Whenever you perform a scientific experiment there are two essential tasks. These are:

• Recording results.
• Analysing results.

Recording Results

Use a reporters notebook or prepared record sheet to write down your results immediately. Never rely on your memory and always record the measurement or observation you make. Even if the result is not what you expect.

Make drawings, sketches, or diagrams of your equipment and experiment. They really are worth a thousand words.

Take photographs. Digital cameras are an excellent tool. If you don't have a camera try to borrow one or ask someone to come along and take photos.

Analysing Results

Analysing scientific results, even for relatively simple experiments, can be quite difficult. Talk to your teachers and parents about how this can be done.

Experiments should be repeated to confirm results and observations. If your results are numerical (number of days a maggot takes to develop in to a fly) these will need to be averaged.

If you have a lot of data try using a spreedsheet to calculate averages. Spreedsheets, like Excel, usually have excellent tools for producing graphs. Like photos graphs are a great way to present your data.

Finally, don't be frightened by confusing results. Get help from your science teacher. There may be an interesting result that you did not expect.