AIM
The purpose of this instructional module is to guide the student, from idea creation to word processing, in the preparation of an acceptable science fair paper.
Participation in science fair competition is mandatory for 9th graders at the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences (CHSAS). A part of this project is the written paper. However, students enter the 9th grade with varying degrees of expertise in research and the authoring of this type of research paper. This instructional module will make the effort to assure that all participants have a means to enrich their knowledge and produce an acceptable science fair project paper.
OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of this module the student should be able to:
- search the World Wide Web using various search engines.
- write a science fair project paper with all citations
written in APA style and includes all the specified components.
- present a paper which has been edited, revised, and keyed in
in correct format.
AUDIENCE
This module has been designed mainly to be used by any student who has to prepare a science fair project, from determining the topic to writing of the final paper formatted in the APA writing style.
PREREQUISITE SKILLS
Students should have beginning keyboarding and computer skills.
Available Computers
Internet Access
Web Browser
INSTRUCTIONAL PLAN
This module is divided into 15 assignments. The 15th assignment is the completed and final paper. Of course, the students will also
be responsible to their science teacher for a poster and a class presentation.
MATERIALS REQUIRED
TECHNOLOGY REQUIRED
Computers
Printer
Internet Access
ESTIMATE OF COSTS
The cost is difficult to estimate. It would have to include Internet time, teacher's time, equipment costs, and materials costs.
STUDENT ASSESSMENT
This curricular module will be successful if it enables all 9th graders at CHSAS to select a science fair topic, complete their experiments, and write, in APA writing style, the accompanying research paper. Of course, if there are more students who are invited to the symposium, or state science fair competition, this may indicate the true merits of this module. At the end of this module, students will also demonstrate increased confidence in using computer technology and the resources of the Internet.
The student will also be assessed upon completion of each of the 15 assignments--the components of the research paper. This assessment will be with rubrics.
The module has been designed so that students can choose and take whatever assistance they need. However, the assignments must all be submitted.
My e-mail address is included. Please submit your comments on the module
to provide me data for further refinement.