SCIENTIFIC METHOD PROJECT RUBRIC



SCIENCE PROJECT NAME_______________________________________

Dear Parents,

Your child is doing a science project that will allow them to explore the mysteries of the world around us. Your child will have to think like a young scientist. Great science projects depend on creative, thoughtful, and original ideas. Students should choose a topic that they will really enjoy and not something that just sounds easy.

The scientific method rubric form should help with the various steps in the process. All the steps will be explained in detail during class. The emphasis of this project should not be on winning, but on having positive learning experiences and fun. Also, keep in mind that a great project can be done at a minimal cost, if any. Indeed judges often take creative use of materials into account when judging a science fair.

Each must be completed by January 31st, 2011:

1. A scientific method project that follows the attached rubric, which culminates in a presentation to the class. The presentation must include: an explanation of the project, some type of visual aid, a concise summary of the data collected (graph), and a well-developed conclusion based on the results of the experiment.

2. A science fair project that that follows the scientific method rubric and will be graded using the same rubric for each step. Also, they will be graded with an additional rubric to account the additional components, which include:

• Project Note Book, which contains all original copies of paper work and required forms.

• A bound Log Book that contains detailed notes of everything you do for your project.

• Visual Display on a 3-sided board.

• Abstract

• Research Paper

Students who choose to do a science fair project may compete against budding scientists from all over the region in the North West Georgia (Dade, Walker, Catoosa, Whitfield, Murray, Gordon, Chattooga, Floyd, Bartow, Cherokee, Forsyth, Pickens, Fannin, Gilmer, Dawson, Lumpkin, Union) Regional Science and Engineering fair that is usually scheduled for the 3rd Saturday, in February. I have not been able to confirm this date. The Georgia Science and Engineering Fair is Thursday, April 1, 2011 to Saturday, April 3, 2011.

Visit for detailed information about each of these components. I will print the “Science Fair Guide for Middle School Students” which comes from this website for all students doing a Science Fair Project. A much more detailed guide is available on the website.

A good science fair project does entail a great deal of work. Students that opt to do a science fair and attain a passing grade will have their lowest test grade for the 3rd nine weeks changed to a 100. Students whose projects are selected to go to the county fair will be extended the same privilege in the 4th nine weeks. Students whose projects go on to the state level will be granted some class time to put the finishing touches on their project and will have their name put in the biggest lights I can find.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. I look forward to watching your child enjoy this unique opportunity for scientific discovery!

Sincerely,

Ken Haughey

Please write the below due dates in your agenda.

|STEP |DUE DATE |TOTAL POSSIBLE|CRITERIA TO EARN ALL POINTS |POINTS EARNED|

| | |POINTS | | |

|PROBLEM |Due |10 |Level of difficulty is appropriate | |

| | | |Clear and specific question | |

| |September 9th, 2010| |Variables (what will be changed and what will be measured) are apparent | |

| | | |Creative and/or original problem or approach | |

| | | |Problem is an experiment | |

| | | |The topic is one that you are genuinely interested in | |

|RESEARCH |Completed by |15 |Thorough (minimum 5 paragraphs) and knowledgeable explanation of phenomenon using all related and | |

| | | |important facts, concepts or principles | |

| |October 22nd, 2010 | |Science fair projects will/should have a great deal more research | |

| | | |All research material is directly relevant to the problem/experiment | |

| | | | | |

|HYPOTHESIS |Due |10 |Should be a concise and insightful statement that directly answers the problem question | |

| |October 22nd, | |Should be worded very similar to the problem | |

| |2010 | | | |

|EXPERIMENT |Procedure, Data |25 |PROCEDURE | |

| |Table, Materials | |CLEAR STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS OF EXACTLY HOW TO PERFORM THE EXPERIMENT | |

| |List, And Variables| |Number of trials to be performed should be stated and be sufficient in number to so that the validity | |

| |List (Manipulated/ | |of your results cannot be easily questioned | |

| |Changed, | | | |

| |Responding/ | |DATA TABLE | |

| |Measured, and | |Has title with both the manipulated and responding variables in it | |

| |Controlled) Due by | |Design easy to follow—labels for variables are clear | |

| | | |All units are given. For example, time in seconds, not time. | |

| |November 5th, 2010 | |Design allows for complete recording of all data for the number of trials specified in the procedure | |

| | | | | |

| | | |MATERIALS LIST | |

| | | |Complete list of all materials used | |

| | | |Items on list are specific and described in detail. For example, a 250 ml Pyrex beaker, not a beaker.| |

| | | | | |

| | | |VARIABLES | |

| | | |Variables are appropriate for testing the hypothesis | |

| | | |Manipulated variable is stated and exactly what is to be changed in the experiment is clearly defined.| |

| | | |How the manipulated variable will be changed is also clearly explained. | |

| | | |Responding variable is stated. How the responding variable is to be measured is very clearly defined.| |

| | | |Controlled variables are listed. How each controlled variable is controlled is spelled out. For | |

| | | |example, not amount of water, rather exactly how much water was used. As many controlled variables as| |

| | | |possible are listed—you should have many! | |

| | | | | |

| | | |EXPERIMENT | |

| | | |Designed, carried out and observed an experiment that efficiently tested the hypothesis | |

| | | |All data collected is complete and precise with the appropriate units | |

| | | |Experiment had exactly one manipulated variable | |

| | | | | |

| | | | | |

| | | | | |

| | | | | |

| | | | | |

| | | | | |

| | | | | |

| | | | | |

| |Experiment | | | |

| |completed by (all | | | |

| |data collected) | | | |

| | | | | |

| |January 31st, 2011 | | | |

|ANALYSIS |Due |15 |Data is clearly summarized | |

| | | |Graphs are used if at all possible | |

| | | |Type of graphs selected is appropriate | |

| |February 4th, 2011 | |Graphs are well laid out and easy to read | |

| | | |Graphs include correct | |

| | | |Titles | |

| | | |Labels | |

| | | |Units | |

|CONCLUSION |Due |15 |Statement based on your data tells if your experiment supports or refutes your hypothesis | |

| | | |Thorough and precise explanation of the experimental results, which caused you to either accept or | |

| |February 11th, 2011| |reject your hypothesis, are given | |

| | | |Data from graphs is referred to in your explanation | |

| | | |Experimental results are critically evaluated | |

| | | |Possible flaws in experiment are discussed and ways to improve the experiment are explored | |

|PRESENTATIO|Due |10 |Explanation of the project is through and demonstrates comprehension of material | |

|N | | |Graphs and/or displays are well explained | |

| |February 16th, 2011| |Well prepared/rehearsed presentation | |

| | | |Some type of visual aid is used (PPT, poster, backboard, demonstration---Science Fair projects must | |

| | | |have 3-fold backboard that follows specific guidelines) | |

| | | | | |

|TOTAL SCORE | |

|NOTE BOOK | | |Includes all required components | |

| | | |Scientific research paper | |

| | |10 |Graphs and charts | |

| | | |Photographs (if applicable) | |

| |Due | |Forms—Must be completed before starting! | |

| |February 16th, 2011| |Abstract on official form | |

| | | |Sponsor check list Form 1 | |

| | | |Research plan 1A | |

| | | |Approval Form 1B | |

| | | |Any other needed forms | |

| | | |Everything is in order with tabs and an index | |

| | | |Attractive cover | |

|LOG BOOK | | |Every thing is dated and up-to-date | |

| |Due |20 |Must start at the beginning | |

| |Components checked | |Log book is bound so that pages can not be torn out | |

| |as they are due | |All entries are “original” and written in pen | |

| | | |Book divided into sections | |

| |February 16th, 2011| |An index is located in the front with the sections and pages indicated | |

| | | |All pages are numbered | |

| | | |All original notes and data are in the book | |

|BACK BOARD |Due | |Logically presented and easy to read. Path of the Scientific Method is followed from left to right | |

| | |20 |and top to bottom | |

| | | |A good title that simply and accurately represents your project | |

| |February 16tth, | |Eye-Catching (labels, charts, and graphs boldly stand out) | |

| |2011 | |Correct size and construction | |

|ABSTRACT | | |Title is brief and descriptive | |

| | | |Problem tells the reader what specific questions are addressed in the study | |

| |Due |10 |Purpose states the usefulness of the study and the reason for its undertaking | |

| | | |Hypothesis is reflective of research done and directly answers the problem question | |

| |February 16th, 2011| |A brief summary of your procedure is given | |

| | | |Conclusions are concise and directly related to your hypothesis | |

| | | |Conclusions identify unsolved aspects of the original problem and any new problems are identified | |

|RESEARCH | | |The following sections are completed according to the Research Paper Report Guide | |

|PAPER | | |Title page | |

| | |40 |Table of Contents | |

| |Due | |Introduction | |

| | | |Materials and Procedures | |

| |February 16th, 2011| |Results | |

| | | |Discussion | |

| | | |Conclusion | |

| | | |Acknowledgments/Credits | |

| | | |References/Bibliography | |

| | | |Appendix | |

|Total score ____/100 This score is to reflect the changes or improvements that could be made so that if you plan to compete at the county fair you | |

|can make amendments. The score does not represent your grade. You automatically have a 100 for a test or project grade for completing a passing | |

|science fair project. If your project meets the requirements to go to the regional fair you receive the same privilege again, likewise for the state | |

|fair. | |

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