Experiment Plan
The Student and a parent / guardian should sign the Approval Form on lines marked
Example 1
A. Rationale (What will you try to find out?): Which bat, aluminum or wood, causes a baseball to travel the farthest?
B. Hypothesis / Engineering Goals (explain what you predict will happen, and why): I hypothesize that the aluminum bat will cause the ball to travel the farthest because they are made with the latest technology to make the bats stronger and more powerful.
C. Procedure (step by step description of how you will do the experiment):
1. Obtain 2 bats, one wooden and one aluminum, that are the same size (32 inches, 29 oz)
2. Perform the experiment in an indoor hitting cage with a pitching machine
3. Stand in the batter’s box in a bunting position
4. Let the pitch hit the bat without swinging
5. Mark the floor where the ball lands with a piece of tape
6. Repeat steps 2 – 5 100 times for each bat
7. Measure the distance from home plate to each tape mark
D. Risk and Safety (Identify any potential risks and safety precautions to be taken): Batter might be hit by a pitch or batted ball. Batted ball could damage property, break a window, etc. Experiment will be completed in a batting cage and the batter will wear a helmet.
E. Data Analysis (How will you analyze the data you collect): I will calculate the average distance for each bat and compare them in a bar graph.
Example 2
A. Rationale (What will you try to find out?): Which fabric can absorb the most water? I will test cotton, nylon, silk, denim, wool, polyester, and satin.
B. Hypothesis / Engineering Goals (explain what you predict will happen, and why): I think that wool will absorb the most water because it is the heaviest material I am testing.
C. Procedure (step by step description of how you will do the experiment):
1. Gather my fabrics (cotton, nylon, etc.)
2. Cut my fabrics in squares so that the mass of each is 10 grams
3. Fill a container with 150 ml of water
4. Place one of the fabric squares in the container of water so that it is completely soaked
5. Let the excess water drip off the fabric for a count of 5 seconds
6. Measure the volume of water remaining in the container, subtract from 150 ml to find the amount of water absorbed by the fabric
7. Repeat steps 3 – 6 five times for each fabric square
D. Risk and Safety (Identify any potential risks and safety precautions to be taken): There are no real safety risks. Water could cause some damage so spills will be cleaned up immediately.
E. Data Analysis (How will you analyze the data you collect): I will calculate the average volume of water absorbed for each fabric and compare them in a bar graph.
Example 3 ---> an engineering project
A. Rationale (What will you try to find out?): I’m going to design and build a catapult.
B. Hypothesis / Engineering Goals (explain what you predict will happen, and why): I think I can design and build a catapult that can throw a wiffle ball 30 feet.
C. Procedure (step by step description of how you will do the experiment):
1. Build a sturdy base out of wood
2. Build a crossbar, add padding to the center of the crossbar
3. Attach a metal arm to the crossbar so it can pivot around the base
4. Connect the end of the arm to the base with a bungee cord or large rubber band
5. Put a cup on the end of the arm to hold the ball
6. Test fire the catapult to check the distance and accuracy
7. Redesign and rebuild to improve the catapult
D. Risk and Safety (Identify any potential risks and safety precautions to be taken): The objects thrown by the catapult might break a window or hurt someone. I’ll only fire soft objects like a nerf ball or wiffle ball and I’ll do the firing in an open space away from people, cars, and buildings.
E. Data Analysis (How will you analyze the data you collect): I will measure the average distance the catapult can fire and the accuracy. I’ll plot them on a bar graph.