1. Science Class Mrs. Armstrong
Science Fair Projects
Science Class
Mrs. Armstrong
11/19/2018

2. Topic 1 Select a topic that can be answered only by you experimenting
Write your topic as a question to be investigated 1
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3. Explore topics Write everything you do in a journal
Visit
Take the wizard survey to narrow your fields of interest
Explore other projects on line (but tweak it to make it your own)
Explore science fair project ideas in your library
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4. Selecting a Topic 2 Help in finding a topic:
READ in books, magazines, newspapers
Talk to your teacher, family, friends
Visit professional people, museums, zoos,
Select a topic you know nothing about.
Select a topic that you know something about but want to investigate further
Select a topic that genuinely interests you. 2
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5. Research the Topic
Once you have selected a topic with a problem- ask a question?
Begin researching more about the topic
Online resources
Use reliable resources, such as .edu, .org, or paid online resources
Worldbookonline
PowerLibrary
Should have 10 resources or more
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6. Good Topic Bad Topic
Do different colored mints dissolve at the same rate?
What surfaces do mealworms prefer?
Do all brands of paper towels absorb water at the same rate?
How volcanoes erupt.
Microscopes
do different brands of paper towels soak up different temperatures of water at the same rate? 3
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7. Purpose
One to three sentences that explains why you are doing this investigation. The purpose can be stated like this:
“The purpose of this project is …”
If your purpose is well worded, you will have little difficulty writing a title for your project. 4
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8. Hypothesis
A hypothesis states what you think is going to happen when you investigate a question.
Question: Does light affect the way plants grow?
Hypothesis 1: Plants will grow toward the light
Hypothesis 2: Plants will grow away from the light.
Hypothesis 3: Light will make no difference in the way plants will grow.
Choose the one you predict will work for your experiement 5
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9. Procedures
Materials
Variables
Step by Step directions 6
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10. Materials Good Listing Poor Listing
Paper towels
measuring cup
water
container
thermometer
clock
3- 15x 15 cm sq each of: Brawney, Gala, Scott, Generic paper towels
250 ml graduated beaker
750 ml water at 20 0 C
1- 20x20 cm sq cake pan
Celsius Thermometer
Clock with second hand 7
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11. Variables There are three types of variables
Independent Variable (Manipulated)-
What you change on purpose in an investigation
The factor being tested
Dependent Variable (Responding)-
What changes by itself because you changed something in your investigation
How you measure your results
Control Variables-
Everything else in your investigation must be held constant
Kept the same.
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12. Examples of Variables
Question: Do all brands of paper towels absorb the same amount of water?
Independent Variable: Brands of paper towels
Dependent Variable: Amount of water that is absorbed by each towel.
Variables held Constant:
Size of paper towel,
Amount of water poured on each towel
Temperature of the water used
Container towels are placed in
Method of pouring
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13. Step-by-Step Directions
Your step-by-step directions are like a recipe. Anyone who reads them will be able to duplicate your investigation and get the same results.
Example: Question: Do all brands of paper towels absorb the same amount of water?
1. Cut 3- 15x15 cm sq from each brand of paper towels
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14. Step-by-Step Directions
2. Label each cut piece with brand name
3. Pour 50 ml of 20 o C water into 20x20 cm sq pan
4. Place 1 square of Generic brand paper towel into water and pan
5. Leave for 30 seconds
6. Remove paper towel
7. Measure water remaining in pan and record
8. Dry cake pan
9. Repeat steps 4- 8 for each brand of paper towel
10. Repeat entire process twice more for each brand of paper towels
note: minimum of 3 trials
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15. Data/ Logbook
Data refers to information gathered during your investigation. Writing in a notebook is the most convenient way to keep a log.
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16. Data cont. 1. A list of all materials used
2. Notes on all preparations you made prior to starting your investigation
3. Information about the resources you use (books, people, libraries, museums, universities, on-line websites, etc.)
4. Detailed day-by-day notes on the progress of your project
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17. Data cont. 5. Any drawings that you feel might help explain your work
What you are actually doing
Problems you have with your investigation
Things you would change if you were doing this investigation again
5. Any drawings that you feel might help explain your work
6. Data that you gather from your investigation (notes, tables, charts, graphs)
Be sure that you date each entry in your log.
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