DetermineAProblem

This will be your research/guiding question. Come up with a question that you are interested in. Your question needs to be testable and measurable. Read the following questions and think about what kind of test you could set up to answer them. How would you measure your results? -- How is air volume changed by temperature? -- What is the effect of temperature on the volume of air? Which of these examples clearly presents a testable and measurable question? Why?  **Definition.** A testable question is one that allows you to make a comparison. In scientific inquiry, this is done by setting up a test in which you will change one factor of your experiment and observe its effect on the rest of your experiment.  **Definition.** A measurable question is one that can be answered using an instrument such as a ruler, scale, or clock to measure the results of the experiment.

** 1. Brainstorm questions ** Use question words to frame your questions: How? Why? When? What? Show your questions to your science teacher for advice on formulating them as testable and measurable.

Go to the library or Internet to learn more about your topic. Always ask //Why?// or //What if?// Review the information you’ve gathered so far to identify other resources you could look at to explore your topic further. Look for unexplained or unexpected results in other’s experiments. If possible, talk to professionals in the field. If you are thinking of refining a past project for this year’s Science Fair, make sure you are able to document how the additional research is new and different from prior work.
 * 2. Research your questions **.

Which of the questions are testable and measurable? Which require materials to which you have access? Which can be answered within your timeframe?
 * 3. Analyze your questions **

**Worksheet.** Use this [|worksheet] to brainstorm problems and determine if they are measurable and testable.