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Topic Approval |
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Students choose a
topic to base a scientific experiment around. The topic should be
broad and something the student is truly interested in. The teacher
will review the topic and the students individual intentions to determine
if the topic will produce a quality project.
One example of a topic
is: "Flight characteristics of birds" or "Portable camping
equipment"
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Statement of Purpose |
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This should be a clear, concise,
declarative statement made to identify the precise purpose of the
investigation. Try to state the purpose in one sentence. (two at the
most)
This statement is
more specific than your topic. It
should state what you are
planning on researching.
For example " This project will
research the effects of _____________ on ______________ ."
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Rough Background Research Outline |
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Students will give three Outline
Headings that they need to research in order to set up their experiment.
These Outline Headings should come from their topic, purpose and some
preliminary research. This would be
an example of a rough outline:
I. The history of flight
II. Wing design for light
aircraft
III. Construction of model
aircraft
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Bibliography cards & corresponding
note cards |
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Students begin research and
document it with note cards. Students must have at least 6 sources and at
least 3 note cards for each of their outline headings.
BIBLIOGRAPHY CARD -
These are written on 3" x 5" index cards. Students create a Bibliography
card for each source of information they use. (Book, article etc.)
NOTE CARD - These are written on 4" x 6" index cards. Each card
should have a heading from their outline and a source number to reference
the bibliography card used as a source for those notes.
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Hypothesis |
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Students have now done some
research and have a good idea of what their experiment will be.
The Hypothesis states
the variables of your experiment and the effect you expect to have.
HYPOTHESIS EXAMPLE: "The
administration of alcohol will increase the heart rate of Daphnia when
administered." |
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Experimental Design |
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The Experimental Design is
in 4 sections that include defining the variables, Description of the
experiment, materials list, and experimental procedure.
VARIABLES - Students must
identify the independent and dependant variables in their experiment.
These should be mentioned in their hypothesis. The Independent variable is
the part of your experiment that you are changing or altering. The
dependant variable is what you are measuring during or after the
experiment.
DESCRIPTION - This is a
paragraph that summarizes what you are planning to do for your
experiment.
MATERIALS - This is a
detailed list of what you will need to complete this experiment.
Materials should be in list form but not numbered. Make sure you
give exact amounts, types, styles, etc., of each item that is needed.
All measurements should be in metric units. Someone who reads your
list should be able to exactly duplicate your experiment without using any
other resources.
PROCEDURE - This is a
numbered list telling EXACTLY how to set-up, perform, and record data for
your experiment. All techniques should be described. Someone
who reads your procedure should be able to exactly duplicate your
experiment, by just following your directions, without using any other
resources. The procedure should have a minimum of 25 steps.
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Experimental Data |
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Rough draft of report |
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Final Report |
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Completed project & Display |
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