Scientific MethodScientific Method

Science Fair PreparationScience Fair Preparation

QuestionQuestion What do you want to What do you want to

know?know? Is it a TESTABLE Is it a TESTABLE

question?question?

How does temperature How does temperature affect the growth of affect the growth of mold?mold?

How does the color of a How does the color of a shirt affect of heat it shirt affect of heat it absorbs?absorbs?

In what type of light does In what type of light does a plant grow best?a plant grow best?

How does a volcano How does a volcano erupt?erupt?

Why isn’t Pluto a planet?Why isn’t Pluto a planet? How much food does a How much food does a dog need to stay alive?dog need to stay alive?

HypothesisHypothesis

What do you think will happen and why?What do you think will happen and why? Educated GuessEducated Guess It is a possible answer to the question.It is a possible answer to the question. My hypothesis is based on these facts My hypothesis is based on these facts

that I gathered during my research.that I gathered during my research.

MaterialsMaterials

What do you need?What do you need? A list of items needed to recreate the A list of items needed to recreate the

investigation.investigation. Make sure everything is kept the same.Make sure everything is kept the same. Make sure none of the materials are Make sure none of the materials are

dangerous to handle as a child.dangerous to handle as a child.

ProcedureProcedure

What steps will you follow to complete What steps will you follow to complete this investigation?this investigation?

List all your steps so that another person List all your steps so that another person could repeat your investigation without could repeat your investigation without your help.your help.

Clear precise directions.Clear precise directions. Test your hypothesis at least three times.Test your hypothesis at least three times.

DataData

Collect data in a table or chart to show Collect data in a table or chart to show three or more trials.three or more trials.

Make observations and collect Make observations and collect appropriate data.appropriate data.

ResultsResults What happened?What happened? State what you observed. Only the facts.State what you observed. Only the facts. Display your RESULTS in a graph if you Display your RESULTS in a graph if you

can.can.

ConclusionConclusion

What is the answer to the question?What is the answer to the question? Did the investigation results match your Did the investigation results match your

hypothesis?hypothesis? Interpret your data.Interpret your data. Why did the results turn out the way they Why did the results turn out the way they

did?did? What were your variables?What were your variables?

Variables Variables Independent Variable: the one thing I plan Independent Variable: the one thing I plan

to change.to change. Dependent Variable: The change I will Dependent Variable: The change I will

measure.measure. Controlled Variables: The things I will keep Controlled Variables: The things I will keep

the same or constant in my investigation.the same or constant in my investigation.

Title of ProjectTitle of Project

Large enough to catch the Judges eyesLarge enough to catch the Judges eyes Could be a catchy phrase or ideaCould be a catchy phrase or idea Short not too longShort not too long Alteration is nice to the earsAlteration is nice to the ears Balls Bounce Back, Hot HappeningsBalls Bounce Back, Hot Happenings

CreditCredit

Give credit to anyone that has helped Give credit to anyone that has helped you with this project.you with this project.

Make sure this is visible, from typing, Make sure this is visible, from typing, buying materials, helping record data.buying materials, helping record data.

All food stuff must be sealed.All food stuff must be sealed. All experiments involving animals must be All experiments involving animals must be

conducted with a respect for life.conducted with a respect for life. No live animals may be displayed.No live animals may be displayed. No chemicals/household cleaners may be No chemicals/household cleaners may be

displayed.displayed. Photographs may not contain faces of the Photographs may not contain faces of the

participants in the experiment.participants in the experiment.

http://school.discovery.com/sciencefaircentral/http://school.discovery.com/sciencefaircentral/ http://www.nyelabs.com http://www.nyelabs.com http://www.all-science-fair-projects.com/http://www.all-science-fair-projects.com/

resources.php#14resources.php#14 http://www.rossarts.org/naples/ideas.htm http://www.rossarts.org/naples/ideas.htm http://www.sciencehunt.com/http://www.sciencehunt.com/