Science Olympiad Summer InstitutePhoenix, AZ July 16 – 20, 2012
DESCRIPTION
Determine a team’s ability to design, conduct, and report the findings of an experiment
PARAMETERS STUDENTS (mandatory)
ANSI Z87 indirect vent chemical splash goggles
Writing instrument(s) STUDENTS (optional)
Timepiece Ruler Non-programmable calculator
NOTE: Chemicals requiring safety clothing will not be used.
THE COMPETITION
Supervisors will provide teams with identical sets of materials
If materials are given to teams in a container the container is considered part of the materials
COMPETITION (cont.)
Nature of the experiment is determined by a question/topic area assigned by Supervisor Same for all teams Allow for experiments involving
independent and dependent variables
SCORING
Experimental Design Rubric Max. Pts.: B – 61 C - 66 Tiebreaker Sequence
1. Variables2. Procedure3. Analysis of results4. Graph5. Data table
Teams not addressing the question/topic will be ranked behind others
1. Statement of Problem – 4 pts.
a) Not a yes/no questionb) Include independent and dependent
variablesc) Problem is clearly testabled) Written in a clear and concise manner
2. Hypothesis
a. Predicts a relationship or trendb. Gives specific direction to the
predictionc. Includes both independent and
dependent variablesd. Provides a rational for the
hypothesis
3a. Independent Variable – 3 pts
a. Operationally definedb. Correctly identifiedc. Has at least 3 levels
3b. Dependent Variable – 3 pts
a. Correctly defined (2 pts)b. Operationally defined
3a. Controlled Variables – 4 pts
a. One point for each correctly defined constant
b. up to a maximum of 4 points
4. Experimental Control – 2 pts(where appropriate)a. Correctly identifiedb. Makes logical sense for the
experiment
5. Materials – 3 pts
a. All materials used are listedb. No extra materials are listedc. Listed separately from procedure
6. Procedure – 6 pts
a. Well organizedb. In logical sequencec. Enough information is given to
make experiment replicabled. Includes diagramse. Has repeated trials
7. Qualitative Observations – 4 pts
Includes observations abouta.Resultsb.Procedure/deviations from procedurec.Results not relating to dependent
variabled.Things that happen during course of
experimente.VIDEO
8. Quantitative Data – 6 ptsa. All raw data is providedb. All data has unitsc. Condensed table with most
important datad. Table is correctly labelede. Example calculations are includedf. Uses correct significant figures (C
division)
9. Graph(s) – 6 points
a. Appropriate type of graphb. Has a titlec. Labeled correctly (2 pts)d. Units includede. Appropriate scale
10. Statistics – 2/6 ptsB Division – 2 ptsa.Uses average, median, or modeb.Statistic used is appropriate for data
C Division – 6 ptsa.Uses average, median, or modeb.Statistic used is appropriate for datac.Measure of central tenencyd.Measure of variatione.Regression analysisf. Other appropriate statistic used
11. Analysis of Data – 4 ptsAll statements must be supported by data
collecteda.All data is discussed and interpretedb.Unusual data points commented uponc.Trends in data explainedd.Enough detail provided to explain data
12. Experimental Errors – 3 ptsa. Reasons for errorsb. Important information about data
collectionc. Effect of errors on data
13. Conclusion – 4 pts
a. Hypothesis is evaluated by given data
b. Hypothesis is restatedc. Reasons to accept/reject hypothesisd. All statements are supported by
data
14. Applications/Further Research – 4 pts
a. Improvement of experimentb. Alternative interpretation of datac. Future experimentsd. Practical application(s) of
information discovered from experiment