Topic, Title, Testable Question and Purpose

Science Fair Project 2011-2012

Project TopicFor your project you want to choose a topic that interests you.Scientific Category

Physics (study of motion, energy, etc) Chemistry (science of matter Life sciences (study of live organisms like plants, animals, human

beings) Earth Science (study of earth) Biology (zoology, botany, and human biology)

You need to choose a problem to solve. A Science Fair Project IS NOT:

A list of things. A collection of related or unrelated objects. A report not supported by data or an experiment A model, illustration, or piece of equipment unrelated to an

experiment (example Volcano)

Title/ Testable QuestionThis should be the header at the top of your display boards. Your title can be your testable question. Research Question: The research question is the single most

important part of the scientific method. Every part of your project is done to answer this question. The research question is sometimes formed as a statement and is called the "Problem" or "Problem Statement."

How can we recognize a testable question? Can be answered by an investigationAllows for collection and analysis of quantitative (a good amount of

information) and/or qualitative data (good quality)

Can be tested with age appropriate supplies and equipment. Is not answered with “yes” or “no” or by explanations in books Does not ask how to perform a skill.

Practice sheet Testable & Not Testable Questions Which material is the best insulator?Why does weathering happen on Earth?Why do you measure the density of objects?How do different bridge structures stand up

in earthquakes?How does force affect motion?How do I measure distance?Why does motion speed up or slow down?

Answer Key Which material is the best insulator?

Testable – You can improve the question by stating the materials you will be testing (metal, wood, plastic, etc…)

Why does weathering happen on Earth? Not Testable – something you can look up or research

Why do you measure the density of objects? Not Testable – you can answer this through research

How do different bridge structures stand up in earthquakes? Testable – You can improve the question by being specific about the types of

bridge structures you want to test How does force affect motion?

Not Testable – You can research this or read about this in a scientific book or textbook – You could test this if the question was re-worded to test different kinds of materials or a push/pull investigation

Why does motion speed up or slow down? Not Testable

How do I measure distance? Not Testable

Example of Testable QuestionBe specific with your question!Which detergent works best? What detergent

and works best means what? A better question would be: Which laundry detergent, Tide, Cheer or Surf, will remove the greatest amount of the oil stain?

Stay away from statements like best, better, most, some, and other non-measurable units. Make your question specific and easy to understand by the reader.

Statement of PurposeWhat do you want to learn? What problem do

you want to solve? What is the reason your doing this project?

Example: I am doing this project because I want to know which soap will work the best so we don’t spend our money on soap that doesn’t work effectively.

Our Science Fair Project Ideas http://www.easy-science-fair-projects.net/primary-science-fair-project.html Science Fair Project Ideas http://www.easy-kids-science-experiments.com/science-experiments-elementar

y.html

Battery Power http://www.freesciencefairproject.com/projects/battery_power.html   Plant Growth with Detergents http://www.freesciencefairproject.com/projects/plants_detergents.html Artificial Light vs Sun light http://www.freesciencefairproject.com/projects/artificial_sunlight.html Which dish soap creates the most bubbles? http://www.bocachristian.org/php/_pages/scienceproject.php?project=111211   Science Fair Project Ideas http://roosevelt.osd.wednet.edu/students/science_fair

Topics to choose from…Which brand of diaper holds the most water? Which brand of soap produces the most

bubbles? Which brand of diaper holds the most water? What materials provide the best insulation?Do detergents affect plant growth?Which battery lasts the longest

Do you homework The Internet is likely to be your best resource when selecting and

researching your topic. You can use the many search engines available to find information.

THESE ARE GREAT SITES! http://www.scifair.org/dr.shawns4fundamentalrules.html http://www.all-science-fair-projects.com/ http://www.kathimitchell.com/scifair.htm http://www.scienceproject.com/projects/index/elementary.asp http://school.discoveryeducation.com/sciencefaircentral/Getting-Started.html http://www.juliantrubin.com/sitemap.html http://members.ozemail.com.au/~macinnis/scifun/projects.htm#N42 Whatever you do, don't forget about your local library. The Web generally

contains only general information. If you want to get into the advanced details of some subject, textbooks written by world experts are by far the best references. Also, if you want to look up any research papers you find referenced in your study material you will probably have to head into the stacks to find them.

References that helped me http://www.freesciencefairproject.com/project

s/battery_power.html

http://roosevelt.osd.wednet.edu/students/science_fair

Science Fair “How to Packet” Forest Park Elementary.2009.