Science Fair Projects are DUE January 26th!!!

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8th Grade Science Fair Project

Science Projects are DUE January 26th!!!

Assignment Description	Assignment Documents	Project Due Dates
Project Timeline	General Info & Help	Project Display

General Assignment Description:

All 8th Grade students at Correia MUST complete an individual science project. The project must utilize the scientific method including quantitative analysis (students must use measurements for forming conclusions). Project details (methodology), analysis, and conclusions must be compiled on a science board for presentation. In addition, students must complete a project notebook to accompany the display. The final notebook and display is 3,000 points in the project category (see final grading rubric). Students will also earn points in the Classwork/Homework category as progress is being made.

Students are encouraged to conduct an experiment in the area of physical science though other areas are acceptable. See science fair categories. Also, see sample science project questions.

The project must use the Scientific Method: State the Question, Research, Hypothesis, Experiment, Data Analysis, Conclusion.

Students must ensure that their experiment is a FAIR TEST. This means that they must make sure they are changing only one variable in their experiment. This is called the independent variable. All other variables must stay constant (controlled variables).

There must be a change that is measurable. This is called the dependent variable. Students must measure their results quantitatively (using number units of measurement within the metric system).

Students must perform several trials (10 or more trials - helps ensure accuracy and also helps prove results are reproducible) and calculate the average and uncertainty. Advanced students are also required to derive one or more forms of statistics from their data.

Students must photograph their experiment and take detailed observation notes during all phases of their experiment.

Students must use data (evidence), observation, and research to formulate conclusions.

Assignment Documents:

8th Grade Science Project Proposal

8th Grade Science Project Notebook Template

8th Grade Science Project Display Template

MS Excel Data Template

8th Grade Science Project Display Grading Rubric

8th Grade Science Project Notebook Grading Rubric

Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair Rules and Regulations

Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair Student HELP Packet - Great Resource!

GSDSEF Proposal (If selected for screening for the county fair.)

Project DUE Dates:

Due Date	Points*	Project Component
9/22/06	100	Testable Question and Hypothesis - Students must have decided on their testable question and have formulated their hypothesis.
10/06/06	150	Science Project Proposal – Students must complete the project proposal form. The proposal form requires students to come up with a testable question and their plan to carry-out testing of their hypothesis.
10/13/06	500	Background Research – This is a five topic research paper (must include a bibliography) and is part of your final project paper. Please follow the format outlined in the template. You will be working on this part in your English class.
11/17/06	250	Experiment Details and Materials and Procedures – These are two important sections of your final science project paper. Be sure your procedures are very detailed!
12/15/06	500	Data Tables and Graphical Representation of Data – You will turn in the data you collected from 10 or more trials (in the form of a table) and at least one graph showing the best values. If you THINK you will be absent on Friday, 12/15, turn in your data table and graph early!
1/5/07	500	Data Analysis and Abstract – These are two more sections I want to grade and provide feedback before your final project is due. Only print these sections. Staple together and make sure your name is on the front. There are more required sections that I have not seen yet. You can see me after school if you would like me to look at them and provide feedback. Otherwise, these other sections will only be due in the final notebook.
1/26/07	3,000	Final Project Display and Notebook – On Thursday, January 25th or Friday, January 26th, bring your display and completed report notebook to my room (305) BEFORE school begins. I typically arrive at school around 7:30 am. IF it rains: use a clean garbage bag to help keep it dry. All projects MUST be submitted by Friday, January 26th. Early submissions are accepted and will receive 100 points as extra credit. NO LATE PROJECTS WILL BE ACCEPTED. If you THINK you will be absent on 1/26/07, turn in your science project EARLY!!!

TOTAL SCIENCE PROJECT POINTS: 5,000

* Points apply to the Classwork/Homework category.

What will happen if I DO NOT turn in my science project?

If you do not turn in a project, your overall grade will be dropped one letter grade AND your citizenship grade will be lowered to UNSATISFACTORY. You will also be missing out on THOUSANDS of important points (which could, in turn, lower your grade to a dismal level). It would be extremly difficult for you to earn a passing grade in science at the semester without turning in your science project ON TIME. The 8th Grade science project is NOT optional. Every 8th Grade student MUST complete a science project.

Project Timeline:

Dates	What you should be doing!
Summer - 9/22	Gathering science project ideas. Researching ideas in literature, internet, and by asking professionals. Using self intuition to develop an outstanding project idea. Review the website and note due dates and other helpful information. Write your testable question and hypothesis.
9/22-10/6	Carefully plan out your science project and submit your proposal. Get a notebook to start putting all of your project paperwork in. Take notes, draw sketches, print out research, and place these in your notebook. Download the Project Report Template. If you are having difficulties or have general questions about your project, grading, etc., see your science teacher. Begin researching your topic in English class.
10/6 - 10/13	Write the Background Research and Bibliography sections of your paper. This will be worked on in your English class. Begin gathering the materials you will need to carry out your experiments. Ask for assistance with your project from your family, friends and professionals. Take notes about everything related to your project and keep these in your report notebook. If you are having difficulties, see your science teacher.
10/13 - 11/17	Begin construction of your experiment. Try out your experiment and make sure it works properly. Solve technical issues so that you can obtain the most accurate results possible. Take notes in your report notebook on all the little and huge problems you are having . See your science teacher if you are having difficutly solving these issue or have any other questions. Take photos of your experiment setup. Write the Experiment Details and Materials and Procedures sections of your paper.
11/17 - 12/15	Gather excellent data. Take photos of your experiment. Document all of your results in a chart and put these in your report notebook. Calculate the average of your 10 or more trials from each of your dependent variables. Compile your raw data and average in MS Excel. Create one or more graphs using MS Excel to display your results. Write the Results section of your paper. See your science teacher if you are having problems. Purchase a display board.
12/15 - 1/5	Your experiment is complete but you are far from finished. Take a close look at your data and try to determine what it all means (what's the "take-home" message?). Write the Data Analysis, Challenges and Technical Issues, and Abstract sections of your paper. See your science teacher if you are having problems. Purchase a display board if you haven't already. Begin organizing the layout of your display.
1/5 - 1/26	Finish writing the entire project paper, this includes the Conclusion, Recommendations, and Acknowledgements sections. Spend lots of time putting together your display. Organize your report folder and update your table of contents/appendix. This is your last chance to see your science teacher if you are having problems or need help.
Friday, January 26th	Congratulations, you made it! Your project is due on this date, NO EXCEPTIONS!

General Information and Help:

Why do a science project?
Information about the benefits of participating in a science fair.

What's a science project?
Information about what a science project is, what a science fair is.

What projects to avoid?
List of projects to avoid that are not acceptable for the GSDSEF.

Rules and Regulations
Here are the official rules and regulations for the GSDSEF.

Science Project Categories
This is a list of the official categories at the GSDSEF.

Project Question Ideas
Having problems coming up with a testable question? Try one of these!

Making Measurements (Quantitative Data)
Having problems with gathering data. Figure a way to quantify your responding variable.

Downloadable Workshops (PDF Format Only) - Workshop 1 - Workshop 2 - Workshop 3
I would highly recommend looking through these workshops. They were created especially for the GSDSEF.

What Judges Look For
If you are shooting for the gold, you should review this page to find out what judges at the GSDSEF are looking for in a quality science project.

AWARDS! GSDSEF Awards and California State Science Fair Awards
Winning at the county or state level means CASH!!! Impressing the judges or other organizations could earn your hundreds of dollars, scholarships, and other prizes. At the state fair, over $50,000 is awarded to winners.

Project Display:

Though you are welcome to add creativity and your own organization to your project display, here is a general guideline for you to follow. To see what other students have done for their display, CLICK HERE.