Science Projects

DNA Models due October for all Science classes:

-Your model must be a double helix, have the four nucleotide bases, sugars and phosphates. Each of these must be labeled and a key located at the bottom of the project. The 3-D model must be mounted on a board. No paper or craft foam please, it is too flexible. This will count twice and is worth a possible 100 points. No food for projects please. Make sure your name is on it.

Poster Project Due October

Side One:

“My Genetic Family Tree”

-           list the following by each name: eye color, hair color, whether they have a widows peak, attached/ detached ear lobes. You may include other genetic information, but make sure it is something genetic. You may also use symbols to represent each item, just make a key at the bottom.

-           Include biological parents if at all possible because this is a genetic study. I understand it is not always possible, just do you best. It you have not genetic links, use the people you live with.

-           You may use your siblings only, then use parents, grandparents (great grandparents if you have their names). You may have to use pictures to answer some of the questions. Ask your parents and grandparents questions to find information.

-           Make sure it is neat and colorful. Color pencils are best to use.

Side two:

-           DNA Location

o        Draw the cell and illustrate the nucleus

o        The 46 chromosomes inside the nucleus and the DNA coiled up inside of it.

o        Draw the DNA strand and color code the bases, sugars, and phosphates

-           DNA Process

o        Draw the entire process the DNA goes through when dividing and making a protein change and copy of the DNA.

Science Fair Projects:

Your must follow the Scientific Method to get create for the project. A Science Fair Project can be done on any of our Science Standards ( see Science Standards page)

Students will be given at least one project for each major topic we talk about. They will be assigned a Science Fair Project that must be from the list of topics that I provide. These will go directly with our state standards.

The Science Fair Projects can be done on the following topics:

Biomes, Ecosystems, Classification, Invertebrates, vertebrates, Kingdoms, Earth Resources, Earth Features, Minerals, Acids and Bases, Chemical Reactions,Conservation of Eath Resources, Newton's Three Laws of Motion, Projectile Motion, Simple Machines, Periodic Table, Balancing equations

The following projects will be assigned:

Create a Biome and/ Ecosystem,

Build a Simple Machine,

Test different acids and bases in your home,

Layers of the Earth model ......

and many more!

Science Fair Projects            

This rubric details the way in which the student will be graded.

See website www.discoveryschool.com    go to Science Fair Central

Possible points

10 points-Mounted on a display board (poster board is not acceptable) If you can not get a display board, see me and I will get you one. Everyone must have one.

5 points- Title the project (in the form of a question)

20 points- A working experiment to place in front of the board. (or pictures to show what you did if you can’t have a working one in front of the board.)

5 points-Name on the back of the display board. Name on the front will not be accepted

   for judging purposes.

10 points- Detailed information displayed on the board that is easy to understand, yet

    fully explains the project. Do not put too much information, simplify it without taking away from the detail and the “meat” of the project.   

30 points- Scientific Method on board.  (See below) Each step of the Scientific Method should be labeled clearly with it’s information below.

5 points-Neatness and creativity (being colorful helps)

10 points- (Project Report) Clear information explaining the project. This is a record of

                 the experiment from beginning to end. 2 pages. If you did the project correctly, you will have plenty of information. It you have less, points will be counted off

10 points -Knowledge of your project (Be able to explain your project to the teacher or

 the judge. You should know everything you write about.) I will be asking you questions about your project, if you cannot answer them correctly, I will know it and points will be counted off.

5 points bonus for being one of the top three chosen in the class.

All information should be typed. DO NOT PRINT THINGS OFF THE INTERNET, THIS IS YOUR PROJECT TO PUT TOGETHER, NOT SOME RANDOM PERSON OFF THE INTERNET.

Students will get points deducted for a late project. 20 points a day.

More than 3 days late will result in a zero.

All of the following will be considered in Judging and Evaluating projects:

· Project Objectives

• Presenting original ideas
• Stating the problem clearly
• Defining the variables and using controls
• Relating background reading to the problem( sources)

· Project Skills

• Being knowledgeable about equipment used
• Performing the experiments with little or no assistance except as required for safety
• Demonstrating the skills required to do all the work necessary to obtain the data reported

· Data Collection

• Using a journal to collect data and research
• Repeating the experiment to verify the results
• Spending an appropriate amount of time to complete the project
• Having measurable results

· Data Interpretation

• Using tables, graphs, and illustrations in interpreting data
• Using research to interpret data collected
• Collecting enough data to make a conclusion
• Using only data collected to make a conclusion

· Project Presentation (Written Materials, Interviews, Displays)

• Having a complete and comprehensive report
• Answering questions accurately
• Using the display during oral presentation
• Justifying conclusions on the basis of experimental data
• Summarizing what was learned
• Presenting a display that shows creative ability and originality
• Presenting an attractive and interesting display

THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD MUST BE FOLLOWED:

THE TITLE MUST BE IN QUESTION FORM AND YOU MUST BE ABLE TO INVESTIGATE USING THE QUESTION: IT MUST BE TESTABLE/MEASURABLE.

1. THE PROBLEM ( state the problem)
2.  RESEARCH( gather information)
3.  HYPOTHESIS (What do you think will happen? This is to be an education guess based on the research you did)
4. MATERIALS ( list everything you used for you experiment, including any people used)
5. EXPERIMENT ( explain your experiment and the process you went through)
6. DATA ( after performing the experiment several times, you will have data to use, if you do not have data, you have done the whole thing wrong)
7. RESULTS ( what were the results after performing the experiment and looking at the data)
8. CONCLUSION ( what is your conclusion, was your hypothesis correct)

Mrs. Faulkner

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