Science Project

What is a science project?

 It is a chance to test or experiment with materials to answer a question.

Can I build a volcano and have it erupt?

NO!  Making a volcano is a model.  Having the volcano erupt is a demonstration.  Neither is an experiment!  Making a volcano is a model.  Having the volcano erupt is a demonstration.  Neither is an experiment!

How do I start?

First you pick a topic  What do you want to learn about?  Plants?  Diapers?  Mold?

Now ask a question  What liquid will make a plant grow best?  Which brand of diapers holds the most moisture?  Where does mold grow best?  What liquid will make a plant grow best?  Which brand of diapers holds the most moisture?  Where does mold grow best?

Now what?

Form a hypothesis  That means take a guess of what you think will happen.  It doesn’t matter if your guess is right or wrong.  Scientists often learn more from their mistakes!  That means take a guess of what you think will happen.  It doesn’t matter if your guess is right or wrong.  Scientists often learn more from their mistakes!

Examples  Sugar water will make a plant grow larger.  Huggies will hold the most water.  Mold will grow best in a closet, away from light.  Sugar water will make a plant grow larger.  Huggies will hold the most water.  Mold will grow best in a closet, away from light.

How do I test my hypothesis?

 First you must decide how you will test your idea.  Try to test only one thing.  Keep your tests the same  First you must decide how you will test your idea.  Try to test only one thing.  Keep your tests the same

 Decide what materials you will need to do the experiment.  List all of the items you use!  Decide what materials you will need to do the experiment.  List all of the items you use!

Example  3 pieces of whole wheat bread  3 zip lock bags  Water bottle  Note paper and pencil  Camera

It is time to experiment!

Write your procedure  You need to write step by step instructions telling how you did the experiment.  If another student reads these steps he should be able to do the experiment again.  You need to write step by step instructions telling how you did the experiment.  If another student reads these steps he should be able to do the experiment again.

An example  Take 3 pieces of wheat bread.  With a spray bottle, mist each piece two times.  Place each piece of bread in a zip lock bag.  Put one bag on a windowsill, one in a dark closet and one one a counter away from a window.  Take 3 pieces of wheat bread.  With a spray bottle, mist each piece two times.  Place each piece of bread in a zip lock bag.  Put one bag on a windowsill, one in a dark closet and one one a counter away from a window.

 Every day check on the bread and record when mold begins to grow.  Continue to check on mold growth for 2 weeks.  Take pictures to document.  Every day check on the bread and record when mold begins to grow.  Continue to check on mold growth for 2 weeks.  Take pictures to document.

What do I do with the information?

This information is called data  You can record your information in a  Chart  Graph  Table  You can record your information in a  Chart  Graph  Table

Am I done?

Not yet.

Conclusion  Was your hypothesis right or wrong?

What do I do with all of this?

Time to make your display board  You need a board that can stand on a table.You can buy one or make one from a large box.  Glue you information to the board. Be sure to have all 8 requirements!  Check your spelling  You need a board that can stand on a table.You can buy one or make one from a large box.  Glue you information to the board. Be sure to have all 8 requirements!  Check your spelling

 Neatness counts!  Add picture or designs to make your board more attractive.  Neatness counts!  Add picture or designs to make your board more attractive.

Class presentation  You will need to present your project to the class.  This will give other students a chance to ask questions and learn from your experiment.  You will need to present your project to the class.  This will give other students a chance to ask questions and learn from your experiment.

Can my parents help?

Sure… but…  This is your assignment.  You need to do the work.  This is your assignment.  You need to do the work.

Have fun!

/ here is an experiment! here is an experiment! / here is an experiment! here is an experiment!