Science Fair 2010
SCIENCE RESEARCH SITES
SCIENCE FAIR GUIDELINES
We will be using the scientific method:
Ask a question- what do you want to find out? (Select your mystery!).Make a hypothesis- guess the answer.Design an experimental procedure to test your hypothesis.Carry out your procedure, observing and recording what happens.Analyze and summarize your results, and draw a conclusion.
Past Science Fairs....
| SCIENCE FAIR TIMELINE 2010 |
| |
1. Select a topic. It must be something you are interested in, because you will spend a long time working on it.
2. Conduct the research. To help you plan and find out what is already known about your topic. Write this down. Use about half a side of paper, and write it in your own words – no copying! You can research:
Observations you have made in the past.What scientists have discovered about your topic (check textbooks, library, encyclopedias, etc, and note the books, authors, page numbers .Interviews with professionals or experts who may know about the subject. Notes showing their names and job positions.Select your problem. It should be written in the form of a question. It should be the kind of question that seems to have alternative answers, and it should require original data collection to come up with the answer. If you find the answer to your question is already known, you need to come up with another question.Create a work environment at home where your experiment can remain undisturbed.Write your hypotheses. This is a prediction about what will happen based on your research, You should say what results you are expecting in measurable terms.3. Plan your experiment
Your plan should include:A list of equipment and materials you will need.An experiment procedure. This should be a list of instructions explaining how you will carry out your experiment. Anybody should be able to pick it up and follow it accurately.Be clear about how you will measure your results. You should have a timetable for measuring or making observations(for example, every hour, every day at 7A.M.).Your procedure must state which elements or your experiment are independent variables that you control ( such as using a different amount of water for each plant), and which are controlled variables that stay the same(such as using all the same kind of plants).Collect all the materials and equipments you need.Set up your experiment.4. Conduct your experiment.
Keep a detailed journal of observations, data, and results. Your journal should contain data measurements and written notes about your experiment. You must ask your parents to sign your journal to verify you have been sticking to your experiment timetable.You may want to photograph your experiment to help in your analysis and to use on your display.You may need to conduct your experiment procedure several times to ensure the results are accurate.5. Write your conclusion.
It should be ½ - 1 page long.You analyze what is shown in your experimental results, and summarize it. BE HONEST. Experiments don’t always work the way we want them to.•What further studies would you recommend? What is the next question?
•If you repeated this project, what would you change?
6. Write your written report.
Much of the work here will be in your journal. All you need to do in preparing the report is to organize and neatly copy the journal’s contents. Your report should include the following:Title and contents.Introduction. This is a statement of your problem, along with background information that led you to make this study. You should state your hypothesis and explain how your research at the beginning helped you to make your prediction. Explain the information or the experiment that led you to choose your project.
7. Self assessments and rehearsals, Display Boards
AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF FREETOWN
You are viewing the text version of this site.
To view the full version please install the Adobe Flash Player and ensure your web browser has JavaScript enabled.
Need help? check the requirements page.
