Middle School

Science Fair
Guide Grade 6

HTTP://SPACEPLACE.NASA.GOV/SCIENCE-FAIR/EN/SCIENCE-FAIR-PROJECT.PNG

NAME: ______________________________
TIMELINE FOR SCIENCE FAIR PROJECT: Overview

Due Dates Are In Bold: ongoing tasks and notes are in normal font.
Date

Task Due (or in progress)

Feb 1

Science Fair Starts!

Feb 15 Feb
19

Research possible ideas, decide

on topic.
Keep track of sources.

February 22

Feb 22
March 5

Topic sharing day at end of

week: explain your variables,
measurements, and scientific
background to peers and older
students.
Due: Aim/Research
Question, Variables,
Background, and
Bibliography.
Continue researching your
project.
Decide on what and how to
measure.

March 7

March 7
March 24
March 24
April 4

April 4-15

April 15
April 18 May
4

Use background research to

complete hypothesis
Due: Hypothesis, Materials,
Method, Set-up diagram.

Page Comments
s
Introduction and
Booklet organization.
The Teacher must
agree to all projects.
Library books will be
available to students.

Get a good topic from

the start so the rest of
your process is easier!
When finished, please
complete the selfevaluation of planning
on page 26

Hypothesis has a
scientific reason that is
explained in the
background.

Try out your experiment, troubleshoot your method.

Work on your Criterion D section.
Criterion D draft section due
All experimental work to be
completed
Keep track of your data and
observations!
Complete data analysis rough
draft
Complete conclusion, evaluation
rough draft.
Revise Criterion D section as
needed.
Rough Draft of lab report
due, uploaded to Veracross
Edit and revise lab report as
needed.
Start board / presentation.

Students can check

out materials or sign
up for lab time at
school.

In-class peer editing

may be done.

May 5 22

School trips week and holiday.

May 25

Submission of entire typed

lab report and Criterion D,
uploaded to Veracross

May 8-22

Complete the board /

presentation and plan speech
Completed Science Fair
board to be brought into
school / presentation
uploaded to Veracross.
Practice speech (in class and at
home)
Science Fair Peer
Presentations:
Give your speech and display
your board/presentation

June 1

June 1 - 6
June 6-10

Keep in mind we dont

have many classes in
May: it will be science
fair time in June before
you know it: dont
procrastinate!
This final draft (one
Microsoft file) will
be assessed by your
teacher.
Bring it to your
science classroom /
upload to Veracross.

Schedule for science

fair to be published at
a later date.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section

Timeline

Page

Overview Dates and Deadlines

Calendar
Assessment Information: Criteria
Assessment Information: Board /

s
2
46
7
8

Presentation
Notes on Safety, Materials, and Lab

Facilities
Step 1: Brainstorming
Step 2: Developing one idea
Step 3: Keeping track of Sources
Step 4: Article Reading Guide
Step 5: Keeping track of the big picture
Step 6: Notes to Plan Experiment and Draft
report

Feb 1-19
Feb 1-19
Ongoing during research
Ongoing during research
Ongoing during research
Feb 15 March 7

10-12
13-14
15
16
18-22

(See due dates below)

Science & Society, Aim, Hypothesis, Background
Variables: Independent, Dependent, Controlled
Materials, Set-up Diagram
Method
3

Step 7: Self/Peer Evaluation for planning

March 7 March 11

23

experiment
Step 8: Notes to Draft Report after Data is

March 11 April 15

24-

collected
Calculations and Graph (draft)
Conclusion
Evaluation and Works Cited
Step 9: Planning the Board / Presentation
Step 10: Planning your speech
Presentation Rubric

(See due dates below)

27

April 18 June 1
(See due dates below)
May 12 June 3

28-31
31

February
22
March 7
March 24
April 4
April 15
May 25

Due: Aim/Research Question, Variables, Background, and

Bibliography.
Due: Hypothesis, Materials, Method, Set-up diagram.
Criterion D section due
All experimental work to be completed
Rough Draft of lab report due, uploaded to Veracross
Submission of entire typed lab report and Criterion D,
uploaded to Veracross
June 1
Completed Science Fair board to be brought into school /
presentation uploaded to Veracross.
June 6-10
Science Fair Peer Presentations:
Give your speech and display your board/presentation
TIMELINE FOR SCIENCE FAIR PROJECT: Calendar

Week of June 6: Peer Presentations

Schedule of presentations to be announced.
Student presentations will last 5 minutes
Peer-assessment and teacher assessment of presentations to determine
which boards will represent each grade level.
Top 20% of each grade level will be judged by external judges
o Grade 6: 8-10 projects
o Grade 7: 8-10 projects
o Grade 8: 12-14 projects
Friday, June 10 Science Fair Judging of Top Presentations per Grade
Level
Periods One and Two External Judging of presentations (only the students
with the top selected boards will be required to present)
Period Six Science Fair Gallery of ALL boards is open to parents in science
lab corridor

ASSESSMENT INFORMATION
Science Fair projects are assessed against three of the four criteria of MYP
Science and therefore must include information for each criterion as follows.

Criterion B (Inquiring and Designing)

o Have you developed a problem that can be tested scientifically?
o Do you have a hypothesis that is supported by scientific reasons?
o Have you planned out your variables and how to manage them?
Do you have numerical data for your dependent variable?
Have you chosen ONE independent variable for a fair test?
Have you controlled the correct variables?
o Is your method well planned so it is complete, safe, and logical?

Criterion C (Processing and Evaluating)

o Have you collected enough data? Have you calculated and made
graph(s)?
o Have you described the pattern in your data?
o Have you drawn a conclusion using scientific reasoning?
o Have you reflected on your hypothesis?
o Have you suggested changes to the method for the future?

Criterion D (Reflecting on the Impacts of Science on Society)

o How can the science used in your project help solve a problem in
society?
o What could happen in society if this science is used to solve a
problem?
Use ONE area: environmental, cultural, political, economic,
social, moral, ethical
o Have you correctly used all the right scientific vocabulary?
o Have you cited all your sources correctly according to APA guidelines?

What will be assessed and how?

Your typed lab report (with a Criterion D section added) will be assessed for
the criteria above. Your teacher will assess this.
Your peers and a teacher will assess your board/presentation, and your
speech according to a rubric (see page 35) by your peers. This determines who
advances to the finals of the Science Fair.
If you are a finalist, then professional scientists will be the guest judges who
assess your board/presentation and your speech. They will decide who are the
winners for each grade level.

ASSESSMENT INFORMATION: Boards and Presentations.

Presentation Planning: Board OR Electronic Presentation
The Board:
If your board is larger than the dimensions given, it will unfortunately, not be displayed.
Boards can be bought at Obi or Bauhaus. Ask for 2 x HDF Rohplatten 3 mm; 90 x 30 cm
Your board must be:

Two boards attached (tape or hinges) so that they may be folded in half completely
Each board must be 30 cm by 90 cm
30 cm

90 cm

30 cm

90 cm

Electronic Presentation
You may use any presentation software you know.
(Please note: science teacher tech support may not be available if the teacher isnt familiar
with the software.)
Some possible presentation programs: Google Slides, PowerPoint, Prezi,
Electronic presentations must be handed in at the same time as boards. They should not be
modified after that time.
Electronic presentations will follow guidelines in terms of length and content similar to those for
boards. Please see the guidelines in section 6 of the book.
9

Notes on Safety, Materials, and Lab Facilities

ANIMAL AND HUMAN SUBJECTS: SAFETY

No experimental investigation for the Science Fair may include the
neglect or harm of any animal. Students are also not permitted to
administer substances to animal or human that will impact a body
system. This includes, but is not limited to, the use of caffeine, steroids
and food containing high sugar content. If you have any questions
regarding the above statement, please contact your Science Teacher
directly.

USING SCHOOL MATERIALS AND LAB CLASSROOMS

Some basic equipment such as cylinders, beakers, measuring tapes, and other
tools may be checked out to students for use at home. This will occur ONLY if the
materials are not needed for in-class laboratory experiments.
Some more complex or expensive equipment such as heating plates, electronic
balances, and other tools may be used by students but ONLY under supervision by
a science teacher or the lab technician. These materials may NOT be checked out
to students to use at home.
If students need to use school equipment at school, or if they need to use the
laboratory facilities, this can be arranged through prior planning. The Science
Department will produce a schedule of several days when students may work after
school in one of the laboratory rooms in the science hallway. Availability may vary.
Students will need to sign up for these a week in advance, and location of the
schedules will be communicated through Veracross.

10

STEP ONE: Brainstorming

In this section, youll explore three science fair topics that interest you. Use the
books and magazines provided. For each topic, brainstorm on paper about:
what scientific facts link to it,
what you could measure,
why it is interesting
how it connects to the real world
IDEA ONE
Explain your IDEA:

Useful Scientific Information

Source

What could you measure?

What science area/topic does it link to?

11

What are the real-world links or applications?

STEP ONE: Brainstorming Continued

IDEA TWO
Explain your IDEA:

Useful Scientific Information

Source

What could you measure?

What science area/topic does it link to?

12

What are the real-world links or applications?

STEP ONE: Brainstorming Continued

IDEA THREE
Explain your IDEA:

Useful Scientific Information

Source

What could you measure?

13

What science area/topic does it link to?

What are the real-world links or applications?

STEP TWO: Developing one idea

The best idea is one that
You have notes in all 3 boxes (this means you can meet Criteria B, C, and D).
You can complete in the given amount of time.
You are interested in.
(See checklist on next page.)
Choose the best idea from the three youve considered and complete the
following:
Description of idea

14

Possible Aim: Include both variables, and make you can collect
numerical data.

Hypothesis with scientific reason

Link to real world issue or use of the science

Additional Sources not listed on brainstorming pages:

STEP TWO: Developing one idea Checklist for a good science fair topic
Checklist for knowing if your science fair topic can work well:
Do this checklist one row at a time: for example: read row 1 questions, answer,
and then use the guidelines in the last column to find out if your topic is good.

Ro
w
1

Main question to
determine if your
topic is good.
Is there scientific
background
information

Follow up
question(s) to help
you answer main
question.
Look at your
brainstorming
pages: how many

Answer
to follow
up
question

Circle yes
or no.
Yes if you
have 2 or
3.
15

about your topic?

Is there
numerical data
that can be
collected?

Is the idea for

the experiment
original, and
based on your
own interests?

Is there a good
connection to
society?

Is the idea
manageable in
the time frame
given?

scientific sources
do you have?
What will you
measure?
What units will it be
measured in?
What measuring tool
will you use?
If you have used an
experiment from
science fair website
or book, have you
adjusted or adapted
it to using your own
ideas?
What part of the
real-world does
your experiment
connect to?
How many days will
it take you to do
your experiment?
Are there that many
days remaining?
Do you have access
to all the tools and
materials you need?
Do you know where
to buy supplies if
you need them?
If you are ordering
something, will it
arrive in time?

No if you
have 0 or
1
Yes if you
answered
2 or 3.
No if you
answered
0 or 1.
You must
decide yes
or no.
Input from
teacher
can help.
Input from
your
teacher
can help.
Yes if
these two
numbers
match.
No if not.
Yes if all
answers
are yes.
No if not.

If you have mostly yes answers in the right column, you have a good
idea!
STEP THREE: Keeping track of Sources
When completing research, it is important to keep a record of your sources. Do
this while you are researching. It takes too long to do this all at once at the
end of the project.
16

At the beginning of a project, it can be a good idea to copy the web address (URL:
www.sample.com/whatever_page_you_use) into a document so you can find them
all later.
Once you decide on your topic, right away enter you sources into some electronic
format:
All students have NoodleTools, available through your isswiki.de account in
the Google Apps.
All students have Microsoft Word 2015 supplied by the school. The
References tool in
Microsoft word can also be used for keeping track of all your
sources.
When you cite your sources in your final project, you must use APA format.
Simply select APA (not MLA) on NoodleTools or Microsoft before you begin entering
your sources.
For more information about citing, see your MYP Science booklet.

Sources available to you:

Books:
The science teachers will have a trolley of books for students to use during
class time.
The books will also be available on Monday and Friday during lunchtime in
room 1.169.
Magazines:
There are good magazines like Scientific American that are in the library and the
science department has some extra copies.
Online resources:
Many websites for science fair projects will be posted in the Science Fair section of
the ISS libraries webpage, and will continuously be updated.
Many websites list science fair project ideas but are NOT VERY SCIENTIFIC.
Students using an idea from somewhere else often have to work quite hard to
figure out what science ideas relate to that project, and are not always successful.
Try to start with things you are interested in or real life situations that have
interested you: you will be more successful!

17

Step Four: Taking notes on Sources - Reading Guide

The following guide may be used for each source to organize information.
Please ask your teacher if you need extra copies
New vocabulary words
Word
Definition

Summary (write one sentence for each paragraph)

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
18

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Step Five: Organizing Information
As you progress through your research, this chart can help you keep track of
questions you have, what you need to find out, and key ideas you learn as you go.
You might come back to it several times as you learn more, keep planning, and get
new information.
Chart 1:
Know
Scientific background
info:

Need to Know

Learned (+source)

How to
measure/manipulate
variables

19

Real world connections

Step Six: Notes for your Science Fair Report page 1

Use these pages to help you keep track of important information as you decide on
it.
You may come back to these pages several times as you plan.
This is a DRAFT and planning sheet: make bullet points that will help you later with
your lab report.
Impacts of Science on Society: write a few sentences to show your topics link
to society.
How can the science ideas be used in real world situations to solve problems or
improve life?
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
What would be the implications in society (economic, environmental, etc) of using
science this way?
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

20

Aim/Research question: What is the purpose of your experiment? What question

will you answer with your experiment? Include your variables.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Hypothesis: What do you think will be the result of the aim/research question and
why (scientific reasons)?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Background research: (include some important main ideas from your research:
relate to variables or the scientific reasons in the hypothesis)
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Step Six: Notes and Drafting your Science Fair Report page 2
Variables: (Make sure these match what is already in the aim!)
Independent Variable: _____________________________________________________
How will I change this?
_________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Dependent Variable: _____________________________________________________
How will I measure this?
______________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
21

Control Variables: (variables that remain the same - list as many as needed)
Control variable 1:
___________________________________________________________________________
How will I keep this constant the whole experiment?
__________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Control variable 2:
___________________________________________________________________________
How will I keep this constant the whole experiment?
__________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Control variable 3:
___________________________________________________________________________
How will I keep this constant the whole experiment?
__________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Step Six: Notes and Drafting your Science Fair Report page 3
Materials (include amounts/measurements):
_____________________________

___________________________

_____________________________

___________________________

_____________________________

__________________________

_____________________________

___________________________

_____________________________

___________________________

_____________________________

__________________________

22

Set-up Diagram (if appropriate)

Step Six: Notes and Drafting the plan for Science Fair Report page 4
Method: (How many trials do I need? How many times do I need to repeat? What
to measure?)
Step-by step instructions (no pronouns)
Must be clear enough for someone else to follow (use as many steps as you
needed)
1.__________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
2.__________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
23

___________________________________________________________________________
3.__________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
4.__________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
5.__________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
6.__________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
7.__________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
8.__________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Step Six: Notes and Drafting your Science Fair Report page 5
Create an appropriate table to record data BEFORE YOU DO THE
EXPERIMENT
Include a title,
Put labels in the table for the dependent variable and its units
Put information about the independent variable in the labels
Leave room for observations
Its a good idea to make your draft here in pencil to make sure you know how
many columns or rows you need.

24

STEP SEVEN:

Self/Peer Evaluation of planning

Use this once you have completed step six: planning/drafting your experiment
Impact of science on society:
Does this information connect the students (experiment) to the real world?
No

Yes

Comment: _________________________________________________________
Aim: Is the Aim in the format below:

Yes

No
25

What is the effect of the______ (independent variable)______ on ____ (dependent

variable)_____ ?
Hypothesis:
Are both the independent variable and the dependent variable in the hypothesis?
Yes No
Is the relationship between the two variables described (for example, as one
increases, the other decreases)?
Yes No
Is the why included in the hypothesis, with a scientific reason?
No

Yes

Variables:
Is the independent variable listed correctly?
No

Yes

Is the dependent variable listed correctly?

No

Yes

Are there enough variables being controlled?

Yes

No

If not, comment: ____________________________________________

Materials:
Is the list detailed enough (with amounts, sizes and kind of material
No

Yes

i.e. 50 g water, a block of wood 20 cm x 10 cm x 30 cm, apple vinegar)?

Method:
Is a diagram of the set-up included?
No

Yes

Would another scientist be able to repeat the experiment easily using this method?
Yes No
Does the method allow for the collection of enough data (many trials)?
No

Yes

Data Table:
Does the table have room for all trials?

Yes

No

Does the table have label and units to show what dependent variable is measured?
Yes No

26

Does the table have information about the independent variable?

Yes No
STEP EIGHT: Notes and Drafting the results for Science Fair Report page
1
Complete calculations on data (if appropriate)
Include at least one example of any calculation
Calculations have headings, formulas, work with units, and answers with
units.

Draft your graph here before doing the final on graph paper or a
computer
Include a title with both variables and units
Put the correct variables on each axis!
Sketch out the data points.

27

STEP EIGHT: Notes and Drafting the results for Science Fair Report page
2
Conclusion: (answer most or all of these questions)
What pattern is visible from your graph?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
How are the two variables on the graph related?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
What is the answer to your aim according to the graph?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Was your hypothesis accurate or not? Give reasons.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
How do the results relate to the science you learned?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

28

Can you explain the pattern in the graph based on the research you have
done?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

STEP EIGHT: Notes and Drafting the results for Science Fair Report page
3
Evaluation (of the method: problems with measuring tools, controlled variables,
etc.)
When writing your lab report, write a paragraph about each error: this table is
your brainstorming page. Each row will become a paragraph.
Error in the Method

How it affected your data

Impro

Error 1

Error 2

Error 3

STEP EIGHT: Notes and Drafting the results for Science Fair Report page
4
29

Science and Society Link: Include at least one page at the end of your
essay that addresses Strand D:
Remember: in strand i, discuss how science can be used to solve a real
world problem.
In strand ii, discuss the implications (results in the real world) of
using science.
Works Cited: Reminder
Your list of citations should be the last page in your report.
Include a citation for each source that you used (referred to) in your lab report.
When you refer to a source, use in-text citation. (See MYP Science Guide)
Keep track of these sources online as you go through your project.
Use NoodleTools or the MYP booklet for guidelines for citation.

Writing up your final lab report:

Use step 6 and step 8 of this booklet to help you remember main points to help
draft your lab report.
Type up a final neat copy of your lab report and Science and Society link. Upload it
to Veracross.

30

STEP NINE: Planning your Board or Presentation

If you choose to do a board:
Please see page 5 for size requirements.
If you choose to do an electronic presentation:
Please tell your teacher what software / program you will be using.
It should have 7-10 slides (use the table below as a guideline).
You should be able to put it on auto-run for the Science Fair Gallery June
10.

Your board/presentation should do two things:

1. It should be able to present a summary of your project when people read
it.
2. It should serve as a visual aid to your speech (oral presentation).
Boards/presentations should be easy to read from far away.
What goes on your board
or in your presentation
Aim
one sentence aim
Hypothesi only your prediction
s
Method
Summary of your method
and
and set up diagram or
Materials picture
Data and
Results
Conclusio
n
Evaluatio
n

Science
and
Society
Sources

GRAPH ONLY (no raw data)

The answer to your aim
only ONE evaluation point
your best one. Give one
problem, its effect on data,
and how youd fix it if you
did this test again
summary of how your topic
relates to a factor.
your entire works cited list.

What you say (in your speech or

answering questions)
Why you chose your aim
Your scientific reason
Any specifics of the method you
think are important: tools you used
to measure, any problems you
solved while working
The trend in your data: the pattern
shown on the graph
Explain why you think this and how
it relates to the graph.
Explain your reasoning for this
point. Mention one other if its
important.

Give more details or examples

No need to say anything about your
sources unless you have one you
think is interesting for general
reading.

31

STEP TEN: Planning your speech

4-5 minutes
Use formal language (avoid saying its like, you know, stuff)
Do
Dont
1.
1.
2. Stand beside your board.
2. Block the board from the judges
3. Refer to and point at any important
view!!
information on your board, e.g.
3. Assume that the judge knows all
graphs, pictures, list of materials
4. Take your time to explain the basics
4.
5.
of your experiment
5. Talk clearly and make sure that the
6.
audience understands you
7.
6. Make note cards and practice
using them.
7. Make eye- contact (Practise your

about your topic

Talk too fast!!
Memorise the speech word by
word.
Read your presentation
Use a distracting background
that makes it heard to read the text
on your presentation or board.

speech in front of a mirror)

8. Practise your speech in front of
people

Use these guiding questions to help you prepare your speech: you might
use one question per notecard.
What is your experiment is about?
Hello, my name is...
I did my Project on.... My Project is about....
First I am going to tell you some background information and then explain my
experiment...
I have chosen this topic because I am interested / like... and I wanted to find out...
(research question)

32

STEP TEN: Planning your speech continued

What did you do?
(Make sure you include the name of the materials/ apparatus you have used- do
NOT say I put it in something like this)
In order to carry out the experiment I...
First...
Second / Then...
Third/ Next / After that...
Finally...
The results of my experiment are presented in this chart/ table/ graph...
I have used a chart/ table/ graph to present the results of my experiment
Looking at the chart/table/graph you can see that when/ if ... is used/ applied ...
Then...
In conclusion, / To sum up ... the most .../ the highest... when/if ...
the more... the greater the chances are ...
That means that...
How does my experiment connect to our world?
How do the results of the experiment impact peoples lives in a negative/
positive way?

Some benefits of carrying out this experiment are that we learn/ it shows how to/
that...
Some positive aspects we learn from this experiment are that...
However, there are some drawbacks / disadvantages to it. For example, ... Another
negative aspect is that ...
What have I learned?
Before I did the experiment I thought... Also ...
While carrying it out I started to see that...
After doing the experiment I have realised / learned that ... and
33

I have also learned that ... can be / is very important because....

I feel that ... went well / I have done ... well.
However, if I had to do this experiment again, I would change/ make it .../ record it
in a different way.
Thank you
Thank you very much for listening. I hope you enjoyed my presentation.
Please feel free to ask any questions/ Ill be more than happy to answer any
question you may have.
STEP TEN: Planning your speech continued
Answering questions
Sometimes you need a bit of time to answer questions especially if theyre a bit
tricky. These sentences will give you that extra thinking-time you might need. Try
out at least one of them.
Thats a very interesting question.- What I did was...
Thank you for bringing that up.- ....
Thats a great question. ...
Speech guidelines taken from B Palma (2012)
Bibliography: Bombaugh, Ruth J. Science Fair Succes. Hillside: Enslow
Publishers, 1990.
Here is a rubric that will be used during your presentation.
Use this to help plan your presentation.
Have a friend or parent use the rubric to give you feedback while you
practice.
Get familiar with this rubric because you will use it to give feedback to your
peers.

Presentation Rubric

Student Presenter: _______________

Presentation
Aspect
Scientific Merit
and Experimental
Procedure

4: Outstanding

3: Acceptable

2: Needs Work

1:Needs Lots of Work

Student can
explain all parts
of the project
with scientific
words and ideas

Can explain most

of the project
with scientific
words and ideas

Can explain some

of the project, but
doesnt have strong
scientific
understanding

Personal
Engagement

Student shows
active personal

Shows interest in
the topic and is

Student shows
some interest in the

Can explain very little

of the project
scientifically, cannot
answer scientific
questions or has large
sections of the
experiment missing.
Student shows low
interest in the topic
34

Scientific
Knowledge and
Connections

interest in the
topic and is
eager to share
knowledge
Student can
share many
details of
scientific
background and
connections to
real life issues.

willing to share
information

topic and and

shares information
when asked.

and cannot answer

many questions about
the project.

Student shares
appropriate
scientific
background and
real-life
connections

Student shares
some scientific
background
knowledge and real
life connection may
be weak.

Student has little

scientific background
knowledge and real
life connection is
unrealistic.

Feedback from peers during practice presentations:

One question the presenter should expect:

___________________________________________________________________

One aspect of the presentation that could be improved with suggestions as to how
to improve it:

___________________________________________________________________

One interesting point I learned from the presentation:

___________________________________________________________________

35