SOARSCIENCE OWNERSHIP OF ACCELERATED RESEARCH

SCIENCE DEPARTMENT SPRING 2016

7TH AND 8TH GRADE ADVANCED CLASSES

OPTION #1: PROBLEM BASED APPROACHPARTS DESCRIPTION DUE DATES

1: Project Proposal Define the problem January 21, 20152: Fact Finding and Hypothesis

Gather facts about the problem and previous solutionsHypothesize how to solve the problem

February 18, 2015

3: Background Research Conduct research on the problem and solution; research paper

March 25, 2015

4: Alternative Solutions Rephrase the problem and generate alternative solutions

April 15 , 2015

5: Final Product Present problem and advocate solutions through final product

May 5, 2015 (7th grade)May 12, 2015 (8th grade)

PROBLEM BASED LEARNING PROJECT

• Learning is driven by challenging, open-ended problems with no one “right” answer

• Problems/cases are context specific (RELATED TO SCIENCE)

• Students work as self-directed, active investigators and problem-solvers

• A key problem is identified and a solution is decided upon and can be implemented

• ROLE OF STUDENT: Stakeholder, architect, collaborator, debriefer, higher order thinker

• PRODUCT EXAMPLES: Debate, speech, publication(ex: journal article/research paper), video (ex: digital story)

• OUTCOME: Authentic student experiences, authentic assessments, student problem solving, real life communicating

OPTION #2:INFORMATIVE/EXPOSITORY APPROACHPARTS DESCRIPTION DUE DATES

1: Project Proposal Topic selected January 21, 20152: Production Plan Production plan is created February 18, 2015

3: Background Research Gather facts about the topic; research paper

March 25, 2015

4: Project Detail Explanation

Determine audience, determine final product, material list April 15, 2015

5: Final Product Project completed and evaluated May 5, 2015 (7th grade)May 12, 2015 (8th grade)

WHAT DOES PROJECT BASED LEARNING LOOK LIKE?

• ROLE OF STUDENT: Produces real-life product, manager, expert

• OUTCOME: Creates student interest, builds passion for learning, student creates real-life product, accommodates learning styles

• PRODUCT EXAMPLES: Product is designed by the student. Please see your teacher to suggest ideas for a product.

OPTION #3:SERVICE LEARNING APPROACHPARTS DESCRIPTION DUE DATES

1: Project Proposal Topic Selected and Community need identified

January 21, 2015

2: Project Implementation Plan

Plan is created and timeline established

February 18, 2015

3: Background Research Gather facts about the topic; research paper

March 25, 2015

4: Project Detail Explanation

Problem identified April 15, 2015

5: Final Product Project completed and evaluated May 5, 2015 (7th grade)May 12, 2015 (8th grade)

WHAT DOES ASERVICE LEARNING PROJECT LOOK LIKE?• Student service learning combines classroom instruction with community service to address community

needs.

• The actual service learning project does not have to be implemented before the project due date.

• Students take what they learn in the classroom and apply that knowledge to real-world problems in their communities. Service learning enhances the learning experience by:

• teaching critical thinking skills to solve complex problems in the context of real-world situations

• encouraging civic responsibility and community action

• promoting cooperation and teamwork

• building character

• Examples: http://www.nylc.org/resources/projects (National Youth Leadership Council) and www.iseek.org

OPTION #4:SCIENTIFIC METHOD APPROACHPARTS DESCRIPTION DUE DATES

1: Project Proposal Testable question and Hypothesis January 21, 2015

2: Experimental Details Identified Independent and Dependent Variables, Materials, and Procedure

February 18, 2015

3: Background Research Gather facts about the general topic; research paper

March 25, 2015

4: Data, Data Analysis, and Abstract

Data table(s), graph(s)Analyze data and observations, written abstract

April 15, 2015

5: Final Project Complete notebook and display board, all parts

May 5, 2015 (7th grade)May 12, 2015 (8th grade)

PROJECT REQUIREMENTS:

• Complete all required parts of the project for the option chosen.

• All students will have a display board TO BE USED ON PROJECT PRESENTATION NIGHT.

• Laptops will be available on the project display night for students to display products via flash drive file.

• ALL STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE A USB FLASH DRIVE FOR STORAGE OF PROJECT COMPONENTS AND TO BE USED ON PROJECT WORK DAYS AT SCHOOL.

• EXAMPLES:

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHJZRPWXQ9s

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UniuZ3sbQQ