Science Fair Projects are entries into a contest, which has rules.
Some of the basic rules are as follows:
- Unless other wise directed, science fair projects should be an experiment with measurable results.
- Science fair experiments are to be cause/effect investigations in which one variable is tested to determine if and how it causes another variable to change.
For example: What effect does the amount of light have on the growth rate of bean plants? - Science Fair Questions are to identify two variables, the independent variable. In the example question above, the independent variable is the amount of light and the dependent variable, which is the growth rate of bean plants.
- When deciding on the objective of the science fair project, think ahead and make sure your project question that can be answered by performing an experiment with measurable results. I stress this point because your work is considered more credible if you use a standard measuring device.
Question from a student:
Message Body:
I’m trying to figure out my variables for my project my scientific question, which is “How well do certain types of metal conduct electricity?”
For my independent variable I have it as different types of metal wire.
For my dependent variable I have it as the conductivity of the metal wire.
But I’m confused on my controlled variables because so far I only have the length of the wire
Would you be able to help me out I am very confused?
Answer from Janice
Let’s start with your Science Fair Question: “How well do certain types of metal conduct electricity?”
While you can measure the conductivity of different types of metals, you will not be preforming a cause/effect investigation.
Think About This:
What is it about metals that promotes conductivity? If different types of metals conduct electricity differently, what causes this difference in conductivity?
These questions lead you to research how metals are alike and how they are different, such as the following video:
Properties of Metals:
- Metals are solids, except for mercury.
- Metals have a unique type of bonding called “metallic bonding.” Find out more about metallic bonding and if it is the same for all metals.
- Metals are solids, except for mercury.
- Metals have a crystalline structure, but this structure is not the same for all metals.
- Metals have different unit cell structures.
- Metals have “free electrons.”
Find out more about the Structure of Metals and the different types of unit cell structures.
| Aluminum | FCC | Nickel | FCC | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cadmium | HCP | Niobium | BCC | |
| Chromium | BCC | Platinum | FCC | |
| Cobalt | HCP | Silver | FCC | |
| Copper | FCC | Titanium | HCP | |
| Gold | FCC | Vanadium | BCC | |
| Iron | BCC | Zinc | HCP | |
| Lead | FCC | Zirconium | HCP | |
| Magnesium | HCP |
Science Fair Project Question:
Example: How does the unit cell structure of metals affect their electrical conductivity?
Independent Variable: Types of unit cell structures
Dependent Variable: Electrical conductivity
Controlled Variables: Method of measuring conductivity, gauge and length of metal wire tested
Control Experiment or Standard
For this investigation, you could use the known values for electrical conductivity as your standard.
This is only an example–a type of model to use when designing your own science fair project.
