No models can be entered in the fair-unless it explains the experiment. No inventions.

Choose a topic. Ideas can be found: in the library on web sites in science books and magazines

POSSIBLE TOPICS MAGNETS PLANTS SOIL LIQUIDS LIGHT FERTILIZER POPCORN WATER HEALTH BUOYANCY VISION HEART RATE ENERGY WHEELS BATTERIES DIFFERENT SURFACES BOUNCING BALLS

Read about your subject of interest. This will become your “science content statement.”

Your journal is your project. Begin your journal when you first begin to think of ideas. Keep adding to your journal as you work on your experiment.

The question needs to be written this way: What effect does x have on y? EXAMPLE- What effect does the type of shoe (x) have on a runner’s speed (y) ?

My interest? Magnets My question? What effect does the shape of a magnet (x) have on the number of paper clips it can pick up (y)?

What are the possible answers to your question? Record these PREDICTIONS in your journal. My predictions: The horseshoe magnet will pick up the most paper clips. The round magnet will pick up the most paper clips. The bar magnet will pick up the most paper clips.

What do you think will be the MOST LIKELY result of your experiment? My hypothesis: I think the SHAPE of the HORSESHOE magnet will effect the number of paper clips it can pick up.

What will you do to find out the answer to the question? Think about the materials you will need and the procedure you will use. Write all of these in your journal.

Magnet Experiment: I will use a flat bar magnet, a round magnet and a horseshoe magnet. I will use small paper clips. I will hold the magnets above the cup of paper clips and count the number of clips the magnet has picked up. I will record the numbers in a data table. I will repeat the test on each magnet 10 times.

My materials list: 1 flat bar magnet 1 round magnet 1 horseshoe magnet 3 paper cups 25 small, metal paper clips

My procedure: Put paper clips into a cup. Hold a magnet 5 cm. above the cup. Count the number of paper clips the magnet has picked up. Repeat 10 times. Repeat this procedure with the other 2 magnets.

Important thoughts: SET-UP CONDITIONS: (what will you keep the same between tests?)

SET-UP CONDITIONS: size of paper clips size of magnets distance the magnet is from the cup

VARIABLES: MANIPULATED: (what will you change?) RESPONDING: (what changes as a result of the experiment?)

MANIPULATED VARIABLE: types of magnets. RESPONDING VARIABLE: number of paper clips picked up by the magnets.

Use a data table to keep track of the results of your tests. Remember to use metric measurements. Write in your journal how the tests went- any problems, changes, unexpected events?

MY DATA TABLE

Use the data from your experiment. Average the results for each test. Decide which kind of graph you need (most will be bar graphs- line graphs are only used when you are measuring growth or distance over time.)

What did you find out? (Tell us the answer to your experimental question). Real life application/ conclusions. –How can your results be used in the real world? –If you could repeat this experiment, what would you do differently? Conclusion- did the data support your hypothesis?

My experiment showed there was no difference between the shape of the magnets and their ability to lift paperclips. This information could be used in businesses that use magnets- they can use the shape that fits best in their machines.

If I do this experiment again, I will put the magnets at a 10 cm. height to see if there is a difference in attraction. In conclusion, my experiment does not support my hypothesis.

Must contain all parts and include the project diary (the judges really do read them) Check for errors; misspellings, punctuation, etc. You may include photographs, diagrams and illustrations. Decorative border adds to appearance.

Student name and teacher name MUST be on the BACK of the board. Pictures should not show you.

A rubric is used to determine a score for each project. You will be given an opportunity to defend your project to the judges. The judges will be science students from Osceola High School.

Ask your teacher for suggestions or see Mrs. Mangold. Visit the library- great books Visit Mrs. Mangold’s web site for connections to cool project ideas.web site