The Scientific Method

The Scientific Method and your science project

Definition

The Scientific Method is a series of steps scientists use to answer questions and solve problems.

Steps in Completing Your Science Project

1.Problem? 2.Purpose3.Hypothesis4.Materials5.Procedure6.Results (Table, Graphs and Paragraph)7.Conclusion Paragraph8.Abstract

Ask A Question?/ PROBLEM

Good questions come from good observations.What do you want to know?

Example:•How does acid rain affect plant growth?•Will oak burn faster than balsa wood?•Will a frozen tennis ball bounce higher than a room temperature tennis ball?The PROBLEM is ALWAYS stated in a question!!

Purpose-2 sentencesPurpose-2 sentences

►There is a purpose for your project!!There is a purpose for your project!!►Who will the project benefit?Who will the project benefit?

►Example:Example:►The purpose of my project isThe purpose of my project is to to

determine which brand of paper towel, determine which brand of paper towel, Bounty or Mardi Gras, will absorb the Bounty or Mardi Gras, will absorb the most water. most water. This project will benefitThis project will benefit mothers who clean using paper towels.mothers who clean using paper towels.

Form A Hypothesis

•A hypothesis is a clear statement about what you think will happen based on research, observations and things you already know.•A hypothesis is an educated guess.Example:

•I believe a frozen tennis ball will bounce higher than a room temperature tennis ball because…..•I believe acid rain will cause plants to grow more slowly than tap water because….

MaterialsMaterials You should make a list of You should make a list of allall materials materials

used in your experiment.used in your experiment. The list should be The list should be exactly what you used, exactly what you used,

how many, what kind, how much, what how many, what kind, how much, what color, specific brand,etc. Must be color, specific brand,etc. Must be numbered.numbered.

Example:Example:1. 12 lima bean seeds1. 12 lima bean seeds2. 12 Duracell batteries size AA2. 12 Duracell batteries size AA3. 5 Liters of cold tap water3. 5 Liters of cold tap water4. 12 10cm pieces of balsa wood4. 12 10cm pieces of balsa wood

Performing Your ExperimentPerforming Your ExperimentPROCEDUREPROCEDURE

►A step-by-step account of everything you did from start to finish.

►You will record everything you do, including measurements, how you built or constructed something.

Performing Your ExperimentPerforming Your ExperimentPROCEDUREPROCEDURE

► All measurements should be precise.All measurements should be precise.► Conditions should be the same for Conditions should be the same for all all trials.trials.► You will have a You will have a control groupcontrol group and a and a variable variable

groupgroup..►You will photograph your experiment using You will photograph your experiment using

a digital camera or disposable camera.a digital camera or disposable camera.►You must have 20 photos and you You must have 20 photos and you maymay notnot

be in 5 of the photos, these go on the show be in 5 of the photos, these go on the show board. board.

►15 photos should show you conducting your 15 photos should show you conducting your experiment.experiment.

RESULTS/Recording DataRESULTS/Recording Data► Your data should be collected and recorded in a table as soon Your data should be collected and recorded in a table as soon

as you get results, this will vary depending on your project.as you get results, this will vary depending on your project.► You will use the metric system to take measurementsYou will use the metric system to take measurements..► Examples:Examples:

MetersMeters CentimetersCentimeters SecondsSeconds LitersLiters MillilitersMilliliters GramsGrams KilogramsKilograms DO NOT USE INCHES, FEET, CUPS, POUNDSDO NOT USE INCHES, FEET, CUPS, POUNDS

DATA TABLEDATA TABLETRIALSTRIALS ControlControl VariableVariable

11 6 m6 m 8m8m

22 7m7m 7m7m

33 4m4m 9m9m

44 5.5m5.5m 7m7m

55 6m6m 11m11m

66 8m8m 9m9m

77 7.5m7.5m 8m8m

88 4m4m 12m12m

99 7m7m 10m10m

1010 5m5m 8m8m

1111 9m9m 9m9m

1212 4.5m4.5m 8m8m

Results/GraphsResults/Graphs

Organize your data using graphs and Organize your data using graphs and TablesTables created on the computer. created on the computer.

You must have 1 table, 1 bar graph You must have 1 table, 1 bar graph and 1 line graph.and 1 line graph.

RESULTS PARAGRAPH: Your findings in RESULTS PARAGRAPH: Your findings in paragraph form. You will be given a paragraph form. You will be given a fill-in-the –blank handout for this.fill-in-the –blank handout for this.

Each of these will be placed on your Each of these will be placed on your showboard.showboard.

Results Paragraph

You will given an fill-in-the-blank paragraph to record your results.

ConclusionConclusion

Your conclusion will be in the form of a Your conclusion will be in the form of a paragraph.paragraph.

It will state whether or not your results It will state whether or not your results support your hypothesis.support your hypothesis.

EXAMPLE: My results did support my EXAMPLE: My results did support my hypothesis. The rain water caused the hypothesis. The rain water caused the plants to grow higher than the tap plants to grow higher than the tap water. water.

ABSTRACT-1 Paragraph

An abstract is an overview of your project that includes:

1. Purpose (copied exactly)

2. Hypothesis (copied exactly)

3. Procedure (summary)

4. Results Paragraph (copied exactly)

5. Conclusion Paragraph (copied exactly)

This will go on your show board.

Show BoardShow Board

THE THE VERY LASTVERY LAST THING YOU WILL THING YOU WILL DO IS ASSEMBLE YOUR DO IS ASSEMBLE YOUR INFORMATION ON YOU INFORMATION ON YOU SHOWBOARD.SHOWBOARD.

The following slide shows how The following slide shows how your show board should be your show board should be arranged. Remember, it should arranged. Remember, it should be nice and neat. Times New be nice and neat. Times New Roman or Arial font only.Roman or Arial font only.

TITLE

PROBLEM

HYPOTHESIS

MATERIALS

PROCEDURE

RESULTS

ABSTRACT

BAR GRAPH

LINE

GRAPH

TABLE

P P

(BAR) (LINE)

CONCLUSION

PURPOSE