STEAM Fair
2016
Scientific Inquiry
Student Name(s): _______________________
Scientific Inquiry
The STEAM Fair gives students a chance to engage in a STEAM-based
project of their interest.
If you are completing a science experiment, you will be required to
follow the Scientific Inquiry Process (shown below). All parts of this
process should be documented and included as part of your project
presentation.
The date of the STEAM Fair is ​
Thursday, May 12th in the Media Center.
Your presentation and materials should be delivered to the Media
Center before school. On ​
Thursday, May 12th from 12:15-2:15, you will be
presenting your project to students from McGaugh.
A detailed description of further expectations are outlined on the
following pages.
Step 1: ASK a Question
● Ask a question that can be tested scientifically
○ Examples:
■ Does music affect animal behavior?
■ Do certain foods affect heart rate?
■ What soil allows grass to grow tallest?
● Journal or draw some of your ideas.
Step 2: Do Background Research
● Research the question you choose to experiment
○ this will help you form a hypothesis
○ this can also help you determine how best to test your
question
● A minimum of 1 page (double spaced) typed in an ​
outline format.
● You must include at least 4 resources from where you got your
information.
● Any words included in your outline that a typical student in your
grade would not understand MUST BE DEFINED and EXPLAINED
within the outline!
Step 3: Construct a Hypothesis
● In your own words, write one sentence (sometimes a few
sentences may be necessary) to describe what you believe will
be the answer to your question from step 1.
● There is no “right way” to write a hypothesis - you just want to
be sure you mention the important parts of the experiment,
including what you predict will be the outcome.
○ Examples:
■ Rock music makes German Shepherd dogs more
active than they are without music.
■ Fatty foods increase heart rate immediately after
eating, while non-fatty foods do not increase heart
rate.
■ Topsoil is most effective for the height growth of
grass; topsoil allows grass to grow 3 inches higher than
other soils, on average.
Step 4: Test with an Experiment
● Set up a test for your hypothesis.
○ Write down all the materials and how much of each you will
need.
○ Write down (in detail!) the steps you take in your
experiment.
○ You will need to control as many variables as possible to
ensure a fair test!
■ Ex: If you are testing which soil helps grass grow
tallest, you will want to be sure ​
EVERYTHING​
except
the type of soil is the same. This includes amount of
sunlight, amount of water, amount of each type of soil,
the type of grass seeds, how many grass seeds, the
container used for planting, etc.
○ Be sure to gather data along the way. This may be in the
form of measurement, recording data on a
chart/graph/table, pictures, labels, etc.
Step 5: Analyze Results
● Take a look at all of your data (graphs, tables, charts, pictures,
etc.)
○ think about and answer the following questions:
■ what does my data tell/show me?
■ was my hypothesis correct?
● if so, why or how was it correct?
● if not, what WERE my results?
● Write your thoughts about the questions above in paragraph form.
○ If your results show that your hypothesis was correct, you
should move on to drawing your conclusions.
○ If your results show that your hypothesis was partially
correct, or incorrect, consider retesting!
■ What variable(s) could you change in a retest of this
experiment to get different or more accurate results?
■ If you have time, retest! Gather that data and
analyze it. Draw your conclusions, based on ALL the
data you’ve gathered from ALL experiments done.
Step 6: Draw Conclusions
● Consider your original question.
○ What answers can you provide to this question, now that
you’ve tested?
■ Be aware - sometimes, a “failed” experiment is
actually a success! If your experiment showed your
hypothesis was incorrect, you at least now know what
is NOT the answer to your question, right?
○ Can you make any connections between the results and
evidence in your experiment and any other phenomena in
your world?
Step 7: Report Results
● Write a report using all the information in this packet. A sample
report template has been provided for you.
○ Be sure to include pictures, graphs, charts, tables, videos,
or any other important information!
Reflection
● Type 2 - 3 paragraphs that thoughtfully answer any or all of the
reflection questions below:
○ What did you learn/discover from completing this project?
This can include new knowledge and skills learned through
research and the scientific inquiry process.
○ If you had additional time to continue testing, what would
you test next?
​resentation
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● You will be required to present your project at the STEAM Fair.
○ Be prepared to explain the process you used when testing
this question.
● Your presentation should include a brief introduction and
conclusion, and it should also follow the scientific inquiry process.
STEAM Fair Expectations
What should I bring to present at the STEAM Fair?
● Visual Aid(s)
○ tri-fold or other large poster board (​
Example​
)
■ board should:
● include name of your project and your name
● include any pictures/data tables/parts of your project
that can be attached
● stand on its own
● be neat!
○ your actual experiment (if possible)
○ all labeled pictures of scientific inquiry process, in chronological
order
● a computer or other technology device (if applicable)
● your write-up (sample outline below)
■ include all steps of scientific inquiry process listed in
previous pages
■ should be neat and in order
Sample Scientific Inquiry
Write-Up Outline
Your name
Your project’s name
Date of the STEAM Fair
Your project’s name
<Brief introduction (a few sentences to a few paragraphs is fine)>
Step 1: ASK a Question
<Write your information about this step here, including journal drawings or
writings. Please use complete sentences.>
Step 2: Do Background Research
<Write your outlined research information here. This may be in the form
of quick jotted notes. Complete sentences are not necessary.>
Step 3: Construct a Hypothesis
<Write your hypothesis here. This should be no more than a few
sentences, but one sentence should be enough.>
Step 4: Test with an Experiment
<Include pictures, written information, data, charts/graphs/tables, or other
pertinent information here.>
Step 5: Analyze Results
<Include your analysis here. Use complete sentences.>
Step 6: Draw Conclusions
<Include your original question and your conclusions to this question here.
Use complete sentences.>
Step 7: Reflection
<Include your 2 - 3 (or more!) paragraphs, detailing your reflection on this
project.>
References
A separate page with a list of the resources you used to gather
information should be included. Check with your classroom teacher to
determine if (s)he requires this page to be formatted in a certain way.
References may include websites, books, magazines, videos, interviews, or
any other method of gathering research.