How to Do a Science How to Do a Science Fair ProjectFair Project

Ms. MatthewsMs. Matthews

Purple House SciencePurple House Science

Pick A TopicPick A Topic

You can choose to do a science fair You can choose to do a science fair project on many different topics, although project on many different topics, although it makes the most sense to pick it makes the most sense to pick something in which you are interested.something in which you are interested.

My Topic:My Topic:

CHROMATOGRAPHYCHROMATOGRAPHY

MaterialsMaterials One black permanent penOne black permanent pen Four black water soluble Four black water soluble

penspens Container full of waterContainer full of water Several sheets of paperSeveral sheets of paper Small glasses or plastic Small glasses or plastic

containerscontainers Isopropyl rubbing alcoholIsopropyl rubbing alcohol PencilsPencils Scotch TapeScotch Tape One pair of scissorsOne pair of scissors

ProcedureProcedure 1.1. Cut several coffee filters into Cut several coffee filters into

long strips, one strip per pen.long strips, one strip per pen.

2.2. Fold the end of each strip Fold the end of each strip over then staple it to form a over then staple it to form a loop.loop.

3.3. Place a dot of ink near the Place a dot of ink near the bottom of each strip. Use a bottom of each strip. Use a pencil to identify which strip pencil to identify which strip belongs to which pen.belongs to which pen.

4.4. Poke a pencil through one of the Poke a pencil through one of the loops you just made. Use the loops you just made. Use the pencil to suspend the strip in a pencil to suspend the strip in a small glass or container.small glass or container.

Procedure (continued)Procedure (continued)

5.5. Carefully add water to the glass until it reaches the bottom of the Carefully add water to the glass until it reaches the bottom of the paper strip just below the ink dot. Be sure the ink stays above the paper strip just below the ink dot. Be sure the ink stays above the water and the paper stays in the water.water and the paper stays in the water.

6.6. Allow the water to soak up the strip and watch what happens to the Allow the water to soak up the strip and watch what happens to the ink drop.ink drop.

7.7. If the ink you are testing does not spread out, re-test it using If the ink you are testing does not spread out, re-test it using rubbing alcohol.rubbing alcohol.

8.8. Repeat this process for each strip and compare your results. Repeat this process for each strip and compare your results.

9.9. Let the strips dry and tape them on a sheet of paper as a record of Let the strips dry and tape them on a sheet of paper as a record of the different pen types.the different pen types.

It’s Your Turn!It’s Your Turn!What is your Science Fair question?What is your Science Fair question?

HypothesisHypothesis

What is your hypothesis? (This should be What is your hypothesis? (This should be based on the research you have done.)based on the research you have done.)

MaterialsMaterials

The Right WayThe Right Way Five 10 cm test tubesFive 10 cm test tubes Two 250-mL beakersTwo 250-mL beakers One stopwatch One stopwatch 20 disposable 20 disposable

pipettespipettes Two 100-mL Two 100-mL

graduated cylindersgraduated cylinders Two liters of tap Two liters of tap

waterwater

The Wrong WayThe Wrong Way

Test tubesTest tubes

BeakersBeakers

Wall ClockWall Clock

Plastic droppersPlastic droppers

Tall graduated cylindersTall graduated cylinders

Some waterSome water