Mentor Training #2 November 21st, 2013

Forming an Experiment

Science Fair in 5 months!

Forming Testable Questions• A question should be testable or

can be answered by experimentation

• What can you discover by performing your experiment?

• Example: What is the effect of exercise on heart rate?

Forming Testable Questions (cont.)

• Once you find a general topic that interests you, write down the question.

• A scientific question begins with: How, What, When, Who, Which, Why, or Where

• Ex. If you are interested in robots, your question might be "How much current does a robot's arm use to lift a weight?"

Forming Testable Questions (cont.)

• A "fair test”: change only one factor (variable) and keep all other conditions the same.

• If you cannot design a fair test, then change your question.

Forming Testable Questions (cont.)

• Your science fair project question should involve factors or traits that you can numerically measure or identifyo Ex.: count, percentage, length, width,

weight, voltage, velocity, energy, time, etc.

o Easy to identify:color and smell

Forming Testable Questions (cont.)

• The experiment should measure changes to the important factors (variables)

o One easy change would be the presence versus the absence of a variable

• Do not choose an experiment where you can not measure the results!!!

Questions to avoid• Any topic that is based on a simple

preference or taste comparison.

• Topics that are difficult to make or repeat

• Topics that involves dangerous, hard to find, expensive, or illegal materials.

How to Form a Hypothesis• A hypothesis is an educated guess about

how things work. • Basic structure: "If _____[I do this]

_____, then _____[this]_____ will happen." (Fill in the blanks with the appropriate information from your own experiment.)

o Sometimes a hypothesis will also include a “because” statement at the end

How to Form a Hypothesis (cont.)• Your hypothesis should be a

testable hypothesis.

• In other words, you need to be able to measure both "what you do" and "what will happen."

How to Form a Hypothesis (cont.)• Independent variable - the variable that

is changed by the scientist. • Dependent variable - the variable the

scientist observes.o Changes in the dependent variable depend on

changes in the independent variable.

• Controlled variables are quantities that a scientist wants to remain constant throughout the experiment.

Examples of variables: • The Testable Question: Does heating a cup

of water allow it to dissolve more sugar?

• Independent Variable: Temperature of the water (Measured in degrees Centigrade).

• Dependent Variable: Amount of sugar that dissolves completely (Measured in grams). “this is the data you get”

• Controlled Variables: Stirring, Type of sugar (variables that are same)

How to Form a Hypothesis (cont.)• Hypothesis: "If a particular independent variable

is changed, then there is also a change in a certain dependent variable."

• Null Hypothesis: “If a particular independent variable is changed, then there will not be a change in a certain dependent variable." Therefore the IV had no effect on the outcome of the experiments

• Remember, you must be able to measure the variables in the hypothesis for it to be testable.

Project Ideas• All experiments must be approved by Mrs.

Bandrowski before experimentation. If there are further questions, contact us at:

• admin@mvsciencealliance.org

• AND Mrs. Bandrowski at

• L.Bandrowski@mvsciencealliance.org• • In the subject line put:o “SA Project Procedure & Materials” if seeking approval

for projecto “SA Project Materials Request” if seeking to borrow

materials.

Project idea sites:

• http://pbskids.org/dragonflytv/scifair/index.html

• http://www.tryscience.org/experiments/experiments_home.html

• Also, look in the mentor binder for additional idea sites.

Experimental Procedure • A Procedure is a NUMBERED list of steps

INCLUDING safety equipment steps (goggles, parental supervision, etc.) you must need to perform experiment.

o Tell how you will change your independent variable and how you will measure that change.

o Tell how you will measure the resulting change in the dependent variable.

Experimental Procedure (cont.)• If applicable, explain how the controlled

variables will be maintained at a constant value.

• Specify number of trials to verify that your results are accurate and able to be reproduced.

• To be scientifically valid, an experiment should have a minimum of 3 trials, preferably more

Background Research• Buddies always do background

research BEFORE writing the procedure

• Then they should write a BRIEF 1-2 page summary on what they learned

• This is the HARDEST part of the project

Background Research• As a mentor, you need to:• -google your buddy’s testable

question• -email 5 sites to the buddy• You do not, however, need to write

the background report for your buddy (although you should definitely help them with it!)

Background Research• A good reference is informative, yet

easy for a buddy to understand

• It should relate to your buddy’s testable question

• A good reference can be a link at the bottom of the page from Wikipedia

Background Research• If you can’t find enough information,

encourage your buddy to find it in books, magazines, etc.

• (from libraries/bookstores and/or teachers/school librarians)

• Remember to make sure that the buddy uses his/her own words and does not copy/paste information

Research Notebook• The research notebook should read like

a diary from the beginning to the end of the project including: dates, times, thoughts, and processes.

• o Should contain all experimental forms

including those for hazardous material, bacteria, etc.

o The notebook should contain all materials, procedures, research, and data.

Research Notebook (cont.)• Your buddy must have their

research notebook at all the buddy meetings and during all experimentation.

• Encourage your buddies to use complete sentences and data tables in their research notebook.

Reminders: Emails Make sure you email your buddy at

least once a week! Don’t forget to CC communications, your

mentor trainer, and the buddy’s parent

If they don’t reply, CALL them