The+Steps+of+Creating+a+Science+Project

=What do I need to do to create my science fair project??? =

[[image:http://www.ri.net/schools/East_Greenwich/Cole/Mole.jpg width="139" height="226"]]** STEPS IN DOING AN EXPERIMENTAL SCIENCE PROJECT **
David Morano, Assoc. Professor at Mankato State University, has created an [|intermediate level guide] containing information from Experimental Science Projects. This Introductory Level Guide features material which has been added to help distinguish between different types of scientific studies. More details are also given about the experimental scientific method, and the steps involved. As you read about the various steps, you may want to follow along with an [|example science project]. The steps in the experimental scientific method as usually presented are: Observation, Hypothesis, Controlled Experiment, Conclusion. To actually do a science experiment, many more steps are needed. The following more accurately reflects the course of an actual experimental investigation as stated by David Morano.
 * Initial Observation **
 * The first step is to clearly write down exactly what you have observed.
 * Information Gathering **
 * Read books, magazines or ask professionals who might know in order to learn about the effect or area of study.
 * Keep track of where you got your information from.
 * Title the Project **


 * The title should be short and summarize what the investigation will deal with.


 * State the Purpose of the Project **
 * Write a statement that describes what you want to do. Use your observations and questions to write the statement.
 * Identify Variables **


 * Based on your gathered information, make an educated guess about what types of things affect the system you are working with.


 * [|Form a Hypothesis] **


 * A hypothesis is a question which has been reworded into a form that can be tested by an experiment.
 * There is usually one hypothesis for each question you have.
 * You must do at least one experiment to test each hypothesis. This is a very important step.


 * Design Experiments to Test Your Hypothesis **


 * For an experiment to give answers you can trust, it must have a "control."

A control is a neutral "reference point" for comparison that allows you to see what changing a variable does by comparing it to not changing anything.
 * Experiments are often done many times to guarantee that what you observe is reproducible, or to obtain an average result.


 * Some Guidelines for Experimental Procedures **


 * Select only one thing to change in each experiment. Things that can be changed are called variables.
 * Change something that will help you answer your questions. The procedure must tell how you will change this one thing.
 * The procedure must explain how you will measure the amount of change. Each experiment should have a "control" for comparison that you can see what the change actually did.


 * Obtain Materials and Equipment **


 * Make a list of the things you need to do the experiment, and prepare them.


 * Do the Experiments and Record Data **


 * As you do experiments, record all numerical measurements made.
 * If you are not making any measurements, you probably are not doing an experimental science project.


 * Record Your Observations **


 * Observations can be written descriptions of what you noticed during an experiment, or problems encountered.
 * Keep careful notes of everything you do and everything that happens.


 * Perform Calculations **


 * Do any calculations needed from your raw data to obtain the numbers you need to draw your conclusions.


 * Draw Conclusions **


 * Using the trends in your experimental data and your experimental observations, try to answer your original questions.
 * Other Things You Can Mention in the Conclusion
 * If your hypothesis is not correct, what could be the answer to your question?
 * Summarize any difficulties or problems you had doing the experiment.
 * Do you need to change the procedure and repeat your experiment?
 * What would you do different next time?
 * List other things you learned