K.I.S.SK.I.S.SKeep it Keep it Simple Simple

Students!Students!

Science Fair

STEP 1- Select your STEP 1- Select your topictopic

Make sure you Make sure you find it find it

interesting!interesting!

STEP 2- Identify STEP 2- Identify the problem the problem

RESEARCH QUESTIONRESEARCH QUESTION::

What is the effect of What is the effect of different thicknesses different thicknesses of insulation on heat of insulation on heat loss from a heated loss from a heated

box?box?

STEP 3- Become an STEP 3- Become an expert on your topicexpert on your topic

Learn as much Learn as much as you as you

reasonably can reasonably can about your about your topic. topic.

Detailed procedure outlining exactly Detailed procedure outlining exactly how you will conduct the experiment. how you will conduct the experiment.

Step-by-step! This is the most critical Step-by-step! This is the most critical part of the whole process!part of the whole process!

STEP 4STEP 4PlanPlan

ID the problemSelect the

independent variableMake a hypothesis

Simple Sentence Simple Sentence stating the purpose stating the purpose of the experiment.of the experiment.

The manipulated factor

Remember:Your experiment must test this

Sample HypothesisSample HypothesisIfIf I increase the insulation I increase the insulation thickness thickness thenthen the heat loss the heat loss from the box will decrease from the box will decrease becausebecause the outside air will the outside air will have a harder time reaching have a harder time reaching the box.the box.

Variables and ConstantsVariables and ConstantsIndependent VariableIndependent Variable

insulation thicknessinsulation thickness

Dependent VariableDependent Variable temperature in the boxtemperature in the box

ConstantsConstants: things you will keep the : things you will keep the same forsame forSource of heat (100 watt bulb)Source of heat (100 watt bulb)Starting temperature in the boxStarting temperature in the boxTemperature of the air outside the boxTemperature of the air outside the boxLocation of lamp and thermometer in boxLocation of lamp and thermometer in box

Step 5:Step 5: PreparePrepareGather all materials.Gather all materials.Get a mentor.Get a mentor.Create a timeline to Create a timeline to

keep you on track.keep you on track.Tell your family about Tell your family about your project.your project.

Sample Project: MaterialsSample Project: Materials

20 Gallon Glass Aquarium20 Gallon Glass AquariumLamp with 100 watt light bulb Lamp with 100 watt light bulb (heater)(heater)

Fiberglass insulation of thickness Fiberglass insulation of thickness 1 inch, 2 inch, 4 inch, 6 inch, 10 1 inch, 2 inch, 4 inch, 6 inch, 10 inch (be specific about the type)inch (be specific about the type)

Duct tape (to secure the Duct tape (to secure the insulation)insulation)

Remote Digital thermometer, Remote Digital thermometer, resolution 0.1 Celsiusresolution 0.1 Celsius

STEP 6- STEP 6- ExperimentExperiment

Make sure you:Make sure you:Have a controlHave a controlIndependent variableIndependent variableDependent variableDependent variablePre-written proceduresPre-written proceduresOrganized format for data Organized format for data collectioncollection

ProcedureProcedure1.1. Place lamp and thermometer in box. Place glass cover on Place lamp and thermometer in box. Place glass cover on

box.box.2.2. Carefully cover entire box with insulation. All surfaces Carefully cover entire box with insulation. All surfaces

(including bottom) are covered. Tape is used to secure (including bottom) are covered. Tape is used to secure insulation.insulation.

3.3. Measure temperature inside and outside boxMeasure temperature inside and outside box4.4. Turn on lamp.Turn on lamp.5.5. Every 10 min, measure and record temperature inside and Every 10 min, measure and record temperature inside and

outside the box.outside the box.6.6. Repeat step 5 until temperature stops rising.Repeat step 5 until temperature stops rising.7.7. Turn off lamp.Turn off lamp.8.8. Every 10 min measure and record temperature inside and Every 10 min measure and record temperature inside and

outside the boxoutside the box9.9. Repeat step 8 until temperature inside box is the same Repeat step 8 until temperature inside box is the same

as the temperature outside the boxas the temperature outside the box10.10. Repeat steps 2 – 9 for different insulation thicknesses.Repeat steps 2 – 9 for different insulation thicknesses.11.11. Perform steps 3 – 9 for with no insulation on the box Perform steps 3 – 9 for with no insulation on the box

(control).(control).

STEP 7- Make STEP 7- Make observations/collect observations/collect

datadataYou must know in advance You must know in advance

what you will do to what you will do to analyze you dataanalyze you data

• follow your written plan. follow your written plan. • keep detailed notes on keep detailed notes on everything that you observe. everything that you observe.

• take pictures or make take pictures or make sketches of your observations sketches of your observations to help make things clearer. to help make things clearer.

Step 8: Figure Out What Step 8: Figure Out What Happened and What it MeansHappened and What it Means Organize your notes. Organize your notes. Next, analyze your data. Next, analyze your data. Ask yourself, what happened? Ask yourself, what happened? Did the results agree with Did the results agree with your hypothesis? your hypothesis?

Make graphs and charts that Make graphs and charts that will help you "see" what the will help you "see" what the data mean. data mean.

Temperature Vs Time for Different Insulation Thicknesses

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 220 240

Time (minutes)

Temperature (Deg C)

1 Inch

2 Inch

4 Inch

Data TableData Table

Insulation thick max temp time to max temp time back to RT (inches) (deg C) (minutes) (minutes)

0 29.7 30 40

1 35.8 50 90

2 41.6 80 160

4 48.4 100 210

6 55.7 120 290

10 61.2 150 350

Step 9: Write Your Step 9: Write Your Report Report

Tell exactly what you did, how you Tell exactly what you did, how you did it, and what you discovered. did it, and what you discovered.

Be sure you write all about your Be sure you write all about your plan and your experiment. plan and your experiment.

Include your data, charts and Include your data, charts and graphs to help readers interpret graphs to help readers interpret the information. the information.

Include some of the research info Include some of the research info you learned. you learned.

Step 10: Make a Killer Step 10: Make a Killer Display Display

Be sure to include:Be sure to include: background background

informationinformation problem and problem and

hypothesishypothesis procedures and procedures and

resultsresults graphs and charts. graphs and charts. photos or drawingsphotos or drawings conclusionconclusion

Step 11: Rehearse Your Step 11: Rehearse Your PresentationPresentation

Practice! Practice Practice! Practice ! And Practice ! And Practice some more! some more!

Stand and Stand and Deliver! Deliver!

At the science fair At the science fair Stand and deliver. Stand and deliver. Try to remain calm.Try to remain calm.Dress smart. Dress smart. Take yourself seriously.Take yourself seriously.Be prepared.Be prepared.I I knowknow you will do great! you will do great!