EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

Science Olympiad Summer Institute Phoenix, AZ July 16 – 20, 2012 EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

DESCRIPTION Determine a team’s ability to design, conduct, and report the findings of an experiment

PARAMETERS • STUDENTS (mandatory) • ANSI Z87 indirect vent chemical splash goggles • Writing instrument(s) • STUDENTS (optional) • Timepiece • Ruler • Non-programmable calculator NOTE: Chemicals requiring safety clothing will not be used.

THE COMPETITION • Supervisors will provide teams with identical sets of materials • If materials are given to teams in a container the container is considered part of the materials

COMPETITION (cont.) • Nature of the experiment is determined by a question/topic area assigned by Supervisor • Same for all teams • Allow for experiments involving independent and dependent variables

SCORING Experimental Design Rubric • Max. Pts.: B – 61 C - 66 • Tiebreaker Sequence • Variables • Procedure • Analysis of results • Graph • Data table • Teams not addressing the question/topic will be ranked behind others

1. Statement of Problem – 4 pts. • Not a yes/no question • Include independent and dependent variables • Problem is clearly testable • Written in a clear and concise manner

2. Hypothesis • Predicts a relationship or trend • Gives specific direction to the prediction • Includes both independent and dependent variables • Provides a rational for the hypothesis

3a. Independent Variable – 3 pts • Operationally defined • Correctly identified • Has at least 3 levels

3b. Dependent Variable – 3 pts • Correctly defined (2 pts) • Operationally defined

3a. Controlled Variables – 4 pts • One point for each correctly defined constant • up to a maximum of 4 points

4. Experimental Control – 2 pts(where appropriate) • Correctly identified • Makes logical sense for the experiment

5. Materials – 3 pts • All materials used are listed • No extra materials are listed • Listed separately from procedure

6. Procedure – 6 pts • Well organized • In logical sequence • Enough information is given to make experiment replicable • Includes diagrams • Has repeated trials

7. Qualitative Observations – 4 pts Includes observations about • Results • Procedure/deviations from procedure • Results not relating to dependent variable • Things that happen during course of experiment • VIDEO

8. Quantitative Data – 6 pts • All raw data is provided • All data has units • Condensed table with most important data • Table is correctly labeled • Example calculations are included • Uses correct significant figures (C division)

9. Graph(s) – 6 points • Appropriate type of graph • Has a title • Labeled correctly (2 pts) • Units included • Appropriate scale

10. Statistics – 2/6 pts B Division – 2 pts • Uses average, median, or mode • Statistic used is appropriate for data C Division – 6 pts • Uses average, median, or mode • Statistic used is appropriate for data • Measure of central tenency • Measure of variation • Regression analysis • Other appropriate statistic used

11. Analysis of Data – 4 pts All statements must be supported by data collected • All data is discussed and interpreted • Unusual data points commented upon • Trends in data explained • Enough detail provided to explain data

12. Experimental Errors – 3 pts • Reasons for errors • Important information about data collection • Effect of errors on data

13. Conclusion – 4 pts • Hypothesis is evaluated by given data • Hypothesis is restated • Reasons to accept/reject hypothesis • All statements are supported by data

14. Applications/Further Research – 4 pts • Improvement of experiment • Alternative interpretation of data • Future experiments • Practical application(s) of information discovered from experiment

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN