Writing the "Experimental Design/Blueprint"

The Experimental Design/Blueprint for your science fair topic should be similar to a formal lab report.  Use the following guidelines for your experiment.  Be sure to include the headings within the body of your paper. 

 

Title:   The title you will use for your experiment/demonstration.  This should catch the attention of your audience.  Be sure the scientific principle you are teaching is incorporated in the title. 

 

Abstract:  A brief paragraph giving an overview of your experiment.  This should include an introductory statement, including the problem and hypothesis, a summary of the procedure, data, and results, as well as a conclusion statement.  An abstract is challenging to compose, for you must be succinct.  The audience should be able to read the abstract and understand your experiment. 

 

Problem/Principle:  The question that you are exploring through experimentation and demonstration.  This should be stated as a question. 

 

Background Paper:  Research paper discussing the historical information or present and future aspects of the topic.  (Refer to 1^st Deadline). 

 

Hypothesis:  A prediction or suggested solution to the problem/principle and a brief explanation as to why this solution was chosen. 

 

Materials:  A list of all materials used in the experiment or demonstration, including tools and props.

 

Procedure:  A detailed, numbered list of steps describing the way the experiment/demonstration was organized and the conditions under which it was performed.  This should enable another person to perform the experiment or develop the demonstration in the exact way you did, without your help.  A detailed sketch, or "blueprint" of your apparatus should be included in this section. 

 

Results:  (data and observation)

A detailed record of all the data collected during the experiment or development of the demonstration.  This must include observations as well as numerical data.  Note everything your senses can gather and keep careful records.  The data should be recorded on tables and plotted on graphs where appropriate.  You must include at least one graph in your report.  Thus, you must come up with quantitative data.  For some topics this may prove difficult, but checking for audience understanding with a survey would provide needed data.  This section may also include illustrations and photographs. 

 

Conclusion:  (analysis and discussion of the data)

A detailed explanation of the data and whether or not the data supports the hypothesis. 

A summary of what was discovered/demonstrated in the experiment. 

 

 

References:  Books, periodicals, interviews, websites, and electronic resources that were used in addition to information provided in the "Background Paper" must be included at this point on a Bibliography page.  Use the format provided in this packet of information.