Ms. Finnerty @LMS - LMS Science and Engineering Fair 2018

LMS Science and Engineering Fair 2019-2020

15th Annual Littleton Middle School Science and Engineering Fair 2019-2020

Updated 1/6/2020

Note: If we have snow days, please assume that the due dates are the same unless I tell you otherwise!

September-November 2019:

EXPLORING TOPICS AND LEARNING ABOUT THE NATURE OF SCIENCE

We will explore many science topics and ideas. Keep your mind open and look for ideas in the news, on television, and in your everyday life!

After School (some) Mondays and Tuesdays: Ms. Finnerty is after school on Tuesdays and on every other Monday. Feel free to stop by! You can also email with ideas and questions!

Science Buddies is a GREAT resource:

November 2019-January 2020:

CHOOSING A TOPIC, CONDUCTING RESEARCH,

WRITING, & REVISING A RESEARCH PAPER

November 7-8: Science Fair Inspiration!

November 12-27: We will explore possible science and engineering fair topics by looking at science in our everyday lives and on the news.

We will set up your logbook and complete Logbook Entry 1.

December 2, 2019:

Due: You must know your chosen science fair topic by today

In class today: We will introduce the SEF research paper and you will get started on your science fair research paper.

1. Complete Logbook Entry 2.

You will be conducting science fair background research in science class during these two days. EACH student will keep notes in their own logbook and write their own paper, even if they have a science/engineering fair partner or partners. You may research together and discuss what you learn, but you must EACH write an original paper.

2. Lesson: What should you research?

a. Start with the basic science for your project. This lays the foundation for your project.

Ask yourself: What is the science the underlies my project? What do I need to know to understand my project?

These basic concepts provide a foundation for more advanced concepts, and eventually, your research question and hypothesis (or your engineering goal, target user, and design criteria).

b. Start with the basic definitions (for example, force, energy, atoms, matter, nervous system, etc.). As you record this information, you will discover new terms, concepts, and formulas that you need to know. List all of these "need-to-know" ideas in Logbook Entry 3 in your logbook.

3. Before using a source (especially a website), evaluate it. Is it useful for you?

WHO wrote it? Are they an expert?
From WHERE did they get their information?
WHAT is the purpose of the source? (Is it to sell you something?)
WHEN was the information written? Is it current?

4. As you research, take notes in your Logbook Entry 4. Use the following guidelines:

RECORD THE SOURCE AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE!
- Write down the ISBN for books--add the author and title.
- Write down the URL for a webpage--add the title.
  - Make life easier--create a Tiny URL: http://tinyurl.com/create.php
Include page numbers in the margins of your notes for information from books.
Write in bulleted phrases.
Leave plenty of space between the notes.
Paraphrase the information (write it in your own words) OR
If you copy the exact wording from a source, use "quotations" so that you know later on that you did so. You should not use quotes in your paper, so leave room below to paraphrase later.
Underline vocabulary, laws, theories, and formulas.
You must use parenthetical citations to show the source of your information. Do this as you go--it's easier that way.
Add new terms to Entry 3 as you go.

5. Create your Works Cited as you go. Use Easy Bib: www.easybib.com

NOTE: Logbook Entry 4 will be made up of MANY pages of research notes.

Much of your first draft of your research paper will be written in class, but you will need to work on researching and writing for homework also.

Tips:

1. Use the handout, "How to Write a Science (or Engineering) Fair Review of Literature" to guide you step-by-step.

2. Use the template to guide your writing so that it is well-structured.

3. As you write, you will realize that you need more information and that you need to go back to researching.

4. Check your research question and hypothesis with Ms. Finnerty.

5. Use the originality checker to check your paper for plagiarism.

January 2020:

WRITING A PROJECT PROPOSAL AND STARTING THE PROJECT

The science fair project proposal describes how the project will be done, including the materials and procedure. Partners write the project proposal together.

January 8-9, 2020:

In class today, we will complete Logbook Entries 5, 6 and 7

We will go over how to design an experiment and will go over the directions and grading rubric for the project proposal.

Ms. Finnerty will give you an outline to help you to write your proposal.

We will start Logbook Entry 8.

You will start to write your project proposal in class today.

Ms. Finnerty will go over specific requirements for engineering projects and for projects with human subjects.

January 10, 2020:

Due: Science Fair Project Proposal first draft (on Drive)

In class today we will complete peer and self-review of the project proposal.

January 17, 2020: (DATE CHANGED)

Due:

1. Science Fair Project Proposal final draft--shared with Ms. Finnerty on Drive.

(2. AND for students with human subjects: Informed Consent (Form C) and test or survey if relevant)

(DUE by January 22: 2nd draft of SEF Research Paper)

Weekend of January 25: You may start your science/engineering fair project by now. Start to gather materials and plan your activities.

Wednesday, January 22: We will complete a timeline for project completion in your logbook. Work with your partners to determine deadlines and meeting dates for your work so that you are finished on time!

Complete Logbook Entry 9 as you conduct your experiment. This entry should be MANY pages.

January 18-March 14, 2020:

CONDUCTING THE PROJECT AND COLLECTING DATA

By the weekend of March 14, 2020: Data collection should be completed

March 11, 2020

Today in class we will go over how to organize and display your results and how to write a description of your results. The directions/rubric and example results were handed out in class and are posted below. Logbook Entry 10 should consist of your notes on, thoughts about, and draft of your results.

MARCH 15-APRIL 1, 2020:

ORGANIZING AND ANALYZING DATA

Due Thursday, March 18, 2020:

1. Due: Results: First draft of results--EACH STUDENT should bring a copy of the results to class.

Data Analysis: We will check the results in class and go over how to analyze your data, how to organize and display the results of your analysis, and how to write a description of your data analysis. Logbook Entry 11 should consist of your notes on, thoughts about, and draft of your data analysis.

Due Wednesday, March 25, 2020:

1. Due: Results: Second draft of results for grading. ONLY ONE copy of the results needs to be turned in to be graded.

2. Due: Data Analysis: First draft of data analysis. EACH STUDENT should bring a copy of the data analysis to class.

Today in class we will go over the structure and requirements for the conclusion. Completing Logbook Entries 12-17 will help you to gather your ideas for the conclusion. We will also go over the requirements for the display board and look at example display boards.

Due Wednesday, April 1, 2020:

1. Data Analysis: Second draft of data analysis for grading. ONLY ONE copy of the data analysis needs to be turned in to be graded.

2. Due: First draft of your conclusion (on Google Drive)

3. Due: Detailed diagram of your display board in your logbook (Entry 19).

APRIL 1-9, 2020:

FINISHING AND PRESENTING THE PROJECT

Due Wednesday, April 8, 2020:

Final lab report, including the final draft of the conclusion for grading. SHARE THE LAB REPORT WITH MS. FINNERTY ON GOOGLE DRIVE. NOTE that the lab report should include all of the pieces of the science fair project (project proposal, results, data analysis, and conclusion) all in ONE document.
- Revised Results and Data Analysis will be regraded ONLY IF the ORIGINAL paper with Ms. Finnerty's corrections AND the grading rubric (with scores) are turned in with the lab report.
Logbook for each student (with Logbook Entries 1-20)

Science fair presentations: April 2-8 (Extra credit for students who sign up to present on April 2 and 3)

Due on the day that you present:

1. Display board

2. Presentation cards

Thursday, April 9, 2020: LMS Science Fair Open House

6:00-7:30 pm

ALL 7th and 8th graders should plan to participate! Extra credit is given for attending. Invite your family, friends, and neighbors!

WE DID IT!

FIRST DRAFT OF RESEARCH PAPER due by 12/16/2019: Shared on Google Drive

Ms. Finnerty will grade your paper using the science rubric and Mrs. Abbott will grade it using the ELA rubric. Note that both teachers include your works cited and parenthetical citations in their rubric!

Logbook Entries 1-4 will be completed by this time.

January 6-21, 2020:

EDIT AND REVISE RESEARCH PAPER

Ms. Finnerty will give you feedback on the science content of your paper.

Mrs. Abbott will work with you during your English class to edit, revise, and rewrite your paper.

Your paper must pass the plagiarism check done in class.

SECOND DRAFT OF RESEARCH PAPER due by 1/22/2019: Shared on Google Drive

resources for starting a sef project

Frontiers for Young Minds — Science articles written by scientists and reviewed by kids

Google Science Fair

Google Science Fair--has Idea Springboard and Idea Toolkit

Massachusetts Science Fair

Presentation on How To Conduct a Science Fair Project

Project Ideas 1

Science Buddies

Science Fair and Engineering Project Guides on Science Buddies — Great resources!

Science Fair Tips for Middle School Students

Video: How to do a science fair project

resource links for sEF research paper

How to do parenthetical citations

Easy Bib--use for creating your Works Cited

MLA Format

Tiny URL maker

Web Path Express — This is a good way to search/browse by subject as you look for useful web pages. You can limit your search by grade to weed out sites that are designed for younger children or much older students.

Biology 4 Kids — Student-friendly biology explanations

Biology glossary — A source for defining biology-related terms

Bitesize Science — --has just about everything in kid-friendly terms!

Chem4Kids — Student-friendly chemistry explanations!

Chemistry Glossary

CNN Science News

Cosmos 4 Kids — Student-friendly astronomy explanations

Discovery Education Techbook — Don't forget; you can use this as a source also!

DOGO News for Kids

Examples of Abstracts

Explain that Stuff — A great site for information that is clear and easy to understand

How Stuff Works — This site has great information on all kinds of science topics!