Science Project Planning Timeline

These teacher and student planning timelines can be used in conjunction with the Student Science Project Workbooks or adapted to your individual program.

Teacher Science Project Planning Timeline Download as a PDF

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To do at least one month before the program starts:
Planning Activity	Teacher Task	Teacher Due Date
Initial Program Planning	Set program goals Determine program start and end dates Schedule key student tasks (see below)
Determine Expo/Fair Plans (Optional)	If students are competing in a local or regional fair, be sure to review registration requirements and deadlines If you are planning your own fair or expo, start planning now

During the program a week assumes 3-4 hours of work time / week

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Student Science Project Planning Timeline Download as a PDF

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Week	Student Assignment	Student Due Date
1	Review the Steps of the Scientific Method
2	1 - Ask a Question Task #1A: What Makes a Good Research Question? Task #1B: Find a Project Idea
3	1 - Ask a Question Task #1C: Define Your Research Question Task #1D: Lab Notebook Setup Task #1E: Self-Assessment
4	2 - Background Research Task #2A: Background Research Plan Task #2B: Find Reliable Sources and Complete Background Research
5	2 - Background Research Task #2C: Write a Research Paper (optional) Task #2D: Self-Assessment
6	3 - Construct a Hypothesis Task #3A: Define Your Variables Task #3B: Write a Testable Hypothesis Task #3C: Self-Assessment
7	4 - Test Your Hypothesis by Doing an Experiment Task #4A: Prepare a Materials List & Experimental Procedure Task #4B: Prepare for Data Collection Task #4C: Prepare to Do Your Experiment
8	4 - Test Your Hypothesis by Doing an Experiment Optional: Revisions to Tasks #4A-C Task #4D: Experimentation Check-In 1
9	4 - Test Your Hypothesis by Doing an Experiment Task #4E: Experimentation Check-In 2 Task #4F: Self-Assessment
10	5 - Analyze Your Data & Draw a Conclusion Task #5A: Summarize Your Data in a Chart Task #5B: Graph Your Data
11	5 - Analyze Your Data & Draw a Conclusion Task #5C: Write a Conclusion Task #5D: Self-Assessment
12	6 - Communicate Your Results Task #6A: Write an Abstract Task #6B: Create a Display Board, Poster, or Presentation (draft)
13	6 - Communicate Your Results Task #6B: Create a Display Board, Poster, or Presentation (final) Task #6C: Prepare to Present at Science Fair Task #6D: Finalize Your Lab Notebook
14	6 - Communicate Your Results Task #6E: Final Report (optional) Task #6F: Self-Assessment

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Week	Student Assignment	Assignments to Assess / Other Teacher Tasks	Student Due Date
1	Teaching the Scientific Method Lesson and/or Review the Steps of the Scientific Method	Teaching the Scientific Method Lesson: 3-5 Grade: Teaching the Scientific Method with Paper Rockets \| Lesson Plan 6-8 Grade: Paper Rockets to Learn the Scientific Method \| Lesson Plan (can be adapted for older students)
2	1 - Ask a Question Task #1A: What Makes a Good Research Question? Task #1B: Find a Project Idea	1 - Ask a Question Task #1B: Find a Project Idea (ensure chosen project ideas meet requirements)
3	1 - Ask a Question Task #1C: Define Your Research Question Task #1D: Lab Notebook Setup Task #1E: Self-Assessment	1 - Ask a Question Task #1 Assessment: Assess Tasks #1A-1D using the mastery rubric.
4	2 - Background Research Task #2A: Background Research Plan Task #2B: Find Reliable Sources and Complete Background Research	2 - Background Research Task #2A: Background Research Plan - Give feedback (or do peer review) on the background research plan (2A) prior to starting research (2B).
5	2 - Background Research Task #2C: Write a Research Paper (optional) Task #2D: Self-Assessment	2 - Background Research Task #2 Assessment: Assess Tasks #2B-2C using the mastery rubric.
6	3 - Construct a Hypothesis Task #3A: Define Your Variables Task #3B: Write a Testable Hypothesis Task #3C: Self-Assessment	3 - Construct a Hypothesis Task #3 Assessment: Assess Tasks #3A-3B using the mastery rubric.
7	4 - Test Your Hypothesis by Doing an Experiment Task #4A: Prepare a Materials List & Experimental Procedure Task #4B: Prepare for Data Collection Task #4C: Prepare to Do Your Experiment	4 - Test Your Hypothesis by Doing an Experiment Tasks #4A-C Feedback: Give feedback on these tasks (or do peer review) prior to students starting experimentation. Optional: You may want to allow students to make changes and resubmit these tasks.
8	4 - Test Your Hypothesis by Doing an Experiment Optional: Revisions to Tasks #4A-C Task #4D: Experimentation Check-In 1	4 - Test Your Hypothesis by Doing an Experiment Task #4D: Review Check-Ins and provide support as needed
9	4 - Test Your Hypothesis by Doing an Experiment Task #4E: Experimentation Check-In 2 Task #4F: Self-Assessment	4 - Test Your Hypothesis by Doing an Experiment Task #4 Assessment: Assess Tasks #4A-4E using the mastery rubric.
10	5 - Analyze Your Data & Draw a Conclusion Task #5A: Summarize Your Data in a Chart Task #5B: Graph Your Data	5 - Analyze Your Data & Draw a Conclusion Task #5A-B: Give feedback on these tasks (or do peer review) prior to writing conclusions.
11	5 - Analyze Your Data & Draw a Conclusion Task #5C: Write a Conclusion Task #5D: Self-Assessment	5 - Analyze Your Data & Draw a Conclusion Task #5 Assessment: Assess Tasks #5A-D using the mastery rubric.
12	6 - Communicate Your Results Task #6A: Write an Abstract Task #6B: Create a Display Board, Poster, or Presentation (draft)	6 - Communicate Your Results Task #6A-B: Give feedback on these tasks (or do peer review) prior to creating the final board, poster, or presentation.
13	6 - Communicate Your Results Task #6B: Create a Display Board, Poster, or Presentation (final) Task #6C: Prepare to Present at Science Fair Task #6D: Finalize Your Lab Notebook	6 - Communicate Your Results Task #6C-D: Give feedback on these tasks (or do peer review) prior to the science fair or final presentation.
14	6 - Communicate Your Results Task #6E: Final Report (optional) Task #6F: Self-Assessment	6 - Communicate Your Results Task #6 Assessment: Assess Tasks #6A-E using the mastery rubric.