Project: Preston Science Fair Projects

Step Description Expected Student Results
1 Letter of Introduction and Conduct Initial Research
ASSIGNMENT DUE: Bibliography due September 27-28

1. Student and mentor exchange letters in which student discusses areas of interest in science that might be a starting point for a science fair project. Along with interest, think about choosing a topic that can benefit your community or society.

Mentor Role: Mentor may share personal or professional areas of interest. Example: Jordan and his mentor share an interest in astronomy. Identifying current research topics in astronomy would be an appropriate activity.

2. Student will use the Internet or other resources to look at current research in science in their area of interest. Student and mentor will identify five source of information about the topic or current scientific research being conducted at major universities, museums, or governmental agencies.

Mentor Role: Mentor will brainstorm with student to identify possible topics of research and questions/issues of professional or personal interest. The goal is to draw students to consider provocative questions rather than researching "animals”. How can their project make a difference to their community or society in general?

 1. Letter of Introduction
2. Initial Topic Research
3. Bibliography due September 27-28
2 Complete Background Information Paper
ASSIGNMENT DUE: Background Information (5-paragraph 2-page paper) due October 26-27.
Student will write paper on topic using information gathered to this point. Paper will be written with notes taken on five resources used in their bibliography for their project. A grading rubric will be provided to help guide students and mentors with paper.

Mentor Role: Mentor will assist student in revisions and editing of paper.

 1. Turn in Bibliography
2. Background Information Paper due October 26-27
3 Develop Research Question and Complete Research Plan (Problem, Hypothesis, Procedures, Bibliography)
ASSIGNMENT DUE: Research Plan due November 8-9
1. Student creates final research question for science fair project associated with the current topic he/she has identified. For Experimental Design projects: Evaluate possible solutions and develop a hypothesis and procedures for experiment. For Engineering Projects: Establish design criteria and prepare preliminary designs and materials list. Outlined papers will be provided for both.

Mentor Role: Mentor will aid students in writing research plan.

2. Students will develop procedures that will be used to test their problem. All procedures should take into account the safety of the student. It is important to do repeated trials.

Mentor Role: Mentor will assist student in creating procedures that will safely allow the student to test their problem.

3.Students will complete five-paragraph background information paper. Also complete research plan paper.

Mentor Role: Mentor will aid students in editing and improving both background information paper and research plan.

1. Background information paper due October 26-27
2. Research Plan due November 8-9
4 Conduct Experiment and Research Paper
ASSIGNMENT DUE: Research Plan due November 8-9
Final Research Paper due November 22-23

1. Student will work on experiment and add to research paper. Rubric will be provided to guide student in completion of research paper. Students will work on experiment and solicit input from mentor.

Mentor Role: Mentor will assist student in revisions and editing of experiment and research paper.

 1. Turn in Background Information Paper on Oct 26-27
2. Turn in Research Plan due November 8-9
2. Start to conduct Experiment
2. Final Research Paper due November 22-23
5 Conduct Experiment and Research Paper
ASSIGNMENT DUE: Final Research Paper due November 22-23

1. Student will work on experiment and add to research paper. Rubric will be provided to guide student in completion of research paper. Students will work on experiment and solicit input from mentor. Students will draw conclusions based on empirical evidence from the experiment.

Mentor Role: Mentor will provide student with an objective evaluation of the project.
 1. Conduct Experiment
2. Research Paper due November 22-23
6 Student Presentation to Authentic Audience
ASSIGNMENT DUE: Presentation "board" due December 1

1. Student will present final product to an audience at the Preston Science Fair on December 1st.

2. Photos will be taken of the board and shared with the mentor.

The mentor may provide feedback allowing the student to refine the board.

1. Presentation Board due December 1
7 Thank You Letter to Mentor and Abstract
ASSIGNMENT DUE: Abstract due December 16

1. Student will write a 300-word letter to mentor. The subject of the letter will be a self-evaluation of the project, including what the student did well, what he would like to have done to improve upon the project, and what the mentor contributed to the process.

2.Only students selected to move on to the Longs Peak Regional Fair will be required to write an abstract to submit in their application.



1. Thank You Letter to Mentor