**SCIENCE FAIR HELPFUL HINTS **

CONTENTS
Science Fair Hot Line
Scientific Method
Ask a Question
Create a Hypothesis
Make a Plan & Test Your Hypothesis
Results
Conclusion
Glossary of Terms
Types of Projects

SCIENCE FAIR HELP DATES: Spectrum of Science will be offering Science Fair workshops in Walnut Creek, Livermore and Danville. Be sure to check back for dates or call 925.820.2415.

SCIENCE FAIR HOT LINE: Every Monday & Wednesday from now to January 1, 2007, 6pm to 8pm call Miss Amy at 925.820.2415. I will help you brainstorm ideas for your project. I will not create your program but will help you come up a great idea and get started.

WHAT IS THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD?

The Scientific Method is a process for experimentation that is used to answer questions and explore observations. Scientists use an experiment to search for cause and effect relationships in nature. In other words, they design an experiment so that changes to one item cause something else to vary in a predictable way. These changing quantities are called variables. Variables are a key element of the scientific method.

Ask a Question: What is it that you are trying to achieve? Explain why you selected the project. You will answer the question by conducting an experiment. The question should not be asked in the form of a yes/no question.

Bad question: Does a 2 liter bottle of coke explode when Mentos are added?

Good question: What happens when Mentos are added to a 2 litter bottle of Coke?

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Create a Hypothesis: A hypothesis is an educated guess or prediction as to what will happen when you test your question. After having thoroughly researched your topic, you should create a prediction about what you think will happen in your experiment. You should state your hypothesis in a way that you can readily measure. Your experiment will prove or disprove your hypothesis. You do not need to know the answer to your question to ask it!! You do not have to prove your question correct. We learn lots from finding out your question was incorrect. The important thing is to use the Scientific Method and good science.

Bad Example: The coke bottle will blow up.

Good Example: I think the 2 litter coke bottle will explode, sending coke and plastic pieces all over the place!

Make a Plan & Test Your Hypothesis: In this step you will create and do your experiment. Plan carefully how you will test your hypothesis to prove or disprove your question. Create and write down the procedure for testing the hypothesis. This involves changing one variable and measuring the impact that this change has on other variables. When you are conducting your experiment, you need to make sure that you are only measuring the impact of a single change. Scientists run experiments more than once to verify that results are consistent. Each time that you perform your experiment is called a run or a trial.

• What will be manipulated?
• What are the variables?
• What are your controls?
• What tools are you going to use in your test?
• Plan the tests, how many test will you do?
• How are you going to record your results? Be sure to record all results on your science log/data sheet.

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Example:

• What will be manipulated? The coke will be manipulated by adding different substances to see the reaction.
• Variables: Mentos, Pixi Sticks, Salt, Life Savers
• Control: Coke
• Tools: tablespoon, 4-8 oz plastic cups, 4~2 liters bottles of coke, science log, pen
• Tests: I will perform 4 tests by adding a different variable to each coke and recording the results.

Remember if you create gold and no one else can repeat your experiment and verify your results ~ no Noble Peace Prize & no money!

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Results: Explain what happened during the tests. Chart & graph the results. Tell the audience what happened! Does your result prove or disprove your hypothesis?

Conclusion: This is your opportunity to explain the meaning of your results. Did your experiment support your hypothesis? Does additional research need to be conducted? How did your experiment address your initial question and purpose? What can you count on happening again if someone else does a similar experiment? Prepare your display board.

HAVE FUN & LET THE LEARNING BEGIN!!!

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

Variable: A factor which can change during an experiment
Hypothesis: An idea or statement that must be tested before it can be stated as fact
Controls: The factor which does not change during an experiment
Run/Trial: Each time that you perform your experiment
Cause & Effect: Cause and effect is the relationship between two things when one thing makes something else happen.

TYPES OF PROJECTS

COLLECTIONS: A collection is several things grouped together, described and identified by their proper names. Examples include rocks, butterflies, cereals, coins

EXPERIMENT: The act of conducting a controlled test or investigation; a series of actions carried out to test a theory, demonstrate a fact or find out what happens; Each experiment should have a "control" for comparison so that you can see what the change actually did.

INVENTION: the creation of something resulting from study and experimentation; A new idea or thing

MODEL: A mock up of a real item to show the complete parts or how it works

OBSERVATION: A study of a specific topic and the changes that occur over time; patterns are looked for and described

Don't forget to call the Science Fair Hot Line with questions! 925.820.2415

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925.820.2415
AmyBeth@Spectrumofscience.com