SCIENTIFIC METHOD
All projects will be judged based upon the Scientific Method. Below you can find information about each step.
The Question
This is where you choose a topic or question. You'll answer your question in the project. Think about what topics in science interest you. Check out the websites on the "PROJECT IDEAS" page on this website. Choose one that you can do mostly by yourself, and that you can finish before the Science Fair. It needs to be an experiment, not a research paper or a report.
This is where you choose a topic or question. You'll answer your question in the project. Think about what topics in science interest you. Check out the websites on the "PROJECT IDEAS" page on this website. Choose one that you can do mostly by yourself, and that you can finish before the Science Fair. It needs to be an experiment, not a research paper or a report.
Research
Research is where you search for information about your topic or question. Find out what you need to know so that you can plan your experiment. First, figure out what you already know and write that down in your log or data book. Then think about what you might need to learn in order to answer your question. Write these ideas in your log or data book.
A great resource for this is www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/science-fair/writing-a-science-fair-project-research-plan
Fifth and sixth graders MUST cite your sources. On the 5th-6th grade page will be a link giving instructions.
Research is where you search for information about your topic or question. Find out what you need to know so that you can plan your experiment. First, figure out what you already know and write that down in your log or data book. Then think about what you might need to learn in order to answer your question. Write these ideas in your log or data book.
A great resource for this is www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/science-fair/writing-a-science-fair-project-research-plan
Fifth and sixth graders MUST cite your sources. On the 5th-6th grade page will be a link giving instructions.
Hypothesis
A hypothesis is your guess or prediction of what you think will happen in your experiment. Since you have already done the background research, your hypothesis will be an "educated guess". A hypothesis MUST be written as a statement, NOT a question. Basically, it is your predicted answer to "The Question". In the experiment you will either prove or disprove the hypothesis.
A hypothesis is your guess or prediction of what you think will happen in your experiment. Since you have already done the background research, your hypothesis will be an "educated guess". A hypothesis MUST be written as a statement, NOT a question. Basically, it is your predicted answer to "The Question". In the experiment you will either prove or disprove the hypothesis.
Experiment
1. Decide what materials you will need.
2. Collect necessary materials.
3. Decide what tests, conditions, and length of time you are going to use.
4. Plan a step-by-step guide of your experiment.
5. Keep a record of the whole process in your log/data book.
6. Determine how you will measure the effects of the experiment; ex. time, length, etc.
7. What measuring instruments do you need?
8. Conduct the experiment, record process.
9. A good experiment will work more than one time. Conduct the experiment another time to verify your results. If your experiment didn't work, this is OK. Change your procedure, and conduct the experiment again.
10. Optional: take pictures of the process.
Data/Observations
As your do your experiment write down your observations in your log/data book. This is known as "data". Don't wait until the end of your project to write this information down. If you are measuring something every day, write it down every day. Number the pages.
This information can be written in paragraph form or in charts, graphs, or diagrams. In your log/data book you might want to include both. On the science fair board you would most likely use the charts, graphs, or diagrams.
When recording information in paragraph form in your log book, keep it separate from the charts and graphs. Even though these are notes, make sure that your handwriting is neat. The log/data book is not to be computer generated.
Charts, Graphs, and Diagrams...HELP!! These can be drawn by hand or computer generated. Parents, don't do this all for your child. You can help, but include them in the process. You can make charts, graphs, and diagrams on the programs of Powerpoint and Google Slides. Elementary students at our school have done this. Then you can just print the slide. Of course, there is Excel.
As your do your experiment write down your observations in your log/data book. This is known as "data". Don't wait until the end of your project to write this information down. If you are measuring something every day, write it down every day. Number the pages.
This information can be written in paragraph form or in charts, graphs, or diagrams. In your log/data book you might want to include both. On the science fair board you would most likely use the charts, graphs, or diagrams.
When recording information in paragraph form in your log book, keep it separate from the charts and graphs. Even though these are notes, make sure that your handwriting is neat. The log/data book is not to be computer generated.
Charts, Graphs, and Diagrams...HELP!! These can be drawn by hand or computer generated. Parents, don't do this all for your child. You can help, but include them in the process. You can make charts, graphs, and diagrams on the programs of Powerpoint and Google Slides. Elementary students at our school have done this. Then you can just print the slide. Of course, there is Excel.
Conclusion
The conclusion is a statement explaining why a project turned out the way it did. Use of the word "because" is a good way to turn an observation into a conclusion. It should also tell whether the hypothesis was proven or not proven.
Examples:
My hypothesis was that Energizer would last the longest in all of the devices tested. My results do support my hypothesis. I think the tests I did went smoothly and I had no problems, except for the fact that the batteries recover some of their voltage if they are not running in something. Therefore, I had to take the measurements quickly. An interesting future study might involve testing the batteries at different temperatures to simulate actual usage in very cold or very hot conditions.
The conclusion is a statement explaining why a project turned out the way it did. Use of the word "because" is a good way to turn an observation into a conclusion. It should also tell whether the hypothesis was proven or not proven.
Examples:
My hypothesis was that Energizer would last the longest in all of the devices tested. My results do support my hypothesis. I think the tests I did went smoothly and I had no problems, except for the fact that the batteries recover some of their voltage if they are not running in something. Therefore, I had to take the measurements quickly. An interesting future study might involve testing the batteries at different temperatures to simulate actual usage in very cold or very hot conditions.