Why do I still have a bad grade on my....

My last GIZMO even if I did it again?

If you submitted a GIZMO AQ (assessment questions) grade electronically, then what you scored has been recorded. You can't do the questions again and have it automatically record a better grade.

To raise the AQ grade for Coastal Winds and Clouds you must retake the AQ, check the answers by attempting to submit the grade, when it says you can't do that then PRINT out your score. Write out the following equation on the paper:
New Score - 10 points = grade for AQ. Then write the numbers in and solve the equation. Have your parents sign it so they know that you have made an improvement. Then you must turn in the paper to get a new grade entered in the gradebook. You must do this BEFORE December 7. I will not adjust these
scores after that date because I want to have plenty of time to grade science projects before you start your winter break.

Science Project Proposal
To raise your grade to a 4 you must complete the proposal correctly. Time is running out if you want me to check it again - or for the first time. I have Lab Reports to grade in order to be ready to grade Science Project Research Papers starting on December 7.

Grade Portal

I try to update at least one time a week based on the amount of time available to me during the work week. Please understand that I have duty in the gym on Wednesdays, must plan lessons,find the materials for the lessons, set up labs, find the materials for the lab, meet with the team, meet with parents, and grade papers each week. Sometimes I just have go home and do my "family stuff".

When's the science project due?

As announced previously, the science project is due December 7. Oh, no, you might be thinking... I'll never make it. If you can - great. If you can't then you get the dreaded place holder until you present to the class. Since progress reports go home on December 7 the research paper, the display board, the SPDL and the presentation will be recorded during the 2nd part of this nine week period.

So, here's the plan....

If you are ready then submit your typed, proofread, revised, and stapled research paper on December 7 - yes, both A and B day students. During class either on the 7th or 8th you will be given a presentation date. B day presentations will begin on December 9 and A day presentations will begin on December 10. The presentations will continue the following week. Bring your DISPLAY board and SPDL on the day you present-NOT before. That way you know your board is safe and sound at home until you need it.

If you don't submit your paper on 12/7 then it is your responsibility to submit ASAP and schedule your presentation. Students who do not present prior to 12/17 may not be eligible to be invited to participate in the Julia Landon Science Fair, but will still be held responsible for completing the process of submitting a paper and presenting the project in class for both the teacher and student peers and may still earn full credit. Students who do not resolve their "placeholders" prior to the end of term will not receive a passing grade until the project and the research paper are completed and presented.

You will have 5-7 minutes for your presentation. You will be presenting to a small group of students and to the teacher. Your presentation should summarize the question you asked, what prompted you to ask that question, how you tested the question, and what you found out. Be prepared to answer questions about your procedures, your data, the analysis of your data. Be prepared to discuss your project with your fellow student researchers. They know how to do a project and may have some probing questions for you. Your grade will be determined by the teacher, but your peers will provide feedback on your project, your board, and your presentation.

Here’s an update/review for the science project process.

Steps
1 Pick a topic
2 Research (read) about topic
3 Ask a question
4 Design (adapt) an experiment
5 FILL OUT FORMS and Submit a proposal
6 Wait for approval
Not Approved? Recycle through necessary steps 1-6

7 IF APPROVED

TEST for your question
Record Data in your SPDL (science project data log)
Adequate sample size (lots of data/ enough based on limitations)
Minimum sample size: hard to do or very expensive or time consuming – 5
Suggested sample size 10-100

Take Photos/pictures of your experiment

Prepare RESULTS. Write the rough draft in your SPDL. Results will include

Well organized data table(s)
Analyze data
Mean, median, mode, range, frequency, find outliers –look at why you may have outliers
Make graphs and visually compare the data of the groups.
What do the data indicate? STATISTICS must be stated here and used properly. Say everything you have to include in this section including why you may have outliers, why you might have different data based on doing the experiment on different days or different conditions. Explain these events/conditions/interruptions/distractions/mistakes/your helpers/anything that may have affected your data and data collection.

Develop a CONCLUSION based on your data analysis. Determine if the analysis of the data supports or doesn’t support the hypothesis and explain. Use FRIES. Include an introduction, FRIES in the middle and a closing.
You can’t be right or wrong
You won’t prove anything or disprove anything
You will have to determine whether the analysis of the data supports or doesn’t support the hypothesis.

ABSTRACT- write your rough draft in your SPDL


Writing your FORMAL RESEARCH PAPER
Except for the Title Page you are to follow these directions: Size 12 font. Choose one of these fonts: Tahoma, Arial, or Times New Roman
 Title Page
Title
Your name
 ABSTRACT: summary of everything –words are limited- see www.nefrsef.org for details. MUST be on the form.
 Question or Problem
 Hypothesis
 Methods/materials/procedures: summarize what you did and how you did it. The use of the word I is OK. Using the word we isn’t.
 Results: What do the data indicate? Show the data in tables and graphs. Add pictures if possible. STATISTICS must be stated here and used properly. Say everything you have to include in this section including why you may have outliers, why you might have different data based on doing the experiment on different days or different conditions. Explain these events/conditions/interruptions/distractions/mistakes/your helpers/anything that may have affected your data and data collection.
 Conclusion: Determine if the analysis of the data supports or doesn’t support
the hypothesis and explain. Use FRIES along with introduction, FRIES in the middle and a closing.
 Acknowledgements: Thank Your Support
 Bibliography


YOUR DISPLAY BOARD

Copy and Paste the parts from your research paper when applicable.
Enlarge the font. Print it on fancy paper or mount it on backing paper. Then put the pieces on the board.

LAB REPORT: Heating and Cooling of Sand and Water

A day reports are due on Wednesday at the end of class. They may be worked on during the work period. Remember, this is an early release so some classes are shortened.
B day reports are due on Thursday at the end of class. They may be worked on during the work period.

Here are the basic requirements that are expected to be included.

Title
Questions to be investigated (2).
One hypothesis for each question.
Results that include
Identification of variables, Summary of how the test was run, a data table, a graph (double line graph) an analysis of what the data indicate.

Conclusion for each hypothesis using FRIES and
A paragrah explaining if each hypothesis is to be accepted or rejected based on the analysis of the data.

If you don't have a science project by now you might want to try this one!!

It's been several weeks since I started reading proposals. Now it's time to get down to business. If you don't have a project by now here's a variation of our first lab. You may want to try a variation of it. Science buddies mentions detergent and salt as additives to the water. What a great idea to test the Effect of an additive one the surface tension of water. Here's the link
http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_ideas/Chem_p021.shtml

Get your paperwork in to me ASAP next week so you can work over the long weekend.

Speaking of the long weekend.... I am sitting down right now to continue reviewing project proposals. I will have all grades updated just as soon as I can. Please have someone proofread your work before you bring it to me. Fill out the forms completely and follow the directions for the Research Plan which includes a BIBLIOGRAPHY.

If you don't know how to do a bibliography the EasyBib site is very helpful. Here's the link http://easybib.com/ and a quick reference sheet for APA style. You may choose to use MLA style and that's fine also since you will use it on your History project.

APA guide

NEW ASSIGNMENT: COASTAL WINDS AND CLOUDS GIZMO and Science Project Update

Log into GIZMOS and check out the new one. I've assigned Coastal Winds and Clouds. The due date for Bday is Monday, November 8. Print out a student exploration guide ore write the answers for it on a sheet of paper. Be prepared for a spot check of the Exploration Guide in class. The Assessment Questions are due on Monday also. I will pick them up during class. A Day students, your Student Exploration Guide is due on Tuesday, November 9. You should be prepared for a spot check also, but yours will be on Tuesday. The Assessment Questions are also due on Tuesday.

There will be a penalty for each assignment (SEG or AQ)that is late.

I am reading and checking over science poject paperwork as quickly as I can. If you get a 4 on your paperwork that means you can start your experimentation. That's a good thing. Grades of 0, 1, or 2 mean that your project is not near to being ready to start. That's not a good thing.