Suggested Timeline

Sept 2-6 Week 1: Choose an idea. Receive pertinent information on science fair project. Begin to research topic ideas. Choose a topic or problem* to investigate (By September 5, 2019). Make a list of resources. Select your reading materials.

Sept 9-13 Week 2: Collect research Science Fair Proposal Plan Due (September 13, 2019) Review books, articles for additional ideas. Begin preliminary investigations; complete initial research. Contact and interview experts for more information. Decide how to set up your investigation or experiment. Start a bound notebook (composition book) for keeping records and notes. Write down what you have done so far IN INK! Date each entry and each page. Locate 12 references for written report.

Sept 16-20 Week 3: Gather materials. Begin purchasing or acquiring the materials that you will need. Collect experiment materials and learn to use any equipment, apparatus you need. Keep progress current in your bound notebook. Decide if additional material from outside sources are needed. Check with experts contacted earlier as needed. Begin preparing signs, titles and labels for display.

Sept 23-27 Week 4: Begin Experimentation Identify the variables in the investigation. Be able to identify your independent variables, dependent variables and control variables. Variables must be measurable. Set up your experiment. Make observations before, during and after the experiment. Complete your experiment at least 3 TIMES or more; record the data from each trial in a table or chart. Be sure to take lots of photos of your experiment.

Sept 30- October 4 Week 5: Organize your information.

Oct 7-11 Week 6: Continue making observations, recording notes and entering data into your bound notebook. Begin analysis of the data collected. Begin designing charts, graphs and other visual aids for your written report and your display. Work on the first draft of your paper. Be sure to include the title, purpose, hypothesis, thesis, and citations along with a reference list of the first 6 references.

Oct 14-18 Week 7: Complete experimentation, begin abstract and display board. Draft abstract for written report. Complete charts, graphs and visual aids. Plan the layout of your display board. Check spelling, grammar and punctuation on display board.

* Underlined terms are vocabulary essential to the science fair project. Students must become familiar with these terms and be comfortable using them throughout their presentations.

Oct 21- 25 Week 8: Complete final draft. Complete reference list and citations. Write first, then type final draft of paper. Check and double check paper for correct spelling, grammar and punctuation. Revise abstract. Final paper due November 8, 2019.

Oct 28-Nov. 1 Week 9: Finalize paper, abstract and display. Revise abstract. Finish constructing display (NOTE: Set up display at home and check for any flaws. Leave display standing for 2 days to make sure nothing falls off the board.

Nov 4-8 Week 10: Submit project Display Board due November 8, 2017. Final paper with 12 references due November 8, 2019. Classroom Presentations November 4-8, 2019.

Nov 11- 15 Week 11: BMES Local Science Fair (MEDIA CENTER). Set up projects for display. Judging November 15, 2019