Experimental Design Process

Have you wondered why some high school students compete in higher-level STEM Fairs and others never make it beyond their school-based science fairs? All students have the potential to complete great STEM fair projects--the difference between those that compete in higher-level STEM Fairs is the preparation process they follow. Entering a competitive project is much more than conducting a great experiment. You must follow a process similar to what research scientist follow when they are conducting research, which is known as the Experimental Design Process. Through this process, researchers use their scientific literacy, laboratory, research skills and their oral and written communication skills to conduct an experiment and present their findings to diverse audiences. Experimental Design in the process of planning your experiment before conducting your experiment. It includes becoming familiar with scientific theory and writing a step by step procedure. It also includes following proper laboratory, research and data collection skills during the process. Once the experiment is conducted, scientist use specific data analysis skills to prepare oral and written reports. After ten-plus years of experience helping prepare high school students through her non-profit organization's Experimental Design Program, Ms. Tokiwa Smith, author developed the curriculum in this book. Through this book, she aims to teach high school students the skills needed to prepare for a STEM Fair competition using the same strategies and procedures that research scientists use to prepare for presentations at professional STEM conferences.