Choosing a Topic and Choosing a Topic and Developing a Testable Developing a Testable QuestionQuestion

Science DisciplinesScience Disciplines

Definition Type of Science

The study of rocks and the earth.

geology

The study of movement, energy and machines.

physics

The study of living things biology

The study of chemicals and how to change them

chemistry

The study of stars, space and planets

astronomy

The study of the environment and interactions within it

ecology

The study of plants botany

The study of animals zoology

The study of insects entomology

The study of fossils palaeontology

Choosing a TopicChoosing a Topic

Circle the things that Circle the things that interest you!interest you!

Think about the things you Think about the things you like and make a list on the like and make a list on the

back of the paper.back of the paper.

Ms. Biffle’s ListMs. Biffle’s List

o MusicMusic

o Books and moviesBooks and movies

o PsychologyPsychology

o KidsKids

Narrow Down Your Narrow Down Your OptionsOptions

• I could do an experiment on kids and how I could do an experiment on kids and how exercise affects their ability to focus in the exercise affects their ability to focus in the classroom. (psychology – life science)classroom. (psychology – life science)

• I could do an experiment on people and music I could do an experiment on people and music (psychology – life science)(psychology – life science)

• I could do an experiment on ice cream and how I could do an experiment on ice cream and how it affects someone’s mood. (psychology –life it affects someone’s mood. (psychology –life science)science)

• I could do an experiment on the different ways I could do an experiment on the different ways to keep ice cream cool. (chemistry-engineering-to keep ice cream cool. (chemistry-engineering-physical science)physical science)

Still Don’t Know What You Still Don’t Know What You Want to Do?Want to Do?

Search the internet for interesting Search the internet for interesting experiments...this will just be a jumping off experiments...this will just be a jumping off point because you’ll have to change the point because you’ll have to change the experiment and make it your own.experiment and make it your own.

Browse topics and take the quiz at Browse topics and take the quiz at sciencebuiddies.org

See Ms. Biffle on Monday during lunch and See Ms. Biffle on Monday during lunch and discuss your interests.discuss your interests.

Come Up With a Come Up With a Testable QuestionTestable Question

A testable question is something you honestly A testable question is something you honestly don’t know the answer to.don’t know the answer to.

A testable question is something you will find A testable question is something you will find the answer to through your experimentthe answer to through your experiment

Page 5 of your packet will help with this.Page 5 of your packet will help with this.

Ms. Biffle’s Testable Ms. Biffle’s Testable QuestionsQuestions

What is the effect of loud and fast music on a What is the effect of loud and fast music on a person’s mood?person’s mood?

How do different types of music effect How do different types of music effect someone’s mood?someone’s mood?

Which type of music makes people happiest?Which type of music makes people happiest?

What You Should Work OnWhat You Should Work OnWeek 1 and 2Week 1 and 2

• Pages 4 and 5 of your packet should be filled Pages 4 and 5 of your packet should be filled out...we did most of this together.out...we did most of this together.

• START YOUR RESEARCH!!! You’ll find more START YOUR RESEARCH!!! You’ll find more information on pages 6 and 7 of your packet.information on pages 6 and 7 of your packet.

• You can check out books from the library, use one You can check out books from the library, use one of the digital databases, or use one of the websites of the digital databases, or use one of the websites on Ms. Biffle’s school webpage.on Ms. Biffle’s school webpage.

• Don’t worry about the hypothesis section on page 7 Don’t worry about the hypothesis section on page 7 of your packet. We’ll talk about that the next time I of your packet. We’ll talk about that the next time I see you.see you.

• After you research, if you have time, think a bit After you research, if you have time, think a bit about what you’d like to do during your experiment.about what you’d like to do during your experiment.

Helpful HintsHelpful Hints

This presentation is on my webpage. Click on This presentation is on my webpage. Click on the blue parts to go to the websites.the blue parts to go to the websites.

Pebblego.com and SIRS Knowledge are two Pebblego.com and SIRS Knowledge are two really helpful sections of the digital databasereally helpful sections of the digital database

Ms. Biffle will be in the cafeteria most Ms. Biffle will be in the cafeteria most Mondays during 2Mondays during 2ndnd and 3 and 3rdrd grade lunch. 4 grade lunch. 4thth and 5and 5thth grades may make an appointment to grades may make an appointment to see me.see me.