If you are so inclined you can write a very fancy “Introduction” for your project. Don’t worry about this unless you think you have some extra time and would like to keep working on your project. This is OPTIONAL

An introduction tells the reader of your research what your project is about, how you came up with your question and why your question and project are important!

Here is the basic formula for writing an introduction: It’s like a fact sandwich.

OPENING STATEMENT

What is the purpose of your project

Facts you know

Facts you know

Facts you know

YOUR HYPOTHESIS

Here is an example from my project:

The purpose of this research project is to examine the type of snack choices teachers make in private. Teachers are considered role models in school and community environments. The Integrated Resource Package (IRP) and the Draft Curriculum for Transforming Curriculum and Assessment (DRAFT) both include sections on Health and Physical Education. With the implementation of the draft curriculum in September 2015 teachers will be expected to inform their students about healthy lifestyles, which includes Active Living and Healthy Choices. A “Big Idea” in the curriculum is teaching students that “Personal choices can have effects on short term and long term well being”. As teachers are role models to students the nutrition choices they make are highly relevant to creating healthy school environments. Although teachers know that it is important to make healthy choices, preparing healthy meals and snacks may require time and preparation. Most teachers are very busy because they have large classes, meetings, professional development, marking, clubs, sports, and recess duty. If healthy choices were readily available it would be easier for teachers to be role models to their students because teachers know that they should eat healthy foods. As such, I hypothesize that teachers will choose healthy snacks over processed treats when both options are available.

I bolded all the components of the formula! See how I stuck them together… Remember this part is optional. If you would like to complete this you can work on this at school with my help during Science Fair time or ask me during morning recess or after school.

Your Method includes your procedure, materials and safety note.

Procedure + Materials + Safety Note = Methods

Procedure: The procedure describes step by step how to do your experiment. This way in the future someone can try and recreate your experiment and get the same results.

Procedure:

• Cut up the same amount of apples and apple Danishes
• Arrange the snacks on identical platters
• Place the platter in the staffroom before recess
• After recess record the data (see what was eaten, also take pictures for documentation)

The materials section is a detailed list of things someone would need in order to do your experiment. Make sure you are specific (how many of each thing did you need?)

Materials:

• Apples (5)
• Plates (2)
• knife
• apple pastries (1 Package)

The safety note shows people that your experiment is SAFE and ETHICAL. This means you didn’t hurt yourself, others, or the environment. (Take care of yourself, take care of others, take care of this place)

Remember: You can not cause anyone physical harm or embarrassment. For this reason, I left the staff room during my experiment to make sure I wasn’t watching who was eating which snacks.

Some of us will need to plan more carefully about safety than others because all our projects are different.

Safety Note:

No teachers were harmed during this experiment

• Safety precautions: use knife carefully
• No teachers were identified or will be identified