1. Scientific investigation
Preparing for the Science Fair

2. Science Fair Investigation
In an investigation, students:
Ask a testable question
Research the topic
Make a hypothesis about the outcome based on the research or their own knowledge
Design the investigation
Conduct the investigation
Collect Data
Analyze the data and draw a conclusion
Present findings in the science fair

3. What is a Testable Question?
Choose a topic of interest, then ask what is called a “testable question.”
Testable questions - are those that can be answered through hands-on investigation by the student.
testable questions are always about changing one thing to see what the effect is on another thing.

4. Examples of Testable Questions
A. What amount of water is best to grow tomatoes? Setup: 3 pots of tomato plant, each pot is watered a different amount
no water
Watered 1/week
Watered 2x/week

5. Height of plant or Number of fruits
What will you measure to know the effect of amount of watering on growth of tomatoes?
Height of plant or Number of fruits
no water
Watered 1/week
Watered 2x/week

6. Examples of Testable Questions
B. What type of soil is best for petunias to flower?
Setup: 3 pots of petunias, each pot has a different type of soil.
Petunia grown in
Sandy soil
Petunia grown in
Clay soil
Petunia grown in
Loamy soil

7. What will you measure to know the effect of different types of soil ?
Number of flowers

8. Examples of Testable Questions
B. What type of soil is best to grow petunias? Setup: 3 pots of petunias, each pot has a different type of soil.
Petunia grown in
Sandy soil
Petunia grown in
Clay soil
Petunia grown in
Loamy soil

9. C. What amount of sunlight is best to grow daffodils?
Draw or describe the setup: What will you measure?

10. D. Does the sun heat salt water and fresh water at the same rate?
Draw or describe the setup: What will you measure?

11. E. Do different liquids freeze at the same rate?
Draw or describe the setup: What will you measure?

12. F. Which type of battery lasts the longest?
Draw or describe the setup: What will you measure?

13. G. What is the effect of a low-level electrical field on the movement of fruit flies?
Draw or describe the setup: What will you measure?

14. You try! (Exit Ticket) Write your own question for investigation.
Draw or describe the setup
What will you measure?
List the tools you will use to make your measurements.