Steps to the Scientific Method Science Projects

Science Projects: Why science projects? Why science projects? –To help us answer questions and learn more about the world. –To learn how something works –To be problem solvers –To discover how weird things happen

Scientific Method: A way to ask and answer specific questions by making observations and doing experiments. A way to ask and answer specific questions by making observations and doing experiments. Steps that you follow in sequential order Steps that you follow in sequential order

Scientific Method Process: Question Question Research Research Hypothesis Hypothesis Materials Materials Procedures Procedures Experiment Experiment Results Results Data Analysis Data Analysis Conclusion Conclusion

Topic Selection: Choose a topic that is best possible for YOU. Choose a topic that is best possible for YOU. –The science topics you consider should be things that interest and excite you. Don't choose a topic that you will be extremely frustrating or boring within a few days.

Topic Selection: How do I choose a topic? How do I choose a topic? –When choosing a science fair topic, think about something you like to do. What would you like to find out about it? Think about the who, what, when, and where of the activity. Who can you do the activity with? What items do you use when doing this activity? Where and when do you do this activity?

Topic Selection: After you have a general sense of what interests you, it is time to get specific. First, get the appropriate resources to help you find ideas that line up with that general sense and then choose the best topic for you. After you have a general sense of what interests you, it is time to get specific. First, get the appropriate resources to help you find ideas that line up with that general sense and then choose the best topic for you. Information from: topic.html topic.html projects/recommender_register.php projects/recommender_register.php

Step 1 - Question: The question is the single most important part of the scientific method. Every part of your project is done to answer this question. The question is the single most important part of the scientific method. Every part of your project is done to answer this question. What makes a good question? What makes a good question? –Questions begin with which, why, what, how, and when. –It must be something that you can measure. Preferably a number. –Write it as a question. (Begin with a capital letter and end in a question mark).

Step 1: Question What should I avoid when writing my question?: What should I avoid when writing my question?: –You have to be careful with your science fair question – if what your question is asking is not measurable then it will not make a good science fair experiment. –Avoid questions that require people to give opinions, their impressions, or their memories – this is not science because it is not measurable.

Step 1: Question –Avoid experiments that require animals or no bodily fluids. For example: testing saliva. –Avoid dangerous science fair experiments! –Be creative! When you look at what people do at science fairs, you will see a lot of the same simple and boring science experiments year after year. Spend time now and come up with a science fair experiment that you can be proud of – it will pay off at the end.

Examples of Questions: How does moisture affect the growth of bread mold? How does moisture affect the growth of bread mold? When is the best time to plant soy beans? When is the best time to plant soy beans? Which material is the best insulator? Which material is the best insulator? How do different foundations stand up to earthquakes? How do different foundations stand up to earthquakes? Which type of onions make you cry? Which type of onions make you cry? Information from:

Checklist: Does my question begin with a capital letter? Does my question begin with a capital letter? Does my question end with a question mark? Does my question end with a question mark? Is my question measureable? Is my question measureable? Does my question begin with which, why, what, how or when? Does my question begin with which, why, what, how or when?

How judges will grade you on the Question: Question – To what degree with the question new and or different for the student and how well is it written? Question – To what degree with the question new and or different for the student and how well is it written? –0 points No question is written –1 pointIncomplete question –2 pointsComplete question –3 pointsComplete AND well written question

Research & Bibliography: Make a plan about how you will collect data. Make a plan about how you will collect data. The research plan is a roadmap of the question that needs to be answered. The research plan is a roadmap of the question that needs to be answered. The bibliography is a list of the sources that will be used to answer the question. The bibliography is a list of the sources that will be used to answer the question. Use a variety of sources, including books, newspapers, magazines, journals, websites, and interviews. Use a variety of sources, including books, newspapers, magazines, journals, websites, and interviews. What additional information would help me? What additional information would help me? How can I use a variety of sources to gather the information I need? How can I use a variety of sources to gather the information I need?

Research & Bibliography: What should I be doing for my research and bibliography? What should I be doing for my research and bibliography? –Find books, articles, newspapers, magazines, and reliable websites that will help you answer your question. –Write down the author, title of book, publication, city, and year published. You will need this information later when you write the bibliography page on your research paper. You will need this information later when you write the bibliography page on your research paper.

Bibliography: How to write a bibliography: How to write a bibliography: –Author. Title. City: Publication, year published.

Log Books: A log book is a diary. It is the written record of all you do with your project. It also helps you keep organized and on task. You may use a spiral notebook or a 3 ring binder. A log book is a diary. It is the written record of all you do with your project. It also helps you keep organized and on task. You may use a spiral notebook or a 3 ring binder.

Log Book: Your log book can include: Your log book can include: –A list of possible topics and questions –A planning calendar –Notes from resources –Scientific Process Foldables –How the scientific method is followed –Photocopies and printed research materials –List of materials with details on where and when purchased. –All observations and data gathered. –A record of your failures and frustrations; the changes you made in your procedure, in order to get better results.