing in your logbook for the SECOND LOGBOOK CHECK. • Final submission of your report and logbook.

A Reminder About Due Dates and Procedures 1. HANDING IN YOUR PROPOSAL FORM When is it due? The Proposal Form is due on Tuesday 11th February 2014 Where do I hand it in? The Proposal From is to be handed to your class teacher during the normal Science lesson. It is NOT to be put into the Assessment Box in the Student Foyer. What happens if I am absent on that day? If you are absent, your will need to show your teacher your Proposal Form on the next day, if possible, or the next Science lesson at the latest. What is the penalty for handing it in late? Three days late = Afternoon detention

A Reminder About Due Dates and Procedures 2. HANDING IN YOUR LOGBOOK FOR THE FIRST LOGBOOK CHECK When is it due? The first logbook check is on the Wednesday 19th February 2014 Where do I hand it in? You should show your logbook to your class teacher during the normal Science lesson. Your logbook is NOT to be put into the Assessment Box in the Student Foyer. What happens if I am absent on that day? If you are absent, your will need to show your teacher your logbook on the next day, if possible, or the next Science lesson at the latest. What is the penalty for handing it in late? Three days late = Afternoon detention

A Reminder About Due Dates and Procedures 3. HANDING IN YOUR LOGBOOK FOR THE SECOND LOGBOOK CHECK When is it due? The second logbook check is on the Wednesday 5th March 2014 Where do I hand it in? You should show your logbook to your class teacher during the normal Science lesson. Your logbook is NOT to be put into the Assessment Box in the Student Foyer. What happens if I am absent on that day? If you are absent, your will need to show your teacher your logbook on the next day, if possible, or the next Science lesson at the latest. What is the penalty for handing it in late? Three days late = Afternoon detention

A Reminder About Due Dates and Procedures 4. FINAL SUBMISSION OF YOUR REPORT AND LOGBOOK. When is it due? The final submission of the report and logbook is on Wednesday 19th March 2014 Where do I hand it in? Your class teacher will collect the report and logbook during the normal Science lesson. They are NOT to be put into the Assessment Box in the Student Foyer. What happens if I am absent on that day? If you are absent, you will need to submit your report and logbook on your first day returning to school. You will then need to complete an ‘Illness and Misadventure’ form (available from the student foyer) and submit it, along with a Doctor’s Certificate explaining your absence, to MrLans or Mrs Gavin.

A Reminder About Due Dates and Procedures 4. FINAL SUBMISSION OF YOUR REPORT AND LOGBOOK. What is the penalty for handing it in late? Late submission of EITHER the SRP Report or the Log book will result in an afternoon detention being issued immediately. Three days late = ‘N Award’ Warning Letter. • PLEASE NOTE • If your SRP Report is not typed, it will not be accepted. • If your SRP Report is glued into your Log book it will not be accepted. • If your SRP Report or Log book does not show a serious attempt • at the work, it will not be accepted.

There Is A Prize!! The Flannery Prize This prize is given to the student or students with the most outstanding Student Research Projects. The prize is a $100 voucher.

Let the Journey Begin! • The following slides outline your SRP journey in its four stages. • Please follow each step carefully, and use the hyperlinks on the right if you need any extra information.

STAGE 1 – COMPLETING YOUR PROPOSAL 1. Receive your SRP from your teacher Need an extra copy of the SRP? 2. Decide on a problem Need some help deciding on a problem? 3. Fill in a Proposal Form Need an extra copy of a Proposal Form? 4. Get parents to sign it What are independent and dependent variables? 5. Show teacher Proposal Form by 11th February 2014 YES 6. Make improvements suggested by teacher NO GO TO STAGE 2 7. Has your teacher approved your Proposal Form? YES

STAGE 2 – GETTING ORGANISED 8. Set up your log book What should my log book look like? 9. Paste Proposal Form in the front of the log book How to get great marks for your logbook What should be included in my Aim, Hypothesis & Method? 10. Write an Aim, Hypothesis & Method in the log book 11. Begin a trial run of your experiment. Write rough results in your log book 12. Evaluate the trial run of your experiment How do I try and improve my experiment? 13. Decide on improvements your could make to your experiment GO TO STAGE 3 14. Show teacher your log book by Thursday 19th February 2014

STAGE 3 – WRITING YOUR REPORT 15. Conduct the experiment with your improvements included. 16. Repeat your experiment to make sure your results are correct Why do I need to repeat my experiment? 17. Record the results of all your trials in a table How do I draw a good table? 18. Draw a graph (or graphical representation) of your results How do I draw a good graph? 19. Write a rough copy of a discussion in your log book What should be included in my discussion? 20. Show teacher your log book by Thursday 5th March 2014 GO TO STAGE 4

STAGE 4 – FINISHING YOUR REPORT 21. Type a NEAT COPY of your Aim and Method. Can I see an Annotated Report already done? 22. Present your results in a table and graph if possible What is the Marking Criteria for the SRP? 23. Type a NEAT COPY of your discussion What should be included in my conclusion? 24. Type a conclusion for your report 25. HAND IN your log book and report to your teacher by 19th March 2014 Now…CELEBRATE!! QUIT POWERPOINT

Need an Extra Copy of the SRP? If you are accessing this PowerPoint on the School Network, download a copy of the SRP by clicking on the link below: SRP booklet 2014 If you would like to access this PowerPoint from the School Website, you can go to the following link: http://www.bedepoldingwindsor.catholic.edu.au/learning---teaching/science/science.aspx Here you will find copies of the SRP, Proposal Form and PowerPoint, should you need to download another copy. RETURN TO MAIN MENU

Need Some Help Deciding on a Problem? Having trouble deciding? Try doing this: • Think about the things in which you are interested. • Select one interest and brainstorm some experiments related to this interest. Consider what expert help or specialised equipment you have access to. • Select one experiment and: • design a procedure for the experiment • identify any equipment you will need • predict how long it will take • identify the independent, dependent and controlled variables in the experiment. 4. If the experiment seems suitable, write up a Proposal Form. Otherwise, think of another experiment. NEED SOME IDEAS FOR EXPERIMENTS? RETURN TO MAIN MENU

Suggested Experiment Ideas – Page 1 • Can exercise improve a person's memory? • Which type of fabric best blocks the sun’s rays? • How does surface area affect how things react? • Is there a relationship between absorption and thickness of paper towel? • Make a boat to go across the pool. Investigate ways to make it go faster/further? • Which paper is the strongest? • How much water can different soils hold? • Investigate methods of noise control. • Investigate the effect of air resistance on velocity. • Investigate the effects of storage temperatures on batteries. • Compare the strengths of building materials. • Compare methods of preventing corrosion. • Investigate the factors affecting the growth of crystals. • Investigate the biodegradability of plastics. • Investigate the effect of salt on seed germination. • Compare the effectiveness of blankets, doonas and sleeping bags. NEED SOME MORE IDEAS FOR EXPERIMENTS? RETURN TO MAIN MENU

Suggested Experiment Ideas – Page 2 • Compare the volume of carbon dioxide produced by Alka-Seltzer tablets. • Investigate the absorption of water by crystals. • Investigate the spacing between a line of dominoes and the time taken for them to topple. • Compare plant growth in various potting mixes. • Investigate the effectiveness of stain-removal products. • Compare strength of different coloured hair. • Investigate the effect of microwaves on seeds. • Does the shape of the outlet hole affect the rate at which water flows out of a bottle? • Does sugar make plants grow faster? • Does cold water or hot water freeze faster? • How well do seedlings grow using different colours instead of white light? • How good are the different sunscreens at protecting cloth from fading in sunlight? • How good are simple vegetable dyes (e.g. beetroot) at resisting fading in sunlight? NEED SOME MORE IDEAS FOR EXPERIMENTS? RETURN TO MAIN MENU

Suggested Experiment Ideas – Page 3 • What conditions will enable a pinhole camera to make a good quality photograph? • Which household substances can be best combined to make an electrical battery? • What shape of parachute is best at slowing an object falling to the ground? • How much weight will various fibres support before they break? • Which material makes the best insulator? • Which battery lasts the longest? • How much weight can a plastic garbage bag/or shopping bag hold? • Which sticky tape is strongest? • Which type of cup keeps water warm for the longest? • Investigate different fabrics and static charge • Investigate factors affecting the setting of jelly. • How can cut flowers be made to last longer in a vase? • Will a hot tennis ball bounce higher than a cold tennis ball? • Who has the fastest reactions, males or females? NEED SOME MORE IDEAS FOR EXPERIMENTS? RETURN TO MAIN MENU

Suggested Experiment Ideas – Page 4 • Which shape of paper aeroplane flies the furthest? • Which brand of cling wrap is the strongest? • Which is the best way to keep take-away food hot? • Which types of seedlings show the quickest geotropic or phototropic effects? • Do some potting mixes hold more water than others? • Which foods compost most quickly? • How can you speed the composting process? • What shape rolls down an incline most quickly? • Which colours absorb the most heat? • How different are the weather conditions in a garden compared to those on an oval? NEED SOME MORE IDEAS FOR EXPERIMENTS? RETURN TO MAIN MENU

Suggested Experiment Ideas – Page 5 • Does the speed of reflexes change with age? • Is there any variation in reflexes between boys and girls, or between sporting people and sedentary people? • Do students who play computer games have quicker reflexes? • How much water is in different fruits? • What is the most effective home insulation? • How much of your garbage is packaging? • Is a fibre twice as thick going to be twice as strong? • Do more expensive batteries last longer or perform better? • How do different dissolved substances change the boiling point of water? • Investigate the effects of detergents, pH, and/or varying concentrations of salts on selected plants. • Compare the fat content of various sausages. • Investigate whether the use of aluminium foil makes a difference in cooking times. • Compare the efficiency of washing detergents containing enzymes with those without enzymes. RETURN TO MAIN MENU

Need an Extra Copy of the Proposal Form? If you are accessing this PowerPoint on the School Network, download a copy of the Proposal Form by clicking on the link below: SRP Proposal Form 2014 2011 Classwork drive If you would like to access this PowerPoint from the School Website, you can go to the following link: http://www.bedepoldingwindsor.catholic.edu.au/learning---teaching/science/science.aspx Here you will find copies of the SRP, Proposal Form and PowerPoint, should you need to download another copy. RETURN TO MAIN MENU

What are Independent and Dependent Variables? The INDEPENDENT VARIABLE is the variable that you are CHANGING. When drawing a graph, the independent variable is always on the x-axis. The DEPENDENT VARIABLE is the variable that you are MEASURING. When drawing a graph, the dependent variable is always on the y-axis. • Example: • A student conducts an experiment to measure the effect of different soil types on the growth of plants. • The student is CHANGING the soil type, so soil type is the independent variable • The student is MEASURING plant height, so plant height is the dependent variable. RETURN TO MAIN MENU

What Should my Log Book look like? To help assess your planning and work throughout the project you will need to keep a Project log book. This is the small exercise book that was listed in the stationery requirements list. Your log book is like a diary in which you record a brief summary of what you do each time you do some work on your assignment. • It should include everything that you do which is related to your research project. This includes planning, equipment lists and advice that you have obtained. • Record your failures as well as your successes. • Your log book is your original work. It is meant to be a rough copy. LIKE TO SEE A PHOTO OF A GOOD LOG BOOK? RETURN TO MAIN MENU

What Should my Log Book look like? LIKE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS OF A GOOD LOG BOOK? RETURN TO MAIN MENU

What Should my Log Book look like? RETURN TO MAIN MENU

How to get Great Marks for your Logbook Use this checklist to help attain maximum marks for your log book. • Have you glued your ScienceStudent Research Project Proposal Form in the front of your log book? • Have you had your ScienceStudent Research Project Proposal Form signed by: • Yourself? • Your parents? • Your teacher? • Is your log book well organised? • Have you dated all entries? • Have you shown detailed planning for your experiment? • Have you included details of trial runs and/or modifications made during your experiment? • Have you included rough copies of your results in an appropriate format? • Have you recorded measurements for an appropriate number of trials? • Have you written comments in your log book evaluating the success of your experiment and considering improvements to your experimental design? • Is your log book signed and dated at least twice by your teacher? RETURN TO MAIN MENU

What Should be Included in my Aim, Hypothesis & Method? Aim: The aim describes the problem being investigated in the experiment. The aim should be written as one sentence, and should include a verb near the beginning of the sentence. Good aims also include the independent variable and the dependent variable. Examples: a) To investigate the effect of colour on the absorption of heat. b) To observe whether temperature effects the height of strawberry plants. WANT TO KNOW ABOUT THE METHOD? WANT TO KNOW ABOUT THE HYPOTHESIS? RETURN TO MAIN MENU

What Should be Included in my Aim, Hypothesis & Method? Hypothesis: The hypothesis is your educated guess on the answer to this problem. It is based on informed opinion (your experience, research, expert advice, logic), it is not just a wild guess. It should be written as a simple statement. Examples: a) The darker the colour the more it will absorb heat. b) As the temperature increases, the plant height will decrease. WANT TO KNOW ABOUT THE METHOD? WANT TO KNOW ABOUT THE AIM? RETURN TO MAIN MENU

What Should be Included in my Aim, Hypothesis & Method? Method: The method is written as a procedure with the steps in the order they occur. Each step is clear and starts with a verb such as measure, connect, place, heat etc. It should be clear in the method what is being changed (independent variable), what is being measured (dependent variable) and how all other variables are being kept constant (controlled variables) The method explains what the control will be (if there is one), how many times the experiment will be repeated and how accurate measurements will be made. A method usually includes a scientific diagram to assist in the explanation of how the equipment is set up. If it is not obvious in the diagram any equipment required should be listed WANT TO KNOW ABOUT THE AIM? WANT TO KNOW ABOUT THE HYPOTHESIS? RETURN TO MAIN MENU

How Can I Improve My Experiment? There are many ways that you may improve your experiment. You should consider the accuracy, reliability and validity of your experiment To improve the accuracy of your experiment, you could: • Use computerised equipment that can measure temperature or length more accurately. • Using equipment with smaller units on it. e.g. measuring a length in mm is better than measuring the length in cm. • Collect a lot of results and average them. Accuracy refers to how closely your results reflect the actual value. WANT TO KNOW ABOUT VALIDITY? WANT TO KNOW ABOUT RELIABILITY? RETURN TO MAIN MENU

How Can I Improve My Experiment? There are many ways that you may improve your experiment. You should consider the accuracy, reliability and validity of your experiment To improve the reliability of your experiment, you could: • Perform further repeats of your experiment and compare the results to ensure they are consistent. • Ensure that you have controlled all the variables so that you are not doing the experiment slightly differently each time. The RELIABILITY of your experiment refers to how consistent your results are when your experiment is repeated. To comment on reliability, you should consider whether your have repeated your experiment. If you have repeated your experiment and your results are consistent when you compare them, you can say that your experiment is RELIABLE. WANT TO KNOW ABOUT VALIDITY? WANT TO KNOW ABOUT ACCURACY? RETURN TO MAIN MENU

How Can I Improve My Experiment? There are many ways that you may improve your experiment. You should consider the accuracy, reliability and validity of your experiment To improve the validity of your experiment, you could: • Change something about your experiment to help you control variables even more. This could be using a different piece of equipment that would allow you to be sure that a certain part of your experiment is exactly the same for each trial. The VALIDITY of your experiment refers to how well your experiment measures what it is supposed to measure. To comment on validity, you should consider whether you have controlled ALL variables except for the independent variable. If you have controlled all of the variables possible, you can say that your experiment is valid. WANT TO KNOW ABOUT ACCURACY? WANT TO KNOW ABOUT RELIABILITY? RETURN TO MAIN MENU

Why Do I Need to Repeat my Experiment? How do you know whether the results you are collecting are correct? When you design an experiment, you should always repeat the experiment at least once, to ensure that the results are consistent. This tells you that the method is well-designed and is a big part of good experimental design. When the results of an experiment are the same each time you repeat it, we say that the experiment is RELIABLE. WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT RELIABILITY? RETURN TO MAIN MENU

How Do I Draw a Good Table? Below if a checklist for drawing a good table: • Title • Make it descriptive. • Table • Draw the table using a ruler. • The table should be enclosed. • Columns • Have a heading for each column. • Your independent variable should be the left-most column. • Your dependent variable should be in the column(s) to the right. • Include the units as part of the heading, not with every measurement. • Ensure your numbers are easy to read. • Include all repeats of your experiment in your table. RETURN TO MAIN MENU

How Do I Draw a Good Graph? Below if a checklist for drawing a good line graph: • Title • Axes • Draw axis lines with a ruler • Write label for each axis • Show units of measurement • Number each axis in equally sized intervals • Choose intervals that are easy to work with • Put the independent variable on the x axis • Put the dependent variable on the y axis • Points • Plot each point accurately • Use an small X to mark each point • Show the trend of the points with a line of best fit • Draw graph in pencil • Make it as large as possible for greater accuracy RETURN TO MAIN MENU

What Should Be Included in my Discussion? The discussion should: • Describe patterns or trends in the results . • Explain WHY you got this pattern or trend. 3. Discuss how confident you can be in these findings. • Are the results VALID (does it test what was intended)? • Is the experiment RELIABLE (will it produce the same results if repeated)? Were there any problems with the experiment? How can it be improved? • Were the measurements ACCURATE? Would the equipment used be able to pick up very small differences in characteristic being measured? 4. Discuss how these are findings useful. • Identify and discuss the problems with your experiment. • Identify improvements to your experiment. RETURN TO MAIN MENU

Can I see an Annotated Report already done? To the left is an annotated SRP report. You can also download a PDF of this report by clicking on the following link: Annotated report SEE THE NEXT PAGE OF THE REPORT RETURN TO MAIN MENU

Can I see an Annotated Report already done? To the left is an annotated SRP report. You can also download a PDF of this report by clicking on the following link: Annotated Report RETURN TO MAIN MENU

What Should Be Included in my Conclusion? • Your conclusion should give a very brief summary of your experimental findings, and be linked to your aim. • Your conclusion should say whether your hypothesis was supported or not. • Your conclusion should be written as no more than 3 sentences. RETURN TO MAIN MENU

SRP Marking Criteria (Page 1 of 3) SEE NEXT PAGE RETURN TO MAIN MENU

SRP Marking Criteria (Page 2 of 3) SEE PREVIOUS PAGE SEE NEXT PAGE RETURN TO MAIN MENU

SRP Marking Criteria (Page 3 of 3) SEE PREVIOUS PAGE RETURN TO MAIN MENU

Student Research Project