CALENDAR SCHEDULE
September: Student submits title of past projects. Teacher screens for possible Phase II.
Student reads appropriate chapter in the text that reviews the scientific method and obtains a logbook to begin the process.
Hand out Documentation of Controlled Experiments.
Students submit suggestion for topic/experiment based on their own area of interest. (attachment) Teacher responds to idea. Note: all documents are kept and submitted within the format of the final paper.
October: Individual student conferences and approval process. In class brainstorming
sessions. Student continues to develop the topic through changes a s a result of teacher responses to previous suggestions. Each change requires the submission of a new proposal sheet. All original proposal sheets are re-submittted to facilitate monitoring of effort and changes. Most common response to the student from the teacher is "What are you planning to measure? How are you planning to measure? and Why would anyone want to know this?
November: All students have approval for topic/experiment. Forms necessary to the
regional and state fairs submitted for approval to the school coach.
December: First summary of research due. This is the key to the final product. Teacher
comments guide student to the next level of achievement. Students are expected to act upon the comments. Final grading is based upon the student implementation of the suggestions. Try to accelerate the pace of students that have good projects but might run into trouble with experimental design.
All library research materials must be brought to class for visible proof. Bibliography slips are filled out and retained by the teacher. Each slip is stamped and returned to the student in February for inclusion in the final paper.
January: Copies of Local/Regional/State Judging Criteria issued to students.
Experimental designs submitted and begin experimental phase. During December and January periodic "Parent Alert" notes go home.
February: Final product due. Begin tri-board for competition in Pilgrim Science Fair.
March: Pilgrim Science Fair/South Shore Regional Fair
April: Refine any projects for Massachusetts State Fair. Schedule practice sessions
for competition.
May: Massachusetts State Fair