Mohawk Junior High Showcase of Learning

What is a Science Project?

A Science Project

The greatest tool of any scientist is scientific method.

Scientists around the world have made numerous discoveries using this method of inquiry.

Science Project

NOW IT’S YOUR TURN! A science project is your chance to

choose a subject of interest to you and study it in the same way scientists have done for hundreds of years.

Science Project

The point of a science fair is to give you a chance to explore on your own.

Exploration can be a lot of fun! The fact is that your science

project presents your creative solution to a question or a problem

The Scientific Method Purpose: developing an investigative

question Hypothesis: making an educated guess about

the answer to your question based on research Experiment: Testing your hypothesis,

collecting data, and making observations. Analysis: Organizing data from the research

and experimentation Communicating the Results: sharing your

conclusions with others.

Lets Get StartedPhase One Generating an Idea

Brainstorm 5 possible topics from the list presented to you.

If you prefer you may come up with some of your own. Make sure to have your teacher ok your topic.

Come up with two investigative questions per topic

Phase One continued

An example of an investigative question might be

“Which type of potato chips have less fat?”

Remember, choose something that really interests you!

Phase One Continued

Choose something that really interests you.

MAKE IT FUN! Try to solve a mystery!

Become a Science sleuth!

Phase One Continued

Research your ideas. This will give you and idea of how much information is available about your topic.

This information will be needed to help you develop a hypothesis and set up an experiment.

Phase One, the question

Once you have brainstormed some topics you will want to figure out what it is you want to know about each.

Choose a related question that your experiment will answer

Example: “Which Potato chips have less fat?”

Phase 2 Forming an Hypothesis

It is typical scientific procedure to have an idea of the answer to your investigative question before you begin

Examples might include: “Baked Potato chips have significantly less fat than fried potato chips.”

Or: Wendy’s Hamburgers are not fatter than McDonald’s or Burger King’s.”

Phase 2 Hypothesis cont’

It does not matter if the results of your experiment support your hypothesis.

The objective of the project is to develop a hypothesis and test it by experimentation.

Phase 3 Researching

Do further research on your topic to help you decide what your experiment will be .

Remember to write down all information in your journal, include dates, titles authors, copyrights etc, so you have valid records of your research.

Phase 4 Experimentation

When testing you will want to establish a control group and one or more experimental groups

Both are the same except for one factor-this factor varies in the experimental group

The different factor is called the variable

Phase 4 Cont’

Because the variable is the only different factor between the control and experimental groups scientist know this factor is responsible for the results.

Phase 4 cont’

Variables: Independent variables have no bearing

on the experiment and are ones that can be changed by the researcher.

A dependent variable is the one variable that your experiment depends upon.

Examples??

Phase 5 Data Collection and Analysis You may need to collect 2 types of data: Quantitative-”Count it UP”-has to do

with numbers or quantities you measure.

Qualitative-”Spell it Out”-describing your observations with adjectives instead of numbers.

Whichever kind of data you collect remember to document it.

Phase 5 Data cont’

Sample size will be important The number of subjects or tests you

conduct. Your sample size must be large enough

to allow you to draw an accurate conclusion.

Again, document, record the number of subjects you test.

Example, boiling point of water and salt.

Phase 5 Data cont’

Trials When conducting an experiment it

is necessary to do multiple trials Perform each test several times. Example-salt added to water to

check boiling points.

Phase 6 Analysis of the Data Write out an explanation of what your

observations and data supported. Conclude with a few sentences or

paragraphs that show whether or not your experiment supported your hypothesis.

REMEMBER, your success does not depend upon whether your hypothesis was correct. The objective of the activity was in designing an experiment.

Phase 7 Communicating Your Discoveries You are required to set up a display and

attend the Science Fair. You may want to use some of your data,

such as graphs, charts, pictures etc. You will need to have an investigative

question, hypothesis, procedure, data and a short but concise conclusion formally typed and posted as part of your display.

While at the fair you should be prepared to answer questions about your project and conclusions