Science Fair/Scientific Process
Scientific Theory
• An explanation of a set of related observations or events based upon
proven hypotheses and verified multiple times by separate groups of
researchers.
• Can be changed if new evidence is found, but are rarely completely
replaced.
• Examples: Einstein's General Theory of
Relativity, Theory of Evolution, and the Atomic
Theory
Scientific Law
• This is a statement of fact meant to explain an action or set of actions.
• It is generally accepted to be true and universal.
• They are accepted at face value based upon the fact that they have
always been observed to be true.
• Examples: Law of Gravity, Newton's Laws of
Motion, and The Laws of Thermodynamics
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r
nNijiFPtGg
Totality of the Science Fair Project
1. Journal (can be printed out or in a notebook/composition book etc.)
2. Printouts (all must be printed)
- Research paper
- Purpose/Question
- Variables
- Hypothesis
- Materials
- Procedures
- Data
- Graph
- Conclusion (7 subcategories)
- Abstract (see District SF Guide for requirements)
3. Display Board - (see SF Guide)
Journaling
Journaling is a vital part of any experiment. It is the expectation for all
future science courses through post secondary education. So we might
as well start with some good habits. Here is what you will need to
consider while you are journaling:
Journaling is an account of the lab – like a diary – you
write as you go along in the lab: how well/poor the lab
went, an informal written explanation of the data, possible
procedural errors, etc…
You need to record the time and your initials on each
entry. Remember that pictures are very helpful.
If you skip a page in your journal make a big “X” through
the page so scientists who may later replicate your lab
will know you intentionally left the page blank and will
not be able to
Recording data is one of the most important processes of
the entire lab. Most scientist use a combination of
journaling and a data chart to explain what happened
during the lab using qualitative &/or quantitative
measurements .
Journal Writing Ideas for Science Fair Projects
Retrieved from: http://www.science-fair-projects-and-more.com/how-to-writea-journal.html
7 Sep 2013. Copyright © 2010-2011.
…Daily log section: In this section of your science notebook you will keep a daily record of all the activities you have performed that
relate to your science fair project. Again, it is important not to skimp on any details. The more detailed your log is, the easier it will be
to explain and validate your work.
Begin each new entry on a fresh page and make sure to date it as well. If you have not already done so, it is important to also number
each page so you know which sections relate. Also sign each entry after you have completed it and if others have made journal entries
into your science notebook, make sure to have them sign their entries as well.
More Details on How to Write a Journal Daily Log: A detailed and well maintained logbook is an important part of keeping a
journal, especially for a science fair project and is one aspect of journal keeping that you should not ignore when learning how to write
a journal.
Your logbook will form a chronological record your science fair project and in particular your experiment or prototype testing. The
guidelines below will show you how to properly write a journal log.

Write each entry legibly in clear and understandable language using an active voice (first person) so that it is clear who is
performing the work.

Write each entry immediately after each activity you perform or observation that you make and make sure to also sign and date
each entry. And if anyone has been present while you have been carrying out your work, have them sign your entry as a witness as
well.

Record absolutely everything. Avoid skimping on details, it is all important. Also avoid the temptation to remove or disregard any
entry from your notebook. What may seem as insignificant could prove to be very useful further on.

Clearly mark and title each section also making sure to title, label and date all graphs, figures and tables. Keep track of all
computer print-outs and photographs etc, by pasting, stapling or taping them to your logbook.
Learning how to write a journal entry and properly keeping a journal for your science fair project is not only good scientific practice
but it will also allow others to follow your methodology and validate your work.
Your journal will also help you to stay organized and on track and could potentially be a project-saver, providing a ready reference just
in case you have momentarily forgotten or overlooked something crucial to your project
Now that you are ready to record in your
journal, Let’s start with the idea/question…
Identify problems or questions that can
be tested using the Scientific Process.
1. What are you interested in?
2. Is there something about your
interest that you have ever
wondered about?
For example, maybe you
love to chew gum; you
wonder how much sugar
is in a piece of
Bubblicous®…
Make an Observation
- Using one or more of your senses to gather information
and take note of what occurs
In other words, What is seen, heard, or in some other way
noticed about what’s going on in the world…
Inference:
A logical explanation of an observation that is drawn from
prior knowledge or experience…
Table 3/Student B give me an example….
So what’s your question?????
Remember you question must be testable.
How many grams of sugar is in one piece of Bubblicous®?
- testable? Yes____ No ____
- Can quantitate data be collected?
Photosynthesis Lab Question
 Let’s think of a question for the photosynthesis lab.
Since the question will be the same we can all use the
same one if you chose to accept it.
 Does the distance of the sunlight effect the rate of
photosynthesis in the Elodea plant?
 Is it testable?
 Is it a comparison?
 Will you be able to collect data?
https://www.youtube.c
om/watch?v=_7sSuhQ
1_24
Now that you have a question, inference
is not enough – you must LEARN
something about your topic. That
means…
- description of a practical need or problem to be solved
- definition of process for proposed solution
- Must have at least 3 credible sources!
Research = Big Essay 
There is a formula for writing a good essay or research paper.
A. Get organized
1. This means OUTLINING!!
2. Narrow down your research to match the length criteria.
3. Figure out the order you would like present your big ideas –
recommend THREE.
B. Collect sources!
1. You will need several
2. You will also need certain information for each in order to give
proper credit so to not plagiarize. This will be explained later…
C. Nuts and bolts of the paper:
1. Opening paragraph(s)
2. Body paragraphs (may be more than one per big idea)
A. This should be where all your big details and quotes from
your sources should be. Each big idea needs its own
section of the paper – don’t flip back-&-forth. Keep it clean
and organized.
B. Make it flow
3. Closing paragraph(s)
4. Reference/Work Cited Page (Remember at least 3 credible
sources in APA style)
THE ESSAY!
BASIC ESSAY RUBRIC
http://bmgscience.weebly.com/reading-writing.html
Don’t forget to keep Journaling!
 Take out your journals and write data and initials. You
will need to continue to work through the entire lab
process in your journals 
Variables
Variables are the factors involved in the experiment. There are two types:
Dependent: what’s being measured?
Dependent Responds Y-axis
Independent: what’s being changed?
Manipulated Independent X-axis
Remember DRY MIX
2 Groups:
Experimental group -independent variables are used to observe change.
Control group -used to compare to experimental group.
You try
 What do you think might be the variables in the Bubble
Gum Lab?
 Dependent (what is the question we are going to ask?):
________________________________________________________
 Independent (What is being used to change the dependent
variable?):
_________________________________________________________
Hypothesis
• Formulate a Hypothesis – this means to
make predictions. Keep your variables in mind
as you create your hypothesis/prediction.
This is a tentative answer to the question:
a testable explanation for what was
observed.
Based on inference and research the
scientist attempts to determine the
outcome of the experiment.
The Hypothesis is the bridge between the
question and the procedures. It is an
extremely important part of the scientific
process.
The Scientific Method
Example – As a class lets work this out. Students will get into
pairs, think and share with group & then discuss with class:
Question- How many grams of sucrose is in a single piece of
Bubblicous®?
Hypothesis:
If describe the action you will use to manipulate the variable
then what do you think will happen to the dependent variable?
because logical because it is based on your inference and
research
If the different sphere models are placed
under light
Then the order of the atm temp from least to
greatest will be ___, ____, ____, _____, _______
Because the cryosphere has a higher specific
heat and thus takes more radiant energy to
increase the temperature than the geosphere.
Thermal energy from the atmosphere will
transfer to the ice because it goes from hotter
to colder taking energy away from the
atmosphere.
Hypothesis/Prediction (if… then… because…)
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Quick review (Tis):
Question/Hypothesis/Variables:
A hypothesis is based on _______ & )____________
and is a(n) ____ _____. There are two types of
variables, ____ & _____. It is important to have a
_____ group to compare your data.
Explain what is needed in each part of the
hypothesis statement “if, then, because…”
Why is the “because" statement necessary?
WILT
 Write a brief summary of what you have learned so far
today in your iNB
TESTING THE HYPOTHESIS
• Test the hypothesis
• Perform an experiment to test
hypothesis.
Bell Work:
 Read (10 min)
 When finished with your reading quietly write down your homework
Materials:
Item
Amount
Distilled Water
50ml
Liquid
Some
SI Units!
Table teams discuss what is meant by SI units (1
min) (see lesson 2 of NOS chapter in text book)
Table 4/B tell me what is meant by SI Units…
Material
Amount (SI Units)
SI Units!
Material
Amount (SI Units)
Bubblicous®
3 pieces
Distilled water
500 mL
500 mL Beakers
4
Stirring rod
3
PROCEDURES!
Now I want you to get into your table groups
-Determine ATT based on the Reproducible Procedures Criteria:
Procedures:
-
Think safety throughout the lab!
Use #s in steps
Use clear, specific language
Multiple trials (repeated)
ID the ind and dep variables
ID control group
Steps are reproducible
List materials used, amounts
Complete sentences
Quick Check:
The manipulated variable is ___, the
responding variable is ___.
The experiment:
 Procedure Requirements Check:
 Are your procedures safe?
 Can it be replicated?
 Did you ensure to include repeated steps?
 Did you make sure the procedures lead to measurable data?
Procedures (numbered and in order) (20 pts):
1. ________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
3. ________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
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4. ________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
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5. ________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
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6. ________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
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7. ________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
8. ________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
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9. ________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
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10. ________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Notes:
______________________________________________________________________________
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WILT
 Write a brief summary of what you learned so far today.
 Now you try to write your procedures for the Elodea
Photosynthesis Lab using the output page in your iNB
This is a good
example, but you
need to make
sure you have all
the elements &
details 
Quick Check
These events took place in the following order in the lab report:
_____ I will produce ___ # of samples.
_____ The manipulated variable is ______; the responding variable is _______.
_____ The materials I will use include ____....
Experiment
 It is now time for the table teams to perform the Elodea
Lab Experiment. Remember your jobs.
 Student A – Captain – you will ensure everyone has their
journals, iNB, and the agreed upon procedures for the table
team.
 Student B – you will be in charge of SAFETY. You must
ensure proper equipment is available (work with Student D)
and teammates are wearing it.
 Student C – you will read aloud the procedures for the
team. Once all the way through before the lab begins and
then step-by-step as the lab progresses
 Student D – supply manager. You will get all equipment
needed for the lab and safety gear.
DATA!!!!!!!!!
You cannot analyze without good data…
Data Table (Fill in columns as needed) (10 pts):
Notes
Example(not from Gum Lab):
Small BB
Trial 1 (s)
13.9
Trial 2 (s)
13.2
Trial 3 (s)
13.9
Medium BB
14.6
14.8
14.1
Large BB
17.2
17.4
17.1
Mean Speed (s)
13.7
Mass of BB (g)
15.0
Graphing:
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssXPrG0PGDY
Analyzing the Data Through
Graphing
Types of graphs
Bar – A bar graph shows comparisons of
different amounts of qualitative or
quantitative data.
Line – Shows change over time of
qualitative or quantitative data.
Checklist:
Title

Axis (X & Y)

Interval

Labels

Scales

Be sure to
identify the
different trails in
the experiment –
otherwise it is
just a picture
Conclusion
Forming a Conclusion is the combination of
conducting an experiment, recording data, analyzing the
results and compare to hypothesis. The conclusion
explains the results and any errors that may have
occurred and how the experiment may be helpful to
other scientist.
Lets Look at the major elements of a good
Conclusion/Discussion to a lab:
1. Need to be in complete sentences. Well thought out
paragraphs that point to data and proof.
2. You need to make sure you do not use personal
pronouns.
3. Use the sections on the lab report worksheet to form
your conclusion – it will be a few paragraphs so don’t
try to rush it!
4. You need to use the terms and concepts you have
learned to explain your answers so it is CRITICAL that
you understand them.
Purpose of the Lab
Purpose of the Lab (What were you trying to find out?)
 Use the Experiment Question to fill in the
purpose…
Conclusion:
Below are the major elements of a good Conclusion/Discussion to a lab. I have broken them out
for you so you do not miss something important. Answers need to be in complete sentences and
you need to make sure you do not use personal pronouns. You also need to use the terms and
concepts you have learned to explain your answers so it is CRITICAL that you understand them.
Remember you are a scientist and this is the expectation.
Purpose of the Lab (What were you trying to find out?) (5 pts)
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
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Relationship between
Variables
Relationship between variables is a thoughtful
description of how the independent effected the
dependent variable. Ask yourself:
1. what are variables?
2. How many different kinds are there
3. What are the ind & dep variables in my lab?
4. What is their relationship? Which one effected the
other? How?
Relationship cont…
Gum Lab
What do you think?
Conclusion Hypothesis
When writing the Hypothesis portion in the conclusion, you must
remember this is where you will be explaining if you were right
about your prediction and why or why not.
There are THREE major elements to this portion:
1.
Restate your hypothesis
2.
State whether or not it was supported
3.
Explain how you know – use your DATA to briefly prove how
you know your hypothesis was supported or not (right or not).
Relationship between variables (How did the independent variable affect the dependent variable?) (5 pts)
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Hypothesis (restate your hypothesis and state whether or not it was supported & prove how you know) (10 pts)
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Explanation of Results
Explanation of results - use your data and understanding of terms
& concepts to explain why your got the results you did.
You must work through the details of your trials. This is where
details & quantitative data are very important.
The average number of bubbles when the light source was 5cm away from
the Elodea was ___. At 10 cm the average number of bubbles for each trial
was ___. At 15 cm …. The number of bubbles was used to indicate the rate
of photosynthesis. As the data shows the further away the light source was
to the plant the _____ the rate of photosynthesis.
Procedural Errors
Procedural errors - What could have been done differently to get
more accurate or precise data?
In this section there are a couple of questions you will need to
answer to receive full points.
1.
Identify the error or problem
2.
How did this error or problem effect you results. Did it give
you false data? Was it too difficult to obtain accurate results?
Did it cause the results to be inconclusive? Remember to give
specifics, quantitative if possible...
3.
How could this error be corrected?
4.
How would correcting the error effect your results? Be as
specific as possible.
Procedural Errors
A procedural error in this lab was that the gum was not
chewed the same amount of time for each trial. This
caused the results to be inconclusive because there were too
many variables. The gum that was chewed for a longer
amount of time showed more reduction in weight by .7 g.
To correct this error, in future trials all the variables need
to be controlled. The same individual needs to chew each
piece for the same amount of time. This is will ensure the
sugar in each piece has equal dissolve time and will result
in more valid accurate results.
Explanation of results (use your data and understanding of terms & concepts to explain why your got the results you
did) (10 pts)
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
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Procedural errors (What could have been done differently to get more accurate or precise data?) (10 pts)
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_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Further Investigation & Real
World Applications
Further Investigations - What variables could you change and how
might that effect the lab?
Real World Application - How could this lab be applied to the real
world. What industry might find this lab useful?
Further Investigations (how could this lab be changed by changing a variable?) (5 pts)
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Real World Application (how could this lab be used in the real world – what industry could benefit from your lab?)
(5 pts)
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