Jim Vetrone, Ph'D'

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Jim Vetrone, Ph.D.

• Science Teacher- Hinsdale Central High
• Scientist- Argonne National Lab
• Science parent- 3 kids in the district
• http//cstaff.hinsdale86.org/jvetrone/

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Science Fair 2003

• Kids are
• natural scientists,
• so
• let them have fun!

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?Assumptions we must make?

• The world is governed by rational, natural laws
• These laws do not change over time
• We can observe, test, interpret the laws

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The methods of science are not

• Solving by trial error
• Making random choices
• Stumbling on fortunate accidents
• Relying on speculations or myths

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The method of science is

• The use of experiment
• and observations to test
• our interpretation of natural
• laws governing our world

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Blue print of the scientific method

• Problem pick a testable cause-effect topic
• Hypothesis- guess the effect of some cause
• Experiment make tests observations
• Communicate tell what youve learned

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Scientific
method
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Scientific method is the way!

• Comes naturally to kids(Mixing colors, play
  dough, testing parents!)
• Experiments are always repeated by others
• Best way to separate truth from lies / delusion

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Step 1 Find the problem!

• Interesting to the student
• Cause-effect relationship (not opinions,
  feelings, loose associations)
• Do-able and appropriate
• for students grade
• Safe!!!!!!!

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Where to find ideas

• interests, hobbies, sports, sciency magazines,
  teachers
• surf the net
• www.edzone.net/mwestern/scifair.html - super
  site!
• www.exploratorium.edu/ls/pathfinders/scifairs -
  fun site
• www.ipl.org/div/kidspace/projectguide/ - how to
  guide
• http//members.ozemail.com.au/macinnis/scifun/pro
  jects.htmN42 2000 ideas

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• Which videotape is best for the greatest amount
  of use?
• Will adding bleach to a plant reduce fungus
  growth?
• How much do worms move in light verses in the
  dark?
• What percentage of corn seeds will germinate?
• How does coffee affect blood pressure?
• What factors affect the growth of bread mold?
• Which material is the best insulator for storm
  windows?
• Does the width of a rubber band affect how far it
  stretches?
• Does sugar prolong the life of cut flowers?

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Step 2 Hypothesis

• Brain storm about what you want to test
• Identify factors (variables) which may cause some
  effect on your topic (temperature, weight, etc)
• Pick one variable that can be changed without
  changing any other variables
• Make an educated guess about what will happen and
  why when that one variable is changed

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Step 3 Design an Experiment

• Gather all needed materials
• Select only one independent variable to change
• Change that variable and record lots of data-
  write down all observations measurements-
  repeat to make sure result is reproducible
• Repeat experiment but without actually changing
  that one variable to make sure results are real

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Step 4 Communicate results!

• Tell everything you did and observed so that
  someone else could repeat the exact same
  experiment
• Display neatly pictures, graphs, tables, and
  explanations
• Draw conclusions (with enthusiasm!!)
• was your hypothesis correct? what went
  wrong what would you do next time? what did
  you enjoy learning ?

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Final thoughts!

• Guide your children, but dont do it!
• This should be a learning experience
• (how to graph, be neat, organized, plan,work
  with others, think critically, etc)
• Have fun- it should come naturally!

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