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Identifying a Problem Forming a hypothesis Designing and Performing Experiments Collecting and Analyzing Data Formulating Conclusions about the Hypothesis
You can find many different opinions on exactly what the scientific method is so, get help from your teacher for the guidelines you should follow for your science fair project. Put this Scientific Project Flow Chart on your website. or Print out this free 8-1/2" by 11" PDF poster version for your class. The scientific method is a guideline for investigating scientific and technical problems. Scientists and engineers are formally trained in a scientific method but every person will modify the guidelines for their own work. When developing your science fair project keep an open mind. If you are doing an experimental research project there is most likely a project process that you must follow. A key objective is for you to correctly apply the scientific method within your project process. The outline presented here is a common project process that incorporates the scientific method. If you are using this outline for a school project, first show it to your teacher to get approval.
6. Test the Hypothesis 7. Analyze the Results 8. Formulate and Report Conclusions
After you do your research you may want to restate your question in a better way. Examples: Does the amount of food given to a certain plant effect the growth of that plant? Can one size solar panel do the work of any batteries? [back to top list]
4. Develop a Hypothesis
Now that you have done your research, develop a hypothesis. A hypothesis is a prediction. What is your prediction of the answer to your question? What do you think will happen? Guess at what the answer to your question will be. This is not a mystery. You have educated yourself on the topic and by now you should be able to make a guess at the answer based on your learning. This is also called an "Educated Guess". Examples of hypothesis statements: I predict that a plant that does not get enough water will die. I predict that the same one solar panel can be used to replace AA and C cell batteries but not D cell batteries. [back to top list]
3 tested with the recommended amount of water (control group) 3 tested with too much water 9 battery operated items total tested with a solar panel 3 that use 2 AA cell batteries 3 that use 2 C cell batteries 3 that use 2 D cell batteries [back to top list]
The Scientific Method is a series of steps that scientist and science students go through to answer scientific questions and solve problems. Sometimes the steps are done in order, but more often the order changes depending on their results. Look at this diagram or figure 10 on page 13 of your Red book. This shows a flowchart of the step of the scienfic method. You are going to create your own Scientific Method flowchart. It should NOT look just like this one, however, it should have all the same steps and same relationships shown by arrows. (in other words, don't copy it).
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3. Using the symbols and by connecting symbols, recreate your own Scientific Method flowchart similar, but not the same as the sample in the book. All of the steps and arrows should be the same. 4. Once you have your flowchart completed, you can add pictures to enhance it.