EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Science Olympiad Summer Institute Phoenix, AZ July 18 – 22, 2011

DESCRIPTION Determine a team’s ability to design, conduct, and report the findings of an experiment

PARAMETERS STUDENTS (mandatory) – ANSI Z87 indirect vent chemical splash goggles – Writing instrument(s) STUDENTS (optional) – Timepiece – Ruler – Non-programmable calculator NOTE: Chemicals requiring safety clothing will not be used.

THE COMPETITION Supervisors will provide teams with identical sets of materials If materials are given to teams in a container the container is considered part of the materials

COMPETITION (cont.) Nature of the experiment is determined by a question/topic area assigned by Supervisor Same for all teams Allow for experiments involving independent and dependent variables

SCORING Experimental Design Rubric Max. Pts.: B – 61C - 66 Tiebreaker Sequence 1.Variables 2.Procedure 3.Analysis of results 4.Graph 5.Data table Teams not addressing the question/topic will be ranked behind others

1. Statement of Problem – 4 pts. _Not a yes/no question _Include independent and dependent variables _Problem is clearly testable _Written in a clear and concise manner

2. Hypothesis _Predicts a relationship or trend _Gives specific direction to the prediction _Includes both independent and dependent variables _Provides a rational for the hypothesis

3a. Independent Variable – 3 pts _Correctly identified _Operationally defined _Has at least 3 levels

3b. Dependent Variable – 3 pts _Correctly defined (2 pts) _Operationally defined

3a. Controlled Variables – 4 pts _One point for each correctly defined constant up to a maximum of 4 points

4. Experimental Control – 2 pts (where appropriate) _Correctly identified _Makes logical sense for the experiment

5. Materials – 3 pts _All materials used are listed _No extra materials are listed _Listed separately from procedure

6. Procedure – 6 pts _Well organized _In logical sequence _Enough information is given to make experiment replicable _Includes diagrams _Has repeated trials

7. Qualitative Observations – 4 pts Includes observations about _Results _Procedure/deviations from procedure _Results not relating to dependent variable _Things that happen during course of experiment

8. Quantitative Data – 6 pts _All raw data is provided _All data has units _Condensed table with most important data _Table is correctly labeled _Example calculations are included _Uses correct significant figures (C division)

9. Graph(s) – 6 points _Appropriate type of graph _Has a title _Labeled correctly (2 pts) _Units included _Appropriate scale

10. Statistics – 2/6 pts B Division – 2 pts _Uses average, median, or mode _Statistic used is appropriate for data C Division – 6 pts _Uses average, median, or mode _Statistic used is appropriate for data _Measure of central tenency _Measure of variation _Regression analysis _Other appropriate statistic used

11. Analysis of Data – 4 pts All statements must be supported by data collected _All data is discussed and interpreted _Unusual data points commented upon _Trends in data explained _Enough detail provided to explain data

12. Experimental Errors – 3 pts _Reasons for errors _Important information about data collection _Effect of errors on data

13. Conclusion – 4 pts _Hypothesis is evaluated by given data _Hypothesis is restated _Reasons to accept/reject hypothesis _All statements are supported by data

14. Applications/Further Research – 4 pts _Improvement of experiment _Alternative interpretation of data _Future experiments _Practical application(s) of information discovered from experiment