Harvard

Elementary

Student Name:
Grade:
Teacher:

Science Project Journal (3-5)

Handbook and Planning Guide

Harvard Elementary
Science Night Project Information
All students, Kinder 5, are required to participate in creating a
science project. Students will be given a grade for their work, which
will count toward their classroom science grade. Students must work
individually in completing their science project.
Students will have class time to create a hypothesis, problem
statement, materials list, and step-by-step procedures. Though the
experiment must be completed at home, students will also have a small
amount of time to write their science project reflection in class.
Adults are welcome to help their child throughout the process. Adult
involvement should be limited to a supporting role.

The science project is intended to promote project-based learning

through science concepts.

Table of Contents
Timeline 4
The Scientific Method 5
Types of Science 6
Topic/Problem Statement 7
Research 8
Sources 9
Make a Hypothesis 10
State your Hypothesis 11
Materials/Procedure List 12
Variables 13
Data 14
Display 15
Project Reflection 16
Science Project Rubric 17
Oral Presentation Rubric 18

Timeline

Due
Dates

Tasks

Week of _______

Chose topic and write project

question.

Week of _______

Research your topic.

Document information.

Week of _______

Write hypothesis.

Week of _______

Identify all variables.

Week of _______

List materials.
Begin gathering materials at
home.
Conduct the experiment at
home 3 times.

Week of _______
Week of _______
Week of _______

Record your data/create a

table, chart, or graph of the
data.
Form conclusion.

Week of _______

Reflect on experiment.
Include the IB Learner Profiles
and Attitudes you had to use
and make real world
connections.
Make the project display.

Week of _______

Present in class.

Week of _______

The Scientific Method

Integrated with PYP Key Concepts

1. Find a problem (form, function)
Ask a how does question.

2. Research the Problem

Find out all you can.

3. Make a Hypothesis (change, causation, perspective)

Predict what might happen based on what you know.

4. Figure out the Materials/Procedure

(form, function, responsibility)
Make a list.

5. Conduct the experiment

Find out if your hypothesis was right.

6. You need the Proof! (form, function)

Record your data after each time you do the experiment.

7. Organize your data in tables and graphs

So that it is easy to see the results.

8. Form a conclusion (form, function, change, causation)

Check your hypothesis against the results
Were you right? Remember: It is okay to be wrong!

9. Reflect about what you learned, what you would do

differently, how your project applies to the real world
and the IB Learner Profiles and Attitudes you used.

Types of Science
Physical Science
Chemistry mixtures, solutions, reactions, chemical changes using
only safe liquids and powders at the elementary level.
Physics laws of physics, heat, electricity, magnets, friction,
force & motion, simple machines.
Properties of Matter solids, liquids, gases, heat & cold.

Earth/Space Science
Geology/Geography soil changes, erosion, compositions of soil,
rock changes with wind and water; formations and changes to
landforms, lakes and rivers, mountains.
Space orbital period v. distance, orbital speed, how to tell time
by the sun.

Life Science
Plants plant growth, development behavior; factors affecting
these, plants used in medicine, plants used in industry, forestry,
etc.
Animals investigations of animal behaviors or interactions,
including those of insects, etc.
Environmental habitats, interactions of living things and nonliving things.

Topic/Problem Statement
Topic:

My Science Project Topic is:

I want to do something involving:

Problem Statement:

The Effect Question

What is the effect of

Ex.

on

brands of soda on a piece of meat

temperature on the size of a balloon
The How Does Affect Question

How does the

Ex.

affect

color of light affect the growth of plants

humidity affect the growth of fungi
The Which/What and Verb Question

Which/What
Ex.

(verb)

paper towel is more absorbent

foods do meal worms prefer

Create your

Problem Statement

using any of the question stems above.

Research
Research should include three sources.
Sources can include web pages,
books, interviews, or websites.
(Each Reference Must Be From A
Different Source.)

Read:
about your topic
magazines and books for the library
articles from the Internet
Take notes of any new information and scientific
words you may find.
Keep track of all the books and articles (sources)
you read.
3 rd :

Include author, title, and link if available.

Ex. Jay Gomez, Sea Turtles, www.seaturtles.com

4 th :

Include author, title, date published, link if available.

Ex. Jay Gomez, Jan. 1, 2010, Sea Turtles, www.seaturtles.com

5 th :

Include author, date, title, location or link if available.

Ex. J. Gomez. (2010). Sea Turtles. Austin, Tx.

Ex. J. Gomez. (2010). Sea Turtles. Retrieved from:
www.seaturtles.com
8

Sources: Giving Credit to Those

You Learned From
Reference 1:

Reference 2:

Reference 3:

Information found in your own words:

Make a Hypothesis
Decide what you think the outcome of your project will be based
on what you already know, (prior knowledge) as well as the
research you have done on your topic. Then make a good guess as
to what you think the answer to your question will be.
Also explain WHY you think that will be the outcome. Remember,
it is okay if you do not have the right answer in the end. That is
how scientists make discoveries.
Make sure your hypothesis is clearly written in a complete
sentence.
Start below by listing some possible outcomes or answers to your
question
Brainstorm:

Decide which outcome will most likely happen.

This will be your hypothesis.

10

Hypothesis

IF (you do this)
THEN (will happen)
BECAUSE (based on your opinion from your
research on the topic)
EXAMPLE

If you give lima bean seedlings different amounts of sunlight, then

those with the least light will be the tallest because they will be
seeking more light.

If

Then

Because

11

Materials/Procedure List
Materials
6.

1.

7.

2.

8.

3.
4.

9.

5.

10.

Procedure
List each step you have to do in order to perform the experiment.
(First, Second, Third)

12

Variables

There are three variables in a scientific experiment: independent,

dependent, and constants.
Independent Variable the one, and only one variable you will
change to see what will happen.
Dependent Variable those being observed and measured
throughout the experiment.
Constant Variable(s) those that stay the same to keep the test
fair and allow you, the scientist, to understand how the
experiment would react under normal conditions.

Independent Variable

Dependent Variable

Constant Variable(s)

13

Data
Record the results of your
experiment every time you conduct
it. Conduct your experiment at
least 3 times in order to get the
most accurate results. Organize
your data so it is easy to read and understand
by using one of the following:
Table or Graph
www.easy-science-fairprojects.net/how-to-make-agraph.html
Visit the link for a HOW TO and
for ideas on displaying data.
You may hand draw or use technology to display
your results.
Results: Summarize what you found

14

Display
Science Board

Title

Problem

Conclusion

Data

Hypothesis

Materials
References
Pictures
Procedures

OR
Technology Based
Examples:
Powerpoint Prezi.com Weebly.com
Must include elements shown on display board.
15

Project Reflection
Students can either handwrite or
type their project reflection.
Reflection must include all
elements listed below.
Your report should include:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Your question
Your hypothesis
Your research (at least 3 facts you found on your topic)
A summary of your observations and results from the
experiment.
5. Did you encounter any problems during the experiment? What
were they?
6. Did your hypothesis support your data? Why or why not?
7. What changes would you make for next time?
8. How does your experiment relate to the real world?
9. What IB Learner Profiles and Attitudes did you use?
(at least 2 Learner Profiles and 2 Attitudes)
10.
What did you learn about yourself during the scientific
process?

Brainstorm:

16

Science Project Rubric

Students Name: ____________________________ Date:_____________
Project: _____________________________________

Science Journal & Display Board

These are items you will check off that are to be included in the project.
Section
Examples
Score
Project
Problem Statement

Topic/Title is clearly stated.

~ What do you want to find out?

0

~ What problem will you solve?

~ What do you think will happen?
~Written hypothesis

Materials

What was needed to conduct the

experiment?
Step by step directions that were
followed to complete the experiment
are listed.

Variables

0 1

~ Constant Variables: things that are

kept the same.
~ Independent Variables: things that
were tested. (changed)

0 1 2 3

~ Dependent Variables: what is being

measured or observed?

17

Data Results/
Graphics

~ At least one picture is displayed.

~ At least one chart, or graph has
data displayed.

0 1 2 3

~ Data is explained or labeled.

Display Board

Vocabulary is displayed:
___ Problem
____ Variables
___ Hypothesis ____ Conclusion
___ Materials/Procedure
___ Bibliography
___ Results (data chart/pictures)
~ Was your hypothesis right or
wrong?

0 1 2 3
4 5 6 7

0 1 2

~ What was learned from experiment?

Report

A report is turned in with all contents

included.

0 1 2 3

Sources

At least 3 resources were cited

correctly.

0 1 2 3

Total Points (27 possible): _________

27 pts. = 100
Each point earned is worth 3.7pts.
Comments:

18

Oral Presentation Rubric

Students Name: ____________________________ Date:_____________

Category 4
Eye Contact

Always has
eye contact
with audience.

Enthusiasm

Preparedness
and
Organization

Speaks Clearly

Knowledge of
Content

Eye contact
with audience
most of the
presentation.

Sometimes
Does not have
has eye contact
eye contact
with audience. with audience.

Very
Enthusiastic
Somewhat
Does not
enthusiastic about the topic enthusiastic
appear
about the topic during most of about the topic enthusiastic
during the
the
during the
about the topic
presentation.
presentation.
presentation.
during the
presentation.
Very prepared Prepared and
Somewhat
Does not
and organized
organized
prepared and appear to have
during the
during most of organized for
prepared for
presentation.
the
the
the
presentation.
presentation.
presentation.
Speaks very
clearly. Very
easy for the
audience to
understand.

Speaks clearly Speaks clearly

Does not
most of the
sometimes.
speak clearly.
time. Easy for
Sometimes
Difficult for the
the audience to
easy for the
audience to
understand.
audience to
understand.
understand.

Knowledge of Knowledge of Knowledge of

topic is very
topic is clear
topic is
clear. Student during most of
sometimes
shows full
the
evident during
understanding presentation.
the
of content
presentation.
during
presentation.

Knowledge of
topic is not
clear. Student
does not show
understanding
during
presentation.

Total Points (20 possible): _____________

20 pts. = 100
Each point earned is worth 5 pts.
Comments:

19