Paper Towel Competition Example for Scientific method project

STEP 1: STATE THE PROBLEM State your problem in the form of a question. Include the product brand names you are using.   ___(2pt.) Problem: Which brand of paper towel, Brawny, Scott or CVS, will absorb the most water?

STEP 2: PREDICTION OR HYPOTHESIS ___(2 pt.) Gather information about your product(s):   Where can you look for data about your product? Package, tv ads, internet, 1-800#s What claim does your product make? (at least 1 claim per product) Bounty-quilted quicker, picker upper Brawny-strong manly man CVS-fast absorbing ridges ___(2 pt.) Hypothesis: What is your hypothesis about how the experiment will turn out? Make an educated guess based on information you gathered and prior knowledge. (If, then) If the amount of water absorbed is related to the brand of paper towel then Brawny will absorb the most water because it is the most expensive of the three brands.

STEP 3: PLAN YOUR EXPERIMENT ___(2 pt.) Materials: Determine your materials. What do you need to conduct your experiment? How much do you need? (include quantity): 2 sheets of each brand of paper towel 450 mL of water 6 250 mL beakers 3 100 mL graduated cylinders  

Amount of time left in water Amount of water ___(1pt.) Variable What is the independent variable in your experiment? Brand of paper towel ___(3pt.) Controls List 3 controls in your experiment. Amount of paper towel Amount of time left in water Amount of water

Gather and set up materials Test/Experiment: You will test the hypothesis by performing an experiment. Write out step by step how the experiment will be conducted. Be VERY SPECIFIC!! (Include things like how much to use, how many times something should be done, the method (way) that you did each step, etc.) Number each step. Make sure the experiment can be repeated over and over again by anyone. (Have someone that did not see you perform the test read your procedures. Make sure they know exactly what you did.) ___(10pt.) Procedures: Gather and set up materials Label two beaker with the name of a different paper towel brand Pour 150 mL into 3 beakers At the same time, put 1 sheet of paper towel in corresponding beaker Allow each paper towel to sit for 30 seconds Lift paper towel from beaker. Allow towel to drip for 10 seconds Squeeze as much water from each paper towel as possible into the properly marked empty beaker Pour water from beaker into a graduated cylinder and measure Record the data for each paper towel

STEP 4: RECORD AND ORGANIZE DATA   ___(5pt.) (attach separately)

Because of the results of this experiment, I wonder….. STEP 5: ANALYZE AND CONCLUDE Include a summary of your results and what they prove in regards to your hypothesis. Did your conclusion support or disprove your hypothesis? Must follow guide of How to Write a Conclusion ___(5pt.)Summary (Use paragraph format) My hypothesis was that Brawny would absorb more water than the other brands. I based my hypothesis on the idea that Brawny was the more expensive brand. The results indicate that this hypothesis should be considered……… Because of the results of this experiment, I wonder….. If I were to conduct his investigation again I would…..