Investigatory Project
What's an Investigatory Project Exactly?
An investigatory project is basically any science experiment where you start with an issue or problem and conduct research or an investigation to decide what you think the outcome will be. After you've created your hypothesis or proposal, you can conduct a controlled experiment using the scientific method to arrive at a conclusion.
What's the Scientific Method?
For those of us who have forgotten the various steps of the scientific method, let me clear that up right here: Image via staticflickr.com
Remember, however, that a successful investigatory science project does not necessarily have to result in the intended outcome. The purpose of these projects is to think critically, and if the solution doesn't work out, that doesn't mean your project will fail.
What Kind of Investigatory Projects Are There?
In order to conduct a great investigatory experiment, you have to ask an interesting question and be able to conduct an experiment that can hopefully answer that question. The harder and more intriguing the initial question is, the better the resulting investigation and experiment will be.
I've listed a few examples below of some of the best investigatory experiments out there, so hopefully you'll have no problem coming up with an idea.
Project #1: Making Soap Out of Guava
Basic hygiene should be available to everyone, but what about people who live in areas without easy access to grocery stores or pharmacies? This is a great question that makes you think about scientific alternatives to store-bought soap.
Below is an example project that creates soap from guava leaf extract and sodium hydroxide, but there's no shortage of materials you can use to replace the guava, like coconut oil or a fat like lard, butter or even the grease from your kitchen.
Project #2: Used Cooking Oil as a Substitute for Diesel
We all know how lucrative the oil business is, but what if the next huge innovation in oil was sitting right
An investigatory project is basically any science experiment where you start with an issue or problem and conduct research or an investigation to decide what you think the outcome will be. After you've created your hypothesis or proposal, you can conduct a controlled experiment using the scientific method to arrive at a conclusion.
What's the Scientific Method?
For those of us who have forgotten the various steps of the scientific method, let me clear that up right here: Image via staticflickr.com
Remember, however, that a successful investigatory science project does not necessarily have to result in the intended outcome. The purpose of these projects is to think critically, and if the solution doesn't work out, that doesn't mean your project will fail.
What Kind of Investigatory Projects Are There?
In order to conduct a great investigatory experiment, you have to ask an interesting question and be able to conduct an experiment that can hopefully answer that question. The harder and more intriguing the initial question is, the better the resulting investigation and experiment will be.
I've listed a few examples below of some of the best investigatory experiments out there, so hopefully you'll have no problem coming up with an idea.
Project #1: Making Soap Out of Guava
Basic hygiene should be available to everyone, but what about people who live in areas without easy access to grocery stores or pharmacies? This is a great question that makes you think about scientific alternatives to store-bought soap.
Below is an example project that creates soap from guava leaf extract and sodium hydroxide, but there's no shortage of materials you can use to replace the guava, like coconut oil or a fat like lard, butter or even the grease from your kitchen.
Project #2: Used Cooking Oil as a Substitute for Diesel
We all know how lucrative the oil business is, but what if the next huge innovation in oil was sitting right