Scientific Process

Seven steps to make the science project process understandable.

Brainstorm

This is a violent outbreak of ideas for your science project. This storm occurs in various areas. Its energy blows and whirls your interests and experiences around, creating a blinding list of project topics.

Topics are found: in your interests or hobbies The list I give you Parents, relatives, friends Computer websites have lots of suggestions The library

Be sure your topic can be tested by you. Some topics like space or planets are good to research but it would

be difficult to set up an experiment to test the research. If you know the answer or outcome, choose a different question. Keep in mind that you will be researching your topic and then

setting up an experiment to test your hypothesis.

Narrowing down your topic Now that you chose a topic that you are

interested in, its time to think of topic relationships and questions.

Topics Topic relationships Questions

Plants PLANTS AND FERTILIZERS

Will fertilizer “x or “y” cause petunias to grow taller?

Popcorn Popcorn and storage Can storing popcorn in different environments cause it to pop different amounts?

Friction Friction and rolling Can surface texture cause a change in my skateboard speed?

Choose a question from your chart.

Remember…. Your question should show cause and

effect.The cause is something that can be changed

or manipulated.The effect is the result of the cause.

RESEARCH Now it’s time to find out as much about

your topic as you can. This will help you decide what you think the answer to your question might be.

Places People LiteratureSchool

Library

Home

Computer

Businesses

Garden center

zoo

Teacher

Librarian

Family/friends

Doctor/dentist

veterinarian

scientist

Science books

Project books

Encyclopedias

Magazines

Newspapers

Yellow pages

Identify the variables for your research

Remember, the cause is the independent variable and the effect is the dependent variable.

Will fertilizer “X” or “y” cause petunias to grow taller?

Independent variable: fertilizers “x” and “y”

Dependent variable; growth of petunias

Will storing popcorn in water cause it to pop more than stored in the refrigerator?

Independent variable: storing kernals in water and in refrigerator

Dependent variable: the number of popped kernals

Can the surface texture cause a change in skateboard speed?

Independent variable: surface texture

Dependent variable: skateboard speed

Report

Now put the information you have gathered together into a complete report. Include background information on both variables and the relationship between them. Be sure to include how you think this information is valuable to others.

Hypothesis

You’ve done the hard part—deciding on a topic, narrowing it, and researching it. Now, think how your question should be answered.

Here is how to state your hypothesis: I determined from my research that fertilizer “x” will

cause greater growth in petunias than fertilizer “y.” So my hypothesis is, IF FERTILIZER “X” IS USED, THEN PETUNIAS WILL GROW TALLER.

Experiment

To determine if your hypothesis is correct, you need to conduct a simple experiment.

Use a procedure. A procedure is like a recipe.

You need to tell time, size, amounts, and in what order each step is to be done.

Use metric measurements.

The Control VariableThe Constant Variables Before setting up your experiment you must be aware of

all the variables. You know your independent and dependent, you must

have the constant variables and a control. The constant variables are those things that you must

keep the same, so the test is fair. Only the independent variable can be different.

The control. This is a test that has no independent variable. In the case of the fertilizer is is a petunia grown with no fertilizer. In the case of the popcorn, it is the popcorn from the cabinet.

Plan the Procedure

The procedure for your experiment is like a recipe. Be precise and write each direction on a new line.

Give numbers, amounts, time. Be EXACT so someone can repeat your

experiment perfectly.

Procedure Check1. What is the independent

variable?

2. What is the dependent variable?

3. What are the constant variables?

4. What is the control?

5. Did you use metric measurements?

6. Did you list exact measurements and time?

Materials list

Make a complete list of all the items you will need to conduct your experiment.Gather the materials in your list.Read the procedureBegin your experiment

GO!!!

RECORD YOUR RESULTS

It is important for you to keep accurate and organized data while conducting your experiment.

Use charts, logs, and drawings to record your observations.

Write down everything you observe with your senses during the experiment.

Organize your notes into tables, charts, and graphs.

Conclusions

Conclusions are the ending to our story. Without conclusions your experiment is incomplete.

Your conclusions should: Tell in words exactly what happened during the

experiment. Tell whether your results supported your hypothesis Answer all questions that came up during the

experiment. State any other information that was discovered in the

process.

Here is an example of a conclusion from the petunia experiment. The petunias fertilized with “x” grew 13 cm in 4

weeks. The petunias fertilized with “y” grew 12 cm in 4 weeks. The control, petunias with no fertilizer, grew 10 cm in 4 weeks. This data supports my hypothesis that petunias will grow taller with fertilizer “x.” My experiment also shows that petunias grew taller with fertilizer “y” than with no fertilizer at all. This information would be important to nurseries selling petunias and fertilizers. Another question that might be investigated is whether plants other than petunias would have the same reaction to the two fertilizers.

Here is a sample conclusion from the popcorn experiment. The popcorn stored in the water popped with violent explosions. It

sounded like gun shots. The kernals of corn were deformed. The starch did not puff up, so none of the corn popped was etiable. The corn stored in the refrigerator popped 100 percent. The popcorn was large and white. The control corn was stored in the cabinet and out of 100 kernals 85 popped. The data does not support my hypothesis that storing popcorn in water would increase the number of popped kernals. My experiment showed that storing popcorn in the refrigerator increased the number of kernals popped. This information would be useful to grocery stores and individuals who buy popcorn, movie theaters, and business that sell popcorn. Another question to investigate would be the time it takes for popcorn to pop if store differently.

Finally prepare an ExhibitThis is the correct way to display your results on a tri-fold project board.

Question Project title Results:Tables, graphs, photos, charts

Hypothesis Procedure:Use drawings, photos, outlines

Conclusions

REPORT: lay on table in front of board.