Your STEM Fair Project Day 1 OBJECTIVES: Students will be able to apply critical thinking skills in order to: identify criteria for a topic; understand what makes a bad topic; define independent and dependent variables and extinguish between the two research possible topics using given websites; create research questions for five possible research topics. HOMEWORK: Browse through given websites, choose 5 topics, create 5 questions (one per topic) on the worksheet titled GT Research Project Topics

Topic Criteria Topic MUST translate into an EXPERIMENT that produces quantitative data; data measured by numbers Topic must be stated in the form of a researchable question that refers to independent and dependent variables Experiment must produce 15 or MORE trials (DATA! DATA! DATA!) NO animal or insect projects Keep cost down; for example, no batteries

Variables INDEPENDENT VARIABLE: the factor in the experiment you change on purpose DEPENDENT VARIABLE: the factor in the experiment that changes as a result of the independent variable; what you will measure in the experiment

Sample Topic Questions BAD QUESTION: What is the most popular detergent on the market today? –Not a question that can be researched by completing an experiment; descriptive research NOT experimental research –Does not have independent and dependent variables BETTER QUESTION: What type of detergent cleans grease stains the best from clothing?

Broad Questions versus Testable Questions efaircentral/Getting- Started/Investigation.html

Broad Questions (lead to reports) Testable Questions (lead to investigations) BROAD: How do lubricants work? TESTABLE: Which combination of lubricants will work best on a bicycle wheel? BROAD: What happens when water expands as it freezes? TESTABLE: How much force is needed to keep water from expanding as it freezes? BROAD: What is soap? TESTABLE: Which detergent removes stains the best? BROAD: What is bread mold? TESTABLE: What conditions keep bread mold from growing on bread? BROAD: What do birds eat? TESTABLE: What type of food and feeder will attract the most cardinals?

Sites to Use for Researching Topics Go to link on left titled Gifted and Talented Go to link titled New to GT Science

What next? For HOMEWORK Review the sites given on the school GT webpage for project ideas. After HOURS of browsing the sites (JK!), choose FIVE topics to research. State your topics in the form of a question; one question/topic per blank; write your questions down on your paper titled GT Science Research Project Topics. Leave the spaces for independent and dependent variables blank for now. Due Friday, October 4 th