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Project Summary

Difficulty  7 
Time required Long (a couple of weeks)

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* Note: This is an abbreviated project idea, without notes to start your background research or a procedure for how to do the experiment. You can identify abbreviated project ideas by the asterisk at the end of the title. If you want a project idea with full instructions, please pick one without an asterisk.

Abstract

How well do adults understand basic science concepts? This project is a good opportunity for you to test your own scientific understanding as you create a short test to assess knowledge of basic science concepts. Your test will have to brief (probably 10–15 questions, maximum) or you'll have a hard time getting a sufficient number of complete responses. With so few questions, you'll have to think carefully about exactly what comprises "basic science knowledge," and exactly how to word your questions. It will probably take a few rounds of pilot tests and editing to get it right. You should also gather some information on your respondents' educational background and primary language. Other questions to ask yourself: How representative is your sample population? How do middle school students fare on your test? (Idea from Del Gavio-Kusich, 2003)

Bibliography

Del Gavio-Kusich, O., 2003. "Can Adults Pass a Standard 7th Grade Science Test?" California State Science Fair Project Abstract [accessed February 1, 2006] http://www.usc.edu/CSSF/History/2003/Projects/J1705.pdf.

Variations


Last edit date: 2007-03-07 19:32:48


Career Focus

science career image If you like this project, you might want to think about career opportunities in Sociology.

Any time there is more than one person in a room, there is potential for a social interaction to occur or for a group to form. Sociologists study these interactions—how and why groups and societies form, and how outside events like health issues, technology, and crime affect both the societies and the individuals. If you already like to think about how people interact as individuals and in groups, then you're thinking like a sociologist! Learn more about this career: Sociologist.




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