Science Fair Winner

My son won the Grand Champion Award for our local Science Fair. I'm pretty proud of him.If you are interested...

So, You Think You're Good at Math

Purpose

Can a student be tricked into performing better on a math test?

Hypothesis

I think I can convince the students to do better on a math test by telling them they will be affected positively by "ultrasonic sound wave"

Materials

1. Control test


2. Placebo test


3. 26 Fourth Grade Students


4. Pencils


5. Timer


6. CD Player


7. Blank CD


8. Computer


9. Mom and Dad

Procedure

1. Create a 100 problem addition math test.


2. Using class of 26 fourth graders as volunteers, I passed out the control tests and pencils.


3. Students were given a chance to read the instructions¹ printed on the back of the test, because I gave no verbal instructions because I am not good at lying.


4. Then I set the timer for 2 minutes and said, "Begin."


5. The students completed the tests and handed them in.


6. On the second day, I passed out placebo tests, which has the same problems as the control test, but in a different order, and pencils.


7. Students were given a chance to read the instructions² printed on the back of the test, because I gave no verbal instructions because I am not good at lying.


8. I put the blank CD in the CD player and pretended to turn it on.


9. The students completed the tests and handed them in.


10. I turned off the CD player and removed the blank CD.


11. I graded the tests with the help of my dad.


12. Also with the help of my dad, I compared the data and prepared my results.

Background/Research

Placebo

A placebo is an inactive substance of no intrinsic value (CD player with the blank CD) that is used to reinforce a person's expectations about how he/she will do (reading on the test instructions that he/she will do better because of the "ultrasonic sound waves" that were playing during the test). Placebos are usually used in medical studies in which some patients get the real medication while other patients get a "sugar pill" to test the effectiveness of the drug.

Control Test

This is the test that the placebo test will be compared to.

Placebo Test

This is the test that will be given with "ultrasonic sound waves" playing.

Results

Students	Score 1	Score 2	Difference	Result
A	35	64	29	better
B	59	77	18	better
C	29	46	17	better
D	51	62	11	better
E	36	47	11	better
F	51	59	8	better
G	55	62	7	better
H	39	46	7	better
I	47	54	7	better
J	79	85	6	better
K	55	60	5	better
L	42	46	4	better
M	86	90	4	better
N	51	55	4	better
O	49	52	3	better
P	39	40	1	better
Q	56	57	1	better
R	44	44	0	no change
S	50	50	0	no change
T	27	26	-1	worse
U	46	44	-2	worse
V	67	65	-2	worse
W	54	50	-4	worse
X	33	25	-8	worse
Y	55	46	-9	worse
Z	71	60	-11	worse

	# of Students	Average Change In Score
better	17	8.4%
worse	7	5.3%
no change	2	0.0%

Conclusion

My hypothesis was correct. According to the data, more students did better on the placebo test than they did on the first test. Out of 26 students, 17 did better, 7 did worse, and 2 didn't change. Of the students that improved on the test, their scores improved on an average of 8.4 points. Of the students that did worse on the test, their scores went down on an average of 5.3 points. Following the second test, or the placebo test, I observed the students making comments regarding the "ultrasonic sound waves".

Here is a sample of what I heard:

• My head hurts.


• I know I did better this time.


• I did much better on this one.


• I couldn't hear anything.


• I think my brain hurts.


• I have a headache now.


• My brain heard it.

There are things I could have done differently that would have affected the results of the experiment.

1. The classroom teacher didn't realize she wasn't supposed to talk and she gave some instructions at the beginning of the control test.


2. A student left in the middle of the control test and may have distracted the other students.


3. My sister told one of the test takers what the experiment was going to be before the test taker took the tests. I chose not to include that student's results, and she did not tell the other students about the project.


4. Some of the students may have done better on the placebo test because they were more prepared and/or more comfortable on the second day.


5. The students may not have taken me as seriously as they would have taken the teacher if she had given them the tests.


6. My results would have been more conclusive if I had been able to test more students.

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¹For the purposes of my science fair project I can not give verbal instructions or answer questions. The instructions are printed on the back of the test. Please do not turn over the test until I say, "begin."After you have read the instructions, raise your hand and wait for my signal to begin the test. You will have 2 minutes to work on the test. When I say, "time," you must put your pencil down and turn the test over.

Please write your initials here:__________

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²For the purposes of my science fair project I can not give verbal instructions or answer questions. The instructions are printed on the back of the test. Today's instructions are different so please read them carefully. Please do not turn over the test until I say, "begin."During today's test I will be playing ultrasonic sound waves that have been shown to improve math abilities. Because these sound waves are ultrasonic you won't be able to hear them with your ears, but your brain will hear them.

After you have read the instructions, raise your hand and wait for my signal to begin the test. You will have 2 minutes to work on the test. When I say, "time," you must put your pencil down and turn the test over.

Please write your initials here:__________