Science Fair Homework - Weekend 5th August

The children in Room 3 have been looking at questions that they can investigate for their science experiment. Today in class, the children wrote the purpose of why they would like to investigate their question.

The children for homework need to look for background information to help answer their question. In class we have been looking at the pH of soap. Our research taught us that the pH scale is from 1-14, with 7 being neutral. Numbers 1-6 was acidic and 8-14 was alkaline.

Background Research:

Background research is necessary so that you know how to design and understand your experiment. To make a background research plan -- a roadmap of the research questions you need to answer -- follow these steps:

 

Identify the keywords in the question for your science fair project. Brainstorm additional keywords and concepts.

 

Use a table with the "question words" (why, how, who, what, when, where) to generate research questions from your keywords. For example:

• What is the difference between a series and parallel circuit?
• When does a plant grow the most, during the day or night?
• Where is the focal point of a lens?
• Does a truss make a bridge stronger?
• Why are moths attracted to light?
• Which cleaning products kill the most bacteria?

Throw out irrelevant questions.

 

You should also plan to do background research on the history of similar experiments or inventions.

 

Network with other people with more experience than yourself: your mentors, parents, and teachers. Ask them: "What science concepts should I study to better understand my science fair project?" and "What area of science covers my project?" Better yet, ask even more specific questions.

 

http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_scientific_method.shtml