Robert E. Willis Elementary School

1. Robert E. Willis Elementary School Science Fair Project Fall, 2013

2. The Scientific Method • Problem • Research • Hypothesis • Materials • Procedure • Results • Conclusion

3. Problem To receive full credit for this section, the problem should be correctly stated and the experiment to be performed will be apparent. Using our example experiment comparing the effectiveness of styrofoam, plastic, glass, and paper in keeping water cold, the problem should be stated like this: Which material will keep water coldest? Let’s find out by recording the temperature of water in styrofoam, plastic, glass, and paper cups.

4. Research To receive full credit for this section, your research should be highly relevant and summarized in your own words. • Use at least two reference sources. Be prepared to site them, if asked. • Write at least ten sentences • Use your own words • Make sure your sentences are relevant and on topic • Write factual information, not narrative or opinion

5. Hypothesis To receive full credit for this section, the hypothesis should be supported by an explanation citing research. Using our example experiment comparing the effectiveness of styrofoam, plastic, glass, and paper in keeping water cold, the hypothesis might be stated something like this: Based on my research on insulators, the styrofoam will keep the water cold most effectively because a styrofoam type material is a common component in commercially made insulation.

6. Materials To receive full credit for this section, you should provide a comprehensive list of materials in an easy to follow numbered list. Using our example experiment comparing the effectiveness of styrofoam, plastic, glass, and paper in keeping water cold, the materials list might look something like this: 4 cups of cold water 12 ice cubes stopwatch or timer 4 cups – styrofoam, plastic, glass, paper 4 thermometers record sheet

7. Variables Variables are what affect an experiment. There are three types of variables that you will see in your experiment: • Independent variable – the variable that is purposely changed (styrofoam, plastic, glass, paper) • Dependent variable – the variable that is observed that may change in response to the independent variable (temperature) • Controlled variables – the variables that are not changed (location, time, amount of water, number of ice cubes, type of thermometer)

8. To receive full credit for this section, your procedure should include evidence of your controls and where you repeated your experiment to support your results. Each step should be numbered and clear enough to be followed by another student scientist. Gather the materials and find a large workspace. Check and record the room temperature of your work area. Measure 1 cup of cold water and 3 ice cubes of the same size into each of the styrofoam, paper, glass, and plastic cups. Check the temperature of each cup of water. They should all be the same. Record the starting temperature on your record sheet. Set the timer or stopwatch for 15 minutes. Avoid handling the cups so your body temperature doesn’t effect the temperature of the water. After 15 minutes, record the water temperature again. Continue to check and record the water temperature in fifteen minute intervals until the ice has melted in each water sample. Empty then refill the cups with new cold water and ice cubes to begin the experiment again so as to confirm your results. This experiment should be completed at least three times. Procedure

9. Results To receive full credit for this section, your results should be presented in three ways: • well labeled, informative graphs that are easy to read • tables showing the data used for the graph • written summary explaining your results

10. Conclusion To receive full credit for this section, your conclusion should cite the results of your experiment as well as explain any possible applications of the results. Using our example experiment comparing the effectiveness of styro- foam, plastic, glass, and paper in keeping water cold, the conclusion might look something like this: My hypothesis that the styrofoam cup would keep the water the coldest for the longest amount of time was incorrect. As you can see from my results, the water in the glass stayed above room temperature for 1.5 hours while the closest other material, the paper, was only 1.25 hours. An application for these results is that from now on I am going to drink my beverages in a glass rather than a paper, plastic, or styrofoam cup.

11. If Results Don’t Support the Hypothesis • Do Not: • change the hypothesis • leave out experimental results that do not support your hypothesis • Do: • give possible reasons for the difference between your hypothesis and the experiment results • give ways that you can experiment further to find a solution to the problem.

12. The Display Board* Problem Graphs Tables Pictures (optional) Procedure Results Conclusion Research Hypothesis Materials *You must be able to fold and lay your display board flat.

13. THE FOLLOWING ITEMS MAY NOT BE DISPLAYED. • Any living organisms • Anything or part of anything that was once living • Human or animal food • Soil or waste samples • Liquids in any type of container • Dry ice of anything similar • Sharp items • Flames or anything flammable • Empty tanks • Any type of glass item or container • Batteries with open tops • Anything that prevents the board from being folded flat.

14. Good Luck!Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions you may have. Mrs. Bradl Room 1-125 bradla@manateeschools.net 941.316.8245 X2021