An exercise in usingAn exercise in using

The Scientific The Scientific ProcessProcess

Tuesday, April 20, 2010Tuesday, April 20, 2010

(Projects due FRIDAY, (Projects due FRIDAY, April 16April 16thth))

Why do we have a Why do we have a Science Fair?Science Fair?

The Science Fair provides an opportunity to:The Science Fair provides an opportunity to:

Learn about and use the Learn about and use the scientific methodscientific method Sharpen writing skillsSharpen writing skills Gain skills in library researchGain skills in library research Organize time and develop time management Organize time and develop time management

skillsskills Develop public speaking skills by discussing Develop public speaking skills by discussing

the projects with the judgesthe projects with the judges Participate in an event during which students Participate in an event during which students

are recognized for academic achievementare recognized for academic achievement

Choosing a TopicChoosing a Topic Choose something that interests youChoose something that interests you Refer to the Science Fair Project guide for a list of Refer to the Science Fair Project guide for a list of

possible topicspossible topics Decide on a purpose and a procedure for your Decide on a purpose and a procedure for your

project. project.

Consider the following:Consider the following:o What will you try to discover about your topic?What will you try to discover about your topic?o How will you go about your research, How will you go about your research,

experimenting, etc.?experimenting, etc.?o What types of materials will you need to What types of materials will you need to

experiment?experiment?o How long will you need to get meaningful results?How long will you need to get meaningful results?

Steps in the Scientific Steps in the Scientific ProcessProcess

QuestionQuestion Research/Research/

ObservationObservation HypothesisHypothesis ExperimentExperiment Data CollectionData Collection ResultsResults ConclusionConclusion

A science fair project includes each of the steps of the scientific method.

QuestionQuestion Should be specific and Should be specific and

testable - something that testable - something that can be answered by taking can be answered by taking measurementsmeasurements

Find some background Find some background information that may help information that may help you in determining your you in determining your hypothesis hypothesis

Research could take the form Research could take the form of systematic observationof systematic observation

Research/Research/ObservationObservation

HypothesisHypothesis A hypothesis is what you think will happen A hypothesis is what you think will happen

and why.and why. Form a hypothesis based on your Form a hypothesis based on your

research/observations before you begin your research/observations before you begin your experiment. experiment.

It doesn’t matter whether your hypothesis It doesn’t matter whether your hypothesis turns out to be right or wrong. turns out to be right or wrong.

ExperimentExperiment Design an experiment that will help Design an experiment that will help

answer your questionanswer your question Choose only one variable to testChoose only one variable to test Keep everything else the same each Keep everything else the same each

time you perform your test (controls)time you perform your test (controls) Write down what you will do step by step Write down what you will do step by step

and list all of the materials you will useand list all of the materials you will use Repeat your experiment Repeat your experiment several several timestimes

Data Data CollectionCollection

Collect data observations and Collect data observations and measurements to answer your measurements to answer your question.question.

Write down all measurements Write down all measurements observed during your experiment. observed during your experiment.

Record your data in a log. Record your data in a log.

(Suggested for K-3, required for 4-5)(Suggested for K-3, required for 4-5)

The Log BookThe Log Book Compilation of everything the student has Compilation of everything the student has

done to investigate the topicdone to investigate the topic Log books contain detailed notes of the Log books contain detailed notes of the

science fair project processscience fair project process Notes should be recorded before, during, and Notes should be recorded before, during, and

after the experiment is performedafter the experiment is performed Log books DO NOT need to contain copies of Log books DO NOT need to contain copies of

the charts, graphs, and other information that the charts, graphs, and other information that will be displayed on the backboardwill be displayed on the backboard

The log book can be as simple as a spiral The log book can be as simple as a spiral notebook or paper foldernotebook or paper folder

ResultsResults Organize and analyze your data and Organize and analyze your data and

display in charts, graphs, tables or display in charts, graphs, tables or pictures.pictures.

Write a clear explanation of your charts, Write a clear explanation of your charts, graphs or tables.graphs or tables.

ConclusionConclusion Form a conclusion based on the Form a conclusion based on the

results.results. Write a short paragraph explaining Write a short paragraph explaining

what what

you learned as a result of your tests. you learned as a result of your tests.

PresentationPresentation Your display will be one way of sharing what you did Your display will be one way of sharing what you did

and what happened in your project.and what happened in your project. Make your display interesting and attractive!Make your display interesting and attractive! You can make your display You can make your display

out of cardboard, plywood, out of cardboard, plywood, or paneling, but not or paneling, but not poster board.poster board.

Your display must Your display must be freestanding.be freestanding.

You may purchase a display You may purchase a display board at school. They are on sale now for $5.00.board at school. They are on sale now for $5.00.

(Refer to the Science Fair Project guide sent home later (Refer to the Science Fair Project guide sent home later this week for a backboard diagram.)this week for a backboard diagram.)

Helpful Hints for Helpful Hints for ParentsParents Help your child work regularly on his/her Help your child work regularly on his/her

project – work together to develop an project – work together to develop an action plan for completing each step of action plan for completing each step of the project. the project.

Be sure to plan at the beginning – don’t Be sure to plan at the beginning – don’t wait until the last week to get started.wait until the last week to get started.

Come to our Come to our Science Fair Family Science Fair Family NightNight on on Tuesday, February 23Tuesday, February 23rdrd (5:00-6:30) to use the Media Center (5:00-6:30) to use the Media Center resources (and a few of the teachers) to resources (and a few of the teachers) to start working on the project! start working on the project!