1. Abbott Middle School
7th Grade Science Fair

2. Step 1 is to choose and define a problem
1. What is your group interested in learning about?
2. How difficult of an experiment are you looking for?
3. How much can you spend?
4. Remember, you must demonstrate the understanding of the experimental method. The complexity of the experiment is irrelavent to you grade. It’s all about your understanding of how to conduct an experiment.

3. Step 2 is research
Think of 2-3 questions you have about your topic and research them.
Research should fit on a single page that is easy to explain.
If you need help thinking of questions, I can help.

4. Step 3 is Write a hypothesis
A hypothesis is an IF/THEN that connects tour two variables. It is intended to drive your experiment. It is NOT intended to be a conclusion.
If your hypothesis is incorrect, do not change it to falsify the experiment, address it in your conclusion. POINTS WILL NEVER BE DECUCTED FOR AN INCORRECT HYPOTHESIS AS LONG AS IT IS ACKNOWLEDGED IN THE CONCLUSION.

5. Step 4 is to write a procedure
This is the most difficult part of any experiment! This is also where I will be the most help in assisting you. I do not intend to penalize points for small flaws in your procedure but I do ask that you attempt to write the most complete procedure you can.
The procedure is a series of steps needed to complete the experiment, collect data and analyze results.
The procedure should also define any variables and baseline measurements needed.

6. Variables
The manipulating (independent) variable is the parameter you, the experimenter) are changing. Ask yourself, “What am I going to change in this experiment?”
The responding (dependent) variable is the parameter that changes because of the manipulating variable. A way to define this variable is to ask yourself, “What am I going to measure in this experiment?”
All other variables are meant to be controlled; meaning they are to be kept the same to the best of your (the experimenters) ability.
Baseline measurements: Baseline measurements are only necessary if you are going to experiment with conditions that already exist. For example, measuring pollution levels before experimental cleanup begins.

7. Results
Results are simply a definition or explanation of what happened in your experiment.
Your results should contain as much data as possible to support your claim about how the experiment turned out.
Quantitative data often does seem to have more validity than qualitative data since quantitative data is usually in the form of measurements and qualitative data is often opinion. This does not mean qualitative data is invalid but it often requires more data averaged over a larger experimental group which can be converted into quantitative data.

8. Conclusions
Your conclusion is the place for you to express all of your thoughts and opinions about your experiment. Things you should include in your conclusion are:
Your rewritten hypothesis to drive the next experiment.
Any limiting factors or errors that you encountered. DO NOT throw away your work just because something goes wrong. Document everything and explain the problem here.
Include your C-E-R here. You claim would be your “new” hypothesis. You data is your evidence and your reasoning, you figure that out.

9. Terminology you should have deep understanding of while presenting to the judges!
Problem - and why you chose it.
Research and background knowledge
Hypothesis
Procedure
Variables
A. Manipulating
B. Responding
Controlled
Baseline Measurements
Results
Quantitative/Qualitative Data
Conclusion (Not the same as results)
Limiting Factors
Error/Mistakes
Claim
Evidence
Reasoning