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8th Grade California State Investigation Standards
"Scientific progress is made by asking meaningful questions and conducting careful investigations. As a basis for understanding this concept and addressing the content in the other three strands, students develop their own questions and perform investigations." Students will:
A. "Select and use appropriate tools and technology (including calculators, computers, balances, spring scales, microscopes, and binoculars) to perform tests, collect data, and display data."
B. "Use a variety of print and electronic resources (including the World Wide Web) to collect information and evidence as part of a research project."
C. "Communicate the logical connection among hypotheses, science concepts, tests conducted, data collected, and conclusion drawn from the scientific evidence."
D. "Construct scale models, maps, and appropriately labeled diagrams to communicate scientific knowledge (e.g., motion of Earth's plates and cell structure)."
Class Projects
Each student will be expected to complete a longitudinal investigation which involves an experiment. The investigation must include an element that is "measurable". Types of measurements may include speed, physical rate, height, temperature, mass, volume, weight, distance, air pressure, depth, area, and etc. Scientific steps must be followed. Steps to include:
A. Statement of the problem (Big Idea & Unanswered Question): State the Problem/Situation.
B. Collect research from at least four resources, some of which must be print and electronic resources (Details).
C. Form hypotheses (Educated Guesses_Make Prediction)
D. Perform an experiment to test the hypothesis.
State the purpose of the experiment.
List & collect equipment/materials to be used in the experiment.
List & Perform procedures for the experiment. Construct scale models, maps & appropriate diagrams.
Construct data tables & record data from observations that occurred in the experiment onto data tables.
Create & communicate the results from the experiment onto graphs to show possible trends, etc.
Analyze results and communicate results to others. Explain the outcomes of the results.
E. Form conclusions. Report the logical connections among hypotheses, science concepts, tests conducted, & conclusions drawn from the scientific evidence.
F. Cite information, using APA style, in a bibliography.
By far the most important point is to pick topics to study that you thoroughly enjoy. The more passion one has for a subject, the more interesting and depth to the project. So, with that in mind, be sure to have fun while investigating your favorite field of study whether it is forensics, organization of living organisms or genetics.
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