Is guiding my students through independent research a lot of work?
YES!
Is it worth all the work?
YES!
The rewards are priceless!
For students:
- Personal satisfaction in becoming an expert in their field of investigation
- Satisfying natural curiosity about a science subject they have selected
- Pride in their accomplishment
- Self-confidence
- Acquiring organizational skills such as time management and long term project planning
- Possible recognition, money, scholarships, and internships
- Preparation for science careers
For teachers:
- Meeting NC Curriculum Standards
- Integrating reading, writing, math and computer schools with science teaching
- Preparing students with life long learning skills
- Improving science literacy in the population
- Pride in the accomplishments of your students
- Joy in seeing your students succeed
Scientific (or Engineering, or Technological) Inquiry according to National Standards
Scientific inquiry refers to the many diverse ways in which scientists study the natural world and propose explanations based on the evidence gathered from their work. Full inquiry involves asking a question (one that can be investigated), completing an investigation, answering the question and presenting the results to others. Students should do science in ways that are within their developmental capabilities. These conceptual and procedural abilities suggest a logical progression but are not necessarily sequential and do not imply a rigid approach to doing science.
The National SCIENCE EDUCATION Standards' chapter on Content Standard A: Science as Inquiry uses three clusters of grade levels to describe abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry:
Levels K-4
- Ask a question about objects, organisms, and events in the classroom.
- Plan and conduct a simple investigation.
- Employ simple equipment and tools to gather data and extend the senses.
- Use data to construct a reasonable explanation.
- Communicate investigations and explanations.
Levels 5-8
- Ask questions that can be answered through scientific investigation.
- Design and conduct a scientific investigation.
- Use appropriate tools and techniques to gather, analyze, and interpret data.
- Use mathematics in all aspects of scientific inquiry.
- Develop descriptions, explanations, predictions, and models using evidence.
- Recognize and analyze alternative explanations and predictions.
- Communicate scientific procedures and explanations.
- Think critically and logically to develop the relationship between evidence and explanation.
- Identify questions and concepts that guide scientific investigations.
- Design and conduct scientific investigations.
- Use technology and mathematics to improve investigations and communications.
- Formulate and revise scientific explanations and models using logic and evidence.
- Recognize and analyze alternative explanations and models.
- Communicate and defend a scientific argument.
Science Fairs in North Carolina
Our web site has created links to help you with you with project planning and development. Please use these links to download the appropriate planning and permission forms that are required for the state, national, and international competitions. We recommend that ALL students utilize the Student Checklist and ISEF Rules Wizard in planning their projects at the first step in their work. Elementary and middle school students will find excellent resources at ScienceBuddies.org and the Science Fair Central. With the affiliation of our State Science Fair with the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), we can nominate 5th through 8th grade winners for competition in the Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge (DCYSC).
Elementary and Middle School students will be required to complete the NC Elementary and Middle School Research Plan and Approval Form prior to starting their research. Additional forms may be required depending upon what the student is doing for research. Teachers may choose to use ALL ISEF forms instead of the NC Elementary and Middle School Form, but must still have project research/engineering plans reviewed for safety. High School students are required to complete ISEF forms 1, 1A with the Research Plan, and 1B prior to beginning their research. Additional forms may also be required according to ISEF rules. Please have your students use the ISEF Rules Wizard to determine which forms are required. All scientists and engineers must first plan their work before beginning. Our students in following these guidelines will learn how scientists work and primarily, they will be insuring that they will be working safely!
Categories & Divisions in North Carolina
North Carolina Science Fair elementary projects (grades 3-5) are not divided into categories. Middle School (grades 6-8) projects (both single and group) are divided into four categories: Life Science, Physical Science, Earth/Environmental, and Technology/Engineering. High School student projects are divided into Life Science, Physical Science, Earth/Environmental, Technology/Engineering, and TEAM.
This year, our web site has created new links to help you with your project planning and development. Please use these links to download the appropriate planning and permission forms that are required for the state, national, and international competitions. We recommend that ALL students utilize the Student Checklist and ISEF Rules Wizard in planning their projects at the first step in their work. With the affiliation of our State Science Fair with the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), we can nominate 5th through 8th grade winners for competition in the Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge (DCYSC).
North Carolina State Science Fair elementary projects are not divided into categories. Middle School projects (both single and group) are divided into four categories: Life Science, Physical Science, Earth/Environmental, and Technology. High School student projects are divided into Life Science, Physical Science, Earth/Environmental, Technology, and TEAM.
Updated 7/25/08