Sept 2010

Purpose Requirements and Scientific Method Important Dates Common concerns Research Paper Questions

Expand students critical thinking and problem solving skills

Maintain high academic standards Science is all around us and found in all

parts of life Science helps to make the world a better

place to live

• A question• A hypothesis• A control group• At least 3 experimental groups• One dependent variable• One independent variable• Experimental design which includes repeated

testing• Data measured in metric units • Accurate analysis of data• Conclusion

Can be the most difficult part of the process

Start by looking for questions or problems in students lives

Neighborhood, state, region etc…

Newspapers, magazines, or science fair websites can be used as a starting point.

• Focus on the impact of an independent variable affecting a dependent variable.

• Ex: How does a the color of light affect the growth of tomato plants ?

• Independent variable is the factor students will change in their experiment.

• Dependent variable is the factor students will measure in their experiment.

• Must be testable

Educated guess or possible answer to the question

Hypothesis must be supported by facts, observations and research

Ideally, students should not know the answer to their question before they begin

Three experimental groups with varying levels of independent variable

One control group Dependent variable that can be measured

in all groups Control for all other variables

Experimental Groups – red, green and violet lights.

Control Group – white light Measuring the dependent variable – plant

height or plant mass Other variables – water, soil, nutrients

temperature,

All plants

In same size pot

Same type of soil

Watered on the same day, with the same volume of water

At the same temperature

Data recorded on the same day

1

2

3

4

Data – measurable information collected during the test

Examples – height, mass, voltage, speed, count, survey (dislike, like)

Think outside the box – how can your student create an objective framework for measuring ?

Aim for at least 20 pieces of data

Data is used to show a trend or pattern

Record data in charts Use graphs to analyze and compare data Bar graph, line graph, pie chart, scatter plot Axes should compare independent and

dependent variables. Use data to prove or disprove hypothesis.

Did the data prove or disprove the hypothesis?

Explain why this project matters, how is this work relevant to other people ?

• Fri Oct 1st – Proposal due to Science Teachers

• Fri Oct 14th – Proposals returned to students • Fri Nov 12th – Rough Drafts due to Language

Arts Teachers • Mid Nov – Data collection at the discretion of

science teacher• Week of Dec 6th – Science Projects due • Sat. Dec 11th – Science Fair at UMD College

Park

Research vs. controlled experiment

Research paper is part of the project, but does not stand alone.

Materials can be borrowed from or used at CSP ex: microscopes, volt meters, motion detector, scales etc…

Hard to find materials – Ask a science teacher

Control groups and variables

Human subjects require a consent form, ask science teacher once proposal is approved.

Testing on human subjects requires adult supervision. ◦ Safety◦ Allergies

Data must be adjusted to maintain privacy.

Control group and variable groups Must have enough animals to test on

◦ or word question to focus on one particular animal

Animal safety

Must be feed, watered and housed safely

What if the hypothesis is wrong ? - Scientists are often wrong. - Think about and explain what can be

learned from this experiment.

What is the test is inaccurate or a failure ? - Why ? What can be done to correct testing ? - If time, retest.

Remember the larger goal of the science fair is to promote critical thinking

Title Page Abstract Introduction Statement of Purpose Materials and Experimental Methods Data Table, Results, and Graph Discussion and Analysis Conclusion References

Title PageStatement of PurposeMaterials and Experimental Methods

Data Table, Results, and Graph

References

Explain why you chose your topic.

What makes it an important experiment to conduct?

Are there any long-term implications of the information you conduct?

Materials:A list of materials needed to conduct your experiment.

o Experimental Methods:Explain step by step how you conducted your research and experiment.

Include any data you have Show how you will collect and organize

data. Explain or show the graph you will use.

Plant Height

Test A Test B Test C

Day 1 10 cm 10 cm 10 cm

Day 7 12 cm 10 cm 13 cm

Day 14

Day 21

This is the last page in your paper. Tells where you got your information that is in

your introduction.

Number of sources: 6th – a minimum of one source 7th – a minimum of two sources 8th – a minimum of three sources 9th – a minimum of four sources

Talk to them about the Science Fair Add Science Fair dates to a wall calendar at

home Plan a trip to the library to research

information Work with them to collect materials and

plan experiment Safety Proofread Remind them to ask for help

OTHER QUESTIONS ?