Welcome, Parents!

For the summer

• help your child find a topic of interest

• conduct background research

• started conducting the experiments (if possible)

• If you aren’t sure, check with us or the OCSEF to see if your child’s project is acceptable

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The Steps of the Scientific Method:

• Ask a Question

• Conduct background Research

• Construct a Hypothesis

• Test hypothesis through Experiment

• Analyze Data and

• Draw a Conclusion

• Communicate Your Results

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Keeping a logbook• Date and record ALL

progress during the process.

• Include: observations, daily/weekly progress log of what was done, measurements, trial notes, etc.

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Example of Log Entries

5/12/14

I picked my science fair project. My question is “What type of liquid will sink a boat?” This is interesting to me because...

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Today I researched more about liquid and buoyancy. I also looked at different boat shapes. I discovered that ___.

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Today I read more about density and different types of liquid. I noticed in my research that_____. I also learned that _____.

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The materials I’m going to need for my project:-1 liter of nonfat milk

-1 liter of OJ

-1 liter of pure water

-2 meter of wood5 of 25

Find a Topic (Research) & Develop a Question

• Sciencebuddies.org

• OCSEF.org

• Library

• The topic should be something that interest your child. Also, it should have some practical applications to everyday life.

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Question Example

• After doing research, I found out a potato can power a light bulb. I wonder if different types of potatoes can produce different amount of electricity for third world countries?

• If a potato can produce electricity, which type can produce the most electricity to power a light bulb?

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Please note...(OCSEF Guidelines)

• Do not choose a topic that could directly harm any animal or human.

• Any experiment involving human subject, body tissues or hazardous material must have a certification form filled out.

• Any experiment involving animals/vertebrates must have a certification form signed by a veterinarian.

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Research background info

• Make a list of specific terms and ideas that pertain to the problem.

• Then find information on the word list in books, magazines, field experts or the internet.

• Have at least 5 resources and decide what information is relevant to the problem.

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Hypothesis

• A Hypothesis is an

educated guess.

• Written as a statement.

• Should be from the observations and research your child has done to answer his or her question/problem.

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Hypothesis Example

• After searching for a project, I found out that a potato can power a light bulb. I wonder if different types of potatoes can produce different amount of electricity?

• If a potato can produce electricity, which type can produce the most electricity to power a light bulb?

• (Do additional research...)

• (Hypothesis) A sweet potato would produce the most electricity to power a light bulb because…

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Material/Instructions

• Materials and Instructions should be written like a cookbook, listing specific ingredients and step-by-step instructions on how to do it

• For example:– 2 liters of mineral water– 3 grams of baking soda

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Experimenting

• When your child is doing his or her experiment, they must do at least 7 trials.

• Record all observations, if the experiment fails, what you did to “fix” the failure, etc.

• Must use the metric system as the method of measurement.– Meters (Area/Distance)– Liters (Volume)– Grams (Weight)– Seconds (Time)

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Supplies

• Most experiments can be done with everyday items

• AMICO Scientific 7231 Garden Grove Blvd # A  

Garden Grove, CA 92841

(714) 894-6633

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Data Table

With at least 3 variables15 of 25

Have at least 3 variables

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Experimenting

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Graph

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Recording Data During the Experiment

• Remember...record all data and

observations in the log book

• Take photos or videos of the experiment and its progress. Its helpful to the judges to have visual aids while students explain what they did.

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Pretty Pretty Pictures

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Display Board(To be done at the end of the project)

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Stay Up to Date

• www.stbonaventureschool.org under Mrs. Shana Stanley for important documents

• Includes helpful links and digital copies of handouts and assignments

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Final Thought...

It’s about the

PROCESS, not

the end result.

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