Science Fair Pre-lab Example:
Use How to Write a Lab Report link for help.
Create a google document titled “Science Fair Lab Report” and share with your partner and Mr. Ganey.
Name: _____
Period: _____
Date: _____
(Interesting Title) Are you afraid of the light!
Purpose or Problem Statement: (How does the IV affect the DV?)
How does light affect the distance a mealworm moves?
Background Research:
Should contain about 400-1000 words regarding the problem statement. Try for around 600 words total.
Think about the problem statement. What is light? What are mealworms? What do animal use to see light? What are
senses? Do all animals have all 5 senses? How do mealworms move?
Hints: Identify the keywords in the question for your science fair project. Brainstorm additional keywords and concepts.
Use "question words" (why, how, who, what, when, where) to generate research questions from your keywords.
Hypothesis: (“If…, then…, because…” format)
If (IV) light is shone at a mealworm, then (prediction about the DV) the mealworm will travel a distance away from the
light, because (reasoning for the prediction – inference) mealworms can sense heat due to light and will move away from
the light and heat since mealworms prefer cold dark environments.
IF statement explains what you are testing
Then statement is a prediction of what will happen
Because statement is an explanation of your prediction
Use the “How to Write a Good Hypothesis” link for help.
Variables: (IV = what you are testing; DV = what you are measuring; Constant = what stays the same)
Independent Variable: Light exposure
Dependent Variable: Distance the mealworm travels
Constants: Room temperature
Control Group: none; (This is an experiment to compare results to – depends on experiment chosen)
Materials: (bulleted list of materials needed to complete experiment)
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Dark room
Small tray
Mealworm
Flashlight
Ruler
Procedures: (number set of directions in complete sentences; minimum 9 steps)
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9.
Organize materials and setup in the dark room as shown in the scientific drawing.
Place the mealworm in the center of the tray.
Wait 10 minutes and measure the distance the mealworm travels with the ruler.
Repeat for 4 trials and average the distance travelled.
Place the mealworm in the center of the tray.
Use the flashlight to shine light in the corner of the tray.
Wait 10 minutes and measure the distance the mealworm travels towards or away from the light with a ruler.
Repeat for 4 trial and average the distance travelled.
Create a graph depicting the average distance the mealworm travelled when there was no light stimulus and
when there was light stimulus.
10. Analysis and interpret the results by comparing the data from when there was no light stimulus to when there
was light stimulus.
Results Section:
Data Table: (create an empty data table and title, so that you understand what data needs to be collected)
Table 1: The relationship between light stimulus and mealworm movement.
Stimulus
Trial 1 Distance
(cm)
Trial 1 Distance
(cm)
Trial 1 Distance
(cm)
No Light
Light
This ends the pre-lab. 
Now it is time to collect and analyze your experimental data!
Use the How to Write a Lab Report link to complete the rest of your lab report.
Trial 1 Distance
(cm)
Average Distance
Travel