Transcript Getting Ready for Science Fair

Getting Ready for Science Fair
Ideas
Background Research
Hypothesis
• Guidelines for Writing Hypotheses
– A hypothesis predicts what will happen.
– A hypothesis contains an “if…then…” statement.
– A hypothesis is not something already shown to be
correct.
– A hypothesis is not a statement of personal opinion.
– A hypothesis is not a definition.
– The more specific and detailed a hypothesis is, the
stronger it is.
– A hypothesis must be testable.
• Some tips to remember:
– A strong hypothesis is not necessarily one that is shown to be
correct. Any scientist will be wrong part of the time. This is not
evidence of a flawed hypothesis. If it cannot be shown whether
the hypothesis is correct or not through testing, the hypothesis
is not valid.
– A strong hypothesis does vary a bit by audience. Example: “If I
unplug the running refrigerator, then the inside temperature will
rise.” This hypothesis is strong for a young child or someone else
who does not already know what will happen. It is not
appropriate for a more experienced person.
– Definitions are terms whose meanings are agreed upon in a
culture. For example: “The Earth is a planet.” We, as speakers of
the English language, have agreed to call certain objects planets.
The Earth is among these objects. Hypotheses should use clear,
undisputed language.
• Practice Hypotheses
– For each of the following hypotheses, decide whether
it meets the criteria above and is a strong hypothesis.
If the statement is not a strong hypothesis, rewrite it
so that it is a strong hypothesis.
• If light colored liquid cools faster than dark-colored liquids,
then I will find that hot milk cools off faster than hot cocoa.
• The sun is a star.
• If I ask my dad to lift 100 pounds, he will do it.
• If a dropped ball never bounces all the way back to where it
started, then when the ball hits the ground, it must lose
energy.
• If a dog hears a noise, then it will bark.
• My magnet will pick up all metals.
• If shaking cream in a jar turns the cream foamy, then I can
make whipped cream by putting cream into a partially
empty jar and shaking it.
• The 1928 New York Yankees could beat any of today’s
teams.
• If a fire needs oxygen to keep burning, then cutting off the
supply of air will put out the fire.
• If I hit you with a water balloon, then you will get wet.
• If the Earth pulls “Earth things” back with a stronger force
than “non-Earth things”, then a dropped ping-pong ball will
fall more slowly than a big rock.
• If I put the right amount of money into the Pepsi machine,
then I will get a Pepsi.
• If this metal is a magnet, it will pick up a paper clip.
• If I pour water into two cups, one containing sand and the
other containing marbles, then the cup with the sand will
hold more water.
• If Sam and Joe race to the edge of the field, then Sam will get there
first.
• If Lois is smarter than Lori, then Lois will get better grades this
quarter.
• If space is real, then it must be measurable in some way.
• The population of Chicago is greater than the population of
Mansfield.
• Sam is faster than Joe.
• The Sun will eventually become a white dwarf.
• If the Democrats (or Republicans) win the Presidency, the nation is
doomed.
• If Shirley and Bob each take this test, then Shirley will get a better
score.
• If I smoke, then I will get cancer.
• Fords are more reliable than Chevys.
• If I complete all of my work, then I will get better grades.