Build a spectroscope from a CD and analyse light sources

Problem

You write thisWrite your question as: How does [what you change] affect [what you measure]?

Hypothesis

You write thisWrite it as: If [I change this], then [this will happen], because [reason].

Variables

You write thisName the one thing you change (independent), the thing you measure (dependent) and what you keep the same (controlled).

Materials and procedure are in Materials and the Roadmap.

Observation table

You write thisDraw a table with one column for what you change, one for each repeat reading and one for the average.

Graph

You write thisPlot what you changed along the bottom and what you measured up the side; use a bar chart for categories and a line graph for numbers.

Results

You write thisState what the graph shows in one or two sentences, with numbers.

Conclusion

You write thisSay whether the result supports your hypothesis and why you think so.

Display board

• Title and your name
• Question
• Hypothesis
• Materials
• Procedure (with photos)
• Data table and graph
• Conclusion
• What you would do next

Questions judges ask

• What would you change if you did this again?
• What was your biggest source of error, and how did you reduce it?
• Where is this idea used in real life?

Research question

You write thisOne question you can answer with data, narrow enough to finish in the time you have.

Hypothesis

You write thisWhat you expect to find, and why.

Variables

You write thisWhat you change or compare, what you measure, and what you hold constant.

Methodology

You write thisDescribe the method in enough detail that someone else could repeat it: sample, tools, procedure.

Data collection

You write thisSay what you will record, how many times, and how you will keep the records safe.

Analysis

You write thisChoose the table, chart or test that answers the question; report averages with their spread.

Limitations

You write thisList what could have affected the result: small sample, instrument limits, things you could not control.

Literature review

Find five to eight sources (your textbook, review articles, reports) and note what each says about your question. Group them by idea, not one after another, and end with what is still not known.

References

List every source you used in one style throughout (author, year, title, where it was published, link and the date you opened it).