Steps To Conduct A Science Project

1. Predented by Wong MC@2011 10 Steps In Conducting A Science Project

2. STEP 1 Step 1 – Browsing Start by skimming through general science books or science magazines to get some idea.  Write out the main idea of the whole article in one sentence.  Start with specific questions the article answers or asks.  Try to make connections with your previous knowledge of science. 

3. Step 2- Make A List Make a list of possible topics for a science project. Eliminate the "not so good" ideas later than to add "better " ones late in the game.  Determine what hypothesis it is supposed to test, and fill in all the background information leading to the hypothesis.  Be sure that the experiments you choose are appropriate to your grade level and ability. STEP 2

4. Step 3 - Data That Raise A Question What do you already know that causes you to ask the question?  Asking the question to be carefully thought out and carefully worded to be sure the answer will tell you what you want to know.  . The question then becomes the title of your project STEP 3

5. Step 4 - Search of Literature Organizing data, and looking for patterns and connections. Answers to your question may have already been suggested.  If possible, design a different test of the same hypothesis.  Repeating the tests that other researchers have done is also an important part of science, don't just take their word for a final conclusion.  STEP 4

6. Step 5 – State The Hipotesis An hypothesis is a statement of cause and effect relationships which lead you to expect that the predicted outcome will occur. Remember that an hypothesis is not just a prediction.  The hypothesis must be carefully stated in such a way that predictions made from it can be tested by experiment or controlled observation.  STEP 5

7. Step 6 – Test The Hypothesis By Experiment Write out in complete detail exactly what you will do: - What materials and supplies will you need ? - What safety precautions will you use ? - What will you do, exactly, step by step ? - What factors will you control, how ? - What factor will you change, how ? - What will you measure ? - What data will you record ? - What differences will you look for ? - What do the results mean, how will you decide ? STEP 6

8. Step 7 – Have The Plan Approved Get approval of your teacher before implementing your plan.  This is for guidance, as well as a check for safety and legality. Many books list activities which are no longer acceptable. STEP 7

9. STEP 8 Step 8 - Keep A Running Record Record down everything you do as you do it, everything you see as it happens, including any mistakes, accidents, or changes in plan. Analyze your results, and evaluate your hypothesis.  Is the hypothesis strengthened ? weakened ? rejected ? What new questions were raised by the results of your test ?

10. STEP 9 Step 9 – Writing The Report Before completing the final draft of your report, have it read by family, friends, or fellow students.  Not only for errors such as spelling, but for parts they do not understand and could be rewritten to be clearer.  Be ready to answer questions and explain your project to teacher, judges, or anyone who reads your report.

11. STEP 10 Step 10 – Planning The  Display A display should be a summary of the project. It should give the viewer a quick idea of what you did, why you did it, how you did it, and what the results were.  Photographs, data in graphs and charts are good ideas and helpful.  Plan the display and share the plan for editorial opinions before starting construction.

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