| Project Experimentation | | | | part where you get to share the information that you |
| The project experimentation is the fun part of the | | | | learned. You should state whether your hypothesis |
| science fair project - this is where you actually get to | | | | was proven or disproven (don't be embarrassed if |
| prove your hypothesis (or discover that your | | | | your hypothesis was wrong). You can use your |
| hypothesis was wrong). In all scientific experiments, | | | | research, experiments, and opinions in order to explain |
| you will need to have two variables: a dependent | | | | the outcome of the project. State any reasons that |
| variable and an independent variable. The dependent | | | | the project didn't work out as you expected as well. |
| variable is the thing that will change during your | | | | For example, in my project, I was surprised to find that |
| research. A dependant variable is the thing that you | | | | I tasted rice on the sides of my tongue more than on |
| are observing. On top of your variables, you will also | | | | the front. I didn't think that rice was salty, but my mom |
| have a control - the thing that will not change. For | | | | had always told me that it was full of starch, which is |
| example, in my experiment, my independent variable | | | | also sugar. I was talking to my mom after the |
| was each piece of food that I introduced to the | | | | experiment was over and she told me that she |
| surface of the tongue (such as bread, rice, vegetables, | | | | always puts a teaspoon of salt in the rice while it |
| and fruit). My dependant variable was the tongue | | | | cooks, which I didn't know about when conducting my |
| (because I couldn't change it). My controls were salt | | | | experiment. In my conclusion, I explained that the |
| and sugar because I already knew where salt and | | | | unexpected salt could have impacted my results. Here |
| sugar were tasted on the tongue. During your | | | | are some more tips for writing your conclusion: |
| experiment, you can use as many tests as you would | | | | - Remember: don't change your hypothesis just |
| like to come up with a conclusion. Be sure to record | | | | because the results were different than you thought |
| each test and result accurately so that you can | | | | they would be. |
| compare your results in your conclusion. You might | | | | - If something happens during the experiment that |
| also find that you need to conduct additional tests | | | | proves your hypothesis wrong, don't leave it out. |
| during your experiment. If you are allowed to conduct | | | | Instead, do what I did with the rice and mention why |
| additional tests, do so. If not, you can simply state in | | | | you think the results didn't support the hypothesis. |
| your conclusion that the tests were "inconclusive." Ask | | | | - If there is a difference in the hypothesis and results, |
| your teacher for the science fair rules. Some | | | | explain it. It's okay to say that you think you made a |
| experiments might be harder than others. For example, | | | | mistake during the experiment, like I did with the rice |
| sometimes I paid very close attention to where I | | | | and not knowing it had salt in it. |
| tasted foods like unsalted crackers. Even then, when I | | | | - Keep improving the experiment. Are there other |
| wasn't sure where I tasted some foods, I had to use | | | | things you wish you had done in order to make the |
| other people for help. I conducted a survey of 10 | | | | experiment better? If so, then explain them in your |
| people and recorded their answers as part of my | | | | conclusion. |
| research. A survey can be used as part of the | | | | No matter what project you choose, keep in mind that |
| experiment to help you solve the problem. During your | | | | by following the scientific method, you will not only be |
| research, keep these tips in mind in order to have a | | | | able to pull off a well-executed science project, but |
| successful project: | | | | you'll also impress the judges and find your own |
| | | | conclusions to answers you've asked. Whether your |
| - Try the experiment as many times as you want in | | | | project is for the science fair or even just a class |
| order to make sure the results are accurate. Usually, | | | | science project, the scientific method is sure to help |
| doing the experiment just once will not give you | | | | you get the results you're looking for...or results you |
| dependable results. | | | | never expected! If you're ready to get going with your |
| - Always use a control - sometimes it's best to have | | | | own science project, your next step is to download |
| two or more controls just to be safe | | | | your free copy of "Easy Steps to Award-Winning |
| - Stay organized with your notes and data collection. | | | | Science Fair Projects" from the link below right now. |
| Project Conclusion The conclusion of the project is the | | | | |