CHECKLIST OF SCIENCE PROCESS STEPS
SCIENTIFIC PROCESS
All Math and Science Fair entries must follow the scientific process. This is a step-by-step for conducting and writing experiments. Projects that do not conform to the guidelines can not be accepted in the Colleton County Math and Science Fair.
RULES TO REMEMBER
No names should be visible on or in die log book, formal report, or the display board. Names are to be on the BACK of each document
No student's full face should be visible anywhere. Side views are permitted.
BEGIN
START A LOG BOOK.
The Log Book is the project notebook. It shows and documents your process through the project.
It must have dates and step listed with a record of what you did each day. The Log Book is
separate from the formal report.
All students must have a Log Book even if you arc working in a group or on a class project.
STEP #1 RESEARCH
Make a list of Math or Science Fair experiments that you would like to try. Choose your favorite experiment and conduct the research on that topic.
This is your Background Research Information: (check off when you have completed each one)
____ Find out background content and record your information including terms and definitions.
____ Tell how the information relates to what your experiment.
_ Make sure to record the books, websites, or magazines that you used in the research. These will be listed in the bibliography.
STEP #2 TITLE
____ Create a title for your experiment. The title should be catchy and interesting. It should be
directly related to the purpose.
____ Remember that on your Display Board, the title should follow capitalization rules and be
written large enough to read across the room.
STEP #3 PURPOSE
____ Develop and write a purpose. What are you trying to prove by doing the experiment?
STEP # 4 HYPOTHESIS
____ A hypothesis is a statement of what you think will happen as a result of the experiment.
The hypothesis should be made based on the research that you have done. It is a prediction.
STEP #5 MATERIALS
— Develop a list of all materials and supplies that will be needed in order to conduct the experiment. Include anyone and anything that you used.
STEP #6 PROCEDURES
____ Write step-by-step instructions of how to do the experiment. The steps should be numbered
and in complete sentences.
____ Identify the manipulated and responding variable.
Example: Variables: the height of the ramp will affect the speed of the car.
____
Conduct the experiment more than one time.
STEP #7 RESULTS
.The results are the outcomes of the experiment in measurable and observable terms and should include tables, charts, and graphs.
____ Table or chart with label and title
____ Graph with label and title
____ Photos can be used but cannot contain the student's face.
STEP #8 CONCLUSION
____ The conclusion is a statement telling whether your hypothesis was proven true or false.
____ Summarize what you learned in a few sentences.
STEP #9 WRITING THE ABSTRACT
An abstract is a vial part of the formal report. It is a three-paragraph paper describing the experiment in summary form. There should be no spelling or grammatical errors.
____ Paragraph one includes the title, purpose, and hypothesis.
____ Paragraph two contains the materials and procedures.
____ Paragraph three contains the results, and conclusion.
STEP #10 FOR K-5 MODIFIED FORMAL REPORT
____ Abstract (Step 9): A three-paragraph paper describing the experiment in summary form
Background research should contain:
• ____ K-3: a half-page minimum of background information
o Bibliography minimum of 1 source with title, author, and pages, or website.
• ____ Grades 4-5: one page minimum of background information
o
Bibliography minimum of 3 to 4 sources with title, author, and pages, or
website.
____
There should be no spelling or grammatical
errors. Check your work.
STEP # 10 FOR GRADES 6-12 FORMAL REPORT
The formal report should be in booklet form. It should include the following in this order:
____ Title Page
____ Abstract
____ Table of Contents
____ Acknowledgements
____ Purpose
____ Hypothesis
____ Background Information
____ Materials and Procedures
____ Results
____ Conclusion
____ Bibliography