Mentor Training #2 November 21 st, 2013 Forming an Experiment Science Fair in 5 months!
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Transcript of Mentor Training #2 November 21 st, 2013 Forming an Experiment Science Fair in 5 months!
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Mentor Training #2 November 21st, 2013
Forming an Experiment
Science Fair in 5 months!
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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?
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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?"
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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.
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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
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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!!!
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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.
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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
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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."
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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.
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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)
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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.
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Project Ideas• All experiments must be approved by Mrs.
Bandrowski before experimentation. If there are further questions, contact us at:
• AND Mrs. Bandrowski at
• [email protected]• • In the subject line put:o “SA Project Procedure & Materials” if seeking approval
for projecto “SA Project Materials Request” if seeking to borrow
materials.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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!)
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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