1. Question/Purpose
Ask your question, and state your purpose. What is your reason for asking this question? What are you trying to discover? Refer to your Blue Science Fair Homework Packet page 1.

2. Hypothesis
A hypothesis is a statement that predicts how an experiment will turn out, and why it will happen that way, based on what you already know. What do you think that the answer to your research question will be? Remember, hypotheses don’t need to be correct---they just need to be informed guesses. Since you have researched the topic for your project, then your research should help you make a good hypothesis. Hypotheses are often written using an “If…, then…, because…” format. Refer to your Blue Science Fair Homework Packet page 3.

3. Background Research
This is where you explain your background information that allows other people know how you came up with your hypothesis. Talk about what you learned. Use detailed sentences, not bullet points. Use Blue packet page 2.

4. Materials
List every item, including the quantity, you used to do the experiment. Use bullet points. Refer to your Blue Science Fair Homework Packet page 4.

5. Procedures
The procedure describes the experiment in a step-by-step sequence. It may help to think of the procedure as a recipe, which every step is clearly explained. How will your materials be used, and how and when will they be measured? If each step is carefully explained, another person should be able to follow the procedure of the experiment and get the same , or similar results. Refer to your Blue Science Fair Homework Packet page 4.

6. Variables Controlled variables
These are kept the same throughout your experiments
Independent variable
The one variable you purposely change and test
Dependent variable
The measure of change observed because of independent variable
Decide how you will measure the change

7. Written Results
Write down the detailed results of the experiment. These should include records of the results of your tests and observations.

8. Data Table
Your data table shows the numbers for trial 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 and the average. Find the average by adding all 5 and then divide by 5.

9. Graph
You should graph the average, and all the trials here.

10. Conclusion
According to your results, was your hypothesis proven or disproven? (Remember, it is okay for your hypothesis to be disproven!) Was there anything in the experiment that you would change if the hypothesis were retested? How could you change or expand this experiment if you were going to do it again? What did you learn from the experiment? How could this information be used to help people or make the world a better place? Refer to your Blue Science Fair Homework Packet page 6.

11. Abstract
An abstract is a one-page summary of your project. It should state your research question, purpose, and hypothesis. It should include your procedures, but you do not need to be as precise as you were in the procedures section; describe your steps more generally. Your results and conclusion should also be included. The abstract is meant to give a quick explanation of your project to someone before examine your display board.

12. Books and Resources
List your 5 sources you used to research your topic using APA format. Make sure your citations are in ABC order. Refer to the Bibliography PowerPoint we went over in class.

13. Application
(OPTIONAL) The application is how the information or knowledge gained in the experiment can be used. How does your experiment relate to the real world?

14. Acknowledgements
(OPTIONAL) This is where you thank anyone that helped you with your project.