Name _________________________

SCIENCE FAIR PROJECT

What to expect

1. Selecting a topic:

Pick a topic that interests you. Narrow this topic down as much as possible.

BE VERY SPECIFIC.

example:

Drugs	too general
over-the-counter-drugs
cold remedies
aspirin
dissolved aspirin	very specific

2. Stating the question:

Put the topic in the form of a question.

Many project titles follow one of these forms:

How will __________	affect __________?
Independent variable	Dependent variable
The Effects of __________	on __________.
Independent variable	Dependent variable
Will __________	when __________?
Independent variable	Dependent variable

3. Definition of terms:

THE INDEPENDENT VARIABLE is the one factor you wish to change (or use in different amounts) in the experiment. Everything else is controlled. In a controlled experiment everything is given the exact same conditions except for one factor. This factor is your independent variable.

THE DEPENDENT VARIABLE is the outcome of your experiment. It is what happens because of your independent variable. You must have measurable results, something that can be counted or measured in order to provide you with DATA

Example: Which color of bird seed will birds prefer?

The independent variable is the color of seeds
The dependent variable is the number of seeds eaten
(Seeds can be counted to provide data).

4. Definition of a Good Science Fair Topic:

You have a good topic if you can answer YES to these questions:

1.        Is my topic realistic? Is it something I can do?

2.        Is my topic interesting to me?

3.        Can I investigate my topic by experimenting and collecting data?

4.        Can I afford what I will need to investigate my topic?

 

 

TOPIC IDEAS

Pick 5 general topics that interest you.

 

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

 

 

Now narrow down each general topic into two very specific topics:

 

1.  a.

b.

2.   a.

     b.

3.   a.

      b.

4.   a.

      b.

5.   a.

      b.

 

Now turn each topic into a question using the format shown in #3.  Make sure to include a dependent variable and an independent variable.

 

 1.  a.

b.

2.   a.

     b.

3.   a.

      b.

4.   a.

      b.

5.   a.

      b