General overview of procedure: selecting a hypothesis to test, designing the experiment, carrying out the experiment, collecting the data, sharing or posting the data, and writing the lab report

1. Select a hypothesis to test (it may be assigned by teacher.)

2. Decide on a general design for the experiment. Fill out experiment design template sheet.

3. Fill in the blank procedure & materials list form.

4. Read or reread “How to write a lab report” on moodle. Start typing lab report, especially the materials and methods section. Save this document in multiple locations: home computer, flash drive, email and the school’s server. If related to the science fair, save onto the science fair wiki as well.

5. Gather supplies and label necessary materials and containers.

6. Start experiment. Take pictures and record data at predetermined intervals.

7. Share data with group members, post to wiki on moodle (if applicable) and/or post to the science fair wiki (if part of the science fair).

8. Calculate averages and ranges (if applicable)

9. Finish lab report. While working on the lab report, please save and backup this document in multiple locations: home computer, flash drive, email and the school’s server. If related to the science fair, save onto the science fair wiki as well.

Consider writing each section at different times. By this time, the materials and methods section should have been completed. Continue with the results section. Decide what data is important to share and the best way to display the data. Read or reread the documents on moodle about data tables and graphs. Continue with the conclusion. After the conclusion, write the abstract and the title.

Note: Even though you are completing these sections out of order, make sure the lab report is submitted with all of the parts in the correct order.

10. Submit lab report

11. Revise and resubmit lab report if you earned “DE.” In cases of the science fair, make revisions to the science fair wiki.