Science Fair

Project
What is expected?

What is the Scientific Method?

The

scientific method is a way to ask and answer scientific questions by

making observations and doing experiments.

The

steps of the scientific method are to:

Ask a Question

Do Background Research

Construct a Hypothesis

Test Your Hypothesis by Doing an Experiment

Analyze Your Data and Draw a Conclusion

Communicate Your Results

It

is important for your experiment to be a fair test. A "fair test" occurs when
you change only one factor (variable) and keep all other conditions the same.

What is the Scientific Method?

How do I create a Science Fair

project?
Begin

by thinking about a question that interests you. It

should be something that can be tested and and analyzed.

For

example: Which batteries last the longest?

To

do an experiment on this question you would need the

correct materials to test it and you would need to follow
specific steps that can be repeated by anyone.

You

would also need a data collection method and a way of

interpreting the data.

Sample Experiment
Before

beginning I must state the reason why I am

conducting my experiment.

can do this in my Introduction or Purpose:

Observation: We observed that Duracell batteries seem to last

longer than other batteries.

Question: Do Duracell batteries last long longer than other

popular brands of batteries?

Purpose: To determine if Duracell batteries last longer than

Energizer, Eveready and Varta.

Sample Experiment
Next

I must form a Hypothesis. It may or may not prove to

be correct but it essential to include before testing to follow
the process correctly:

We believe that Duracell will be the longest lasting battery

because they seem to last very long and they state in their
advertising that no other battery beats the copper top.

Sample Experiment

Now that we have a hypothesis we need to explain exactly what

we need in order to test it. These are our Materials:
1. One standard flashlight that can be repeatedly used.
2. Two D-size batteries from each of the following brands:

Duracell

Energizer

Eveready

Varta

3. Two other D-size batteries to test each flashlight and bulb before
starting tests.
4. A stopwatch to get the exact time each battery lasts.

Sample Experiment
We

now know what we need for the experiment so we must identify the
Variables and control involved:

Independent

Variable: The battery type that was used (Duracell,

Energizer, Everready, Varta).

Dependent

Variable: The length of time the flashlight continued to

work.
Control:

The same flashlight was used in the same location for all trials.

*An independent variable is something that will change (the type of battery
used) A dependent variable is something that changes only because of the
independent variable (the amount of time the flashlight lasts).

Sample Experiment
After

we have decided what we think will happen in the

experiment and the materials we need we must decide the
steps we will take to test our hypothesis. This is called the
Procedure:
1. Place two D sized Duracell batteries into the flashlight.
2. Turn on the flashlight and the timer at the same time.
3. Leave the flashlight running for 8 hours and then monitor the
remaining hours until it stops.
4. Record the amount time elapsed before the batteries die.

Sample Experiment
Now

we must collect and display the data. This is called Data

and Graphics:

Sample Experiment

Sample Experiment

Next we must summarize our Results in written form:

Our experiment showed that Energizer outlasted all of the other

batteries we tested by more than four hours. The Eveready
battery, which is a regular, non-alkaline battery, lasted only 6
hours and 35 minutes. The Duracell lasted 17 hours and 28
minutes. The Varta lasted 13 hours and 12 minutes. The Energizer
lasted 21 hours and 17 minutes.

*The Eveready flashlight went out during the night, so we had to replace the
batteries and watch it during the daytime. It was the only non-alkaline battery.
We observed that when it was going dead, it got very dim. The alkaline batteries
just went out completely.

Sample Experiment
Now

we must analyze the results and determine if our

hypothesis is valid. This is called the Conclusion:

The

data we collected refuted our hypothesis. We came to

this conclusion because our data showed that Energizer
batteries lasted longer than Duracell, Eveready, and Varta.
This also proves that even though batteries may be more
expensive (like the Duracell was), you might not be paying
for a better battery.

Sample Experiment
Finally

it is time to reflect on our project and suggest ways it

could be improved (every experiment can be improved or
done differently). This is called the Recommendations part:

We

recommend that further testing be done, due to a few

errors made during the experiment. The flashlight was
accidentally dropped twice, which could have caused
differences in the results. Also, the expiration dates of the
batteries were not all the same (there was a difference of up
to 5 years); so some batteries may not have been as "fresh"
as the newer ones. Finally, the experiment should be
repeated using other devices (example: toys) as they may
give different results than the flashlight.

The Display
How

should my project look?

Your

project must follow the scientific process and this must

be reflected in your display. However, the way you arrange
your display and the artistry involved is up to you. You can
earn extra marks by having a visually stunning display.

Here

is an example of a common board layout:

The Display

Final thoughts
In

addition to the experiment and display you should be able

to explain verbally what you have done and why. You should
also be able to answer any questions others may have.

Above

all else make sure you have fun! This fair is a great
opportunity for you to learn about science in an interesting
and engaging way. You are all creative and capable
individuals and it is time to let your creativity and
imagination loose!