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20102010

American SchoolAmerican SchoolScience FairScience Fair

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Scientific MethodScientific Method

What is the scientific method?

It is a step by step process that

scientists use to help solveproblems and test new ideas.

Who can use the scientific

method?

Anyone including you!

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Scientific MethodScientific Method Define theproblemor question.

Gather information or research.

Form a hypothesis.

Experiment using materials and aprocedure .

Make observations and analyzedata and results.

State a conclusion.

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ProblemProblem 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!

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ResearchResearch

What if the tissue used isnt verystrong?

Are more expensive tissues stronger

because they cost more?What make a tissue strong?

Which brand of tissue is the

strongest?

Since it is flu season, we know thateveryone is being very careful about germs.We can observe our classmates sneezing,coughing, and blowing their noses. These

questions might come into our heads:

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Problem: TissueProblem: Tissue

StrengthStrength

KleenexDr. FreshScotts

Which facial tissue brandis the strongest?

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ResearchResearchEach one of these sets of facial tissues come in a different

container and contain a different amount of tissues.

Both the Dr. Fresh and Scotts brand are 2-ply or doublelayered. The Kleenex brand has 3 layers so we mustremove 1 layer to keep them the all two layers.

Dont forget to tell where the research came from(Bibliography page).http://www.kleenex.com/NA/About/Default.aspx

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HypothesisHypothesis This is what you think will happen in your

experiment before you do it!

An educatedGUESS 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 tissuewill be the strongest.

I think that because _______________________.

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ExperimentExperiment

Now we have our question and ourhypothesis, we need a way to test

it. To prove whether we are wrongor right.

We need to develop a prodecure

and a list ofmaterials.

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MaterialsMaterials

This is a list of all the things youused during your experiment.

Be sure to includequantities/amounts Examples: 10drops, 5 mL, 6 pairs

DONT include items you used foryour display board!

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ProcedureProcedure

This is the What to do? part

Step by step instructions on how

you did your experiment

Examples:

First ISecond I

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Data/ResultsData/Results

This is what you discovered during theexperiment. 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)!

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Bar GraphsBar Graphs

1. Title: Give your chart a name (ex.Facial Tissue Strength)

2. X- axis (horizontal line): Brands and

Trails3. 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.

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ConclusionConclusion

This is the Now what do youthink? part.

You should use your data/results toexplain if your hypothesis wasright or wrong.

Its okay if got different resultsthan you expected!

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Other Important PartsOther Important Parts

Purpose

Constants

Variables

Retest

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PurposePurpose

This is basically yourproblem/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?

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Constants andConstants and

VariablesVariablesConstants -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.

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Examples for ourExamples for our

ExperimentExperiment

Constants:

Plastic cup

Number of water dropsRubber band

Marbles

Variables:Brand of facial Tissue

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RetestRetestMany times scientists find out that their

hypothesis is wrong and they learn evenmore from being wrong than right.

They have to go back and retest using adifferent variable to see if they get thedesired results.

What could we do to our experiment to getbetter or more desirable results?

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Display Board TipsDisplay 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 writevery neatly)!

Used color paper to mountyour written sections ifyour display board is white.

Dont use too many colors ortypes of fonts.

Use as many pictures,charts, tables, and graphs asyou can.

Plan out where you want toplace things before you gluethem down.

Rubber Cement works betterthan regular glue especially

if you have to move partsaround.