STEP-BY-STEP JOURNEY TO SUCCESS SCIENCE FAIR PROJECTS STEP-BY-STEP JOURNEY TO SUCCESS

TOPIC 1. SELECT A TOPIC THAT CAN BE ANSWERED ONLY BY EXPERIMENTING. 2 TOPIC 1. SELECT A TOPIC THAT CAN BE ANSWERED ONLY BY EXPERIMENTING. 2. WRITE YOUR TOPIC AS A QUESTION TO BE INVESTIGATED. Good Topic Do different colored mints dissolve at the same rate? This is a good topic because it requires experimentation that you can do yourself. You must use the scientific method in completing this project. Poor Topic How volcanoes erupt. This topic will not allow experimentation without visiting real volcanoes. Making a model that erupts is a demonstration not an experiment.

Selecting a Topic Help in finding a topic: READ in science books, magazines, newspapers. TALK to your teacher, family, friends. VISIT professional people, museums, zoos. SEARCH the internet (with parent supervision) Select a topic you know nothing about. Something new may arouse your curiosity. Select a topic you know something about but you want to investigate further. Select a topic that genuinely interests you.

QUESTION What do you want to learn? All scientific investigations begin with a question that you want to answer. If your question is well worded, you will have little difficulty writing a title for your project.

HYPOTHESIS A hypothesis states what you think is going to happen when you investigate a question. HERE IS AN EXAMPLE: Question: Does light affect the way plants grow? Hypothesis: Plants will grow towards the light. Hypothesis: Plants will grow away from the light. Hypothesis: Light will make no difference in the way plants grow.

Variables There are three types of variables: Manipulated variable - What you change on purpose in an investigation. (ex: brand of paper towels). – independent variable Responding variable -The responding variable is what changes by itself because you manipulated something in your investigation. – dependent var. Variables Held Constant - Everything else in your investigation must be kept the same (held constant).

THE EXPERIMENT! PART 1 – MATERIALS PART 2 - STEP-BY-STEP DIRECTIONS (PROCEDURES).

PART 1 - MATERIALS List all materials used in your investigation PART 1 - MATERIALS List all materials used in your investigation. Include what, how much, and what kinds of materials you used. Keep in mind quantities are important. Be sure to use only metric units. GOOD LISTING 3 - 15 X 15 cm. Sq. each of: Brawny, Gala, Scott, Generic paper towels. 250 ml graduated beaker 750 ml. Water 20° C. 1 - 20 x 20 cm. Sq. cake pan Celsius Thermometer Clock with a second hand POOR LISTING Paper towels Measuring cup Water Container Thermometer Clock

Part 2 - Step-by-Step Directions Your step by step directions are like a recipe. Anyone who reads them will be able to duplicate your investigation and get the same results. Example: Cut 3 - 15 x 15 cm sq. from each brand of paper towels. Label each cut piece with brand name. Pour 50 ml. of 20°C water into 20 x 20 cm sq. cake pan. Place l square of generic brand paper towel into water and pan. Leave for 30 seconds.

Directions (cont.) 6. Remove paper towel 7. Measure water remaining in pan and record. 8. Dry the cake pan. 9. Repeat steps #4 - 8 for each brand of paper towel. 10. Repeat entire process twice more for each brand of paper towel.

Data Data refers to information gathered during your investigation. Writing in a spiral notebook is the most convenient way to keep a log. A log is not required to be turned in.

Your data should include: ** Data should be measureable and numerical ** Detailed day-by-day observations on the progress of your project if necessary. What you are actually doing, problems you have with your investigation, things you would change if you were doing this investigation again. Any drawings/photos that might help explain your work Data that you gather from your investigation Data can be collected in a chart

Graph Bar graph – to compare two or more values Circle graph- to show fractions of 100% Line graph – showing data collected over time The graph is a required part of the science fair display board.

Conclusion Your conclusion should include: Statement of support or non-support of the original hypothesis. Description of any problems or unusual events that occurred during your investigation. What you would do differently next time.