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Test Your Hypothesis by Doing an Experiment

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Note: The correct answers are marked in green here for you, but this marking will not be visible to the students when they view the assignment.

4 - Test Your Hypothesis by Doing an Experiment

Your experiment tests whether your prediction is accurate and thus your hypothesis is supported or not. It is important for your experiment to be a fair test. You conduct a fair test by making sure that you change only one factor at a time while keeping all other conditions the same. You should also repeat your experiments several times to make sure that the first results weren't just an accident.

This workbook includes:

Task #4A: Prepare a Materials List & Experimental Procedure

Learning Objectives
  • Use a Science Buddies project idea or other project idea to write a detailed, reproducible, step-by-step procedure and materials list that is simplified and customized to your specific project question.
  • Write a procedure that clearly explains how to change the independent variable, measure the dependent variable, and keep controlled variables constant.
  • Write a procedure that includes an appropriate number of trials.
  • Identify and describe the experimental groups and the control group (if relevant).
Instructions
  1. Read Preparing Experimental Procedures and Preparing a Materials List to review how to set up your materials list and experimental procedure. Be sure to look at the samples provided in each article.
  2. Answer the following questions to check your learning:
    1. True or False: A good experimental procedure and materials list should be detailed enough that someone else can duplicate your experiment exactly.
      Correct! A good experimental procedure and materials list must be detailed and complete so that others can replicate the experiment exactly.
      Nice try! Review the section on writing an experimental procedure and materials list to understand the importance of detail and completeness.
    2. Which of the following is NOT a key component of a detailed experimental procedure?
      Correct! Predictions are not part of a detailed experimental procedure but are part of the hypothesis or conclusion sections.
      Nice try! Review the section on key components of an experimental procedure to understand what should be included.
    3. Which of the following is an example of a detailed, reproducible step in an experimental procedure?
      Correct! This step is specific and detailed, making it reproducible.
      Nice try! Review the examples of detailed and reproducible steps to understand how to write them.
    4. Why is it important to include at least three trials, or repetitions, in your experimental procedure?
      Correct! Including an appropriate number of trials ensures that the results are consistent and reliable.
      Nice try! Review the section on the importance of trials to understand their role.
    5. What is the purpose of a control group in an experiment?
      Correct! The control group receives a placebo or no treatment and serves as a basis for comparison with the experimental group. Note that even though they sound similar, the control group is different from the controlled variables.
      Nice try! Review the section on the purpose of control groups to understand their role in providing a comparison to the experimental group. Note that even though they sound similar, the control group is different from the controlled variables.
  3. Make a detailed list of the materials you will need for your experiment and where/how you will get them. If you are using a Science Buddies project, a materials list is provided for you. Be sure to read it carefully and make sure you have access to all the required materials.
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    Materials
    Example: 
    • 5 medium rubber bands (my teacher has some I can use)
    • 2 10x10 cm pieces of cardboard (boxes in the recycling bin at home)
    • Ruler (will borrow from the classroom)
    • Bathtub (have at home)
    • Stopwatch (will borrow from coach)
    Your List (type below or put this in a separate document and share the link here):
  4. Write a step-by-step list of your procedure. If you are using a Science Buddies project, it will give you a very detailed, reproducible procedure. You should review this procedure carefully and rewrite it so that it summarizes the key steps (see this Sample Materials List & Experimental Procedure for an example) and make sure that it includes the following:
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    Experimental Procedure
    Your Procedure (type below or put this in a separate document and share the link here):
  5. What are your experimental groups? In other words, what are the variations or levels at which you will change your independent variable?
  6. What is your control group (if you have one)?
*Remember to document your materials and experimental procedure in your lab notebook*

Task #4B: Prepare for Data Collection

Learning Objectives
  • Collect data using a data table that is provided or created with support from a teacher or mentor. The table should include sections to record the dependent variable for each experimental group and the control group, along with space to collect data for each trial and calculate an average, if applicable.
Instructions
  1. Review the ‘Preparations’ and ‘Data Table’ sections of Conducting the Experiment for Your Science Fair Project to review what steps you need to take prior to experimentation, including how to set up your data table.
  2. Answer the following questions to check your learning:
    1. True or False: Setting up a data table before starting an experiment is important for organizing and accurately recording data.
      Correct! Setting up a data table before experimentation ensures that data is organized and accurately recorded.
      Nice try! Review the section on preparing for an experiment to understand the importance of organizing data beforehand.
    2. What should your data table include?
      Great job! Your data table should include all of these elements to ensure accurate and organized data collection.
      Nice try! Review the list of things to include in a data table to understand why all these elements are necessary.

  3. Prepare your data table. If you are using a Science Buddies project, there may be a sample data table provided to help you get started. If you are creating your own data table, you should try to make one on your own and then ask a teacher or mentor to check it for you.

    Make sure your data table includes the following:

    Your data table should go directly into your lab notebook. You can draw your data table by hand or create one in a word processing program like Google Docs or Microsoft Word and then print and paste it into your notebook.

    Turn in your lab notebook to your teacher OR include a link to a picture of your notebook below:

Task #4C: Prepare to Do Your Experiment

Learning Objectives
  • Record careful and detailed observations during experimentation in a lab notebook. Take pictures to document your process and observations.
  • Follow the procedure carefully to ensure that controlled variables stay constant.
Instructions
  1. Review the ‘During the Experiment’ and ‘Sample’ sections of Conducting the Experiment for Your Science Fair Project to review important information about what you need to do and document during your experiment.
  2. Answer the following questions to check your learning:
    1. What is NOT important to write in your lab notebook during experimentation?
      Correct! Interpreting results is important, but it should be done after collecting and analyzing data, not during the experimentation phase.
      Nice try! Review the section on maintaining a lab notebook to understand what key information should be recorded during experimentation.
    2. Why is it important to take pictures during your experiment?
      Correct! Taking pictures helps document the experimental process and can enhance your science fair display board.
      Nice try! Review the section on taking pictures during the experiment to understand their importance.
    3. Which of the following best describes the importance of following the procedure carefully to ensure controlled variables stay constant?
      Correct! Following the procedure carefully ensures that controlled variables remain constant, so any observed changes can be attributed to the independent variable.
      Nice try! Review the section on following experimental procedures to understand the importance of controlled variables.

    NOTE: Experimentation can take quite a while and may require troubleshooting and adjusting your procedure. Be sure to give yourself enough time, document everything in your lab notebook, and take pictures.

    Your experimentation notes and data collection should go directly into your lab notebook.

Task #4D: Experimentation Check-In 1

Learning Objectives
  • Record careful and detailed observations during experimentation in a lab notebook. Take pictures to document your process and observations.
  • Follow the procedure carefully to ensure that controlled variables stay constant.
Instructions

Answer the questions below:

  1. Which of the following best describes your current status:
  2. What have you completed in your experimentation this week? Be specific.
  3. What problems have you run into, and how have you overcome them?
  4. What support do you need from your teacher to move forward?
Make sure that your experimentation notes and data collection are also going directly into your lab notebook.

Task #4E: Experimentation Check-In 2

Learning Objectives
  • Record careful and detailed observations during experimentation in a lab notebook. Take pictures to document your process and observations.
  • Follow the procedure carefully to ensure that controlled variables stay constant.
Follow the procedure carefully to ensure that controlled variables stay constant.

Answer the questions below:

  1. Which of the following best describes your current status:
  2. What have you completed in your experimentation this week? Be specific.
  3. What problems have you run into, and how have you overcome them?
  4. What support do you need from your teacher to move forward?

  5. Turn in your lab notebook and pictures to your teacher OR include a link below:

    Link to a picture of your completed data table in your lab notebook:
    Link to pictures of your experimental process and results:

Task #4F: Self-Assessment Mastery Rubric

Test Your Hypothesis by Doing an Experiment
*Proficient is the goal for most students

Use this mastery rubric to check your learning for each skill or concept in this section of your science project. Identify which level you think you are currently at, add notes about why you think you're at that level, and plan what you can do to improve and take your project to the next level.

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Skill/Concept 1 - Beginning 2 - Developing 3 - Proficient* 4 - Extending Assessment + Notes
Materials List The materials list is incomplete, unclear, or lacks specificity. The materials list is partially complete but may miss important items or lack specificity. The materials list is complete, specific, and clear, customized to the specific project question. The materials list is thorough, highly specific, clear, and precisely customized to the specific project question. Select: Notes:
Materials Planning Does not plan ahead for all necessary materials, resulting in potential delays or missing items during the experiment. Attempts to plan for necessary materials but misses some items or lacks detail in the list, potentially causing issues during the experiment. Plans ahead effectively, ensuring that all necessary materials are listed with specificity and are available before starting the experiment. Demonstrates excellent planning by creating a highly detailed and specific materials list, ensuring all items are available and accounted for well in advance of the experiment. Select: Notes:
Experimental Procedure: Reproducibility Procedure lacks sufficient detail to be reproducible by someone else. Procedure includes some detail but may still be difficult for someone else to reproduce exactly. Provides a detailed, step-by-step procedure that is easily reproducible.  Provides a comprehensive, step-by-step procedure that is fully reproducible. Select: Notes:
Experimental Procedure: Explanation of Variables Provides a vague procedure that does not clearly explain how to change the independent variable, measure the dependent variable, or keep controlled variables constant. Provides a procedure that explains how to change the independent variable and measure the dependent variable, but may lack clarity or detail in keeping controlled variables constant. Provides a clear procedure that explains how to change the independent variable, measure the dependent variable, and keep controlled variables constant with good detail. Provides a detailed and precise procedure that thoroughly explains how to change the independent variable, measure the dependent variable, and keep controlled variables constant. Select: Notes:
Experimental Procedure: Number of Trials Provides a procedure with an insufficient number of trials, making the results unreliable. Provides a procedure with a minimal number of trials, which may limit the reliability of the results. Provides a procedure with an appropriate number of trials (at least three), ensuring reliable and valid results. Provides a procedure with more than the minimum required number of trials, ensuring highly reliable and valid results. Select: Notes:
Experimental & Control Groups Struggles to identify and describe the experimental groups and the control group, with significant errors or omissions. Descriptions are vague or unclear, lacking detail and specificity. Identifies the experimental groups and the control group, but with some errors or incomplete identification. Descriptions are general but lack some detail and clarity. Correctly identifies the experimental groups and the control group. Descriptions are clear and detailed, including their roles in the experiment. Correctly and confidently identifies the experimental groups and the control group without any errors. Descriptions are comprehensive and precise, thoroughly explaining their roles and significance in the experiment. Select: Notes:
Data Table Creation Creates a basic data table that lacks sections to record the dependent variable for each experimental group and control group. Does not include space to collect data for each trial or calculate averages. Creates a data table with sections for the dependent variable for each experimental group and control group, but it may lack clarity or completeness. Includes space for some trials but may not include space to calculate averages. Creates a clear and organized data table with sections for recording the dependent variable for each experimental group and control group. Includes space to collect data for each trial and calculate averages, if applicable. Creates a comprehensive and well-organized data table with detailed sections for recording the dependent variable for each experimental group and control group. Includes ample space to collect data for each trial and accurately calculate averages, if applicable. Select: Notes:
Lab Notebook Observations Records minimal observations with little detail. Entries are inconsistent and lack clarity. No pictures are taken to document processes and observations. Records general observations with some detail, but entries may be incomplete or inconsistent. Takes a few pictures to document the process and observations, but they may be unclear or incomplete. Records detailed and consistent observations during experimentation. Entries are clear and well-organized. Takes clear and relevant pictures to document the process and observations. Records comprehensive and meticulous observations with high consistency. Entries are exceptionally clear, detailed, and well-organized. Takes numerous, clear, and relevant pictures to thoroughly document the process and observations. Select: Notes:
Procedure Adherence and Adjustment Frequently deviates from the procedure, resulting in uncontrolled variables. Rarely adjusts the procedure when needed and fails to document changes Generally follows the procedure but with some inconsistencies. Occasionally adjusts the procedure when needed, but documentation of changes is incomplete or unclear. Follows the procedure carefully, ensuring that controlled variables stay constant. Adjusts the procedure as needed and documents changes clearly and thoroughly. Follows the procedure meticulously, ensuring controlled variables stay constant at all times. Proactively adjusts the procedure when needed and meticulously documents all changes with detailed explanations. Select: Notes:

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