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How to do an experiment for a science fair project
a step-by-step guide
Laboratory for your experiment:
By now you know if your science project experiment can be performed in your house or you need a science laboratory to perform the experiment. If your experimental project involves culturing cells or using laboratory equipment, you will have to identify a laboratory where it can be done. If you do not have access to the laboratory, you should discuss with your teacher. If your teacher cannot help you, you may want to contact one or more professors at the local University. Many school science projects can be done in your house. If you choose your house as the location, identify a corner in your house where you can do the experiment without disturbance. If you have very small children in the house, make sure that your experiment and materials are not disturbed. You may need access to a sink and a faucet. You may have to share some of the kitchen utensils etc. So think about the project and decide on an appropriate location in the house. It is good to have a table. You may need some old table clothes and spreads to make sure that your floor and table tops are not spoiled. Once you have prepared the location, you can call it your laboratory.Getting ready for the science fair project experiment:
If you wish to do a science fair project, you better start preparing for it several months in advance. Take your shopping list, the list of Materials and Methods listed on your plan (see previous section). Sit down with a pencil and check all the items that you already have and if necessary gather them and keep it in your laboratory. At least you should make sure that those things are available when you need them. Next you carefully examine the items that you do not have and find out from where you can get those items. Some of them may have to be bought from the local craft store. Craft stores are excellent places to get wood, plastics, yarns, paints etc. Some items may be available in your local pharmacy. There may be items that are not locally available, you may have to search the internet to find out less expensive sources. Your parents may be able to buy them for you using their credit card. It might take several days before these items arrive. So plan your experiment accordingly. Write down the details on how you obtained each item and their prices. It might be a good idea to obtain little more than what you might need. You never know how many times you might have to repeat the experiment to perfect your hands. In science fair competitions you may have to display your observation book along with your poster. So make an accurate and detailed observation bookObservation Book:
It is very essential to have an observation book while you do an experiment. A good observation book will be a book with page numbers. Every time you do something in the experiment, you should write it down with that day’s date. Write with a pen. If you write with a pencil, the writing is eraseable. You want to have a permanent record so that you can verify your experiment at a later stage and if required, you can show this to an examiner to establish that you have done what you claim in your report. If you make changes or a modified observation, the earlier entry should not be erased or struck off, but changes should be noted down on the margin. When ever you make an observation on the experiment that you perform, you should write that observation down. For example, you were mixing two colors and few drops of one color spilled, you may want to write this down. Or, you were measuring the length of a root and the you found the root was broken, note this down. Whether you are doing an experiment for your elementary school science project or for a nobel-prize winning experiment, consider these as the necessary rules. Your observation notes can be a continuation of your planning notes. Alternatively, you can keep a separate book for planning.Performing the experiment:
A science project is unlikely to end with one experiment. Every experiment that you do should be reproducible. Therefore, you will have to repeat every experiment. Whenever you begin the experiment, put down a title for the experiment in your observation book. Write the specific aim for that experiment. Write down the materials required for that specific experiment. Ofcourse, don't forget to write the date.Write down if you need to take any precaution while performing the experiment. Now you write down Procedure and start noting down whatever you do in detail. The experiment should be performed step-by step. Every small thing that you do and observe should be appropriately noted down in your observation book with date. If you have questions or doubts, it is alright to note down these too. When the experiment is over, write down the result you obtained, under the sub-title "Results". Now write "Conclusion" and put down what you concluded from the results. When the experiments are over for the day, you have to clean your workspace and make sure that everything is kept back in its right place. It might be a good idea to take your book to a knowledgeable adult, sit together and discuss your experiment.Precaution:
If your experiment involves any kind of risk to your person or property, you must have discussed with an adult and possibly your teacher too, and obtained their consent. Make sure that you perform such experiments only in the presence of a knowledgeable adult. You should use protective gears when ever needed. If your experiment involves instruments such as soldering iron and if you have never used it before, it can pose serious hazard to your person and property. Make sure that you learn the use of such instruments from experienced adults and take utmost care while using them. Make sure to leave them unplugged and safely stored before you leave the room. When you use glassware, there is a good chance that you might drop it or hit somewhere and break it. If you drop it and shatter, do not move. Call an adult to get the way clear for you and help you clean up, this will protect you from stepping on to less visible sharp pieces and hurting yourself. Do not use bare hands to clean broken glasses. If you use boiling water, you should be aware that steam can burn your skin instantaneously. NEVER THINK THAT THE BAD THING CANNOT HAPPEN TO YOU. IT CAN. So always be cautious while you perform experiments that involve risk.Experiments performed in a home laboratory can have unexpected and dangerous consequences. Therefore, we do not recommend you to have a permanent laboratory at home. Storing and using acids and alkalies, handling organic solvents, working with sharp objects and flame can all lead to unsafe situations, including fatality. Therefore, if you decide to peform your science project experiment by setting up a home laboratory you should at least follow the following directions:
1. Do not use hazardous chemicals
2. Do not use hazardous or infectious agents
3. If you use instruments such as soldering iron, that can potentially cause damage to you or propery you should have an experienced adult supervising.
3. Always have an adult supervising you.
4. Always use protective gears
5. Always dispose of wastes appropriately.
There are plenty of experiments that can be done at your home without using harmful substances and methods.
For details on laboratory safety you may visit the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Website. Other articles:
How to start a science fair project
How to write an abstract.
Next Article: How to make a science project poster.
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