How To Do A Science Project

1. How To Do A Science Project

2. Purpose • In-depth research • Learn the scientific processes (Scientific Method) • Solve Problems • Apply mathematical, writing, and communication skills

3. Experiments will include: • Project diary • Research Question • Variables • Independent/Manipulative Variable • Dependent/Responding Variable • Constant • Materials List • Directions • Predictions • Data Collection • Graph • Results Statement • Explanation • Real World Application

4. Choosing a Topic • Pick something you are interested in!! (Hobbies, sports, health, etc.). http://www.all-science-fair-projects.com/category0.html • T-Charts will help you think of ideas you can research about your topic.

5. T-Charts Cars Changes *The body shape *The weight *The length *The size of tires *Height of ramp Results *Car speed *Distance car travels off of a ramp *Force needed to pull

6. Change • Kind of soil • Direction of light • Amount of water • Amount of light • Kind of water • Fertilizer ingredients • Results • Height of plant growth • Direction plant grows • Number of leaves • Number of flowers Plants

7. Research Question • The question should read: • Does (x) have an affect on (y)? OR • What is the effect of (x) on (y)? OR • If I change (x) will it affect (y)?

8. Question Does the height of a ramp (3.5cm, 7.0cm, and 10.5cm) affect the distance a toy car will travel in centimeters from the end of the ramp?

9. Variables Independent/Manipulated Variable: (x) This is the ONE and ONLY thing you will change in your experiment. Dependent/Responding Variable: (y) • This is what will be measured based on the one change in the experiment. The height of the ramp – 3.5cm, 7.0cm, 10.5cm The distance the car travels in centimeters from the bottom of the ramp to the back wheels of the car.

10. Predictions • The height of the ramp will have no affect on the distance the car will roll. • The height of the ramp will increase the distance the car will roll. • The height of the ramp will decrease the distance the car will roll. List all possible results (no affect, increase, decrease)

11. Hypothesis • The prediction you think will be the result and why. I think that the car will roll farther when the ramp is raised higher because I know that my bicycle and wagon go faster when I ride down a hill or down the steepest part of my driveway.

12. Constant Variable (Set up conditions) • The same toy car will be used in order to keep the weight and wheel conditions constant. • The same ramp will be used to keep the length and surface constant. • The starting position of the car will remain the same. • The location in which the experiment is conducted will remain the same. • The meterstick used to measure the distance will be the same.

13. Materials List • Each material with description of number, size, amount, kind, and how each is used. Use metrics. • (1) Toy Car • (3)Blocks of wood (each 3.5cm thick) • (1)Meterstick • (1)Ramp (at least 100cm long)

14. Step-by-Step Directions Detailed directions that another person should be able to use to do your project the same way that you did it and get similar results. • Gather all materials together. • Select a smooth rolling surface to conduct experiment (counter, table, floor). • Mark a spot on the ramp that will be the starting position for the car. • Place one of the 3.5cm blocks at end of the ramp. • Place one end of the ramp on top of the 3.5cm block and aim the bottom toward the end of the rolling area.

15. Place the “0” end of the meter stick at the bottom end of the ramp. • Place the rear wheels of the car on the starting position and release it to roll down the ramp. • Measure the distance it rolled from the end of the ramp to the back wheels and write distance on data chart. • Do this 10 times. • Place one of the 3.5cm blocks on top of the other 3.5cm block creating a height of 7cm. • Follow steps 4-8. • Place the third 3.5cm block on top of the other two blocks making height of 10.5cm. • Follow steps 4-8. • Find the mean (average) of distance recorded.

16. Data Chart Distance the car rolls in centimeters Height of ramp T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 Avg. 3.5cm 7.0cm 10.5cm 89 91 94 92 91 91.4

17. Bar Graphhttp://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/index.asp

18. Results • Describe what happened in the experiment using the data from your chart. The data shows that the car rolls farther each time the ramp height was raised. The average distance at 2cm high was 25cm, at 4cm high it traveled 40cm, and at 6cm high it averaged 60cm.

19. Explanation • This statement tells why the results happened in your experiment • Discuss how your results compared to your predictions. The car rolled farther when the ramp was raised because the car experiences greater acceleration from a steeper incline (i.e. you added energy to the system by raising the ramp). The car can then go further due to the increased force. (F=ma)The results supported my hypothesis. The higher you raise the ramp, the faster and farther the car travels.

20. Real World Uses • This statement explains who in the real world might use this information, ways they might use it, when, where, why, or how they might use this information. List 3 ways, if possible.

21. Bay Point Elementary Science Fair February 10, 2011