Weekly Objective for 1/29/14 - 1/31/14

Overview- The Science Fair is three short weeks away and the groups are hard at work.  By the end of this shortened week, we hope to have all "prep-work" completed for the actual science experiment.  The students have currently completed: the driving question, purpose, variables, hypothesis, background research, materials, experimental procedures, and a works cited.  These steps are then recorded into their overall science report to be presented to the judges.  Starting next week, the groups will test their experiments, record their data, analyze the data, make observations, and formulate a conclusion.  By the end of next week, we hope to have the experiments completed and the research papers in final formatting.
      Wednesday - 1/29/14 - Mrs. Chapman was our guest lecturer today.  Her presentation was on variables.  Students learned about the three different types of variables: independent, controlled and dependent.  The groups were given the task of creating all three variables for their own experiments and then reporting back to the entire group on their work.
      Thursday - 1/30/14 - The science groups were given instruction on formulating a "purpose" for their research, and how to create a hypothesis.  In their purpose, the groups had to explain why they chose to research the experiment, who it will benefit, and finally how they are attached to the project.  In the hypothesis, the groups must state what they believe the outcome will be from their experiments.  If their educated guess is incorrect, then they must state what they believe affected the the outcome.