Trevor's Tips
SCIENCE 10 HONOURS
SCIENCE PROJECT OVERVIEW by Trevor Fowler
A. INTRODUCTION
Your science project will study a scientifically related topic of your choice. As well as making a significant contribution to your final mark in the course, it will provide you with an excellent opportunity to gain knowledge and understanding in an area relevant to science and to the world we live in. You are encouraged to enter your project in the science fair held in February. Winners at the science fair receive money and may earn a trip to the national science fair competitions that take place in Ottawa. You may work in pairs.
B. TOPIC SELECTION
Although you will choose your own topic, you must have your choice confirmed by the instructor. Avoid selecting broad topics (e.g. Insects). Your initial research may be fairly general but should eventually lead you to a specific issue which you can examine in detail. It is essential that the bulk of your literature review be derived from recent (i.e. 1990 or later) journals and texts. A number of science journals (e.g. Scientific American, Science, Omni, Science Digest, Discover, etc.) are located in the Honours Reading Room in the school library.
C. TYPES OF RESEARCH PROJECTS
Your science project can be one of two types. These are:
1. Experimental Investigation
2. Literature Investigation
1. Experimental Investigation: In this type of project you will be using the scientific method to investigate a scientifically related question of your choice. Each step of the scientific method must be clearly presented in your display. The steps of the scientific method are as follows:
a. Statement of the question or problem to be investigated.
b. Statement of your hypothesis
c. Statement of your testable prediction using the if/then format
d. Detailed description of your experimental design
e. Collection of data – e.g. tables, charts, drawings, graphs
f. Data analysis – including a summary of results, experimental error, and a researched explanation of your experimental results
g. Statement of your conclusion in which you either accept or reject your hypothesis. You may suggest an alternate hypothesis at this point if you rejected your original hypothesis.
Your science project must include a logbook or journal in which you maintain a record of all information relevant to your investigation. Items included in your logbook would consist of notes obtained from background reading, sources of information, experimental procedures, raw data, rough drafts, etc.
The steps of the scientific method along with graphs and charts must be presented on a self- supporting display such as a backboard or posters. Your display should be a thorough and attractive presentation of your experiment and its results. You are encouraged to include more sophisticated forms of presentation such as computer software or videos that you have developed.
The final element in your research project will be an oral presentation in which you will, within 10 minutes, describe your experiment and its outcome to the class.
Your final project mark will be based on an evaluation of your:
a. display
b. logbook
c. oral presentation
3. Literature Investigation: In this type of project you will investigate a specific topic by thoroughly researching recent (i.e. 1990 or later) sources (e.g. journals). Your report will consist of three parts including:
a. a written report
b. a display
c. an oral presentation
a. Written Report: The written report must be a minimum of 2000 words. It will include:
1. a synopsis in which you will introduce and summarize your paper.
2. the main body of your paper in which you will describe what you have found out about your topic, provide some insight into its relevance or importance, and indicate any opinions which you may hold with respect to the topic (you should provide arguments to support your opinions).
3. a properly formatted bibliography
b. Display: Your display must be presented on self-supporting backboard or posters. It should include your own diagrams and models that will help to illustrate what your project is about. You are encouraged to include more sophisticated forms of presentation such as computer software or videos that you have produced.
c. Oral Presentation: The final element in your project will be an oral presentation in which you will, within 10 minutes, summarize your paper.
Your final project mark will be based on an evaluation of your:
a. written report
b. display
c. oral presentation
D. LIBRARY TIME
One period of library time will be designated for project research.
E. DUE DATE
All parts of your project will be due on the day you give your oral presentation. Oral presentations will start at the beginning of the last month of the semester. Individuals will be assigned a specific date for their oral presentation.
SCIENCE 10 HONOURS
RESEARCH PROJECT RUBRIC – INNOVATION
A. Logbook Rubric
Item Value
1. Introduction 10
• A clear, detailed description of the purpose/function of the innovation is provided.
• Possible applications of the innovation are given.
2. Discussion 25
• Researched background information is provided and any reference sources are cited.
• Scientific principles which the innovation uses are thoroughly explained.
• A through explanation of how the innovation works is provided.
• Diagrams/tables/charts/and/or graphs are used to enhance understanding on the innovation.
• Diagrams, tables, charts, and graphs are accompanied by a brief explanation.
3. Evaluation of the Innovation 10
• A clear indication of how successfully the innovation performs its function is provided.
• If appropriate, data is collected and presented (e.g. in tables, charts, or graphs) to demonstrate the effectiveness of the innovation.
4. Possible Improvements in Design 5
• Possible ways in which the innovation design could be improved are given.
Logbook Total 50 Marks
B. Logbook Rubric
Item Value
1. Student’s Work 15
2. Organization/Layout/Content 25
• The display is arranged in a logical fashion which is easily understood.
• Titles/headings are large, clear, and neat.
• Text is large as possible and is clear/concise.
• For Innovation projects, diagrams/tables/charts and/or graphs have clear titles and labels.
• Diagrams, tables, charts and graphs have clear titles and labels.
• Diagrams, tables, charges, and graphs are accompanied by a brief explanation.
• Evaluation and possible design improvements are included.
3. Artistic Merit 10
• The display is visually appealing in terms of diagrams, colors used, and arrangement.
Poster Total 50 Marks
C. Innovation Design Rubric Total 50 marks
• The innovation design demonstrates that it has been well planned and carefully produced.
• The innovation design effectively incorporates scientific and/or technical principles in its operation.
• The complexity of the innovation meets the standards of an Honours Science 10 research project.
• Originality of design is apparent (i.e. it’s not just a copy of something already available).
• The innovation successfully performs its function(s).
D. Oral Presentation Total 50 marks
• For critieria, see the oral presentation rubric sheet.
Project Total 200 Marks
SCIENCE 10 HONOURS/BIOLOGY 11 HONOURS
RESEARCH PROJECT RUBRIC – LITERATURE REVIEW
A.. Research Paper Rubric
Item Value
1. Synopsis/Introductory Paragraph 10
• Clearly outlines the topic being investigated.
• Indicates the major issues involved.
2. Main body of the paper 70
• Paper is written in the student’s own words.
• Indication that the topic has been thoroughly researched.
• Content includes scientific explanation(s).
• Content is up-to-date.
• Paper has been thoroughly edited in terms of organization, sentence structure, grammar, spelling.
• Difficult terms have been clearly defined.
• Diagrams are done by the student and are clearly labeled and are referred to in the paper’s text.
• Include references when quotes from specific articles are made.
3. Concluding Paragraph 5
• Provides a clear summary of the paper’s findings.
• Indicates the significance of the findings.
4. Bibliography 15
• Properly formatted.
• Includes up-to-date sources such as Internet sites, recent journal articles, recent texts.
• Includes a minimum of five appropriate sources
Total 100 marks
B. Display (e.g. Poster) Rubric
Item Value
1. Student’s Work 15
• All diagrams, labels, and text are done by student.
2. Organization/Layout/Content 25
• The display is arranged in a logical fashion which is easily understood.
• Titles/Headings are large, clear, and neat.
• Text is as large as possible and is clear/concise.
• For experimental projects, the components of the scientific method, including the scientific question, hypothesis (and null hypothesis if appropriate), testable prediction (if/then format), experimental design, results (e.g. data tables and graphs), discussion, conclusion, and sources of error must be present and arranged in a logical, easy to follow manner.
• For literature review projects, the headings, diagrams, labels, and text should illustrate some aspect of all of the major issues included within your topic. It should be evident from your display what the overall content
of your paper consisted of.
3. Artistic Merit 10
• The display is visually appealing in terms of diagrams, colors used, and arrangement.
Total 50 marks
C. Oral Presentation Total 50 marks
• For criteria, see the oral presentation rubric sheet
Project Total 200 Marks
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. Author Last Name, First Name
2. Title Title of Book (Underlined)
3. Publisher Name of Publisher
4. Date Copyright Date
The bibliography is arranged in alphabetical order by the author's last name. It appears at the end of the essay/research project on a separate sheet of paper.
E X A M P L E S
1. Book With One Author
Smith, Robert Leo., Elements of Ecology. 3rd ed. Harper Collins Publishers Inc., 1992
2. Book With Two or Three Authors
Ross, Cleon W., and Frank B. Salisbury. Plant Physiology. 4th Ed. Wadsworth Publishing Company, 1992
3. Book With More Than Three Authors
Tortora, Gerard J. et al., Microbiology, An Introduction. 3rd ed. The Benjamin/Cummings Publishing Company, Inc. 1989
4. Unsigned Article in a Reference Book
Encyclopedia Britannica. 1995 ed., S.v. “Spain”
5. Article in an Encyclopedia
Encyclopedia Britannica, 1995 ed., S.v. “Spain.”
6. Article in a Magazine
Tuchman, Barbara W. “If Asia Were Clay in the Hands of the West.” Atlantic, September 1970, 68-84
7. World Wide Web (WWW)
Author, Title of Item. [Online] Available http://address/file name, date of document or download.
SCIENCE 10 HONOURS/BIOLOGY 11 HONOURS
RESEARCH PROJECT RUBRIC – EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION
A.. Logbook Rubric
Item Value
1. Scientific Question/Problem Statement 5
• Scientific question is clearly and concisely stated.
2. Hypothesis and (Null Hypothesis if appropriate) 5
• Hypothesis is clearly and concisely stated.
• Hypothesis is testable.
3. Testable Prediction 5
• Derived from the hypothesis or null hypothesis.
• Use the If/Then format: If hypothesis/null hypothesis’ then testable prediction.
4. Experimental Design 30
• Experiment has a clearly defined control group.
• Experiment has one clearly defined independent (i.e. experimental) variable
• Experimental design specifies the constant factors and ensures that they are held constant.
• The dependent (i.e. responding) variable is clearly defined.
• The number of experimental groups and their treatments are clearly specified.
• Appropriate sample size/number of repetitions.
• The experimental procedure is described in detail.
• Experiment effectively tests the hypothesis.
5. Data Collection/Presentation 20
• Data/Observations are concisely presented in tables, charts, graphs, or drawings.
• Tables, charts, graphs, and drawings have clear titles and labels.
• Tables, charts, graphs, and drawings are accompanied by a brief explanation.
6. Discussion 25
• Researched background information is provided and any reference sources are cited.
• Data is thoroughly analyzed.
• Results are concisely summarized.
• Conclusions are drawn based on data analysis.
• The significance of your research outcomes in terms of further research and applications is indicated.
7. Conclusion 5
• The hypothesis or null hypothesis is supported or rejected.
• The original scientific question is clearly answered.
8. Sources of Error 5
• All likely sources of error are identified.
• A brief description of the possible impact that each source of error might have had is provided.
Logbook Total 100 Marks
