Your STEM Fair ProjectDay 1

OBJECTIVES: Students will be able to apply critical thinking skills in order to:• identify criteria for a topic; • understand what makes a bad topic;• define independent and dependent variables and extinguish between the two• research possible topics using given websites;• create research questions for five possible research topics.

HOMEWORK: Browse through given websites, choose 5 topics, create 5 questions (one per topic) on the worksheet titled GT Research Project Topics

Topic Criteria

• Topic MUST translate into an EXPERIMENT that produces quantitative data; data measured by numbers

• Topic must be stated in the form of a researchable question that refers to independent and dependent variables

• Experiment must produce 15 or MORE trials (DATA! DATA! DATA!)

• NO animal or insect projects• Keep cost down; for example, no batteries

Variables

INDEPENDENT VARIABLE: the factor in the experiment you change on purpose

DEPENDENT VARIABLE: the factor in the experiment that changes as a result of the independent variable; what you will measure in the experiment

Sample Topic Questions

BAD QUESTION: What is the most popular detergent on the market today?– Not a question that can be researched by

completing an experiment; descriptive research NOT experimental research

– Does not have independent and dependent variables

BETTER QUESTION: What type of detergent cleans grease stains the best from clothing?

Broad Questions versus Testable Questions

http://school.discoveryeducation.com/sciencefaircentral/Getting-Started/Investigation.html

Broad Questions (lead to reports) Testable Questions

(lead to investigations)

• BROAD: How do lubricants work?• TESTABLE: Which combination of lubricants will work best on a bicycle

wheel?• BROAD: What happens when water expands as it freezes?• TESTABLE: How much force is needed to keep water from expanding as it

freezes?• BROAD: What is soap?• TESTABLE: Which detergent removes stains the best?• BROAD: What is bread mold?• TESTABLE: What conditions keep bread mold from growing on bread?• BROAD: What do birds eat?• TESTABLE: What type of food and feeder will attract the most cardinals?

Sites to Use for Researching Topics

• http://elms.hcpss.org• Go to link on left titled Gifted and Talented• Go to link titled New to GT Science

What next?

• For HOMEWORK Review the sites given on the school GT webpage for project ideas.

• After HOURS of browsing the sites (JK!), choose FIVE topics to research.

• State your topics in the form of a question; one question/topic per blank; write your questions down on your paper titled GT Science Research Project Topics.

• Leave the spaces for independent and dependent variables blank for now.

• Due Friday, October 4th