Science Fair Project

Scientific Research Paper

A WebQuest for 4th-6th Grade (Science)

Introduction

There are many great mysteries of the world. As a scientist working for the Garrett Science Institute, your responsibility is to conduct an experiment and present your findings in a scientific research paper. To assist you in your quest for answers, you will access various on-line resources using this webquest. Begin your quest to solve a scientific mystery. What great mystery are you going to discover?

TheTask

Using this webquest, your task is to:

	determine a question you would like answered by researching your topic,
	develop and conduct an experiment using the scientific method,
	and present the entire project in a scientific research paper.

The Process

First, prepare a folder to keep all the information you acquire. You may also want to label a disk for this project.
Begin your scientific quest by determining a question you would like to solve.
Once you've determine your question, research your topic and take notes. Be sure to begin a bibliography and write down how each source helped you in your quest for knowledge. As other people help you, be sure to make a note of that, too. You'll want to keep up with this for your Acknowledgements.
Begin planning your experiment by determining your purpose, hypothesis, needed materials, and procedure.
Create a log sheet to keep track of the data you collect.
Conduct your experiment and document your findings on a consistent basis. You may also want to take pictures of the process. Be sure to note time and date, as well as observations and measurements.
Present your findings in charts, tables, and graphs.
Using the data you have gathered, write a conclusion to your experiment and compare it to your hypothesis.
Now it is time to present your experiment and findings. Follow the guidelines for the components of a scientific research paper. The components of the paper are linked in the evaluation section.
Turn in your scientific research paper to the head of the Garrett Science Institute.

Evaluation

Your grade will be determined using the criteria below:

	Beginning 6	Developing 8	Accomplished 10	Exemplary 12	Score
folder with copies of research material, rough drafts, log, etc.	beginning level of performance	development and movement toward mastery of performance	mastery of performance	highest level of performance
all components of the scientific research paper are present and overall neatness and appearance of scientific research paper	beginning level of performance	development and movement toward mastery of performance	mastery of performance	highest level of performance
Title page follows guidelines	beginning level of performance	development and movement toward mastery of performance	mastery of performance	highest level of performance
Table of Contents follows guidelines	beginning level of performance	development and movement toward mastery of performance	mastery of performance	highest level of performance
Abstract follows guidelines	beginning level of performance	development and movement toward mastery of performance	mastery of performance	highest level of performance
Appropriate use of the scientific method and experiment follows guidelines	beginning level of performance	development and movement toward mastery of performance	mastery of performance	highest level of performance
Use of pictures, graphs, charts, etc. that represents procedure and results.	beginning level of performance	development and movement toward mastery of performance	mastery of performance	highest level of performance
Conclusion follows guidelines	beginning level of performance	development and movement toward mastery of performance	mastery of performance	highest level of performance
Acknowledgements follows guidelines	beginning level of performance	development and movement toward mastery of performance	mastery of performance	highest level of performance
Annotated Bibliography follows guidelines	beginning level of performance	development and movement toward mastery of performance	mastery of performance	highest level of performance

Conclusion

After following the process of this webquest, you will have completed a scientific experiment and have written a scientific research paper. Using the information you have acquired in your research, experiment, and scientific research paper, you may choose to create a display for the science fair. Check out the links under topics to see how to create a science fair project.

Credits & References

Microsoft Frontpage

Vazquez, Laura, France, David M., and Perkins, Kim. Not Just Another Science Fair. Illinois: GoodYearBooks, 1994.

Vriesenga, Daryl. Science Fair Projects. United States: Instructional Fair, Inc., 1990.

www.twingroves.district96.k12.il.us/ScienceInternet

www.ipl.org

www.isd77.k12.mn.us/resources/cf/SciProjInter.html

www.scifair.org

www.halcyon.com/sciclub/cgi-pvt/scifair/guestbook.html

http://members.ozemail.com.au/~macinnis/scifun/projects.htm

www.energy.ca.gov/education/projects/project-html/projects.html

www.accs.net/fms/scifair/htm

www.csun.edu/~lg48405/virtual/1998.html

Based on a template from The WebQuest Page