Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

(Note: We are posting this question to the forum on behalf of a teacher who sent it in via email.)

What is a reasonable amount of time to allow for the completion of a science project? Our school does not hold a science fair, but students may target their classroom assignment projects for another local fair, so I want to make sure they have enough time to do a fair-caliber investigation is they are considering entering.

The "Science Fair Schedule Worksheet" document (https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... eworksheet) contains several useful tools to help you plan the length of your classroom science project assignments. The "Science Fair Assignment Worksheet" suggests that students be given 12 weeks in which to complete their projects and provides estimates for "suggested time to complete this task" for each step of the project. Some projects, of course, can be completed in a shorter amount of time, but these estimates will guide you in determining a workable "due date."

The "Teachers Guide to Science Projects" also contains a section devoted to outlining a "schedule" for students to follow while working on their projects. By setting clear timelines, everyone will have better luck staying on track! https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... ojects.pdf

Amy
Science Buddies