The Scientific Method

How to work on a Science Fair Project

Topic:

• Something you are interested in and can investigate yourself

Purpose:

• Describes what you want to learn

Research:

• Before beginning the experiment, find out some background information about your topic. Some places to look might include, encyclopedias, textbooks, science magazines, library books on your topic, newspapers and interviews.

Problem:

• Your purpose in the form of a question

Hypothesis:

• What you think will happen when you do the experiment and why

Materials:

• A specific list, that includes the metric unit of measurement or sizes of all the items you will need to do your investigation

Sample size or number of trials

Variables Held Constant

• All things that must be kept the SAME in your investigation

Experimental or Manipulated Variable:

• The one thing that you will CHANGE when you are testing

Control:

• A group that is NOT TESTED with the experimental variable

Procedure:

• Step by step directions for your investigation

Observations/Data:

• Measurements and observations you record on a chart or table

Results:

• Observations/data that is analyzed and presented in graphs or photographs

Conclusions:

• What was learned from the investigation/experiment; does the data/observation support the hypothesis; why or why not?

Plan for further Research:

• Extension of the project, changes for future testing, any new questions that arise.