1. The Scientific Method The Scientific Method and your science project

2. Definition The Scientific Method is a series of steps scientists use to answer questions and solve problems.

3. Steps in Completing Your Science Project 1.Problem? 2.Purpose 3.Hypothesis 4.Materials 5.Procedure 6.Results (Table, Graphs and Paragraph) 7.Conclusion Paragraph 8.Abstract

4. Ask A Question?/ PROBLEM Good questions come from good observations. What do you want to know? Example: How does acid rain affect plant growth? Will oak burn faster than balsa wood? Will a frozen tennis ball bounce higher than a room temperature tennis ball? The PROBLEM is ALWAYS stated in a question!!

5. Purpose-2 sentences ► There is a purpose for your project!! ► Who will the project benefit? ► Example: ► The purpose of my project is to determine which brand of paper towel, Bounty or Mardi Gras, will absorb the most water. This project will benefit mothers who clean using paper towels.

6. Form A Hypothesis A hypothesis is a clear statement about what you think will happen based on research, observations and things you already know. A hypothesis is an educated guess. Example: I believe a frozen tennis ball will bounce higher than a room temperature tennis ball because….. I believe acid rain will cause plants to grow more slowly than tap water because….

7. Materials You should make a list of all materials used in your experiment. You should make a list of all materials used in your experiment. The list should be exactly what you used, how many, what kind, how much, what color, specific brand,etc. Must be numbered. The list should be exactly what you used, how many, what kind, how much, what color, specific brand,etc. Must be numbered. Example: Example: 1. 12 lima bean seeds 2. 12 Duracell batteries size AA 3. 5 Liters of cold tap water 4. 12 10cm pieces of balsa wood

8. Performing Your Experiment PROCEDURE ► ► A step-by-step account of everything you did from start to finish. ► ► You will record everything you do, including measurements, how you built or constructed something.

9. Performing Your Experiment PROCEDURE ► All measurements should be precise. ► Conditions should be the same for all trials. ► You will have a control group and a variable group. ► You will photograph your experiment using a digital camera or disposable camera. ► You must have 20 photos and you may not be in 5 of the photos, these go on the show board. ► 15 photos should show you conducting your experiment.

10. RESULTS/Recording Data ► Your data should be collected and recorded in a table as soon as you get results, this will vary depending on your project. ► You will use the metric system to take measurements. ► Examples:  Meters  Centimeters  Seconds  Liters  Milliliters  Grams  Kilograms  DO NOT USE INCHES, FEET, CUPS, POUNDS

11. DATA TABLE TRIALSControlVariable 1 6 m 8m 27m7m 34m9m 45.5m7m 56m11m 68m9m 77.5m8m 84m12m 97m10m 105m8m 119m9m 124.5m8m

12. Results/Graphs Organize your data using graphs and Tables created on the computer. Organize your data using graphs and Tables created on the computer. You must have 1 table, 1 bar graph and 1 line graph. You must have 1 table, 1 bar graph and 1 line graph. RESULTS PARAGRAPH: Your findings in paragraph form. You will be given a fill-in-the –blank handout for this. RESULTS PARAGRAPH: Your findings in paragraph form. You will be given a fill-in-the –blank handout for this. Each of these will be placed on your showboard. Each of these will be placed on your showboard.

13. Results Paragraph You will given an fill-in-the-blank paragraph to record your results.

14. Conclusion Your conclusion will be in the form of a paragraph. Your conclusion will be in the form of a paragraph. It will state whether or not your results support your hypothesis. It will state whether or not your results support your hypothesis. EXAMPLE: My results did support my hypothesis. The rain water caused the plants to grow higher than the tap water. EXAMPLE: My results did support my hypothesis. The rain water caused the plants to grow higher than the tap water.

15. ABSTRACT-1 Paragraph An abstract is an overview of your project that includes: 1.Purpose (copied exactly) 2.Hypothesis (copied exactly) 3.Procedure (summary) 4.Results Paragraph (copied exactly) 5. Conclusion Paragraph (copied exactly) This will go on your show board.

16. Show Board THE VERY LAST THING YOU WILL DO IS ASSEMBLE YOUR INFORMATION ON YOU SHOWBOARD. THE VERY LAST THING YOU WILL DO IS ASSEMBLE YOUR INFORMATION ON YOU SHOWBOARD. The following slide shows how your show board should be arranged. Remember, it should be nice and neat. Times New Roman or Arial font only. The following slide shows how your show board should be arranged. Remember, it should be nice and neat. Times New Roman or Arial font only.

17. TITLE PROBLEM HYPOTHESIS MATERIALS PROCEDURE RESULTS ABSTRACT BAR GRAPH LINE GRAPH TABLE PP (BAR)(LINE) CONCLUSION PURPOSE