Project: Science Research Project

Step Description Expected Student Results
1 WEEK ONE: Letter of Introduction
1. Student and mentor exchange letters in which student discusses areas of interest in life, career expectations, and ideas for research paper and experiment.
Mentor Role: Mentor may share personal or professional areas of interest and additional insight into any of the items mentioned. Letter of Introduction

Mentor should be sure to share how he or she uses the scientific method and scientific reasoning during his or her professional life.
Letter of Introduction

Mentor should be sure to share how he or she uses the scientific method and scientific reasoning during his or her professional life.
2 WEEK TWO: Conduct Initial Research

1. Student will use the Internet and other resources to look at current research in science pertaining to their project.
2. Student and Mentor exchange letters in which they identify at least three areas of current scientific research being conducted at major universities, museums, or governmental agencies.
Mentor Role:
Brainstorm with student to identify the best questions/issues to research.
Help students find current research related to their topic.		 List of three areas of current scientific research being conducted at major universities, museums, or government agencies.

List of implications for the research and identify communities and possible audiences for their research findings.

3 WEEK THREE: Develop Experimental Question/Hypothesis and Continue Research

1. Student will continue to research their topic via the internet and other educational resources.
2. Student will submit narrowed down research/experimental question and possible hypothesis to mentor for critique and modification.
Mentor Role:
Provide student with helpful critique of experimental question and hypothesis.
Offer suggestions for other possible areas of research.
 Final research question and hypothesis.
Additional research for report.
4 WEEK FOUR: Develop Research Questions and Research Paper draft.

1. Student will continue to research scientific topic.
2. Student will send mentor a draft of the research paper.
Mentor Role:
Advise student on reliability of research information and sources.
Provide examples of experimental methods and procedures.
Provide examples of controls, dependent variables, and independent variables in his or her profession.
Draft of research paper.
5 WEEK FIVE: Research Paper

1. Students will send mentors final draft of research paper.
2. Students will use a computer program to develop data collection charts for their experiment and submit them to mentor for advice.
Mentor Role:
Advise student as to proper ways to make data tables/charts.
Help student determine length of tests and number of trials.

 Final Research paper due.
6 WEEK SIX: Experimental Methods and Procedures

1. Student will begin to devise data collecting methods.
2. Student will develop experimental procedure and material list.
3. Students and mentor will determine dates for experimental trials.
Mentor Role:
Advise students on data collection methods, including anticipating problems that might occur.
Continue to provide examples from professional environment.

Draft tables and charts for recording data.
Usable tables and charts for recording data.
Identify constants, controls, independent variables, and dependent variables.
7 WEEK SEVEN: Experimentation
1. Student will begin their experiments. They will record all aspects of their procedure in a notebook and share important information with their mentor.

Mentor Role:
Provide students with examples of standards for designing experimental methods.
Help students re-examine their procedures when their original methods fail or present roadblocks.
Completed list of experimental methods (with documentation).
8 WEEKS EIGHT-ELEVEN: Experimentation/ Analysis of Data
1. Students will analyze their data and send relevant information to their mentors.
2. Mentors and students will examine data to be sure that correct conclusions are being drawn.
3. If it is possible, students will re-run experiments if their results are inconclusive.

Mentor Role:
Aid students in analyzing data and communicating results.
Data Analysis
Finalized charts and graphs of results
9 WEEK TWELVE: Finalize Presentation/Identify Judging Questions
1. Student will put finishing touches on final presentation and present final product to an audience.
2. Student will upload elements of the project to the project file upload area for critique by mentor. Student will submit final project to mentor and teacher for review.
3. Students and mentors will identify possible questions that students can anticipate from judges.
Mentor Role:
Provide student with an objective evaluation of the project.
 Final Multimedia Presentation
List of Possible Judges Questions
10 WEEK THIRTEEN: Prepare for Science Fair, Present Science Fair Project to class for grade.
1. Students and mentors will review list of possible judges' questions and brainstorm possible answers.
2. Students and mentors will review projects and finalize all presentations and reports.
3. Students will complete science posters utilizing powerpoint template and e-mail the product to their mentors for review.
Mentor Role:
Brainstorm answers to judges' questions with students.
Review and help finalize last minute details with students.



 Finalize all parts of project for science fair.
List of answers to possible judges' questions.

Prepare to share presentations with appropriate community organizations.


11 WEEK FOURTEEN: Thank you Letter to Mentor

1. Student will write a final letter to mentor. Letters will
*evaluate their performance on the project, including what the student did well, what he would like to have done differently to improve upon the project.
* provide mentors with specific feedback on what he or she contributed to the success of the project.Mentor Role:
Encourage students to continue to pursue their interests in science and develop their talents!
Thank you message to mentor.

Students, mentors, and teacher complete end of project survey.