Science Project Assignment
T. Knock
November 8, 1998
Each student in grade nine is invited to design and conduct a science
project of their own choosing. The project will demonstrate the development
of science skills and attitudes appropriate for a high school student. This
project should explore something of special interest to the student and
illustrate a scientific approach to problem solving.
Each student is expected to design and or modify an experiment or innovation
working within the resources available to the student.
1- Choosing a Project
Finding an idea that captivates the imagination and interest is one
of the most important motivations to completing an excellent science project.
This is the most difficult part of a project to do well. Time and effort
spent here will pay big dividends in the potential quality of the project.
If you do not have any ideas right now the following suggestions
are provided as starting points.
- Search the www for science project ideas. Check out the SFIden site
then Project Lab.
(Here you can see quality projects published by the students competitive
at various levels of student science research.)
- Search the www for science project ideas. Check out the site under
SFIden then Science Events then Science
Events sign then click on the communication icon. There are lists of
project ideas/resources here.
- Search science TV programs' web sites for ideas.
- Search science magazines and periodicals for ideas.
- Talk with friends and family about issues in your everyday life that
might be researched with a scientific approach.
- Choosing the Approach (Type of Project)
There is not a single scientific method a scientist uses. However, one
of the following approaches will help to organize your work as you develop
and present your project research.
- Controlled Experiment, "Experimental Project"
This approach identifies and controls variables in experiments designed
to collect scientific evidence.
- Correlational Study, "Study"
This approach identifies variables, finds and identifies cause and effect
relationships in the natural environment. Data is analyzed for cause effect
relationships. (It is not always possible for the student to collect all
the data in a study but the analysis and conclusions must belong to the
student.)
- Gadget-Invention "Innovation"
This approach either modifies or designs a process or gadget to solve
a technological problem of how to do things better or more conveniently
by applying known scientific principles and skills to the problem.
PROJECT TIMELINE
Follow the Student Preparation Planner at Science
Project Toolbox.
Marks will be given for the following progress points.
- Project Proposal Approval 10% (purpose: projects must have prior
approval)
Due Date: Tuesday December 1, revision check Monday December 7, 1989.
This includes completion of the following forms to guide you into a successful
start with your project:
- Project Proposal Form 1.1 (purpose: safety and ethics check)
- Adult Supervisor Form 1.2 (purpose: adult S &E supervision)
- Rough Data Research 10-20% 1 (purpose: progress check)
Due Date: January--, 1999 (first day of the second term)
Students will do a 5min. presentation of their research success and
or failures to date.
- Class Presentation 40% (purpose: developing presentation skills)
Students will present their projects at a class project fair. There
will be peer and teacher evaluations. Student preparation for this presentation
will include the following:
- A well organized 5-7 min talk about your project
- A visual display of graphics, graphs, videos, . . . and demonstrations.
(This presentation should be planned, practiced, and polished at home or
with friends. If you have a partner share the presentation equally. Check
out the www SCIfair site for help
- Written Report 20% (Purpose: validation check )
(Two copies are required if the project goes to a fair,
one for me the other for the fair.)
Due Date: Friday March12, 1999
- Standard Title Page is required (make a table as follows: Contents,
along with the corresponding pages. Reporting: Follow the outline
for formal science reports. Make sure your procedure is well outlined so
another person can clearly trace your steps to check out reliability and
accuracy of the project. Dated Daily Journal: This is an anecdotal
record of your successes and failures during the development phase. Background:
This section represents general information on the topic but no specifics,
experimental results or design features. Forms: Original signed
Project Proposal 1.1 and Supervisor Forms 1.2 or the overall mark is devalued
by 40% Bibliography: Bibliography goes at the very end of the report.
It lists encyclopedia articles, books, magazines, journal articles, pamphlets,
Internet or other sources like resource persons used in the development
of the project. Put these in alphabetical order by last name of the author.
- Public Presentation up to 20% bonus for competitive presentations
at science fairs.
- Central Kings Science Fair Dates: March 23-25 1999
- Annapolis Valley Regional Science Fair @CK Dates: April 6-9, 1999
- Canada Wide Science Fair @ Edmonton AB Dates May 16-23, 1999
