Science

Investigatory
Project
 Science Process Skills
Inquisitive

Manipulative Organized

Communicative Creative
• Qualities for a sustained endeavour in
scientific query and innovation:
– Curious mind
– Persistence and Creativity
– Open Mind

Confesor, 2015
 Principles for scientific inquiry
• Pose significant questions
Testable What is What Data
that can be investigated Question changed? stays the collected
empirically same?

• Link research to relevant Stain

theory Which
Type of fading
– e.g. typical anionic detergents detergent Type of cloth, over time
detergent, physical for
are alkylbenzene sulfonates. removes
type of process of combinati
The alkylbenzene portion of stains the
stain stain ons of
these anions is lipophilic and best? removal detergents
the sulfonate is hydrophilic. and stains
• Use methods that permit
direct investigation of the Science Fair Central.
http://school.discoveryeducation.com/sciencefaircentral/
questions
National Research Council (USA), 2002
 Principles for scientific inquiry
• Provide a coherent and explicit chain of reasoning
o Description – what is happening?
o Cause – is there a systematic effect?
o Process/mechanism- why or how does the effect
occur?
• Yield findings that replicate and generalize across
studies
• Disclose research data and methods to enable
and encourage professional scrutiny and critique.

National Research Council (USA), 2002

 The Science Investigatory Project

• Applies/demonstrates scientific principles or

attempts to provide new knowledge.
• A result of continuing or parallel scientific
research and investigation, and not a copy of any
previous research.
• Has socio-economic significance
• Contributes to the advancement of science and
technology
*Based on DOST-INTEL Philippine Science Fair
How does frog’s tongue hang onto its meal as the food rockets
back into its mouth?
 C. Type of Information sought

1. Quantitative
– Uses quantitative methods to describe and interpret
phenomena
– Employs statistical analysis
TYPES of VARIABLEs
Characteristics of a good investigatory
project for a science fair
• Originality
• Planning
• Creativity
• Understanding
• Accuracy

Bernido & Bernido, 2014

Characteristics of a good investigatory
project for a science fair
• Thoroughness of the study
• Dominant variables distinguished and
considered
• Previous works done properly surveyed
• Scientific procedures strictly followed
• Contributes to the solution of practical
problems

Bernido & Bernido, 2014

 Some Science Fair Ideas
• Physics
– Biomechanics (Gecko’s ability to hold surfaces, etc.)
– Material science (Solar cells, Wind Energy mapping, etc.)
– Phototaxis and chemotaxis of micoorganisms
• Chemistry
– Isolation and characterization of natural extracts
– Natural dyes
• Biology
– Antibacterial Properties
– Fertilizers (Corn byproducts as fertilizers for mangoes, etc.)
• Environmental Science
– Ecological Assessment (Plankton diversity and concentration in
polluted rivers, etc.)
 Google Science Fair 2016 Recognized
Projects
• Smart Wound Care for the Future (wound
dressing sensor)
• Fighting Foam Waste with Recycled Filters
(Carbon filter)
• Semente Mágica [Magic Seed] – Transforming
polluted water into drinking water (Moringa
extracts to clean polluted water)
• KeepTab: Never Lose Your Things Again
(wearable device)
 INTEL ISEF
• Boosting MFC Biocatalyst Performance: A Novel
Gene Identification and Consortia Engineering
Approach
• Brace Yourself: A Novel Electronically Aided Leg
Orthosis
• Nature-Based Solid Polymer Electrolytes for
Improved Safety, Sustainability, and Efficiency in
High-Performance Rechargeable Batteries
• Reinventing the Leaf: A Manufactured Biohybrid
Photosynthetic System
 References
• NRC Report (2003), Chapter 3. In Feuer, M., Towne,
L., and Shavelson, R. (2002) Scientific Culture and
Educational Research. Accessed
https://web.stanford.edu/dept/SUSE/SEAL/Reports_
Papers/other_papers/Scientific%20Culture_ER.pdf
• Christopher C. Bernido and M. Victoria Carpio-
Bernido (2014). Training Workshop on Science
Investigatory Projects for DepEd Tagilaran City
• Confesor, Mark Nolan P. (2016). SIP Training for
Zamboanga Teachers and Students