Science Research Program Guide - Secondary Programs Home ...

chemical reactions, mathematical models, molecular structures, and other technical symbols.
Use references to published literature to support your statements. For example: “Electrons are
organized into quantized energy orbits. (Smoot, 1988).” Or, “Smoot (1988) indicates that
electrons are organized into quantized orbits.” No investigation answers all the questions, and
in fact, new questions arise. These questions must be posed to the reader and often are used as
reasons for continuing the study or moving in a different direction to solve the problem.
Specific data, which does not fit the pattern, must be explained. Do not simply restate
observations and data, rather, synthesize concepts, alternate hypotheses, principles, trends, and
patterns, which the results may suggest. The writing style must flow, uninterrupted, from
thought to thought, giving the reader the impression that the student’s thinking process was
detailed and thorough, exhausting all possible explanations.
Conclusion
This is a brief section, which states the conclusions of the investigation. The statement may be
expressed in full sentence format or by other symbolism such as mathematical models or
chemical reactions. The conclusions are ordered from most important to least important. These
conclusions must address the objectives of the investigation. Is the hypothesis supported or
does it need to be modified or rejected? The objectives tend to be questions and so the
conclusions are possible answers to those questions.
All investigations generate additional questions. These should be presented to the reader and
are the basis of continued research. Conclusion statements may also address the need for
modifications in the procedure, equipment, or other aspects of the study. For example,
modifications may be needed to reduce the potential for human error or to increase the number
of significant digits in the results. In investigations with sufficient data, statistical statements
are included in this section. If statistics are used they must be included in the calculation and
data sections and they must be discussed in the discussion section. New data, observations or
discussion should not be introduced in this section.
Future Studies
This section addresses how a project could be continued. What could be done to continue the
investigation into areas that were generated as a result of experimentation.?
Final Preparation for Fair
Final check of all materials: It is important that the science research teacher review and
evaluate the basic project components prior to fair. This includes log/data books, research
paper, reprint file and display board.
Oral Presentations: It is suggested that students practice and polish their presentations prior to
the fair. You may have the students initially present to each other in small cooperative groups.
From this experience, they may progress to class presentations with the student audience
marking the same judging cards utilized at fair. Inviting parents, administrators, and local
researchers to serve as “judges” may give students balanced feedback to their presentations as
well as experience in presenting to unfamiliar spectators. You may want to have your students
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