Note: My project is half experimental and half engineering because I tested different

types of prototypes before my large boat.

2017-2018 Science Fair

Assess how you conducted your experiment.

● Please move this document to your ​shared Biology folder.

● To complete this, you will need to refer to your project proposal.
● After you answer all the questions, remember to ​submit the document in Canvas​.

Sample size
1. Below, put what you planned for sample size and/or repeated measures (#9 in experimental proposal).
1. Robust results:
To generate meaningful results, you need to test many subjects and/or repeat your test
several times. Indicate below your plans for each, as applicable for your project:
Add as many rows as needed.
Sample size 5 (boats)
(number of subjects)

Repeated measures 3
(how many times is the
test repeated?)

2. Below, put the actual sample size and/or repeated measures you completed by the deadline (February
12).
My actual sample size was 4 because I had 3 prototypes and one big boat, and they were each repeated
10 times for the prototypes and once for the large boat. My plan changed from what it was originally
because I was originally going to have 5 boats that were the same size, but instead I changed it to one
large boat that could float a person because I felt that would be more beneficial for the project.

3. If there are differences between your initial plan and what you completed by the deadline, explain
a) why they are different, and
b) what you could have done differently to reach your goal on time.

I reached my goal on time, but I did change it from testing 5 small boats to building one large boat that
could float a person because I felt it would teach me more and it would be more beneficial for people to
learn about.
Procedure
4. Below, paste a copy of your planned steps from your design document (#15).
Step 1: I will go to the necessary stores to buy my materials: Coroplast, duct tape, bubble wrap, and some screws
and bolts.

Step 2: I will organize my materials in multiple stacks (one stack for each boat) with the exact same amounts of
material in each stack (except for duct tape, which can be used as necessary). I will check the amounts of material
by making sure there are the same amounts of coroplast and bubble wrap for each boat.

Step 3: I will begin building my boats. I will build the flat bottom hull first, the multi-hull second, the deep v hull
third, the short v hull fourth and the control fifth. (Hull types and how they operate, 2017)

In the below image, the catamaran is the same thing as the multi hull, and I am not doing the round hull.

Step 4: I will drive over to my friends house to test these materials.

Step 5: I will first put my control hull into the water and place the weight into it. I am going to first do 3 pounds, if
that works then 5, if that works then 10. For the weight I will be using dumbells. I will leave it in the water for 60
seconds and if it is successful then I will take it out. I will then do this for the remaining 4 boats.

Step 6: I will test each boat 2 more times for 60 seconds each.

Step 7: After each boat testing I will record the data, and I will also write down descriptions as they float, and put
them in my data table.

Step 8: I would repeat steps 5-7 but with simulated choppy water to see which boats perform better in certain
situations.

Step 9 : When all the data is collected I will analyze it to find the most successful hull shape.

5. Carefully look over your initial plans. In a numbered or bullet-pointed list below,
a) identify in detail things you actually did differently, and
b) explain why you made each change.

My plan changed entirely because I decided to move to a half engineering project where I would first
make 3 different shaped prototypes to find which one was the most effective. Then after I find out which
prototype is most effective, I started planning out the shape of my large boat. I calculated how large I had
to make my boat based on the amount of cubed feet was in the boat to make sure it would hold enough
weight. I had to make sure that the amount of weight in the boat is less than the amount of water
displaced. Once I did that, I put together my boat, and taped all of the creases and edges so that there
wouldn’t be leaks. Finally, I added some pool noodles to the edges of it for more stability and then it was
ready to be tested. I put Kathryn in my boat and then had the boat float for 5 minutes.
Variables
6. In your proposal, find your standardized (#8) and extraneous variables (#10) and list them in the table
below.
Standardized variables Extraneous variables

The amount of tape on the larger boat affecting I can’t be sure Kathryn doesn’t move when she
the weight of the larger boat. I controlled this by was on the boat.
adding weight to the calculations.

7. Standardized variable review:

Did you successfully standardize all the variables you planned to?
If not, explain why not.

I did standardize the variable by adding weight to make sure it would work.

8. Extraneous variable review:

Were there other factors (that you did not originally list) that you think could have affected your results?
Identify them and explain your answer.

The water and weather could affect my project because it can move the water in ways that my sink didn’t,
the pool can also have a different ventilation system. I can’t account for that, but it didn’t affect my project
so it wasn’t an issue.

Impact on Results
9. Think about all the ways the implementation of your experiment differed from your initial plans (your
answers to questions above).
Discuss how these changes may make your project stronger and/or make it weaker (i.e. make your
results more reliable or less reliable).

The changes I made to my project made it much stronger because I still compared the different shapes for
boats, but rather than only do that, I ended my project by building the most successful boat shape into a
large boat that could hold a person. It made my project very strong because not only did I float dumbells,
but I also floated a person which alligns with my goal which was to educate people about what boats are
best for floating weight with simple materials. This could float weight and it had good balance. It was a
planing boat because it floated and moved on the surface of the water.

Reflection on learning
In August, y’all shared your thoughts on what the point of school is. Many of your responses involved
building skills. You may recognize some of them in this list below, which has a few of my top priorities for
skills to build in this class.
10. Read over the skills and indicate (with an X or a comment) where you feel you are with each, at this
point in the year.

I think I have I’m making progress. I’m struggling: I see This is a very weak
very strong I feel pretty good some improvement area for me. I don’t feel
skills in this about it. but it’s really hard. I’ve improved at all.

Design X
experiments

Manage​ time & X

long term work

Work​ ​well X
independently:
with focus,
self-reliance, &
initiative

Own ​your own X

learning: take
responsibility for
your work;
know when you
need help and
ask for it.