1. Title (make it fun or a pun)
Name(s)
A picture in the background would be nice.
Insert pictures wherever you would like but they need to be photos of your experiment NOT graphics from the internet.

2. Category: Which category do you find most interesting?
*Animal Sciences
Intelligent Machines, Robotics & Systems Software
*Behavioral & Social Sciences
Mathematics & Computational Sciences
*Biomedical & Heath Sciences
Cellular/Molecular Biology & Biochemistry
Physics and Astronomy
Plant Sciences
Chemistry
Earth & Environmental Sciences
*Extra Paperwork Required and must be signed off by medical professional before experimentation
Engineering
Environmental Engineering

3. Question: What do you want to find out?
How does ________ affect __________?
Questions to answer before submitting your question:
The answer to this question matters TRUE/FALSE
How might someone use this information?
Quantitative data could be gathered in order to test the hypothesis? TRUE/FALSE
What measurement would you collect?
The answer to this question is not common knowledge TRUE/FALSE
This question deals with a “hot” topic (something people will care about)? TRUE/FALSE
The question has nothing to do with specific brands of products TRUE/FALSE
The question does not deal with animals TRUE/FALSE
The question does not deal with blood TRUE/FALSE
The question does not require the testing of large numbers of people TRUE/FALSE

4. Research about your topic!
You should research your topic in general and write a solid paragraph from multiple sources.
Go to the end of this PowerPoint and cite the sources that you use.

5. Research about your test/independent variable!
Next research your test/independent variable and write a solid paragraph using multiple sources.
Go to the end of this PowerPoint and cite the sources that you use.

6. Rationale This is why we should care about your project?
What is the Scientific Impact?
What is the Societal Impact?
If your project does not have a scientific or societal impact that it is not going to be an approved project. Your project needs to MATTER!

7. Test/Independent Variable (can only be 1)
Specifically what are you planning on changing in your experiment?
Don’t just say temperature. Which temperatures are you going to use?
The cause half of your cause and effect question.

8. Outcome/Dependent Variable
What are you planning on measuring in your experiment?
The effect half of your cause and effect question.
Needs to be measured using the metric system.
Specifically how are you going to measure your dependent variable.

9. Controlled Variable
What are you planning on keeping the same? Be specific.
This should include EVERYTHING that will stay the same in the experiment.
Don’t just say bowl. What kind of bowl? How big?

10. Control Group
How are you planning on setting up a separate group that is not exposed to the test/independent variable?

11. Trials How many trials are you planning on having?
Keep in mind the more the better. If its something that will take a lot of time you may want to run multiple trials at the same time.
If it is a people project you need to get a large sample size. Ideally 50 or more.
How do you propose to get enough supplies or test participants?
What may limit your ability to perform this many trials?

12. Hypothesis
If (test/independent variable) is changed and (outcome/dependent variable) is measured then ____________ will happen because ________________.

13. Materials List
Include amounts (quantities) and measurements (sizes). Make sure to include enough materials to complete the total number of trials.
Use metric units
Include ALL equipment used – except pen and paper unless it is part of the experiment.
Put your materials in a list using bullet points. Make it multiple columns or pages to accommodate your materials.
BE SPECIFIC!

14. Procedures
The procedure is a specific set of steps taken in order to do the experiment. Someone who does not know anything about the project should be able to read the procedure and duplicate the experiment without any questions.
Number all procedures and skip spaces in between each step.
Use a NARRATIVE tone – no pronouns and PRESENT tense.
Use metric measurements.
Write down ALL steps including when and/or how to record the information gained from the experiment.
Write down amounts used in the steps.
Include as many trials as possible (at least 5). When using plants or humans, the higher the number the better.
Instead of retyping steps for another trial use the term “repeat” and list the steps that need repeated.

15. Qualitative Data
This is a description of what you noticed during your experiment but didn’t necessarily measure.
Observations about color changes or smells would be appropriate here.

16. Quantitative Data Table (you can have more than one)
All data tables must have the following:
A Title: descriptive, explains exactly what was tested and compared. (Do not use creative titles like “Colorful Candy” - this does not tell what was measured).
Variables – one for each axis: tells what was being measured (ex. Height of plants, pH of soil, amount of candy)
Units: tells how the variables were measured (ex. Centimeters, pH, numbers)
Give a key for any abbreviations used

17. Graph (you can use excel or websites like mathisfun
Graph (you can use excel or websites like mathisfun.com) (you can have more than one)
Graphs must include the following:
Title: This should be descriptive and explain exactly what was tested and compared (do not use creative titles like “colorful candy”. This does not tell what was measured. For line graphs the title should be “How does Time affect Plant Growth”)
Labels: Test/Independent Variable on the x-axis and the Outcome/Dependent Variable on the y-axis
Units: These should be in parentheses after the labels
Evenly Spaced Scale: should be on both axis
“This graph shows…” statement: must summarize the relationship between the variables of the experiment. All claims must be backed up with evidence from the data collected.

18. Conclusion
The conclusion is the evaluation of the results and a determination of whether or not the purpose was met and the hypothesis supported. It is based on the actual procedures.
Restate the testable question
Answer the testable question
Cite evidence from experiment to back up your claim
Explain or elaborate on your evidence
Summative statement add any further experiments that could be done to extend on your research
Sentence starters…
It was thought that… It was found that… The claim was made that…
The data (supported or did not support) the claim because it was observed that….
However… could have affected the results because

19. What I learned
What did you learn in the course of your project. This is an informal statement made to describe your experience.

20. Things I would change
This should be a solid paragraph explaining how you would do your project better if you had a chance to do it again.

21. Bibliography (minimum of 5)
Don’t just list websites. You need to use a website like or to generate actual citations.