| No matter how simple or complicated a science fair | | | | Step Three is Hypotheses. After you question you |
| project is, the scientific method must be applied. If you | | | | start thinking of possible answers. Maybe the light bulb |
| use a basic one day science fair project format, one | | | | burned out. May-be the generic is worse than the |
| that is to be done over the weekend or a more | | | | brand name. |
| intense long term project, the same steps must be | | | | Step Four is Experiment. Try some things out. Shake |
| followed or the results aren't valid! It is the process you | | | | the bulb, check to see if it is still plugged in, or put a |
| go through that counts. Science experiments are | | | | new bulb in. Try using different brands and different |
| designed to prove or disprove a question. Children | | | | ingredients. |
| hopefully will learn how most research labs end up | | | | Step Five is Results. From experiments you use |
| disproving an idea more than proving it. Using the | | | | results to make some conclusions that you proved. No, |
| information from the things that do not work often | | | | the changing the light bulb did not solve the problem, it |
| ends up giving scientist a better idea for the next | | | | must be something else. Yes, the generic brand was |
| experiment that may-be the solution you are looking | | | | worse, but it was because of the ingredients, not the |
| for. The scientific method is used all the time to solve | | | | cost. |
| everyday problems. Establishing the use the scientific | | | | We use this basic thought process all the time when |
| method early on in simple one day science fair | | | | solving problems. A science experiment just needs to |
| projects will develop good science habits. | | | | be organized using these steps and you are good. The |
| What is the Scientific Method? Here is a brief | | | | best one day science fair projects are the ones real |
| description: | | | | teachers created for use in their classrooms so they |
| Step One is Observe. This means that you notice | | | | are kid tested. They will have some simple questions |
| things around you. You might observe when a bedside | | | | and the experiments are set up to be completed in a |
| light is not working, or some shampoos seem to clean | | | | short time. Professional scientists often take months or |
| you hair better than others. | | | | years to work through one experiment. Children |
| Step Two is Question. Those things you notice trigger | | | | working on their projects do not have that kind of time, |
| some questions. Why did the lamp work last night but | | | | or attention span, so a basic one day science fair |
| not this morning? What does this shampoo have that | | | | project will be enough. |
| is different than the other? | | | | |