1. A QUICK REVIEW OF THE
SCIENTIFIC METHOD
A lot of you have been asking questions about the
scientific method. Let me answer them all at once.

2. DISCLAIMER
Some things I’m about to say may apply directly to
your project, some may not.
Don’t freak out if it doesn’t directly apply to you—I’m
one man.

3. VARIABLES
There are two major variables in your experiment:
the dependent and the independent variable.

4. QUICK WAY TO REMEMBER
Here’s an easy way to think about it.
“How does α affect ß?”
α is you independent variable.
ß is your dependent variable.

5. EXPERIMENTAL GROUP
This is the set of test items that undergo the various
manipulation of variables.

6. CONTROL GROUP
This is like a second experiment where you do not
include your independent variable.
If you’re testing to see if salt in water makes it boil
faster, then your control is the pot without any salt in
the water.

7. TWO BRAINPOPS
Yes, there is a BrainPOP on science fair projects—
lucky you.
http://www.brainpop.com/science/scientificinquiry/scienceprojects/
There is also one on the scientific method, in case
you get confused.
http://www.brainpop.com/science/scientificinquiry/scientificmethod/

8. A REVISED PROPOSAL
A revised proposal—based on the research you’ve
done and what we’ve talked about this week, you
should be working on finalizing exactly what you plan
on doing.
In writing, explain what you’re doing, how you plan on
doing it, what you’ve done already and what you still
need to do.

9. BENCHMARKS
This is what you should be working on today:
A revised proposal (see previous).
Finishing up your research—I am going to
expect a full draft on Tuesday. By the end of
today you should have finished up collecting
facts and be drafting.
Compiling a materials list and planning yout
board. We have less than 10 class periods left.