| Developing a winning science fair project requries | | | | If we return to the hypothesis used in the |
| an in-depth understanding of the scientific method. | | | | previous section then a control experiment can be |
| One of the steps in the scientific method that | | | | set up. Since the student will want to compare all |
| gives students the most trouble is the | | | | of the results to those that are based on copper |
| development of an experiment. This is because | | | | wire conductivity, copper wire will be used in the |
| students often forget to develop a control | | | | control experiment. |
| experiment. | | | | Using the Control Experiment Data |
| What Is an Experiment? | | | | Students will want to start by completing their |
| An experiment is used in a science fair project to | | | | control experiment first. The data that is collected |
| test the relationship between two variables. The | | | | in this experiment will need to be kept separate |
| first variable is the dependent variable. This is the | | | | from the data collected in the test experiments. |
| variable that will be measured for change. The | | | | It will be used as a data baseline. All of the data |
| second variable is the independent variable. This | | | | collected from the other test experiments will be |
| variable is the one that is manipulated. A good | | | | compared to that collected in the control |
| experiment will only deal with one independent and | | | | experiment. |
| one dependent variable set. The goal of the | | | | Statistical analysis tools and formulas will be used |
| experiment is to identify a cause and effect | | | | to determine two things. First it will be used to |
| relationship between the two variables being | | | | determine if there is a statistically significant |
| examined. | | | | difference between what the control experiment |
| For example, if the hypothesis for your electronic | | | | data shows and what the test experiment data |
| science fair projects is "the most efficient | | | | shows. If there is a difference then correlations |
| conductor of electricity is copper" then you will | | | | will be drawn. For example, in the case of the |
| need to set up an experiment that tests various | | | | electronics science fair project the correlations |
| types of materials for conductivity efficiency. | | | | may show that copper is not the most efficient |
| Your dependent variable in this case will be the | | | | conductor of electricity, or it may show that it is. |
| conductivity efficiency measurement and the | | | | It is the student's main goal to use the control |
| independent variable will be the material that you | | | | experiment data and the test experiment data to |
| test for conductivity. | | | | prove or disprove their original hypothesis |
| What Is a Control Experiment? | | | | Disproving a hypothesis is the easiest of the two. |
| In order to determine if the results of the | | | | All you have to do is show evidence that the |
| manipulation of the independent variable produces | | | | hypothesis was false just once. However, |
| unique results a control experiment is required. | | | | students need to know that you can never really |
| The control experiment will be set up just like the | | | | "prove" that a hypothesis is true. When your data |
| test experiment, however, in the control the | | | | supports your hypothesis you just add to the |
| independent variable will not be manipulated. | | | | likelihood that it may be true. |