1. Exit A key to the successful Science Fair Project A key to the successful Science Fair Project Goal The Researcher’s Strategy Results Method Hypothesis Overview Research Conclusion Review References

2. Exit BackNext Menu Upon completion of this program, you should be able to: Describe key processes involved in Each of the steps of the Scientific Method What’s the plan? Identify and define each of the basic steps involved within the Scientific Method

3. Exit BackNext Menu

4. Exit BackNext Menu “The Scientific Method is the tool that scientists use to find the answers to questions. It is the process of thinking through the possible solutions to a problem and testing each possibility to find the best solution.” VanCleave, 1997

5. Exit BackNext Menu The Scientific Method helps to make sure we don’t miss anything and that our results and conclusions are as accurate and unbiased as possible.

6. Exit BackNext Menu The process of collecting information, determining a problem/topic, and developing a question about the problem/topic. How do I do this? Click here

7. Exit BackNext Menu t In order to identify the topic and to ask relevant questions you must gather information. This may require the use of library reference materials, computer software, the Internet, information from individuals who know about the topic and/or about research, and your own experiences. You may also want to attempt some exploratory experiments to help focus your research. [Continued]

8. Exit BackNext Menu t It is important that you develop a way to keep track of all of the information that you gather. A notebook is often needed with a system of entering your information so that it can be quickly found later. [Continued]

9. Exit BackNext Menu t Remember: Research continues throughout the process. As you uncover new bits of information, additional questions may be generated.

10. Exit BackNext Menu A statement/idea of what you think the solution to the problem will be. It is used to guide the research methodology. All experiments are designed to test the hypothesis. More information? Click here

11. Exit BackNext Menu t should make a claim about how two (or more) factors relate. t should be based on facts from research and past experiences t should be a written statement that is completed BEFORE the project/ experiment t should not be changed even if your experiment does not support it. The Hypothesis:

12. Exit BackNext Menu Step-by-step processes used to test the hypothesis. This usually consists of a written set of phrases or sentences telling exactly what will be done. More information? Click here

13. Exit BackNext Menu t Make sure your selected method will answer your question and only your question t Compile a list of all the materials you will need to carry out the investigation t Assemble all of the materials t If possible, practice the experiment. [Continued]

14. Exit BackNext Menu t Note all of the needed procedures that must be followed, how to improve the procedures, how the data should be collected, all time and materials requirements, etc. t Create a final list of procedures and follow them explicitly as you conduct your final experiment and collect your date. t Record all data – failures as well as successes. t Repeat your experiment to verify your results

15. Exit BackNext Menu Clear, precise records of the data collected during your experiment. More information? Click here

16. Exit BackNext Menu t Keep accurate records of all data collected during the experiment. t Analyze by putting the data into graphs and tables. t Look for patterns in the data. Complete statistics as needed (e.g., calculate means) to make comparisons.

17. Exit BackNext Menu A summary of the results of the experiment and a statement of how the results relate to the hypothesis. More information? Click here

18. Exit BackNext Menu t Use the analysis of your experimental data and observations to answer your original question. t Give possible reasons for the difference between your hypothesis and the experimental results. t Don’t leave out results that may not support your hypothesis and don’t change your hypothesis. t Give possible ways that further experiments could be conducted to find additional solutions.

19. Exit BackNext Menu DiscoverySchool.com Science Fair Handbook: Scientific Method. (Last visited 8/04/2001). http://school.discovery.com/sciencefaircentral/scif airstudio/handbook/scientificmethod.com http://school.discovery.com/sciencefaircentral/scif airstudio/handbook/scientificmethod.com (continued) Hoskins, S The Scientific Method. (Last visited: 8/13/2001. http://www.pwcs.edu/pwc/schools/henderson/Sci Method.html http://www.pwcs.edu/pwc/schools/henderson/Sci Method.html Karnowski, J. (2001). Science Fair Project Information for Parents. (Last visited: 8/04/2001). http://scifairinfo.fruitvale.k12.ca.us/main.htm http://scifairinfo.fruitvale.k12.ca.us/main.htm

20. Exit BackNext Menu Rowan, T. (2001). Resource for Science Projects. (Last visited: 8/04/2001). http://users.massed.net/~tedrowen/primer.html http://users.massed.net/~tedrowen/primer.html Scifair.org. The Scientific Method. (Last visited: 8/11/2001). http://www.scifair.org/articles/sm.shtmlhttp://www.scifair.org/articles/sm.shtml VanCleave, J. (1997). Guide to the Best Science Fair Projects. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.: New York.

21. Review Question #1 Statements of what you predict will be the answers to the question posed by your investigation are commonly called: Click on the answer you feel is correct. Procedures Data Observations Hypotheses

22. Review Question #2 The process of collecting information from your own experiences, knowledgeable sources, and data from exploratory experiments is completed in which step of the Scientific Method? Click on the answer you feel is correct. Hypothesis Results Methods Research

23. Review Question #3 A statement that indicates how the results of an experiment relate to the hypothesis is completed during which step of the Scientific Method? Click on the answer you feel is correct. Methods Conclusions Results Research

24. Exit BackNext Menu That concludes this program… t As you prepare for your science fair project – make sure you consider the importance of the Scientific Method.

25. Sorry, that is not correct. Click here to try again

26. Yes, that is correct! Next Review Question

27. Yes, that is correct! Next Review Question

28. Yes, that is correct! This concludes our review. Next

29. Exit A key to the successful Science Fair Project Goal The Researcher’s Strategy Results Method Hypothesis Overview Research Conclusion Review References