Science Project Reminders and new FINAL DUE DATE

Students and Parents,

Due to the overlapping of  the Challenger Trip and the Science Project due date I am announcing a NEW DUE DATE!!!!! Please read on....

As of right now(Tuesday, December 15, at 4:07 pm) Science projects may only be submitted to me on the following dates:
Wednesday, December 16; Monday, January 4; and Wednesday, January 6. ONLY the research paper and backboard are turned in to me. The SPDL is used for your oral presentation.

CONGRATULATIONS to the students who turned in projects TODAY!!!! You Rock. Now you are the only ones without science homework for the rest of this year (2009). Everybody else has science homework until they finish the ENTIRE project.

Just a few words about what I don't want to see or hear in your project.....

• My hypothesis was right.
• My hypothesis was wrong
• My data was right
• My data was wrong
• I was right
• I was wrong
• WE (unless you have a mouse in your pocket)
• I proved something

Why do I say this ??????????????????
Not just because I said so, but because of the following:

• Nothing is right or wrong in science.
•  Your data either supports your hypothesis or not.
• The data indicate something. This is your individual project.
• You may have had some help or supervision, but it's YOUR project. YOU picked it, YOU did it,  YOU have to explain it. YOU are responsible for it - NO ONE else is sharing the grade with YOU. If you say WE I might think that you did a team project and at this time no one was authorized to work on a team project.
• You won't be proving anything. You certainly will never prove a theory. A theory in science is not like a theory in a mystery story or elsewhere. You haven't done enough work to prove anything this year.

REMEMBER,
You've had months to get 'er done. It's time to just do it. I will not be available for questions during the holidays so please put on your thinking cap, use your resources wisely, and do your best. The research paper rubric is posted so USE it.

Four parts of the Science Project

Students,
As I have instructed you both in science class and during Team Time there are 4 parts to the science project that will be graded.

The first is the Research Paper. The full description is in the student handbook found at the ISEF site. The rubric is posted. The paper is worth 100 points towards assessments.  Put a copy of your abstract in the research paper also.

The second is the visual display or backboard. The abstract will be a part of this display. Refer to the nefrsef site as there is a diagram that is a SUGGESTION about how to set up the board. The abstract is placed in the lower left hand corner. You will use the backboard when you present your research to your "judges" which include me and your peers.  This is also worth 100 points towards assessments.

The third is your oral presentation of your research. This will be graded only by the teacher, but your peers will provide feedback on your project itself, the board, your presentation, and your depth of knowledge. This is also worth 100 points towards assessments.

The fourth is your Science Project Data Log that we began in class back in the August/September time. This is where you've kept a record of everything you have done towards completing your project. (No, you can't go back and do it today.) It is worth 100 points towards assessments.

Re-post of important links and dates for science project

If you are looking for a diagram of how to set up your board, for the special abstract form, or just a basic review of how to do a project go to
http://www.nefrsef.org/

If you are looking for the student handbook for science fairs (I already gave you a copy of this in Team Time) go to http://www.societyforscience.org/Document.Doc?id=12 . This resource completely describes what should go into a research paper.

Science Project Research Papers and backboards may start coming in on Monday, 12/7. They MAY NOT come in on 12/9 because that's benchmark testing day and I will be too busy with testing to do any science before school.

Still need a form or two?? Need to read some rules??? go to http://www.societyforscience.org/.

Research Paper Rubric Posted at scribd

Research Paper2