| If you are getting ready to prepare your very own | | | | need to solve through the experiment. An open-ended |
| science experiment for the science fair, it's time to | | | | question is one that cannot be answered in one or two |
| make sure you know everything you need to about | | | | words, such as, "Are there taste buds in the mouth." In |
| the scientific method. The scientific method provides a | | | | my particular case, my problem was that I wanted to |
| basic structure that you will use when conducting your | | | | find out where taste buds were for different foods. So |
| experiment. It describes the background of the | | | | my open-ended question was "Where are specific |
| experiment, the process that you will use during your | | | | taste buds for common foods?" |
| research, and the steps you will take in order to come | | | | Expect to be surprised when writing your question. |
| up with a conclusion to your project. Plus - During the | | | | When I came up with my problem, I realized that I |
| science fair, you'll have to show the judges that you | | | | couldn't limit the answer to what I thought I'd learn. For |
| have followed the scientific method and that you | | | | example, I knew that my tongue had taste buds, but |
| understand what each step means. | | | | my dad had also mentioned that taste buds can occur |
| No matter what type of scientific research you are | | | | in other parts of my mouth. That's why my question |
| conducting for your science project, you will have to | | | | didn't say, "Where on the tongue are specific taste |
| use five scientific steps. Cool fact: these scientific | | | | buds for common foods?" |
| steps are also the steps that professional scientists | | | | Make sure you can answer your question through |
| use when they conduct their experiments - including | | | | experimentation. Your experiment should help you to |
| scientists at NASA that build space ships! Here they | | | | come to a conclusion about your initial problem. |
| are: | | | | Hypothesis A hypothesis is my favorite part of the |
| - Research | | | | scientific method because it is a statement about what |
| - Problem | | | | you think will happen. You write the hypothesis after |
| - Hypothesis | | | | you have already done some of your research, but |
| - Project Experimentation | | | | before you perform your experiment. Your experiment |
| - Project Conclusion | | | | will prove whether your hypothesis is right or wrong. |
| Now, here's what you need to know about each of | | | | Here's an example of the hypothesis I used in my |
| these steps in order to create a really cool science | | | | experiment: "I believe that different parts of the mouth |
| project: Research During this step, you are deciding | | | | respond to different tastes. I base this hypothesis on: |
| what experiment you want to conduct by researching | | | | |
| different things that interest you. Research means that | | | | 1. The front of the tongue tastes sugar, but the sides |
| you get more information that might help to plan your | | | | do not. |
| experiment. There are many ways to get information | | | | 2. The sides of the tongue taste salt, but the front |
| during research. For example, you can use your own | | | | does not. |
| experiences, you can look information up in a book, or | | | | Here are some tips to help you with your hypothesis. |
| you can use an experiment that you may have | | | | - When creating your hypothesis, it is okay to state |
| already done in class as a starting point. I got the idea | | | | why you think your experiment will have a particular |
| for one of my science fair projects while eating dinner | | | | conclusion. Remember: you have already observed |
| one night. I realized that I could taste salty foods in one | | | | through research that different parts of the tongue |
| part of my mouth and sweet foods in another. I asked | | | | taste different things. |
| my dad why this happened and he said that different | | | | - As you go through your experiment, you might |
| taste buds taste different foods and are located in | | | | discover that you were wrong in your hypothesis. If |
| different parts of the mouth. We looked online for | | | | this happens, congratulations! You've experienced |
| information about where the taste buds were exactly | | | | something that professional scientists experience |
| and compared the pictures online with our own | | | | everyday...and that's why you're doing the experiment |
| tongues in the mirror. That year, my project was about | | | | after all! Don't go back and change your hypothesis, |
| finding out where taste buds are in the mouth for | | | | though. It's expected (and absolutely fine) to discover |
| everyday foods, like milk and bread, and vegetables. | | | | that your hypothesis was wrong (sometimes the |
| From that example, you can see that I started with a | | | | science fair judges like to see that, too!) |
| question that I had through simple observation. My dad | | | | - It might also help to write the hypothesis down so |
| and I researched the answer to my question together | | | | that you remember what it is. Write it down before |
| using books and by looking at our tongues in the mirror. | | | | you start the experiment, just in case the experiment |
| Heads up: When you do your research for your own | | | | turns out differently than you thought it would. |
| scientific experiment, make sure that you are doing the | | | | Now you're ready to do your experiment. To learn |
| research on your own. I might have used my dad to | | | | how to do this cool next step, you'll want to read part |
| help answer my question at first, but I used library | | | | 2 of this article. Visit this link to finish learning how to do |
| books, experiments, and interviews (I called my doctor) | | | | an great science fair project. Or if you are really |
| in order to do my project on my own. Problem The | | | | serious about doing an awesome project, just |
| problem part of the scientific method provides the | | | | download your free copy of "Easy Steps to |
| whole purpose for the research and experiments. The | | | | Award-Winning Science Fair Projects" from the link |
| problem is usually an open-ended question that you | | | | below right now. |