How to

1
How to!!
Science Project
2
Remember

• No models can be entered in the fair-unless it
  explains the experiment.
• No inventions.

3
Find Something Interesting

• Choose a topic.
• Ideas can be found
• in the library
• on web sites
• in science books and magazines

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Find Something Interesting

• POSSIBLE TOPICS
• MAGNETS PLANTS
  
  SOIL
• LIQUIDS
  LIGHT FERTILIZER
• POPCORN
• WATER
• HEALTH
  BUOYANCY
• VISION
• HEART RATE
• ENERGY
  WHEELS
  
• BATTERIES
  DIFFERENT SURFACES
• BOUNCING BALLS

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LEARN ABOUT IT

• Read about your subject of interest.
• This will become your science content statement.

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YOUR PROJECT JOURNAL

• Your journal is your project.
• Begin your journal when you first begin to think
  of ideas.
• Keep adding to your journal as you work
  on your experiment.

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Form a question

• The question needs to be written this way
• What effect does x have on y?
• EXAMPLE- What effect does the type of shoe (x)
  have on a runners speed (y) ?

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AN EXAMPLE

• My interest? Magnets
• My question? What effect does the shape of a
  magnet (x) have on the number of paper clips it
  can pick up (y)?

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MAKE A PREDICTION

• What are the possible answers to your question?
• Record these PREDICTIONS in your journal.
• My predictions The horseshoe magnet will pick
  up the most paper clips.
• The round magnet will pick up the most
  paper clips.
• The bar magnet will pick up the most paper
  clips.

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MAKE AN HYPOTHESIS

• What do you think will be the MOST LIKELY result
  of your experiment?
• My hypothesis I think the SHAPE of the
  HORSESHOE magnet will effect the number of paper
  clips it can pick up.

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How will you test?

• What will you do to find out the answer to the
  question?
• Think about the materials you will need and the
  procedure you will use.
• Write all of these in your journal.

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AN EXAMPLE

• Magnet Experiment I will use a flat bar magnet,
  a round magnet and a horseshoe magnet. I will
  use small paper clips. I will hold the magnets
  above the cup of paper clips and count the number
  of clips the magnet has picked up. I will record
  the numbers in a data table. I will repeat the
  test on each magnet 10 times.

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AN EXAMPLE

• My materials list
• 1 flat bar magnet
• 1 round magnet
• 1 horseshoe magnet
• 3 paper cups
• 25 small, metal paper clips

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AN EXAMPLE

• My procedure
• Put paper clips into a cup.
• Hold a magnet 5 cm. above the cup.
• Count the number of paper clips the magnet has
  picked up.
• Repeat 10 times.
• Repeat this procedure with the other 2 magnets.

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How will you test?

• Important thoughts
• SET-UP CONDITIONS (what will you keep the same
  between tests?)

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AN EXAMPLE

• SET-UP CONDITIONS
• size of paper clips
• size of magnets
• distance the magnet is from the cup

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How will you test?

• VARIABLES
• MANIPULATED (what will you change?)
• RESPONDING (what changes as a result of the
  experiment?)

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AN EXAMPLE

• MANIPULATED VARIABLE types of magnets.
• RESPONDING VARIABLE number of paper clips picked
  up by the magnets.

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RECORD YOUR RESULTS

• Use a data table to keep track of the results of
  your tests.
• Remember to use metric measurements.
• Write in your journal how the tests went- any
  problems, changes, unexpected events?

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AN EXAMPLE
MY DATA TABLE
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GRAPH YOUR RESULTS

• Use the data from your experiment.
• Average the results for each test.
• Decide which kind of graph you need (most will be
  bar graphs- line graphs are only used when you
  are measuring growth or distance over time.)

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AN EXAMPLE
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RESULTS STATEMENT

• What did you find out? (Tell us the answer to
  your experimental question).
• Real life application/ conclusions.
• How can your results be used in the real world?
• If you could repeat this experiment, what would
  you do differently?
• Conclusion- did the data support your hypothesis?

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AN EXAMPLE

• My experiment showed there was no difference
  between the shape of the magnets and their
• ability to lift paperclips.
• This information could be used in businesses that
  use magnets- they can use the shape that fits
  best in their machines.

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AN EXAMPLE

• If I do this experiment again, I will put the
  magnets at a 10 cm. height to see if there is a
  difference in attraction.
• In conclusion, my experiment does not support my
  hypothesis.

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DISPLAY BOARD

• Must contain all parts and include the project
  diary (the judges really do read them)
• Check for errors misspellings, punctuation, etc.
• You may include photographs, diagrams and
  illustrations. Decorative border adds to
  appearance.

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DISPLAY BOARD

• Student name and teacher name MUST be on the BACK
  of the board.
• Pictures should not show you.

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JUDGING

• A rubric is used to determine a score for each
  project.
• You will be given an opportunity to defend your
  project to the judges.
• The judges will be science students from Osceola
  High School.

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JUDGING
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PROJECT BOARD DESIGN
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WHERE TO GET MORE INFO

• Ask your teacher for suggestions or see Mrs.
  Mangold.
• Visit the library- great books
• Visit Mrs. Mangolds web site for connections to
  cool project ideas.