Welcome, Parents!

For the summer help your child find a topic of interest conduct background research started conducting the experiments (if possible) If you aren’t sure, check with us or the OCSEF to see if your child’s project is acceptable 2 of 25

The Steps of the Scientific Method: Ask a Question Conduct background Research Construct a Hypothesis Test hypothesis through Experiment Analyze Data and Draw a Conclusion Communicate Your Results 3 of 25

Keeping a logbook Date and record ALL progress during the process. Include: observations, daily/weekly progress log of what was done, measurements, trial notes, etc. 4 of 25

Example of Log Entries 5/12/14 I picked my science fair project. My question is “What type of liquid will sink a boat?” This is interesting to me because... 6/5/14 Today I researched more about liquid and buoyancy. I also looked at different boat shapes. I discovered that ___. 6/8/14 Today I read more about density and different types of liquid. I noticed in my research that_____. I also learned that _____. 9/12/14 The materials I’m going to need for my project: -1 liter of nonfat milk -1 liter of OJ -1 liter of pure water -2 meter of wood 5 of 25

Find a Topic (Research) & Develop a Question Sciencebuddies.org OCSEF.org Library The topic should be something that interest your child. Also, it should have some practical applications to everyday life. 6 of 25

Question Example After doing research, I found out a potato can power a light bulb. I wonder if different types of potatoes can produce different amount of electricity for third world countries? If a potato can produce electricity, which type can produce the most electricity to power a light bulb? 7 of 25

Please note... (OCSEF Guidelines) Do not choose a topic that could directly harm any animal or human. Any experiment involving human subject, body tissues or hazardous material must have a certification form filled out. Any experiment involving animals/vertebrates must have a certification form signed by a veterinarian. 8 of 25

Research background info Make a list of specific terms and ideas that pertain to the problem. Then find information on the word list in books, magazines, field experts or the internet. Have at least 5 resources and decide what information is relevant to the problem. 9 of 25

Hypothesis A Hypothesis is an educated guess. Written as a statement. Should be from the observations and research your child has done to answer his or her question/problem. 10 of 25

Hypothesis Example After searching for a project, I found out that a potato can power a light bulb. I wonder if different types of potatoes can produce different amount of electricity? If a potato can produce electricity, which type can produce the most electricity to power a light bulb? (Do additional research...) (Hypothesis) A sweet potato would produce the most electricity to power a light bulb because… 11 of 25

Material/Instructions Materials and Instructions should be written like a cookbook, listing specific ingredients and step-by-step instructions on how to do it For example: –2 liters of mineral water –3 grams of baking soda 12 of 25

Experimenting When your child is doing his or her experiment, they must do at least 7 trials. Record all observations, if the experiment fails, what you did to “fix” the failure, etc. Must use the metric system as the method of measurement. –Meters (Area/Distance) –Liters (Volume) –Grams (Weight) –Seconds (Time) 13 of 25

Supplies Most experiments can be done with everyday items AMICO Scientific 7231 Garden Grove Blvd # A Garden Grove, CA (714) of 25

Data Table With at least 3 variables 15 of 25

Have at least 3 variables 16 of 25

Experimenting 17 of 25

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Graph 20 of 25

Recording Data During the Experiment Remember...record all data and observations in the log book Take photos or videos of the experiment and its progress. Its helpful to the judges to have visual aids while students explain what they did. 21 of 25

Pretty Pretty Pictures 22 of 25

Display Board (To be done at the end of the project) 23 of 25

Stay Up to Date under Mrs. Shana Stanley for important documents Includes helpful links and digital copies of handouts and assignments 24 of 25

Final Thought... It’s about the PROCESS, not the end result. 25 of 25