Teacher Science Project Planning Timeline

• Set program goals
• Determine program start and end dates
• Schedule key student tasks (see below)

• 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

and/or

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)

• Task #1A: What Makes a Good Research Question?
• Task #1B: Find a Project Idea

• Task #1B: Find a Project Idea (ensure chosen project ideas meet requirements)

• Task #1C: Define Your Research Question
• Task #1D: Lab Notebook Setup
• Task #1E: Self-Assessment

• Task #1 Assessment: Assess Tasks #1A-1D using the mastery rubric.

• Task #2A: Background Research Plan
• Task #2B: Find Reliable Sources and Complete Background Research

• Task #2A: Background Research Plan - Give feedback (or do peer review) on the background research plan (2A) prior to starting research (2B).

• Task #2C: Write a Research Paper (optional)
• Task #2D: Self-Assessment

• Task #2 Assessment: Assess Tasks #2B-2C using the mastery rubric.

• Task #3A: Define Your Variables
• Task #3B: Write a Testable Hypothesis
• Task #3C: Self-Assessment

• Task #3 Assessment: Assess Tasks #3A-3B using the mastery rubric.

• Task #4A: Prepare a Materials List & Experimental Procedure
• Task #4B: Prepare for Data Collection
• Task #4C: Prepare to Do Your 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.

• Optional: Revisions to Tasks #4A-C
• Task #4D: Experimentation Check-In 1

• Task #4D: Review Check-Ins and provide support as needed

• Task #4E: Experimentation Check-In 2
• Task #4F: Self-Assessment

• Task #4 Assessment: Assess Tasks #4A-4E using the mastery rubric.

• Task #5A: Summarize Your Data in a Chart
• Task #5B: Graph Your Data

• Task #5A-B: Give feedback on these tasks (or do peer review) prior to writing conclusions.

• Task #5C: Write a Conclusion
• Task #5D: Self-Assessment

• Task #5 Assessment: Assess Tasks #5A-D using the mastery rubric.

• Task #6A: Write an Abstract
• Task #6B: Create a Display Board, Poster, or Presentation (draft)

• Task #6A-B: Give feedback on these tasks (or do peer review) prior to creating the final board, poster, or presentation.

• Task #6B: Create a Display Board, Poster, or Presentation (final)
• Task #6C: Prepare to Present at Science Fair
• Task #6D: Finalize Your Lab Notebook

• Task #6C-D: Give feedback on these tasks (or do peer review) prior to the science fair or final presentation.

• Task #6E: Final Report (optional)
• Task #6F: Self-Assessment

• Task #6 Assessment: Assess Tasks #6A-E using the mastery rubric.