|
|
|
|
|
|
Pick Your Topic. Choose something that interests you. Ideas might come from hobbies or
problems you see that need solutions.
Be curious! |
|
|
|
Research Your Topic. Find out as much about it as you can. Go to the library, search the web. Observe related events. Gather existing information and talk to
professionals in the field. |
|
|
|
Make a Timetable. Choose a topic that can be
completed in the amount of time you have.
Use a calendar to identify important dates. Allow plenty of time to experiment and
collect data. You may have to
repeat the experiment several times.
Leave time to write a report and build a display. |
|
I will supply a timeline for any one who
may need the help |
|
|
|
Plan Your Experiment. Once you have a project idea, write a research plan. This plan should explain how you will
do your experiment. |
|
|
|
|
Conduct Your Experiments. During experimentation, keep detailed
notes. (LOG BOOK) Do not rely on your memory! Remember to change only one variable at
a time and include control experiments in which none of the variables
change. |
|
|
|
Examine Your Results. When you complete your experiments, examine and organize
your findings. Did your
experiments give you the expected results?
Why or why not?
Statistically analyze your data. |
|
|
|
Draw conclusions. Which variables are important? Did you collect enough data? Do you need to conduct more experimentation? Keep an open mind. Even if your results do not support your
original hypothesis, you still have accomplished successful scientific
research. |
|
|
|
Further Questions: What further questions do you have about your
experiment? What else would you
like to know about this topic? |
|
|
|
|
Project backboards should include these
components: |
|
1. Title of project |
|
2. Statement of problem and purpose of project |
|
3. Hypothesis |
|
4. Variables (manipulating variable, responding
variable, variables held constant) |
|
5. Procedure/Method |
|
6. Results/Observations/Data |
|
7. Conclusions |
|
8. Research Book |
|
9. Log Book/Lab Book |
|
10. Display of material or a model |
|
|
|
|
|
|
YOUR LOGBOOK |
|
All the data gathered during your experiment
should be carefully recorded in a lab notebook. Certainly this includes the data gathered as a result of the
experiment itself, but it also includes much more. |
|
|
|
Your Logbook should include: |
|
1. A list of all the materials used. |
|
2. Notes on all the preparations you made
prior to starting your experiment. |
|
|
|
|
Information about the resources you use (books,
people, libraries, museums, etc.). |
|
|
|
4.
Detailed day-by-day notes on the progress of the project. |
|
a.What you are actually doing |
|
b.Problems you encounter with the experiment |
|
c.Things you would change if you were doing
this investigation again |
|
|
|
Any drawings that might help explain your work. |
|
|
|
Data that was gathered during the course of the
experiment (notes, charts, tables, graphs) |
|
|
|
BE SURE TO DATE EACH ENTRY IN YOUR LOGBOOK |
|
|
|
|
ALL ABOUT VARIABLES |
|
|
|
SOME DEFINITIONS of Variables and Control(s) |
|
Variable - What you change on purpose in the
course of your procedure. |
|
Controls:
- The factors you keep constant or hold fixed. A control is held fixed so that it
doesn’t affect the outcome of the experiment. |
|
|
|
EXAMPLES OF VARIABLES |
|
Let’s say that the following hypothesis had been
selected: |
|
The cheaper the paper towel, the less water
it will absorb. |
|
Variable: Price (Brand) of paper towel |
|
|
|
Control(s): Size of paper towel |
|
Amount of water poured on each towel |
|
Temperature of the water used |
|
Container in which towels are placed |
|
Method of pouring |
|
|
|
|
If you have any questions – |
|
You can access the Student Handbook on my web
page – Allen ISD – Norton Elementary – 5th Grade – Kirk Evans |
|
Email – kirk_evans@allenisd.org |
|
|
|
OR |
|
|
|
The Science Fair Web page is up. You can reach it several ways: |
|
|
|
1. Direct Link: |
|
http://www.allenisd.org/web/Learner_Services/lssciencefair.html |
|
|
|
2. Link on Science Page |
|
(http://www.allenisd.org/web/Learner_Services/lsscience.html) |
|
|
|
3. Home Page (www.allenisd.org) |
|
Click on Site Index >
Science Fair |
|
|
|
4. Learner Services Home Page
(http://www.allenisd.org/web/Learner_Services/index.html) |
|
Click on Science Fair |
|
Notes
