iLearn Elementary Science Session 1 Virtual Science Fair What Makes a Strong Virtual Science Fair?

Focusing Questions  What is the difference between a science project and a Science Fair Project? What does a science project entail and what basic step can we use to get started? How can a basic rubric help to guide your project and presentation?

Instruction

Framing The Session “ In today ’ s session we will focus on: The difference between a Science Fair Project and a Virtual Science Fair Project. The difference between a science project and a Science Fair Project. How to get started on a project, working on it and keeping it in a organized manner. How to assess a Science Fair Project: Creating and using a Rubric. ”

Teaching Scientific Method 1. What is your question or problem? 2. Find out background information. 3. What is your hypothesis or prediction? (This is what you think the answer to your question or problem may be) 4. Make a plan for your investigation. Include materials and directions. (This is how you are going to find the answer to your question or problem) 5. Do the investigation. Follow your plan. 6. Observe and record all the results of the investigation. 7. THINK! What do the results mean? 8. Form a conclusion. What is the answer to your original question or problem based on the results of the investigation? ORGANIZING YOUR PROJECT

Teaching ASSESSING YOUR PROJECT Science Fair Judging Rubric

Teaching Your Rubric:  Allows the student to understand the elements needed for their project  Allows the student to understand the standards that they have to meet  Assists the student in planning and organizing their work. Using Your Rubric

Teaching RUBRICS MADE EASY Using RubiStarRubiStar

Teaching Log In and Choose a Rubric

Teaching Creating Your Rubric

Guided Practice RubiStar Basics  Register and Log on to RubiStar.  Learn the basic tools for creating a rubric on RubiStar  Be aware of how to write your own rubric on RubiStar  Be aware of how to edit your rubric

Work Time

Using scientific inquiry and the use of the Scientific Method, you will use RubiStar to create a Virtual Science Fair judging rubric. You will use sample projects from Virtual Science Fair websites as well as your prior knowledge to help create the rubric. If you finish early, they can review or ‘ fine tune ’ your rubric or search for and view additional Virtual Science Fairs or Virtual Science Fair Projects.

Share

Today you learned how to easily create a rubric to judge or assess a Virtual Science Fair project. Now we will look and talk about your experiences working today. Share

Do you think that crating a rubric will assist the students in creating a better Virtual Science Fair Project? Why? Do you feel that RubiStar is a useful tool for creating a rubric to assess a Science Fair Project? Why? How do you feel that RubiStar could be used to generally enhance instruction in your science classroom? What problems did you encounter during today’s session? Is there anything else about today’s work that you’d like to share with the group? Share

For more information Office of Instructional Technology