SCIENTIFIC

INVESTIGATION
Preparing for the Science Fair
Science Fair Investigation
In an investigation, students:
1. Ask a testable question
2. Research the topic
3. Make a hypothesis about the outcome based on the
research or their own knowledge
4. Design the investigation
5. Conduct the investigation
6. Collect Data
7. Analyze the data and draw a conclusion
8. Present findings in the science fair
What is a Testable Question?
• Choose a topic of interest, then ask what is
called a “testable question.”

• Testable questions - are those that can be

answered through hands-on investigation by
the student.

• testable questions are always about

changing one thing to see what the effect
is on another thing.
Examples of Testable Questions

A. What amount of water is best to grow tomatoes?

Setup: 3 pots of tomato plant, each pot is
watered a different amount
What will you measure to know the effect of
amount of watering on growth of tomatoes?

Height of plant or
Number of fruits
Examples of Testable Questions

B. What type of soil is best for petunias to flower?

Setup: 3 pots of petunias, each pot has a different type of soil.
What will you measure to know the effect of
different types of soil ?

Number of
flowers
Examples of Testable Questions

B. What type of soil is best to grow petunias?

Setup: 3 pots of petunias, each pot has a
different type of soil.
 C. What amount of sunlight is
best to grow daffodils?
Draw or describe the setup:

What will you measure?

 D. Does the sun heat salt water and
fresh water at the same rate?
Draw or describe the setup:

What will you measure?

 E. Do different liquids freeze at
the same rate?
Draw or describe the setup:

What will you measure?

 F. Which type of battery lasts the
longest?
Draw or describe the setup:

What will you measure?

 G. What is the effect of a low-level electrical
field on the movement of fruit flies?

Draw or describe the setup:

What will you measure?

You try! (Exit Ticket)
1. Write your own question for investigation.

2. Draw or describe the setup

3. What will you measure?

4. List the tools you will use to make your

measurements.