2010

American School
Science Fair
 Scientific Method
What is the scientific method?

It is a step by step process that

scientists use to help solve
problems and test new ideas.

Who can use the scientific

method?

Anyone including you!

 Scientific Method
 Define the problem or question.
 Gather information or research.
 Form a hypothesis.
 Experiment using materials and a
procedure .
 Make observations and analyze
data and results.
 State a conclusion.
 Problem
 We need to pick something to do
our project on - (Topic)
 It HAS TO BE A QUESTION!!
-SPECIFIC QUESTIONS
-NOT SOMETHING YOU ALREADY
KNOW THE ANSWER TO!
 Research
Since it is flu season, we know that
everyone is being very careful about germs.
We can observe our classmates sneezing,
coughing, and blowing their noses. These
questions
•Whatmightif thecome into
tissue our heads:
used isn’t very
strong?
•Are more expensive tissues stronger
because they cost more?
•What make a tissue strong?
•Which brand of tissue is the
strongest?
 Problem: Tissue
Strength
Which facial tissue brand
is the strongest?
 Kleenex
 Dr.Fresh
 Scott’s
 Research
 Each one of these sets of facial tissues come in a different
container and contain a different amount of tissues.
 Both the Dr. Fresh and Scott’s brand are 2-ply or double
layered. The Kleenex brand has 3 layers so we must
remove 1 layer to keep them the all two layers.
Don’t forget to tell where the research came from
(Bibliography page).
http://www.kleenex.com/NA/About/Default.aspx
 Hypothesis
 This is what you think will happen in your
experiment before you do it!

 An educated GUESS using prior knowledge

- THIS MUST BE TESTABLE!
- SOMETHING YOU CAN PROVE:
TRUE (right) OR FALSE (wrong).

Example:
“I think/ I believe that the ___ brand of facial tissue
will be the strongest.”
“I think that because _______________________.”
 Experiment
Now we have our question and our
hypothesis, we need a way to test
it. To prove whether we are wrong
or right.
We need to develop a prodecure
and a list of materials.
 Materials
 Thisis a list of all the things you
used during your experiment.
 Be sure to include
quantities/amounts Examples: 10
drops, 5 mL, 6 pairs
 DON’T include items you used for
your display board!
 Procedure
 This is the “What to do?” part
 Step by step instructions on how
you did your experiment

Examples:
First I…
Second I…
 Data/Results
 This is what you discovered during the
experiment. What you saw or observed
happen and what you wrote down.
 Use a chart, graph, table or picture to
display this.
 Be sure to report the results correctly
(just the way you recorded them)!
 Bar Graphs
1. Title: Give your chart a name (ex.
Facial Tissue Strength)
2. X- axis (horizontal line): “Brands and
Trails”
3. Y- axis (vertical line): “Number of
Marbles”
4. Plot points on the chart using the data
you recorded.
5. Draw a bar that extends out to your
plotted point.
 Conclusion
 This is the “Now what do you
think?” part.
 You should use your data/results to
explain if your hypothesis was
right or wrong.
 It’s okay if got different results
than you expected!
 Other Important Parts
 Purpose
 Constants
 Variables
 Retest
 Purpose
 This is basically your
problem/question rephrased as a
statement.
 Answer the following questions:

- Why did I do my project?

- What was the point of it?
- Why is it important to me?
 Constants and
Variables
 Constants - The parts of the
experiment that stay the same
every time (with each trial).
 Variable - This is something that
you do, that you expect will affect
the result of your experiment.
 Examples for our
Experiment
Constants:
Plastic cup
Number of water drops
Rubber band
Marbles
Variables:
Brand of facial Tissue
 Retest
Many times scientists find out that their
hypothesis is wrong and they learn even
more from being wrong than right.
They have to go back and retest using a
different variable to see if they get the
desired results.
What could we do to our experiment to get
better or more desirable results?
 Display Board Tips
 Come up with a simple and
creative title.
 Title should be front and
center at the top.
 Headings should be large
and easy to read.
 If possible type or use
stencils (otherwise write
very neatly)!
 Used color paper to mount
your written sections if
your display board is white.
 Don’t use too many colors or
types of fonts.
 Use as many pictures,
charts, tables, and graphs as
you can.
 Plan out where you want to
place things before you glue
them down.
 Rubber Cement works better
than regular glue especially
if you have to move parts
around.