Format(Steps to Follow)

Purpose

Research

Question

Hypothesis

Materials

Procedure

Results

Conclusion

PURPOSE

•What you would like to find out.

PURPOSE

Babies go through a lot of diapers each day and there are so many types of diapers to choose from. We would like to find out if a certain brand of diaper would hold more liquid than the others. Knowing this might help us to choose which type of diapers to buy.

Research

• Use your library, the internet, or ask an expert to find out all the information you can about your topic.

QUESTION

What are you going to test?

QUESTION

Do Luvs, Dri-Bottoms, or Pampers diapers absorb more liquid?

HYPOTHESIS

• Educated guess What do you think is going to happen?

HYPOTHESIS

We think that Pampers will absorb the most because they cost the

most.

MATERIALS

• List all the things needed to complete your experiment.

• Use METRIC measurements.

MATERIALS

3 jumbo size Luvs diapers3 jumbo size Dri-Bottoms diapers

3 jumbo size Pampers diapersMeasuring Cup

Water

PROCEDURE• Step by step plan• Exactly what you will do to test

your hypothesis. Collecting data and recording observations.

• Controls and variables

PROCEDURES1. Pour one cup of water into the center of each

diaper.

2. Check for any leaks.

3. Pour a second cup of water into the center of each diaper.

4. …

RESULTS• Graphs, charts, or diagrams• The outcome of your experiment is

shared through daily logs, journal• entries, graphs, charts, and drawings. 

*A log of the step-by-step procedure with any data collected could be in a notebook or folder which is placed in front of the project.

CONCLUSION• In this section you will interpret

your findings and results. Refer back to your purpose and indicate whether or not your findings support your hypothesis.

Demonstration, Model, Experiment…

…What’s the difference?

                 

DemonstrationA Demonstration…

• Explains a device, scientific principle, or fact.

• Has a result that is already known.

• Does not require you to make measurements or observations.

• Does not have a variable

Show what happens to a white carnation if you put it in colored water.

ExperimentA Science Experiment…

• Begins with a question that you don’t know the answer to.

• Only one thing (variable) is tested while everything else remains the same.

• Requires something to be measured.

• Requires you to make and record careful observations.

• Has a conclusion that comes from your results and observations.

• Begins with a question that you don’t know the answer to.

Try the above demonstration with colored water of different temperatures.

Example Question: Will warm colored

water change the carnation’s color faster?

ice water warm water

Model• a small copy of something • details of how something is

designed

Testable vs Un-TestableTestable

• Something can be observed.

• Something can be measured.

• Two or more things can be compared.

• Common materials found at home or school can be used for testing.

Un-testable• Equipment needed for

testing would be too hard to get.

• Testing might be unsafe.

• Question is too complex to investigate at home or school.

Testable or Non-TestableYou Decide…

• Which ice cream melts the fastest?

• Which car produces the most pollution?

• What coating keeps apples from browning?

Finding a Science Fair Project Idea

Use your experiences Remember a time you noticed something and thought "I wonder how that works?" or "I wonder what would happen if..." then turn that into a project.

Check the science section of the school library.

Think about current events. Look at the newspaper. People are hungry in Africa because of droughts - a project on growing plants without much rain, which types grow ok with little water?

Watch commercials on TV. Test their claims. Does that paper towel really absorb wetness better than other ones?