Science Fair...let's get thinking....

I love science fair time.  Science fair is the time of year where students can explore any topic they would like- so there should be no student who says they don't like science during science fair time, because they chose the topic!  It is really interesting to see student's interests and personalities come out through this time.  But topic choice is probably the most important decision that a student makes because they will be devoting a lot of time to this topic.
When considering a question, ask yourself these questions:

Is my topic realistic?  Is it something I can do?  Is my topic interesting to me?  Can I investigate my topic by experimenting and collecting data?

Ask yourself:

Is my project truly original?  Is the answer to my question already known?  Are there outside resources that can help me find my answer?   

Unique Minds...

As we start to gear up for science far, I really want to stress the importance of creativity and individual thinking.  Today, we are doing a series of creativity exercises to encourage our brains to think outside the box.

1. different thoughts - everyone draws a picture of a tree and compare drawings.  Everyone has a different vision of what a tree looks like.
2. Looking at things from a different angle - everyone brought things with them to class today. Can you use these things to make something new out of these everyday things?

Then, we took a look at the curious questions they created.  Each student will choose a question and brainstorm ways to solve - not find the answer - but, ways to find the answer.  But stretch yourself!  Don't just rely on google to give you the answer.

The best science fair projects are unique, creative, and based on your own personal interest.  Please think of this as we are starting to brainstorm projects.  You all have unique minds, use them!

Dedication...

I just wanted to share a quick note with you about dedication.  While we have finished up our animal study project and I have begun to review and grade the projects, the word dedication pops into my head.  The dedication of you effort to this project was evident.  Many of you did a wonderful job of using the resources to help make your project fantastic.  And some of your projects truly blew me away!  They were absolutely fantastic!  For those of you, your dedication to your effort in this project shined through and you will be rewarded for that when you see your grades.
For some of you, the lack of dedication was evident on the page.  Every possible opportunity was at  your doorstep: rubrics telling you exactly what I'm looking for in each section, work time in class to ask questions, and the opportunity of 1 to 1 conferences with a teacher to go over work. Yet, some fell short.  I will be calling some students in and giving you one last opportunity on this project.  I will talk with you and give you a new extended revision date to make changes to your project.  For me, it not just about the grade, it's about what you walk away from this experience learning and I want you to be very fulfilled from this experience.  If you do not take advantage of this last opportunity, the grade will stand.

Submitting your wiki...

When you have completed your wiki, you need to do 2 things.

1. On the home page of the science field notebooks (where all the pictures are), click on the discussion tab. Then click New Post.  In the subject line, type your name, and animal in the message type finished and then post the thread.
2. Next, check your email on the wiki.  I have sent you a message that you needs your response - a short reflection about this project as a whole.
3. Wait, I forgot there are 3 things!  I need your second curious question - either posted a sticky or the stixy.  If you post on the stixy, please make sure to note that this is your 2nd question.

Downhill Slide...

By now, you are probably in one of three categories.  Try to find where you fit into the categories and think about the suggestions that I’ve made to help you move forward in the next few days.

Category 1: I’m feeling good about the project.  I’ve read through all of the rubrics & I’m feeling good about what I’ve done so far.

Suggestions to go forward:
Print off the rubrics and actually try to check your page to see where you would line up with the expectations
 Where else can you go with this? The headings provided on the page are the minimum.  Is there anything you would want to add, fun facts or young animals for example?
Extra Credit – why not buff up your grade potential by adding more to either your research technique examples or using the research section

Category 2:  I’m feeling okay.  I still have some big pieces of the project to work on and it’s starting to make me nervous.

Suggestions to go forward:
Sign up for a conference with Bridge – Let’s take a look at one of the sections you don’t feel strong about together where I can make suggestions
 Focus on the Requirements – don’t worry about adding any extras to your page at this point.  Forget about pictures, focus on the biggies.  Make sure your observation journal is complete!  Make sure your research location section is good!  Then take the rest of the smaller components one piece at a time.

Category 3:  I’m nervous.  I have lots of blanks and not much completed.

Suggestions to go forward:
Use your time – Any extra time you have, use it.  Come and see Ms. Bridge in the morning before school, during study halls, and/or arrange a time with Ms. Bridge to come in early or stay after school.
 Use time outside of school – work on this at home.  As long as you can get to a computer with an internet connection, you can work on this project
 Ask for help – Ms. Bridge can give you help, you just need to ask for it!  I can help you create to-do lists to help you focus each day.  I can help you find resources if you are struggling with information.  But, you have to let me help you.  Tell me where you are struggling with this project.

4 days left...

Here are some suggestions to help guide you through the last four work days:

1. Focus on the requirements - don't worry about pictures or extras, get the required content down
2. Sign up for a conference - this is a one-on-one with me to help make your project better
3. The big stuff - really focus on your observation journal - its 37% of your project
4. Ask for help - it is hard for me to know that you are struggling unless you ask

Some Helpful Hints...

As it's Friday, I just want to give you some helpful hints to make your day easier.
**Reminder - your 1st Curious Question is due today!  You can either write it on a post-it or use stixy.

**If you don't know what to include in a section of writing, ask yourself 2 questions.  1) Did I read the rubrics on the 8th science page?  2) Did I look at the example page Bridge created?

** I created a new checklist for you to think BIG picture.  Download it at the 8th science site.

** Remember- you are writing from the perspective of a science actually in the field report your notes back.  So instead of saying "The desert is very hot." write it as though you are explaining it to someone.  "I have never experienced heat like this before."

**For those of you who want to use slide.  First go to slide.com.  You can totally make a slide show without making an account, but it goes a lot faster if you do.  You are more than welcome to use my account - Login: abridge@mid-prairie.k12.ia.us   -- password: abridge.
Once you create your slide show, save it!  Then when it asks how you export it - choose More on the left side - and choose blogger.  Copy the embed code.  Then go to the Widget feature in the wiki.  Choose slideshow and slide.  Then past the code into the box at the bottom of the screen.  Preview it to make sure it looks right.  Then save!

** Finally if you feel far behind - work on it at home this week.  The beauty of this project is that it doesn't matter if  you forgot your notebook at home, everything is online.  So, as long as you can access a computer with internet you can work on it.  Good luck!

Final Project Outlined

The final project is based on the fact that all of you have been accepted by the Bridge Ecological Institute as primary ethologists completing an in-depth study of an animal.  Congratulations!
Your field notebook findings will be reported on the Bridge Ecological Institute wiki.  I have created an example of a field notebook wiki for you to refer to for help setting you page up.
To get started, you'll need to create a new page, by clicking on the new page button on the side.  Name your page as your animal and your first name, last initial.  For example - Amber B. studying the chimpanzee would name her page as Chimpanzee - Amber B.

Below are the required components of the project and how the project looks overall.  On the 8th grade page, all of the rubrics and requirements for the project are attached at the bottom of the page.
Everything needs to be posted to the wiki on Friday, February 18.
Good Luck!

Project Component	Point Value	%
Why this Animal	9	5
Research Location	35	20
Research Technique	15	9
Observation Journal	65	37
Food Web	15	9
Fellow Researcher Profile	9	5
Research in Action	18	10
Resources	9	5
Total	175	100

Animal Monitoring

Currently, scientists are out in the world, all over the world, observing animals in their natural habitat.  How are they doing it?  Well, some definitely follow Jane's path of observation and journaling, but it goes so much further than that!  Scientists today are using technology to help understand the natural patterns of even the most elusive animals in the world and today we are going to explore this topic.
Today we'll focus on:

• radio telemetry
• motion sensitive cameras
• GPS
• all in relationship to species survival plans created by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association

Food Webs

One of the final requirements for our animal study project is to create a food web based on your animal.  You can use many resources to help you do this and I encourage you to use the resource you are most familiar with.  You can use Word and find pictures on the internet then add the arrows from the drawing clipboard.  Word can be tricky so be patient!  You can use Powerpoint in the same way.  Also, on our computers in the library only they have a program called Inspiration.  It's super easy to use.  Check out this demo.
There are many other resources out there that can work to help you make your food web.
The most important thing to remember is that the arrow goes to the thing that gets the energy. 
If you finish your food web, you need to start evaluating your notes to find a symbiotic relationship (remember from Monday/Tuesday) - examples are mutualism, parasitism, commensalism, or competitive.  Check Monday's blog for the definitions if you have forgot.