SCIENCE FAIR BASICS

ASK A QUESTION Will plants grow better if you add fertilizer to the soil? This is also called the “Problem”

CONDUCT RESEARCH You need to do some research on your topic. You may find that someone has already completed a similar science fair project. You need solid background information about your topic. Your research needs to be printed and included in your journals. We will complete an annotated bibliography.

HYPOTHESIS You answer your question based on what you learned conducting your research. “ I believe that…..” Plants will grow better when fertilizer is added to the soil.

DESIGN AN EXPERIMENT TO TEST YOUR HYPOTHESIS Plants Fertilizer Soil Sunny location Watering Measure growth Photograph plants in various stages Keep measurement data; use metric measures Allow sufficient time

COMPLETE YOUR TEST You need to make use of controls and variables One plant will be your control. You will not add any fertilizer to its soil; All the plants will be the same kind, in the same containers, using the same amount of soil; they will all be observed in the same time period; They will receive the same amount of sunlight and water. The fertilizer is your variable: natural compost; farm manure; hardware store fertlilizer

COLLECT DATA Take pictures Write down measurements and observations Use metric measures

RESULTS Organize data into a table and/or graph Include your photos Your notes, records, and extra pictures all go in your journal

CONCLUSION Accept or reject your hypothesis It is not a right or wrong answer Base your statements on the data you collected Summarize your findings

WHY SHOULD WE CARE? Why should we care about the results of your experiment? Who are the stakeholders? Make a life connection

RECOMMENDATIONS Where should you go from here? What would you do differently if you repeated this experiment? What would you say to someone interested in the same topic?