  Science Department
Science fair information
January 24, 2005
Dear Parents of Middle School Students:
We are happy to announce that we will be having a Middle School Science Fair on Thursday March 17th. Parents are invited to attend from 9:30 am until 12:00 pm. Every middle school student will present their science fair projects in class and be evaluated by their individual teachers. The top three projects from each section of the sixth, seventh, and eighth grade classes (36 projects) will move on to the finals to be held in the cafeteria. This year we are asking that the projects be strictly testable experiments and not demonstrations. While we encourage parents to become involved in the process by monitoring your child’s progress, we believe that the projects should be student driven and therefore ask that there be minimal parental input. Students will be given a list of due dates as well as a list of criteria by which projects will be judged. We thank you and hope to see you at the Science Fair.
Sincerely,
Lisa Ball, Michael Barrs, Vincent Tangredi
Middle School Science Teachers
Middle School Science Fair Important Dates
The following is a list of important dates for the middle school science fair. Due dates, which are listed in bold, should be noted by all students, as any late work will result in an automatic deduction of points from both the component due grade and the overall project grade.
January 24th : Introduction to the Middle School Science Fair
February 1st – 4th : Ideas for a scientific problem
February 11th : Scientific problem, research, hypothesis, materials, independent variable and dependent variable
February 25th : Experiment complete with results and/or data table recorded
March 7th : Project and display boards completed
March 7th – 11th : In class evaluation of projects
March 17th : Middle School Science Fair judging in the cafeteria
March 18th : Awards ceremony
Project Information
January 25th, 2005
Science Fair Project
As part of your 3rd bimester grade each student in sixth, seventh and eighth grade science will be responsible for completing a science project. Projects may be done individually or in pairs. All projects will be presented in class and graded using a common rubric during the week of March 7-11 (see rubric attached). The top three projects from each section in grade six, seven and eight will move on to the Science Fair finals to be held in the cafeteria on March 17th.
Your project must be a testable question and not a demonstration.
All projects should be presented on a 1m X 1m cardboard or foam core display board. See below for details on how your information should be organized on the board.
Title
| Question: |
Procedure: |
| Introduction: |
Data/Observations: |
| Hypothesis: |
(graphs, photos, etc.) |
| Independent/Dependent Variables |
Conclusion |
| Materials |
|
| |
Name, Grade/Section |
You have been given a due date outline. It is an expectation of this project that you will organize your time effectively and meet all deadlines. Marks will be deducted for late work.
Be aware that all projects should be student generated. The idea, the work and the design should come from you (not mom and dad). Show us your best effort!
Grading Rubrick
Science Fair Experiment : Project
Teacher Name: Mrs. Ball, Mr.Tangrdi, Mr.Barrs
Student Name: ________________________________________ |
|
CATEGORY |
4 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
Question/Purpose |
The purpose of the question to be answered is clearly identified and stated. |
The purpose of the question to be answered is identified, but is stated in a somewhat unclear manner. |
The purpose of the question to be answered is partially identified and is stated in a somewhat uncler manner. |
The question identified is not testable. Project is a demonstration not an experiemnt |
Hypothesis |
Developed a clear and reasonable hypothesis well supported by research. |
Developed a clear and reasonable hypothesis based on general knowledge and observations. |
Developed a hypothesis based on what appears to be flawed logic. |
No hypotheis has been stated. |
Variables |
All variables are clearly described with all relevant details. |
Most variables are clearly described with most relevant details. |
Some variables are defined with some relevant details. |
Variables are not defined or the majority lack sufficient detail. |
Materials |
All materials used in the experiment are clearly and accurately described. |
Most materials used in the experiment are clearly and accurately described. |
Some of the materials used in the experiment are described. |
Many materials are described inaccurately or are not described at all. |
Procedure |
Procedures are listed in clear, logical steps that are easy to follow. |
Procedures are listed in logical order but some are difficult to follow. |
Procedures are listed but are not in a logical order or are difficult to follow. |
Procedures do not accurately list the steps of the procedure or procedures are not listed at all. |
Data/Observations |
Neat and accurate data tables, graphs or drawings are included and make the experiment easier to understand. |
Neat and accurate data tables, graphs or drawings are included. |
Data tables, graphs or drawings are included. |
Needed data tables, graphs or drawing are missing. |
Oral Presentation |
Student was able to clearly and thoroughly explain all parts of the experiment. |
Student was able to clearly explain most parts of the experiment. |
Student was able to explain some parts of the experiment with teacher prompts. |
Student was unable to sufficiently explain the experiment. |
Appearance/Organization |
Display board is neat and visually appealing. All information is typed |
Display board is neat and visually appealing. Information is neatly handwritten. |
Display board is somewhat messy and unattractive. Information is handwritten. |
Display board is distractingly messy. Information is presented in sloppy handwriting with cross-outs, multiple erasures or tears and creases. |
Time Management |
All due dates were met. |
One due date was not met. |
Two due dates were not met. |
More than two due dates were not met. |
|
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