The Science Fair
How do I go from this?
to
that?
Getting Started
Science Fair
The Science Fair
Remember, your classmates are a great resource. Bounce ideas off of each other.
Starting Out
Choosing a Topic – Start with Some Observations
Choosing a Topic – What interests you?
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A Model, Display or Collection
An Experiment
Types of Science Projects
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Testable Question
Not A Testable Question
Testable Questions
Now you try. Sort the questions at your table into testable and not testable.
Question Sort Key
TESTABLE
How does humidity affect the growth of fungi?
How does the color of a material affect the absorption of heat?
What is the effect of color on remembering what you have read?
Which material, salt or baking soda, is better at preserving an apple?
How does temperature affect the number of chirps a cricket makes in 30 minutes?
NOT TESTABLE
What happens when I put mentos in coke?
Why do caterpillars spin cocoons?
What are the three types of rocks?
How can you make your own thermometer?
What do you need to build a hovercraft?
Been There, Done That Questions
P.S. Because of safety reasons, you also cannot grow bacteria or mold at your house! If you want to do something with bacteria or mold you will need a scientific lab to use.
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Write Your Question
Question Share
Take a white board and write down your topic and/or question.
Visit with your partner. Share your ideas. If your partner has ideas or questions write those down on your whiteboard.
Return to your seat.
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[When you understand the science behind your project it really makes your project stand out!]
Research to Hypothesis
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Background Research
Background Information Paragraph
Use the information you learned to write a paragraph about your science topic. In your paragraph explain the science behind your science fair project.
Example:
Crystals can form in a few minutes or take thousands of years to grow. All crystals are made of trillions of tiny particles called atoms. The unique shapes of crystals depends on the type of atoms that make up the crystal and the shape which the atoms make when they come together. When a substance is dissolved in a liquid, its atoms, are separated. When the water begins to evaporate the atoms come together. The shapes that the atoms make as they bond together determines the shape of the crystal that you see.
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Hypothesis
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Planning and Experimenting
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Controlled Variables
Flowers Around the House
Mr. Jones noticed that his favorite flowers were dying on one side of his house, but on the other side the flowers were alive and beautiful. He thought that the flowers were dying because they were not getting enough sunlight. Mr. Jones decided to do an experiment. He planted 4 flowers in separate flowerpots. He placed 2 of the flowerpots in full sunlight. He placed 2 of the flowerpots in the shade. He watered all of the plants three times per week. He observed the plants everyday for 2 weeks. The plants in the sun made beautiful flowers. The plants in the shade died after two weeks.
Discuss with your table:
What is the independent variable?
What is the dependent variable?
What did Mr. Jones control?
Practice with variables…
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should be listed.
Materials & Procedures
How Could These Procedures Be Better?
My question is:
How does the amount of light affect the growth of bread mold?
Procedures:
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Collect Data in a Data Charts
| Height of Plant A (no fertilizer) | Height of Plant B (5 ml of fertilizer) | Height of Plant C (10 ml of fertilizer) |
WEEK 1 | | | |
WEEK 2 | | | |
WEEK 3 | | | |
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Results and Sharing
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Graph Your Data
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Write Your Conclusion
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Make Your Display Board
Hint: Mount white paper, pictures, charts, and graphs, on colored construction paper.