Presented by
LAS Fifth Grade Team
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Starts with a question (not a “yes” or “no”
answer)
A clear hypothesis
Research and documentation
An experimental procedure that tests the
hypothesis
Data collecting and recording
Data analysis
Conclusions that refer to the hypothesis
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Start with the student’s interests/hobbies
WWW.SCIENCEBUDDIES.ORG, Science Fair
Central, List of possible projects from your
teacher, or other similar resource
Write the problem or question
Do some preliminary research on the topic
Formulate a hypothesis
Figure out the experiment—how are you
going to TEST the hypothesis?
Problem must be stated as a
testable question.(Should not be
able to answer question with a
“yes” or “no”)
Example: Which particle size will
have the fastest reaction rate?
Hypothesis – Educated guess based
on previous research
Example: The powdered Alka-Selttzer
tablet will have the fastest reaction
rate.
Research and documentation
• Students should research science concepts that tie to their
project.
Example: Chemical reactions
molecules
reaction rate
reactant
chemicals
chemical change
product
temperature
• Students will write a multiple paragraph research paper
explaining these concepts and explaining their relevance to the
real world.
• Typed research paper will use Times New Roman 12 font and be
double spaced
• Length should be at least 1 full page and not exceed 4 pages.
• Must be written in students’ own words(5th grade
vocabulary). No Plagiarism !
Chemical Reactions
Chemical Reactions occur when two or more substances combine to make a new
substance. Chemicals are made from molecules. The rate of reaction is how fast the molecules
regroup. Chemical change happens when a reactant transforms a substance into a new product.
Temperature may also affect chemical reactions and the rate of reaction.
Molecules consist of more than one atom combined together. An atom is the smallest
particle of an element. They differ in size and weight. Molecules are the smallest particles of a
compound. For example, oxygen is a compound of two oxygen molecules, O+O=O2. Another example
is water. Water is a compound of two hydrogen molecules and one oxygen molecule, H+H+O=H2O.
Molecules make it possible for there to be many different substances.
Rate of Reaction is the speed at which chemical change happens. At a high rate, the
chemical change can take seconds. At a low rate, the speed of the chemical reaction can take
thousands of years. The substance that you start with before a chemical change occurs is the reactant.
The resulting substance is the product.
When a reactant undergoes a chemical change it becomes a new product. A chemical
change occurs when two solutions come together to form some reaction. For example, it can form a
solid, gas, or a temperature change. Sometimes it can create energy to be released, a color change, or
tarnish can form. A product is the new substance in a chemical change or chemical reaction. An
example of a chemical change is Alka-Seltzer that starts out as aspirin, citric acid, and sodium
bicarbonate. After it goes through the process of the chemical change, it then becomes sodium,
bicarbonate, carbon dioxide, and water.
Temperature is the warmth or coolness of an object measured by a thermometer. Fahrenheit
and Celsius are scales of measurement shown on thermometers. Heat is a form of energy created by
the movement of atoms and molecules. The faster the movement, the more heat is developed.
Chemical reactions occur in many different ways and can form many different products.
Chemical reactions are ongoing in our bodies as well. Chemical reactions are constantly occurring in the
world around us. They help make our planet and life itself exist.
Materials for Experiment
• List all materials used in experiment.
• Students must include specific amounts and measurements.
Example:
12 Alka Seltzer tablets
4 sheets of blank paper
1 hammer
4 thermometers
12 clear drinking cups
1 cup measuring cup
1 plastic spoon
12 cups of tap water (same temperature)
1 stop watch
One person to keep time
One person to drop tablet and observe and note time
A log to fill in data and observations
pen or pencil
Experimental Procedure
• Student will write step by step instructions explaining how to set up and
conduct the experiment.
• Steps must be numbered
• Be Specific
Example:
1. Pour 8 ozs of water into 12 cups.
2. Label cups according to particle size.
3. Measure the temperature of the water and record in log.
4. Remove thermometer.
5. Prepare tablets by leaving four tablets whole; break four tablets
into halves; break four tablets into quarters; and pound four
tablets into a powder. (fold tablets into a piece of paper before
pounding with a hammer)
6. On the count of 3, timer starts while the volunteer drops a whole
tablet into the first cup of water. Wait for tablet to completely
dissolve and stop the watch. Note the time in the log. Repeat 3
more times.
7. Repeat step 6 for the halved, quartered, and powdered tablets.
Data Collecting and Recording
• Create a hand drawn or computer generated chart.
• Enter data as you conduct experiment. Data must be a
measurement. (height, weight, temperature, etc.)
• Data must be recorded by hand in pen or pencil.
• Data must be recorded from at least 3 trials(experiment
repeated at least 3 times)
• Data must be recorded as decimals not fractions
• Written observations describing what occurs during experiment
must be recorded as well.
Log
Particle
Size
Whole
Tablet
Tablet
Broken in
Half
Tablet
Broken in
Quarters
Powdered
Tablet
Temperature
(°F)
Reaction Time
(s)
Trial
#1
Trial
#2
Trial
#3
Average
Reaction
Time
(s)
Observations
Data Analysis and Reporting Results
• Create a hand drawn or computer generated chart of data taken
directly form log.
• Calculate the average measurement for each of the 3 trials, and
include this in you data chart.
• Using the final averaged data, create a graph to show results
visually.
• Take the final averaged data from the chart, and write out the final
results in complete sentences. Just state the results, no
explanations.
Data Chart
Particle Size
Reaction Time
(s)
Temperature
(°F)
Trial #1
Whole Tablet
Tablet Broken in
Half
Tablet Broken in
Quarters
Powdered Tablet
Trial #2
Trial #3
Average
Reaction Time
(s)
Graph
Results
The powdered tablet dissolved the fastest at an average of 41.5 seconds
The quartered tablet dissolved at an average of 43 seconds.
The halved tablet dissolved at an average of 44.5 seconds.
The whole tablet dissolved the slowest at an average of 47 seconds.
Conclusion and Discussion
• State whether or not the results supported the hypothesis.
• Using knowledge gained from research explain why you think your
results occurred.
• Also explain any problems that arose that may have influenced your
results.
• What would you do differently if you were to conduct this experiment
again?
• What suggestions do you have for further experimentation on this
topic?
• For example:
Conclusion:
My hypothesis was correct. The powdered Alka-Seltzer tablet dissolved the
fastest. This conclusion goes along with my research that states, if a solid reactant is
broken into smaller pieces or ground into a powder, then its surface area is increased,
and more particles are exposed to the other reactant. This increases the rate at which
the particles collide with each other, which in turn increases the reaction rate.
The results of my experiment may have been affected by the fact that the
powdered Alka-Seltzer tablet stuck to the paper that it was crushed on, so that not all
the powder made it into the water. Only a miniscule amount stuck to the paper. Also,
it was more difficult to tell when the powdered Alka-Seltzer was done reacting, than
with the other particle sizes, because the reaction was so bubbly.
For further experimentation I would test whether stirring at a faster rate
affects reaction time. Another alternative would be, I could use bottles of soda and
Mentos broken into different particle sizes. I could also test if different liquids cause a
faster reaction time. Another idea would be to test whether the temperature of the
water would affect reaction rate?
In conclusion, maybe medicines should be sold in powder form, so that they
can dissolve quickly and start taking effect sooner.
Annotated Bibliography
• A list of ALL resources students used to conduct research written in
ALA or MLA format. (See Student handouts provided by teacher)
• Sources must be in alphabetical order
• Must have at least 3 sources
• Annotation: Each entry must have a 1-3 sentence summary of the
information found.
Annotated Bibliography
“Chemical Reactions”. Rader’s CHEM4KIDS.COM. www.chem4kids.com. 9/16/2012
This website helped me understand what a reaction and chemical reaction are.
Fallon, L. Fleming. "Thermometer." Gale Encyclopedia of Surgery: A Guide for Patients and
Caregivers. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 26 Sep. 2013
<http://www.encyclopedia.com>.
This encyclopedia explained what a thermometer is, and that it is used to
measure temperature in Fareheit (F) and Celsius (C).
Hacket, Dr. Jay K. California Science. New York. 2008. Macmillan McGraw-Hill
From this science text I learned the definitions for molecule and atom. I also
learned that a chemical reaction starts with a reactant and ends with a product.
“Heat and Thermal Energy”. Rader’s CHEM4KIDS.COM. www.chem4kids.com. 9/16/12
This article explained how heat is energy caused by the movement of atoms and
molecules.
“Rate of Reaction”. Rader’s CHEM4KIDS.COM. www.chem4kids.com. 9/16/2012
This article explained what a reaction rate is. It also helped me understand how
temperature effects reaction rate.
“What are the active ingredients in Alka-Seltzer?”. Answers.www.answers.com. 9/26/13
This site gave me the ingredients and chemical name for Alka-Seltzer, and
explained what happens when it dissolves in water.
Abstract
• Four paragraph summary of the project.
• See format handout supplied by teacher.
I conducted an experiment using Alka-Seltzer and water. I wanted to find out how fast
chemical reactions occur. I wanted to discover which size particle had the fastest reaction rate.
My hypothesis was that the powdered Alka-Seltzer tablet would react the fastest.
I dissolved different sized particles of Alka-Seltzer into glasses of water. There were
many tasks involved such as, mixing, dropping the tablets or pieces, recording the temperature
and time, and making written observations in order to conduct the experiment accurately. It was
important to drop the particles, start the time, and end the time once the particles dissolved. Then
the data and results were recorded on the log.
My results showed that the whole tablet dissolved the slowest and the powdered
tablet dissolved the fastest. As I recorded, I made observations. For example, the particles usually
dropped to the bottom of the cup then floated to the top. The stirring motion should have been
more constant, and we should have dropped the tablets from the same height all the time. Some
of the powdered particles did not make it into the cup. The powdered particles did not drop to the
bottom but bubbled more than the other samples.
The data and results supported my hypothesis that the powdered Alka- Seltzer tablet
would dissolve the quickest. My experiment concluded that by crushing the tablet into a powder, it
will dissolve in water much faster than a whole tablet, half tablet or quarter tablet. This
information helps me to understand that the particle size of some substances affects its reaction
rate.
Proving the hypothesis true
is NOT the purpose
of a science fair project
A well-supported answer based on
research to a problem IS the purpose
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Mold
Blood or other bodily fluids
Tissue (animal or human)
If human subjects or animals are used, a form
explaining how they will be used MUST be
completed and approved BEFORE the
experiment begins.
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Displays or models without an investigation
Experiments done without a scientific concept
Experiments with more than one variable
Experiments that don’t test the hypothesis
Models of science—volcanoes exploding,
mixtures that have no connection to the
hypothesis, etc.
Originality/creativity
 Comprehension
 Organization & completeness
 Effort & Motivation
 Clarity
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Original problem or an unique approach to an
old one
Interpretation of data shows original
thinking/creativity
Student shows understanding of how their
results can have real life applications
Does the project show creativity in:
 The hypothesis or questions asked?
 The approach to solving the problem?
 Analysis or data?
 Use of equipment?
 Construction and/or design of new
equipment?
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Time allowed to complete the experiment is
appropriate to test hypothesis and make
observations
Time spent on background reading/research
is appropriate
Student learned considerable amount about
the subject during the project
The display is informative, complete, clear,
well organized and attractive
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The notebook is well-organized and accurate
The purpose, procedures, results and
conclusions are clear
The title accurately reflects the project
The abstract is clear and concise