Dunbar High School
Where Achievement is the Expectation
Science Fair Project Timeline
Fall 2014
The timeline, guidelines and expectations for this semester-long project have been approved by the DHS
Administration and affected Faculty. If you have any questions or concerns regarding any of the following,
please contact your science teacher.
The local SRC/IRB and possibly a Regional approval council must approve all projects before conducting any
experiments. (Any experiments not approved will not be acknowledged as being done by the teacher even if the
student may continue the project at their own risk)
All Florida and International Science and Engineering Fair rules will be followed. Go to
http://www.societyforscience.org/isef/document/ for all rules and information. All students are expected to
conduct original research in an ethical and honest manner.
Parental assistance should be limited to such activities as driving students to the library, assisting with acquisition
of materials, and giving plenty of encouragement. Parents are NOT to conduct any part of the project or create
any part of the display.
Maintain ALL original notes, data, observations, etc. in your SF/IF logbook and binder for evidence. Be a
resource manager. Plan your project carefully and follow the timeline below. High quality work is expected
of all Dunbar High School students at all times.
September 22-23 – Science Fair Letter –Parent and Student Signature
September –October 23 – Afterschool Focus: Topic/Research/Research Paper/Scientific Method Planning Process
Topic Search: http://www.sciencebuddies.org/; http://www.all-science-fair-projects.com/;
http://www.sciencefair-projects.org/ ; http://www.juliantrubin.com/fairprojects.html ;
http://www.education.com/science-fair/high-school/; Science Daily (can be used for background info as well):
http://sciencedaily.com or Livescience
ISEF Categories- https://student.societyforscience.org/intel-isef-categories-and-subcategories
Places to Begin Your Background Information Search: Inventors: http://www.uspto.gov/ ; Lee Co. Library
Electronic Resources: http://library.lee-county.com/services/ref/Pages/Esources.aspx; Lee Schools Resources:
http://curriculum.leeschools.net/Subject%20Areas/Media%20Services/Services/district%20electronic%20resources.htm
Source Requirements: 7 sources minimum documented in APA Bibliographic format.
All 1 minimum of each - Periodical /Book/Internet Source
Get Primary source documents!; No Encyclopedias – Including Wikipedia
Validate the Authors of each source…and/or get approval for all for .com/ .org/ .net/ etc…
October 1-2 – Tentative Topic Approval before major research is done 
*LESSON FOR THE DAY: Why Research and the Research Process
October 13/14 – Official (Locked-In) Topic (Experimental Design Question) Due
- APA Bibliography - 1 2 3 4 5 6 7Research Notes (C-Note Format–1 per source) Due
*LESSON FOR THE DAY: Connecting research to the experiment.
October 15/16 –First Draft of Hypothesis/Eng. Goals and its Explanation, Variables Statement
- Materials List, Procedures, and Method of Data Analysis Due
October 22/23 – Official Research Plan (Round 1) – A, B, C, D, Only ABCD at this time
See Page 2 of Form 1A HTTPS://MEMBER.SOCIETYFORSCIENCE.ORG/DOCUMENT.DOC?ID=14
OCTOBER 24/27 –ISEF FORMS – https://student.societyforscience.org/forms
Turn this in Earlier if MORE Time to work the Project is REQUIRED-Plants, Engineering, Invention
Check List PRIOR to INITIAL SUBMISSION:  Correct Forms - 1 1A 1B Add’l: ____ Blanks Filled In
Correct Boxes Checked Signatures & Dates  Research Plan ISEF RESPONESE is Attached: Add’l Items
*Students have three attempts to fix any errors indicated by SRC/IRB.
If the error(s) is NOT fixed by the third attempt, the students’ project will not be approved.
The student CANNOT conduct the experiment. The student CAN complete the research paper.
The student’s grade is limited to the portions of the portfolio that were required prior to approval
November 13/14 – SPOOL  Intro
 Topic 1  Topic 2  Topic 3  Add’d Topics  Closing  Edit
*LESSON FOR THE DAY: What makes a great paper!
Raw Data Collection Check  Data Table(s)  Observations Log
*LESSON FOR THE DAY: Making sense of Data
November 17/18 – Rough Draft  Typed In-text citation Double Spaced 3 Pages Edit 1  Edit 2
November 21/24 – Best Draft of Background Information Paper
Final Raw Data Check in S/IF Logbook
*OCTOBER LESSON: S/IF Logbook *NOVEMBER LESSONS: Evidence Based Writing, Experimental Design Portfolio and Backboard
October 28 – November 20 - Conduct experiment, collect and record data as the experiment is conducted.
Student must have paperwork approval from teacher and SRC/IRB before conducting the experiment.
All observations and data collection must be logged in their S/IF logbook as data is being collected.
October 15 – October 25 – Afterschool focus: Paperwork Corrections/Quality Research for Background Information
October 29-December 1 – Afterschool focus: Paper/ Data/ graphs/ analysis/ conclusion/ abstract/portfolio/backboard
Experimental Design Portfolio Sections – [Handout provided]
Official Research Plan [final]: Problem, Hypothesis, Variables, Materials/Procedures with Data Analysis Plans
Data: *Key Data Tables; Key Graphs showing key findings with correlations, trends, relationships being tested
(from hypothesis or engineering goal);
*Statistics of Raw and/or graphed data (Measures of Central Tendency) plus other relevant stats.
Written Analysis: Discussion of Results (written explanation of the data, graphs, validity of work (from stats)
and key findings); Conclusions [Will have handouts for written analysis]
Summary of Experiment: Abstract writing (written last and presented first) [Will have a handout for this]
S/IF Logbook: Provided as evidence of student’s work on the project
Final Presentation: Portfolio: Organization, Editing and Finalization
BACKBOARD – An abbreviated “30-60 second crystal clear view” of experiment from start to finish. [Handout
provided]. It is a visual representation of their work
December 2-3 –PROJECT DUE with Classroom Presentation (TEST GRADE FOR ALL STUDENTS)
Backboard;  Science/Inventor’s Fair Log Book; Experimental Design Portfolio
December 4: DHS Science and Inventor’s Fair
December 5: Anticipated Prize Patrol
December 4-5: Science Fair Reflection
December 12-16: Anticipated Regional Science Fair Paperwork Due
*Scholarship Opportunities & “Door Opening Opportunities!”
Manage your time and resources.
Be honest and ethical.
Think creatively and critically.
Do your best work!