Event Resources:
2007 Coaches Institute Presentation
2007 Experimental Design Presentation, Georgia
2006 NC Coaches Institute Presentation
2006 National Coaches Clinic Presenation
Wright Center for Science Education Example Events

Sample Experimental Design Problems:
PROBLEM ONE
Materials provided:  sugar cubes, plastic spoons, access to warm and cold water and ice, thermometers, cups, object that floats partially submerged in water, graph paper, jumbo paper clip, straws, rulers

Students were allowed to choose their own problem with only one parameter, the problem had to involve something that related to a solution.

Sample student problems that were completed:
(1) effects of temperature on solubility
(2) effects of concentration on depth object sinks in solution
(3) effects of stirring on solubility
(4) effects of concentration on height of solution rising in straw
(5) effect of amount of sugar dissolved on temperature of solution
(6) effect of temperature on how long a set amount of sugar required to
dissolve

PROBLEM TWO
Materials provided:  knitting yarns, Newton balances, rubber bands, rulers, mass sets, graph paper, water
Students were allowed to choose their own problem with only one parameter, the problem could NOT involve a pendulum.
Sample student problems that were completed:
(1) amount of stretch of either the yarn or the rubber band per mass added
(2) amount of force required to break different lengths of yarn
(3) amount of force required to break different number of yarns held together as one piece
(4) amount of force required to pull a different masses across the table surface
(5) strength of wet yarn versus dry yarn