Problem Solving in Science

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Problem Solving in Science
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County Science FairProject Categoriesfor K - 3

• Collection Display
• Demonstration
• Engineering and Design
• Experimentation

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County Science FairProject Categoriesfor Grades
4-5

• Life Sciences
• Physical Sciences
• Earth Space Sciences
• Engineering
• Mathematics Computer Science
• Behavioral Social Science

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All Project Categories

• K - 3
• Collection Display
• Demonstration
• Engineering Design
• Experimentation

• 4-5
• Life Sciences
• Physical Sciences
• Earth Space Sciences
• Engineering
• Mathematics Computer Science
• Behavioral Social Science

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The project must begin with a well written
problem.

• What makes my car go slower? or Does a vehicle go
  slower when it carries more weight?
• vs.
• How does the weight of the load affect the speed
  of a vehicle?

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Identifying Variables

• Independent variable
• Dependent variable
• Controlled variables

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How does the weight of the load affect the speed
of my vehicle?

• This is a well written problem.

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How does the weight of the load affect the speed
of my vehicle?

• This is the variable you choose to change as you
  investigate.
• This is called the INDEPENDENT variable.

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How does the weight of the load affect the speed
of my vehicle?

• This is the variable you will measure.
• The speed depends on the weight.
• This is the DEPENDENT variable.

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How does the weight of the load affect the speed
of my vehicle?
The variable we are changing is the load
(weight). The variable we are measuring is the
speed. All other variables must be kept the same.
These are called CONTROLLED variables.
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Controlled Variables

• The same vehicle must be used for all tests
• The starting and ending points must all be the
  same
• The number of washers used to pull the vehicle
  must be the same for all trials

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Hypothesis

• This is a statement of what you predict will
  happen.
• I think that the heavier the load the slower
  the vehicle will move because when I pull things
  in my wagon it is harder for me when it is
  heavier so I think that will make the vehicle go
  slower.

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A clear process or procedure should be followed.
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Repeated Trials

• It is important to do each trial of the
  investigation at least 3 times. The more trials
  that are conducted in an investigation, the more
  likely it is that the results will be valid.
• If obvious errors occur during a trial, that data
  should not be used, and a new trial should be
  conducted.

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Students should be actively involved in
collecting and organizing data.

• Tables
• Charts
• Graphs

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Analyzing the collected data is very important to
the success of the project. Projects often have a
let-down in this area.
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Students must make a conclusion based on their
data.

• The heavier the load on the vehicle, the
  slower the vehicle traveled the distance marked
  on the table. With no extra load, the vehicle
  took only 5 seconds. With one block it took an
  average of 7 seconds, and with two two blocks it
  took an average of 11 seconds.

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An important step is to share what was learned
and/or to do some research to make a practical
application.

• In this investigation a student might want to
  learn how engineers decide how much of a load
  trucks carry.
• or
• What features do real cars and trucks have that
  help them carry heavy loads?

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Displaying YourScience Fair Project
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Guide to the Science Fair Classroom Problem
Solving

• http//www.fcpsteach.org/docs/SciFair20Handbook.p
  df

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PROBLEM SOLVING

• Does the problem appear on or is it attached to
  the project?
• Is the problem really a problem or just a
  question?
• Is a reasonable hypothesis given?
• Is the hypothesis based on prior knowledge or
  research as opposed to being a guess?
• Is data collected and displayed appropriately?
• Were variables identified and controlled?
• Does the students conclusion follow logically
  from the data gathered - or is it incorrectly
  based on the students original perception, or
  does it not reflect the data that was collected?