Now that you have looked at some of the ideas from various sites, you have considered which topics are good and which ones to avoid, we need to come up with our own topic. That's right, we need to settle on an idea we want to build a science fair project around.
The first step in deciding which is your best idea, you MUST understand that your science fair project has to be an experiment. What that means is that it cannot be a demonstration of a process in science like volcanoes or tornadoes, it must be about doing an experiment. So... what makes an experiment?
The first step in deciding which is your best idea, you MUST understand that your science fair project has to be an experiment. What that means is that it cannot be a demonstration of a process in science like volcanoes or tornadoes, it must be about doing an experiment. So... what makes an experiment?
In order to perform an experiment, you must understand variables. On the last blog you were asked what are independent, dependent and control variables. Since an experiment must have these parts, it is necessary for us to determine what these variables are and make sure our idea has these variables. Use the PowerPoint to help with this process.
First start with an independent variable. This variable is the reason for the experiment. If I am testing something, then I am wondering which one of these "things" is the fastest, shortest, highest, etc. Whatever I am testing is my independent variable.
So... in your idea, is it an experiment? If not, come up with an experiment. Now, once you have decided on an experiment
1. What is your independent variable?
Now, you must have three variations of this variable. For example, look at the image to the left, you will see three different variations of each independent variable. Amount of salt or the height of the ramp are the two independent variables. So...
2. What are your three independent variables?
1. What is your independent variable?
Now, you must have three variations of this variable. For example, look at the image to the left, you will see three different variations of each independent variable. Amount of salt or the height of the ramp are the two independent variables. So...
2. What are your three independent variables?
Now, lets look at the dependent variable. When we test three independent variables, we must have some way to measure how these independent variables are affected by the experiment. The most important issue when determining your dependent variable is that it must be MEASURABLE. You must be able to come up with a number to measure the variable. Its length, height, speed, total number, distance, etc. Must be MEASUREABLE!!!
Now, think about your independent variable you described in questions 1 and 2. How are you going to measure how these variables will be affected in your experiment?
3. What is your dependent variable?
4. How will you measure this variable?
Now, think about your independent variable you described in questions 1 and 2. How are you going to measure how these variables will be affected in your experiment?
3. What is your dependent variable?
4. How will you measure this variable?