Major Science Project Process

A blueprint for experiment success.

How do scientists work?

It is a way to ask & answer scientific questions by asking questions & conducting experiments.

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Problem/Research Question A problem is a question

to be considered, solved or answered.

Everybody constantly encounters minor problems everyday. Most days start with the question, "Should I get out of bed or not?" That is a problem.

Question/Problem:

Ask a question about something observed.Why?How?What?

Question to be solved.Must be about something measurable.

Types of Projects-Scientific

Types of Projects-Engineering

Scientific VS Engineering Projects

Venn Diagram

ScientificMethod

EngineeringDesign

MathematicalReasoning

Research: Research the problem? At least three sources:

How can you find the answer to your question? Internet Videos Interview someone that knows a lot

about the topic Books

Hypothesis

Educated guess about how things work.

Prediction

After background research from reliable sources.

Focus on one variable only.

Hypothesis

It is a prediction about the relationship between variables & can be tested.

The hypothesis is formed by examining the observations carefully and making a an educated guess as to what the outcome might be.

Experiment

Tests your hypothesis. Is it accepted (right) or rejected (wrong) ?Change only one variable at a time.Use a control or control group (A

group that has nothing done to it. Standard used for comparison in an experiment.)

In order for results to be valid, conduct several tests (Minimum 5 trials for Middle School).

Experiment

Record your data in a data table. Numerical (quantitative) data organized in

rows and columns The specific independent variables are listed •The number of trials are listed Blanks are left for the data (dependent

variable) to be filled in

Experiment: Describing the Data

Trial Distance Time Speed

1

2

3

4

5

6

AVERAGE

Data Analysis

Reduce the dataAverage (Mean)

GraphGraph the data to look for trends & relationships.

Statistical Analysis for High School where appropriate.

Conclusion

Summary of your experiment.

After your experiment, analyze your data to see if your hypothesis was accepted or rejected.

If hypothesis is rejected, give possible reasons for the difference between your hypothesis and the experimental results.

ABSTRACT

After all research, investigations, data collection, data analysis, and conclusions are finished, you must write and abstract.

The abstract is 250 words only.

What is in those 250 words?

What Is an Abstract? A brief, written explanation of the research project,

consisting of a succinct description of the project’s purpose, the procedures followed, the data collected, and the conclusions reached.

A clear and simple summary statement of the main points of the experiment

A self-contained statement that must make sense all by itself.

DOK Level 4Extended Thinking

Time alone is not the distinguishing factor

Task Thinking

Collecting data sample over several months Recall

Organizing the data in a chart Skills/Concepts

Using this chart to make and justify prediction

Strategic Thinking

Developing a generalized model from this data and applying it to a new situation

Extended Thinking

Real Life Connections

Describe how the data from the experiment can be used to solve a problem or make the public aware of findings.

Improvements for Future Research

If you could redo this experiment, how would you improve the process to obtain better conclusions.

If you were to continue this project in the future, what would be the next research (what questions do you want to answer now).