5 th Graders Test their Hypothesis Name Due Date: Scientist set up experiments to look at the way one item or method in an experiment may change the experiment s outcome. This is the independent variable; the thing that varies or changes when other things in the experiment stay the same, or are controlled variables. The outcome of the experiment is compared with a control to determine if the dependent variable has affected the outcome. Scientists guess what will happen, this is called a hypothesis. A real experiment is a good mystery. You think you know what will happen, but you might be surprised. Your curiosity keeps you going. So how do you get started on testing your hypothesis? Well, choose a product that you find interesting to you. Think about the product. Is this product advertised? Find out what other people have thought about it. What do you want to find out about the product? Do you believe all of the hype to be true about this product? Well, now is the time to determine the facts! Follow these steps to complete your 5 th Graders test their Hypothesis project.
Form a Hypothesis When you are interested in observing something and telling other people about it, you must first form a hypothesis. This hypothesis is a statement of what you think will happen. For example, are all paper towels the same? Does one paper towel work better than another? Is cost a factor in my decision? Your hypothesis could be, based on cost, paper towels that cost more are more absorbent. Establish a Measurement System Measuring is an important part of science because differences in measurement tell us how something changes. When you measure, be careful. Measure the same amount of the product; measure the same size of your product; utilize the same system with your experiment. Be careful to watch your measurement marks on spoons, cups, test tubes, or scales. Keep the tops of spoonfuls and cupfuls level. Collect Data You will be best at convincing people that your hypothesis is true or not true by giving them pieces of information you have observed. These pieces of information are called data. Pieces of information, or data, come in many forms. Your data can be in the form of drawings, photographs, sound recordings, lists, charts, graphs, or samples. The data will be presented on a poster board. Interpretations Now you need to use the data you collected and determine what your data tells you about your hypothesis. This is called interpreting data. What does it mean to answer your hypothesis? Through the interpretation of data, a conclusion is formed and perhaps further questions arise. Challenge: For extra credit, on your poster board list at least two more independent variables you would like to test. You do not need to test them, just list them on your poster board. Include a hypothesis for each new independent variable you would test further. What you may think the outcome maybe, but it is not required.
Conclusion Once you have interpreted your variable you must compare your results with your Control. Did your product you tested have impact on the outcome? How do you know this? What evidence did you collect to determine this? What form of analysis did you use to determine this? For example, a mustard stain is washed using 3 different detergents. How would you compare the results? You must create a form of analysis from which you compared the results. Create a chart to compare the mustard stain. Assign points for mustard stain totally removed, 3pts, somewhat removed 2pts, barely removed, 1 pt or nothing happened 0 pts. Advertisement Create an advertisement that contains a catchy slogan. Lure your potential buyers interests. Be catchy with your slogan. (e.g. Is Bounty REALLY the Quicker Picker Upper?) We re ready to begin!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Poster Requirements Use a traditional sized poster You must have the following on your poster: 1. Title and name- Be sure it is a title that fits your project. Will it grab people s attention? Put your name on the front of the poster 2. Hypothesis- On your poster board, state your hypothesis clearly. Tell why you think this hypothesis is accurate. Use your previous knowledge about the topic to support your decision about the hypothesis. 3. Measurement System- How did you conduct your experiment? This is where you summarize what you did for this experiment. What were your controlled variables? What was your independent variable? What was your dependent variable? All three variables must be included in your summary. 4. Results- What happened? Report your data. Did you use pictures or evidence of your experiment, and graphs to show your results? 5. Conclusions- **** This is the most important part. You really need to think about your results here! **** What conclusion/s can you draw from your results? How did your experiment affect your dependent variable? What did you want to learn from this experiment? Was your hypothesis correct? If not, what caused your hypothesis to be incorrect? What do you know now that your didn t know before? Are your results something that you expected to happen? 6. Advertisement Create an advertisement to promote the product you are testing. Create a slogan that describes your product. Extra Credit Write two more independent variables you think maybe possible to experiment with again. Write a hypothesis for the new independent variables you want to further investigate.
Possible Ideas for 5 th Graders Interpret Hypothesis Compare one detergent using different types of stains Compare various paper plate strength Compare 3 detergents using same type of stain Compare the absorbency of different fabrics (paper towel, cotton towel, sponges, napkins) or 3 different brands of paper towels Compare different brands of dish soap when washing dishes by hand; how many dishes will each soap wash; how long do the suds stay; Compare one soiled pan with different detergents. Which detergent holds up better? Compare dishwashing detergent for dishwashers. Does one work better than another? How will you test this? Compare one window cleaner on specific stains. How does it hold up? Compare window cleaners. Does one clean better than another? Compare trash bags. Are all trash bags the same? Is one stronger than another? How about paper verses plastic? Compare batteries. Does one battery brand really keep going, and going, and going? Try different types of preservatives on cut fruits? Do different fruits turn brown more readily than others? Does one preservative work better than another? Compare diapers. Which diaper is the most absorbant? Does one diaper brand prevent leaks better than another? Compare light bulbs. Do the new energy efficient bulbs really last longer than standard light bulbs? Do off brand bulbs work the same length of time as a brand name bulb? Compare carpet cleaners. Does one carpet cleaner better than another? Test one carpet cleaner on different stains. How well does this product really work? Pop Rocks. How much gas do they give off in different liquids such as water, soda water, and soda pop? Dissolving Peeps. Will Peeps dissolve more quickly in water, vinegar, fruit juice, or soda pop? Do egg shells dissolve? Place a raw egg in water, vinegar and sprite. What will happen? What type of salt dissolves ice more quickly? Use table salt, rock salt, and icy melt pellets.
Painted Daisies. Will a white daisy absorb color? Use various colors of food coloring. Will one color absorb more than another? Flower color. Use 3 different white flowers and use food color to determine which flower will absorb the most color. Acids and bases. Use different acids and bases from your kitchen to put on apple slices to determine which will preserve the apple slice the best. Pumpkin preservatives. Is there something you can put on a pumpkin inside and out, to preserve the pumpkin? How about trying bleach, acrylic spray, dish detergent. Floral preservatives. Which preservative will keep a flower fresh. Try flower fresh, bleach, aspirin, or Tylenol. Moldy Fruit. Using different fruits, test to see which fruit will grow mold the fastest. Moldy Bread. Using different types of bread, test to see which bread will grow mold fastest.
5 th Graders Test their Hypothesis Name Project choice: Hypothesis: I believe my hypothesis is accurate for these reasons: 1. 2. 3. Parent Signature: