Getting Ready for Science Fair

Ideas

Background Research

Hypothesis Guidelines for Writing Hypotheses – A hypothesis predicts what will happen. – A hypothesis contains an “if…then…” statement. – A hypothesis is not something already shown to be correct. – A hypothesis is not a statement of personal opinion. – A hypothesis is not a definition. – The more specific and detailed a hypothesis is, the stronger it is. – A hypothesis must be testable.

Some tips to remember: – A strong hypothesis is not necessarily one that is shown to be correct. Any scientist will be wrong part of the time. This is not evidence of a flawed hypothesis. If it cannot be shown whether the hypothesis is correct or not through testing, the hypothesis is not valid. – A strong hypothesis does vary a bit by audience. Example: “If I unplug the running refrigerator, then the inside temperature will rise.” This hypothesis is strong for a young child or someone else who does not already know what will happen. It is not appropriate for a more experienced person. – Definitions are terms whose meanings are agreed upon in a culture. For example: “The Earth is a planet.” We, as speakers of the English language, have agreed to call certain objects planets. The Earth is among these objects. Hypotheses should use clear, undisputed language.

Practice Hypotheses – For each of the following hypotheses, decide whether it meets the criteria above and is a strong hypothesis. If the statement is not a strong hypothesis, rewrite it so that it is a strong hypothesis. If light colored liquid cools faster than dark-colored liquids, then I will find that hot milk cools off faster than hot cocoa. The sun is a star. If I ask my dad to lift 100 pounds, he will do it. If a dropped ball never bounces all the way back to where it started, then when the ball hits the ground, it must lose energy. If a dog hears a noise, then it will bark. My magnet will pick up all metals.

If shaking cream in a jar turns the cream foamy, then I can make whipped cream by putting cream into a partially empty jar and shaking it. The 1928 New York Yankees could beat any of today’s teams. If a fire needs oxygen to keep burning, then cutting off the supply of air will put out the fire. If I hit you with a water balloon, then you will get wet. If the Earth pulls “Earth things” back with a stronger force than “non-Earth things”, then a dropped ping-pong ball will fall more slowly than a big rock. If I put the right amount of money into the Pepsi machine, then I will get a Pepsi. If this metal is a magnet, it will pick up a paper clip. If I pour water into two cups, one containing sand and the other containing marbles, then the cup with the sand will hold more water.

If Sam and Joe race to the edge of the field, then Sam will get there first. If Lois is smarter than Lori, then Lois will get better grades this quarter. If space is real, then it must be measurable in some way. The population of Chicago is greater than the population of Mansfield. Sam is faster than Joe. The Sun will eventually become a white dwarf. If the Democrats (or Republicans) win the Presidency, the nation is doomed. If Shirley and Bob each take this test, then Shirley will get a better score. If I smoke, then I will get cancer. Fords are more reliable than Chevys. If I complete all of my work, then I will get better grades.