Science Experiment Project
This project may be completed by students in 6th, 7th or 8th grade.
Handouts related to this project are posted below:
1. Below is the Project Schedule with target due dates. Getting started and finding a project using inquiry to answer a question that is "testable" is the hardest step so students may feel behind at the start. Not to worry, if they persevere they'll identify a project and will soon get caught up. These dates are our best estimate of the pace students should maintain to complete each step of their project without added stress. Exact deadlines will be announced by your child's teacher as the project progresses.
sciexperiment_schedule_13-14.doc | |
File Size: | 43 kb |
File Type: | doc |
2. Project Proposal Form for ALL project types. Once students have brainstormed their project ideas and zero in on their favorite one they will envision the method they will use to conduct their experiment and complete the proposal form below. A series of questions will help student determine if their project needs approval from the Local Safety Review Committee at school.See the Safety Requirements section below. Please be advised that ALL PROJECTS MUST BE APPROVED IN WRITING BY THE TEACHER BEFORE BUYING ANY MATERIALS OR CONDUCTING ANY PART OF THE EXPERIMENT. Any project involving vertebrate animals, including surveying people, must be evaluated by the committee. Please see the SAFETY section below.
proposal.form.2011.final.pdf | |
File Size: | 377 kb |
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About working with partners...the guidelines of this project allow students to work in a group of up to 3 total students. They must all be in the same grade level and have the same teacher for science class. There are both risks and rewards to working with partners so please consider this choice carefully. Your teachers expect you ALL to fulfill your responsibility to complete a project and meet the time deadlines. A permission slip for partners is required for students who make this choice.
Resources:
1. Digital Science textbooks. Access any of the 7th or 8th grade science textbooks online using the instructions provided to your student. The website is at: www.pearsonsuccessnet.com The selection of books is listed on the left margin of the page.
Students may also choose to check out a copy of one of these textbooks if they visit the Learning Resource Center at school.
2. Refer to textbook chapter 1 to refresh in your mind all the steps to science inquiry. Also read in the skills handbook at the back of the book.
3. Visit the local library for books on project ideas that you can check out.
4. Western Nevada Regional Science & Engineering Fair: All student projects should meet the criteria for this regional event so that if they are selected they will be able to participate.
http://www.nevadasciencefair.net/special-awards/
Are you stuck for ideas? Try this...
Students may also choose to check out a copy of one of these textbooks if they visit the Learning Resource Center at school.
2. Refer to textbook chapter 1 to refresh in your mind all the steps to science inquiry. Also read in the skills handbook at the back of the book.
3. Visit the local library for books on project ideas that you can check out.
4. Western Nevada Regional Science & Engineering Fair: All student projects should meet the criteria for this regional event so that if they are selected they will be able to participate.
- List of online and printed resources: http://www.nevadasciencefair.net/resources/
http://www.nevadasciencefair.net/special-awards/
Are you stuck for ideas? Try this...
- The science textbook is a good resource for background information and project ideas. Students can get project ideas from the Lab Zone activities or Chapter projects IF they can change a variable and run an experiment. Students should discuss their ideas with peers and their science teacher.
- Keep a sharp eye on the news. Reading or listening to the radio or television news may spark a good project idea.
- A project idea you think of will be more fun to investigate than repeating a project you find at a website.
SAFETY Requirements:
An additional form called the LSRC (Local Scientific Review Committee) form is required for all projects involving the following:
Projects involving the growing of bacteria cultures will not be allowed.
This link will take you to the LSRC form: http://www.nevadasciencefair.net/resources/
- Flammable materials or dangerous tools
- Vertebrate animals, including humans
- Or surveys of students (which would require permissions slips for each participant)
Projects involving the growing of bacteria cultures will not be allowed.
This link will take you to the LSRC form: http://www.nevadasciencefair.net/resources/
Data Analysis & Graphing
1. Read the "Skills Handbook" you will find at the back of all of the science textbooks. This will help you select the appropriate graph and show you how to make it too.
2. Apply your graphing skills and then consult with the rock stars of data analysis - your Math teachers! Ask if there is a convenient time to talk with them and confirm your idea about the type of graph you think you should make.
3. This website has good examples of graphs that you will find useful OR even make them.
Line Graph: http://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/createagraph/default.aspx
Bar Graph: http://www.mathsisfun.com/data/data-graph.php
Scatter Plots: http://www.mathsisfun.com/data/scatter-xy-plots.html
Pie chart: http://www.mathsisfun.com/data/pie-charts.html
2. Apply your graphing skills and then consult with the rock stars of data analysis - your Math teachers! Ask if there is a convenient time to talk with them and confirm your idea about the type of graph you think you should make.
3. This website has good examples of graphs that you will find useful OR even make them.
Line Graph: http://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/createagraph/default.aspx
Bar Graph: http://www.mathsisfun.com/data/data-graph.php
Scatter Plots: http://www.mathsisfun.com/data/scatter-xy-plots.html
Pie chart: http://www.mathsisfun.com/data/pie-charts.html
Scoring Rubric -
Use the scoring rubric as you complete the presentation board for your project. Use it as a checklist to be sure that all parts are present and include the requested information. A photocopy of this rubric will also be provided to each student in class.
ss_experiment_rubric_rev_2014_digital.doc | |
File Size: | 39 kb |
File Type: | doc |