Topic, Title, Testable Question and Purpose

1. Topic, Title, Testable Question and Purpose Science Fair Project 2011-2012

2. Project Topic • For your project you want to choose a topic that interests you. • Scientific Category • Physics (study of motion, energy, etc) • Chemistry (science of matter • Life sciences (study of live organisms like plants, animals, human beings) • Earth Science (study of earth) • Biology (zoology, botany, and human biology) • You need to choose a problem to solve. • A Science Fair Project IS NOT: • A list of things. • A collection of related or unrelated objects. • A report not supported by data or an experiment • A model, illustration, or piece of equipment unrelated to an experiment (example Volcano)

3. Title/ Testable Question • This should be the header at the top of your display boards. • Your title can be your testable question. • Research Question: The research question is the single most important part of the scientific method. Every part of your project is done to answer this question. The research question is sometimes formed as a statement and is called the "Problem" or "Problem Statement." • How can we recognize a testable question? • Can be answered by an investigation • Allows for collection and analysis of quantitative (a good amount of information) and/or qualitative data (good quality) • Can be tested with age appropriate supplies and equipment. • Is not answered with “yes” or “no” or by explanations in books • Does not ask how to perform a skill.

4. Practice sheet Testable & Not Testable Questions • Which material is the best insulator? • Why does weathering happen on Earth? • Why do you measure the density of objects? • How do different bridge structures stand up in earthquakes? • How does force affect motion? • How do I measure distance? • Why does motion speed up or slow down?

5. Answer Key • Which material is the best insulator? • Testable – You can improve the question by stating the materials you will be testing (metal, wood, plastic, etc…) • Why does weathering happen on Earth? • Not Testable – something you can look up or research • Why do you measure the density of objects? • Not Testable – you can answer this through research • How do different bridge structures stand up in earthquakes? • Testable – You can improve the question by being specific about the types of bridge structures you want to test • How does force affect motion? • Not Testable – You can research this or read about this in a scientific book or textbook – You could test this if the question was re-worded to test different kinds of materials or a push/pull investigation • Why does motion speed up or slow down? • Not Testable How do I measure distance? Not Testable

6. Example of Testable Question • Be specific with your question! • Which detergent works best? What detergent and works best means what? A better question would be: Which laundry detergent, Tide, Cheer or Surf, will remove the greatest amount of the oil stain? • Stay away from statements like best, better, most, some, and other non-measurable units. Make your question specific and easy to understand by the reader.

7. Statement of Purpose • What do you want to learn? What problem do you want to solve? What is the reason your doing this project? Example: I am doing this project because I want to know which soap will work the best so we don’t spend our money on soap that doesn’t work effectively.

8. Our Science Fair Project Ideas • http://www.easy-science-fair-projects.net/primary-science-fair-project.html • Science Fair Project Ideas • http://www.easy-kids-science-experiments.com/science-experiments-elementary.html • Battery Power • http://www.freesciencefairproject.com/projects/battery_power.html • Plant Growth with Detergents • http://www.freesciencefairproject.com/projects/plants_detergents.html • Artificial Light vs Sun light • http://www.freesciencefairproject.com/projects/artificial_sunlight.html • Which dish soap creates the most bubbles? • http://www.bocachristian.org/php/_pages/scienceproject.php?project=111211 • Science Fair Project Ideas • http://roosevelt.osd.wednet.edu/students/science_fair

9. Topics to choose from… • Which brand of diaper holds the most water? • Which brand of soap produces the most bubbles? • Which brand of diaper holds the most water? • What materials provide the best insulation? • Do detergents affect plant growth? • Which battery lasts the longest

10. Do you homework • The Internet is likely to be your best resource when selecting and researching your topic. You can use the many search engines available to find information. • THESE ARE GREAT SITES! • http://www.scifair.org/dr.shawns4fundamentalrules.html • http://www.all-science-fair-projects.com/ • http://www.kathimitchell.com/scifair.htm • http://www.scienceproject.com/projects/index/elementary.asp • http://school.discoveryeducation.com/sciencefaircentral/Getting-Started.html • http://www.juliantrubin.com/sitemap.html • http://members.ozemail.com.au/~macinnis/scifun/projects.htm#N42 • Whatever you do, don't forget about your local library. The Web generally contains only general information. If you want to get into the advanced details of some subject, textbooks written by world experts are by far the best references. Also, if you want to look up any research papers you find referenced in your study material you will probably have to head into the stacks to find them.

11. References that helped me  • http://www.freesciencefairproject.com/projects/battery_power.html • http://roosevelt.osd.wednet.edu/students/science_fair • Science Fair “How to Packet” Forest Park Elementary.2009.