SMATH Expo
 

Next Draft Due Dates

This should Include Intro, Research, Methods, and Data

 

7th Grade - December 4th

6th and 8th Grade - December 19th

 

 

Louisville Regional Science Fair Website: http://www.lrsf.org

Science Resources on the WWW: http://www.societyforscience.org/isef/students/www.asp

 

Link to category description: http://www.societyforscience.org/isef/students/research_categories.asp

Search Engines for Articles

http://scholar.google.com

www.sciencenewsforkids.org

 

 Eligible Categories for Our Expo

I. Middle School (Grades 5-8)

1.   Animal Sciences
2.   Behavioral and Social Sciences
3.   Biochemistry
4.   Cellular & Molecular Biology
5.   Chemistry
6.   Computer Science
7.   Earth Science
8.   Engineering (Materials & Bioengineering)
9.   Engineering (Electrical & Mechanical)
10. Energy and Transportation
11. Environmental Management
12. Environmental Sciences
13. Mathematical Sciences
14. Medicine and Health Sciences
15. Microbiology
16. Physics and Astronomy
17. Plant Sciences

 
 These are rubrics you can use as you work on your projects. Individual point values will be added at a later date, but this will give you an idea. There are 3 separate rubrics. The first is for idea development - how much of this project was your own? The second is for your report. The third is a draft of the engineering rubrics. I will add ANOTHER rubric for your trifold when the time comes.
 
SMATH Idea Development Rubric
CATEGORY
A
B
C
F
Idea
Independently identified a question which was interesting to the student and which could be investigated.
Identified, with adult help, a question which was interesting to the student and which could be investigated.
Identified, with adult help, a question which could be investigated.
Identified a question that could not be tested/investigated or one that did not merit investigation.
Hypothesis Development
Independently developed an hypothesis well-substantiated by a literature review and observation of similar phenomena.
Independently developed an hypothesis somewhat substantiated by a literature review and observation of similar phenomena.
Independently developed an hypothesis somewhat substantiated by a literature review or observation of similar phenomena.
Needed adult assistance to develop an hypothesis or to do a basic literature review.
Variables
Independently identified and clearly defined which variables were going to be changed (independent variables) and which were going to be measured (dependent variables).
Independently identified which variables were going to be changed (independent variables) and which were going to be measured (dependent variables). Some feedback was needed to clearly define the variables.
With adult help, identified and clearly defined which variables were going to be changed (independent variables) and which were going to be measured (dependent variables).
Adult help needed to identify and define almost all the variables.
Descripton of Procedure
Procedures were outlined in a step-by-step fashion that could be followed by anyone without additional explanations. No adult help was needed to accomplish this.
Procedures were outlined in a step-by-step fashion that could be followed by anyone without additional explanations. Some adult help was needed to accomplish this.
Procedures were outlined in a step-by-step fashion, but had 1 or 2 gaps that require explanation even after adult feedback had been given.
Procedures that were outlined were seriously incomplete or not sequential, even after adult feedback had been given.
Data Collection
Data was collected several times. It was summarized, independently, in a way that clearly describes what was discovered.
Data was collected more than one time. It was summarized, independently, in a way that clearly describes what was discovered.
Data was collected more than one time. Adult assistance was needed to clearly summarize what was discovered.
Data was collected only once and adult assistance was needed to clearly summarize what was discovered.
Diagrams
Provided an accurate, easy-to-follow diagram with labels to illustrate the procedure or the process being studied.
Provided an accurate diagram with labels to illustrate the procedure or the process being studied.
Provided an easy-to-follow diagram with labels to illustrate the procedure or process, but one key step was left out.
Did not provide a diagram OR the diagram was quite incomplete.
Conclusion/Summary
Student provided a detailed conclusion clearly based on the data and related to previous research findings and the hypothesis statement(s).
Student provided a somewhat detailed conclusion clearly based on the data and related to the hypothesis statement(s).
Student provided a conclusion with some reference to the data and the hypothesis statement(s).
No conclusion was apparent OR important details were overlooked.

Date Created: Dec 01, 2008 06:23 pm (CST)

SMATH Lab Report Rubric for Experimental Designs
CATEGORY
A
B
C
F
Question/Purpose
The purpose of the lab or the question to be answered during the lab is clearly identified and stated.
The purpose of the lab or the question to be answered during the lab is identified, but is stated in a somewhat unclear manner.
The purpose of the lab or the question to be answered during the lab is partially identified, and is stated in a somewhat unclear manner.
The purpose of the lab or the question to be answered during the lab is erroneous or irrelevant.
Background Sources
At least 5 reputable background sources were used and cited correctly. Material is translated into student's own words.
Less than 5 reputable background sources are used and cited correctly. Material is translated into student's own words.
Less than 5 background sources are used and cited correctly, but some are not reputable sources. Material is translated into student's own words.
Material is directly copied rather than put into students own words and/or background sources are cited incorrectly.
Variables
All variables are clearly described with all relevant details.
All variables are clearly described with most relevant details.
Most variables are clearly described with most relevant details.
Variables are not described OR the majority lack sufficient detail.
Experimental Hypothesis
Hypothesized relationship between the variables and the predicted results is clear and reasonable based on what has been studied.
Hypothesized relationship between the variables and the predicted results is reasonable based on general knowledge and observations.
Hypothesized relationship between the variables and the predicted results has been stated, but appears to be based on flawed logic.
No hypothesis has been stated.
Materials
All materials and setup used in the experiment are clearly and accurately described.
Almost all materials and the setupu used in the experiment are clearly and accurately described.
Most of the materials and the setup used in the experiment are accurately described.
Many materials are described inaccurately OR are not described at all.
Experimental Design
Experimental design is a well-constructed test of the stated hypothesis.
Experimental design is adequate to test the hypothesis, but leaves some unanswered questions.
Experimental design is relevant to the hypothesis, but is not a complete test.
Experimental design is not relevant to the hypothesis.
Procedures
Procedures are listed in clear steps. Each step is numbered and is a complete sentence.
Procedures are listed in a logical order, but steps are not numbered and/or are not in complete sentences.
Procedures are listed but are not in a logical order or are difficult to follow.
Procedures do not accurately list the steps of the experiment.
Replicability
Procedures appear to be replicable. Steps are outlined sequentially and are adequately detailed.
Procedures appear to be replicable. Steps are outlined and are adequately detailed.
All steps are outlined, but there is not enough detail to replicate procedures.
Several steps are not outlined AND there is not enough detail to replicate procedures.
Data
Professional looking and accurate representation of the data in tables and/or graphs. Graphs and tables are labeled and titled.
Accurate representation of the data in tables and/or graphs. Graphs and tables are labeled and titled.
Accurate representation of the data in written form, but no graphs or tables are presented.
Data are not shown OR are inaccurate.
Analysis
The relationship between the variables is discussed and trends/patterns logically analyzed. Predictions are made about what might happen if part of the lab were changed or how the experimental design could be changed.
The relationship between the variables is discussed and trends/patterns logically analyzed.
The relationship between the variables is discussed but no patterns, trends or predictions are made based on the data.
The relationship between the variables is not discussed.
Error Analysis
Experimental errors, their possible effects, and ways to reduce errors are discussed.
Experimental errors and their possible effects are discussed.
Experimental errors are mentioned.
There is no discussion of errors.
Conclusion
Conclusion includes whether the findings supported the hypothesis, possible sources of error, and what was learned from the experiment.
Conclusion includes whether the findings supported the hypothesis and what was learned from the experiment.
Conclusion includes what was learned from the experiment.
No conclusion was included in the report OR shows little effort and reflection.
Summary
Summary describes the skills learned, the information learned and some future applications to real life situations.
Summary describes the information learned and a possible application to a real life situation.
Summary describes the information learned.
No summary is written.
Components of the report
All required elements are present and additional elements that add to the report (e.g., thoughtful comments, graphics) have been added.
All required elements are present.
One required element is missing, but additional elements that add to the report (e.g., thoughtful comments, graphics) have been added.
Several required elements are missing.
Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar
One or fewer errors in spelling, punctuation and grammar in the report.
Two or three errors in spelling, punctuation and grammar in the report.
Four errors in spelling, punctuation and grammar in the report.
More than 4 errors in spelling, punctuation and grammar in the report.
Journal/Notebook
Clear, accurate, dated notes are taken regularly.
Dated, clear, accurate notes are taken occassionally.
Dated, notes are taken occassionally, but accuracy of notes might be questionable.
Notes rarely taken or of little use.

Date Created: Dec 01, 2008 06:36 pm (CST)
 
SMATH Rubric for Engineering Projects (I'm still tweaking this one!)

CATEGORY
A
B
C
F
Scientific Knowledge
Explanations indicate a clear and accurate understanding of scientific principles underlying the construction and modifications.
Explanations indicate a relatively accurate understanding of scientific principles underlying the construction and modifications.
Some explanations indicate relatively accurate understanding of scientific principles underlying the construction and modifications.
Explanations do not illustrate much understanding of scientific principles underlying the construction and modifications.
Information Gathering
Accurate information taken from several sources in a systematic manner.
Accurate information taken from a couple of sources in a systematic manner.
Accurate information taken from a couple of sources but not systematically.
Information taken from only one source and/or information not accurate.
Plan
Plan is neat with clear measurements and labeling for all components.
Plan is neat with clear measurements and labeling for most components.
Plan provides clear measurements and labeling for most components.
Plan does not show measurements clearly or is otherwise inadequately labeled.
Data Collection
Data taken several times in a careful, reliable manner.
Data taken twice in a careful, reliable manner.
Data taken once in a careful, reliable manner.
Data not taken carefully OR not taken in a reliable manner.
Modification/Testing
Clear evidence of troubleshooting, testing, and refinements based on data or scientific principles.
Clear evidence of troubleshooting, testing and refinements.
Some evidence of troubleshooting, testing and refinements.
Little evidence of troubleshooting, testing or refinement.
Construction -Materials
Appropriate materials were selected and creatively modified in ways that made them even better.
Appropriate materials were selected and there was an attempt at creative modification to make them even better.
Appropriate materials were selected.
Inappropriate materials were selected and contributed to a product that performed poorly.
Construction - Care Taken
Great care taken in construction process so that the structure is neat, attractive and follows plans accurately.
Constuction was careful and accurate for the most part, but 1-2 details could have been refined for a more attractive product.
Construction accurately followed the plans, but 3-4 details could have been refined for a more attractive product.
Construction appears careless or haphazard. Many details need refinement for a strong or attractive product.
Journal/Log - Content
Journal provides a complete record of planning, construction, testing, modifications, reasons for modifications, and some reflection about the strategies used and the results.
Journal provides a complete record of planning, construction, testing, modifications, and reasons for modifications.
Journal provides quite a bit of detail about planning, construction, testing, modifications, and reasons for modifications.
Journal provides very little detail about several aspects of the planning, construction, and testing process.

Date Created: Dec 01, 2008 06:43 pm (CST)