EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

Science Olympiad Summer InstitutePhoenix, AZ July 16 – 20, 2012

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

1. Variables2. Procedure3. Analysis of results4. Graph5. Data table

Teams not addressing the question/topic will be ranked behind others

1. Statement of Problem – 4 pts.

a) Not a yes/no questionb) Include independent and dependent

variablesc) Problem is clearly testabled) Written in a clear and concise manner

2. Hypothesis

a. Predicts a relationship or trendb. Gives specific direction to the

predictionc. Includes both independent and

dependent variablesd. Provides a rational for the

hypothesis

3a. Independent Variable – 3 pts

a. Operationally definedb. Correctly identifiedc. Has at least 3 levels

3b. Dependent Variable – 3 pts

a. Correctly defined (2 pts)b. Operationally defined

3a. Controlled Variables – 4 pts

a. One point for each correctly defined constant

b. up to a maximum of 4 points

4. Experimental Control – 2 pts(where appropriate)a. Correctly identifiedb. Makes logical sense for the

experiment

5. Materials – 3 pts

a. All materials used are listedb. No extra materials are listedc. Listed separately from procedure

6. Procedure – 6 pts

a. Well organizedb. In logical sequencec. Enough information is given to

make experiment replicabled. Includes diagramse. Has repeated trials

7. Qualitative Observations – 4 pts

Includes observations abouta.Resultsb.Procedure/deviations from procedurec.Results not relating to dependent

variabled.Things that happen during course of

experimente.VIDEO

8. Quantitative Data – 6 ptsa. All raw data is providedb. All data has unitsc. Condensed table with most

important datad. Table is correctly labelede. Example calculations are includedf. Uses correct significant figures (C

division)

9. Graph(s) – 6 points

a. Appropriate type of graphb. Has a titlec. Labeled correctly (2 pts)d. Units includede. Appropriate scale

10. Statistics – 2/6 ptsB Division – 2 ptsa.Uses average, median, or modeb.Statistic used is appropriate for data

C Division – 6 ptsa.Uses average, median, or modeb.Statistic used is appropriate for datac.Measure of central tenencyd.Measure of variatione.Regression analysisf. Other appropriate statistic used

11. Analysis of Data – 4 ptsAll statements must be supported by data

collecteda.All data is discussed and interpretedb.Unusual data points commented uponc.Trends in data explainedd.Enough detail provided to explain data

12. Experimental Errors – 3 ptsa. Reasons for errorsb. Important information about data

collectionc. Effect of errors on data

13. Conclusion – 4 pts

a. Hypothesis is evaluated by given data

b. Hypothesis is restatedc. Reasons to accept/reject hypothesisd. All statements are supported by

data

14. Applications/Further Research – 4 pts

a. Improvement of experimentb. Alternative interpretation of datac. Future experimentsd. Practical application(s) of

information discovered from experiment