Week 1
- Introduce the project to the class, hand out the letter to parents and brainstorm ideas for the project.
- Go through the section titled ‘How to conduct a scientific investigation’
- Explain how a logbook will work and make first entries (early proposals and ideas)
- Students to decide on their topic or question by the end of this week.
Week 2
- Students’ proposed question or topic to be approved by teacher (based on safety, feasibility, etc..).
- This week is spent on background research (may be either in class time, at home or a combination)
Some questions for students to consider as they conduct their research could include:
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- What similar investigations have been conducted? What have they found?
- What resources will I need?
- What Scientific concepts do I need to understand?
Week 3-4
- Hypothesis is formed, variables identified, methodology designed.
- Determined materials are purchased by the student and the project can be set up.
- Data collection and observations take place .
Week 5-6
- Results are analysed and Conclusions drawn.
- Report is written and project is prepared for display e.g. at a school science fair
- Projects are uploaded to www.youngscientist.com.au before the deadline (5th September, 2018)