Transcript Independent Science Investigations

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Independent Science
Investigations
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What is an Independent Science
Investigation (ISI)?
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The ISI project will give you a chance to design your own
learning experience, one that allows you to innovate, just as
scientists do in the real world.
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You will be able to explore personal interests while selecting
an area for your project, as well as apply the scientific
method to answer a question.
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Think science fair without the competition
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Why do an Independent Science
Investigation (ISI)
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You will also develop your 21st century skills above and beyond
science.
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Reading Comprehension and Writing: Doing background research and
writing a research paper
Math: Creating graphs and performing data analysis
Time Management: Planning and conducting a long term, multi-step
project
Problem Solving: Designing an experiment to answer a question and
making any mid-course changes
Communication: Presenting and explaining the project
Ethics Understanding: Learning about plagiarism and the importance
of credit and citations
Real World Technology Application: The use of word processing and
spreadsheet programs to create a display
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Parts of the ISI
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Project Journal – This is where you will record EVERYTHING
about your project from brainstorming ideas, to project
development, data collection and analysis, etc.
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Deciding On a Topic
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The important thing is to:
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find something that interests you
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what are your hobbies,
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what do you like to do in your spare time,
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What sports you like
As you select your project topic, DO NOT copy something
you find in a book or on the internet! You can use these ideas
as starting point, but find a way to make it your own unique
idea.
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Project Topic Selection Example
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How I selected my last project:
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Like microbiology and working with bacteria
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Used bacteria in past projects
Heard about a bioluminescent bacteria that could light up called
Vibrio fischeri
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Project Topic Selection Example
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Did preliminary research and found out that
there was a symbiotic relationship between
the Bobtail squid and Vibrio fischeri
bacteria. Thought it would be fun to work
with these squid but further research
showed it was very difficult to keep them in
captivity and that they did not live long.
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Additional research showed that some
research had been done with Vibrio
fischeri as an indicator for water quality in a
lab. Decided to test to see if it could be
used as an efficient way to test water quality
in the Fountain Creek Water Basin.
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Parts of the ISI
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Testable Question – What is it I
want to find out about a topic
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Start with hobbies, sports, whatever
you are interested in
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This is NOT a question that you can
find the answer in a book or on the
internet; it must be a question that
will support you doing a science
experiment, collecting data, and
then analyzing the data to answer
the question.
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Developing a Testable Question
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Remember, this is NOT a question that you can find the answer in a
book or on the internet; it must be a question that will support you
doing a science experiment, collecting data, and then analyzing the
data to answer the question.
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Examples:
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How big is Vibrio fischeri? – Not good Found through book/internet
research not an experiment
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How many Vibrio fischeri are in the world? – Not good Impossible to
calculate, not an experiment
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My Testable Question
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Parts of the ISI
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Background Research and Paper – This is an important
step so that you know how to design and understand your
experiment
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Need at least 3 different sources to verify accuracy
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Write a minimum of one page summary of your research that
includes any formulas, or key data to conduct your experiment
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Parts of the ISI
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Hypothesis – An educated guess based on your background
research
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You should not know the answer
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Most of the time a hypothesis is written like this: "If _____[I do this]
_____, then _____[this]_____ will happen.”
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Developing your Hypothesis
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Remember it is an educated guess based on your
background research
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You should not know the answer
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Most of the time a hypothesis is written like this: "If _____[I do this]
_____, then _____[this]_____ will happen.”
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Examples:
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If I put swimming pool chlorine into the vibrio fischeri broth,
then they will die. – Not good You know this answer
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My Hypothesis based on background research
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Parts of the ISI
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Materials List –What
supplies and equipment will
you need to complete your
project
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Look at your procedure and
make a complete list of
everything you need to do
each step
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Make sure that you have
everything on hand before
you need it
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Parts of the ISI
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Procedure – This is a step-bystep recipe for your science
experiment
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A good procedure is so detailed
and complete that it lets someone
else duplicate your experiment
exactly!
You need to repeat it a minimum
of three times (more is better) to
verify results
It is created as a numbered list of
steps performed in a specific
order
All measurements must be in
metric units
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Parts of the ISI
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Experiment & Data Collection – Follow your procedure exactly. If
you need to make changes in the procedure (which often happens),
write down the changes exactly as you made them.
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Before starting your experiment, prepare a data table in your journal so you can
quickly write down your measurements as you observe them
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Be consistent, careful, and accurate when you take your measurements (must be in
metric units)
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Project Experimentation &
Data Collection
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Parts of the ISI
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Data Analysis – Review your data looking at the
results of your experiment with a critical eye
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Create both data tables and graphs to help you
analyze the data, these will also make it easy for
people to read on your display
This is usually your longest written section on your
display
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Parts of the ISI
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Conclusion – Your conclusions summarize how your results
support or contradict your original hypothesis (Short 1
paragraph)
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Application – How does your research apply to real life
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Parts of the ISI
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Display Board –You need to
prepare a display board to
communicate your work to
others.
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In most cases you will use a
standard, three-panel display
board that unfolds to be 36" tall
by 48" wide.
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This must be professional, all
information should be word
processed, graphs and tables
should be created with a
spreadsheet program.
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Parts of the ISI
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Report – Your report will contain everything in steps 2
through 10 above plus an abstract and bibliography
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An abstract is an abbreviated version of your ISI project’s final
report
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Limited to a maximum of 250 words
Bibliography should be in MLA format (use Easybib on our web
site to create)
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Project Limitations
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Projects that include any one of the
following will require approval before
starting project. (We will use the ISEF
Rules and Guidelines)
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Human subjects
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Vertebrate animals
 Live, nonhuman vertebrate mammalian
embryos or fetuses
 Bird and reptile eggs within 3 days of
hatching
 All other nonhuman vertebrates
(including fish) at hatching or birth
 Zebrafish embryos 7 days (168 hours)
post fertilization
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Project Limitations
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Projects that include any one of the following will require approval before
starting project. (We will use the ISEF Rules and Guidelines)
 Potentially hazardous biological agents
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Microorganisms (including bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc.)
Recombinant DNA
Human or animal fresh/frozen tissues, blood or body fluids
Hazardous chemicals, activities or devices include
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Chemicals
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Equipment
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DEA-Controlled Substances
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Prescription Drugs
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Alcohol and Tobacco
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Firearms and Explosives
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Radiation
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Project Examples
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Take a few minutes to look
at the example projects as
you leave.
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Support
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Freedom Elementary has created a web page with resources
for both students and parents
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http://freedom.d11.org/Pages/Independent-ScienceInvestigation.aspx
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Student ISI Outline
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Student ISI Timeline
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Parent letter with timeline
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The Future: Science Competitions
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Pikes Peak Regional Science Fair
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Who: Open to all 6th – 12th grade
students in the Pikes Peak region
When: March
Prizes: Cash and gifts from sponsors
Colorado State Science and
Engineering Fair
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Who: 6th – 12th grade students
 Top winners from regional
competitions invited to compete
When: April
Prizes: Cash and gifts from sponsors
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The Future: Science Competitions
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International Science and
Engineering Fairs
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Who: 9th – 12th grade students
 Top winners from regional, state,
and country competitions invited
to compete
When: May - August
Prizes: Cash, scholarships, and gifts
from sponsors
 Top prizes $75,000, Intel gave
away more than $3 million
dollars at this year’s competition!
 Paid travel to compete
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Benefits
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Learn more about topics you are interested in
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Meet new friends!
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Win Money
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Prizes
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Scholarships