1. No category

Students will choose one of the following projects to complete this Spring. They may choose partners,
or may work alone.
Deadlines:
May 5—Project assignment #1
May 11—Project assignment #2
May 15—Project assignment #3
May 18—Project assignment #4
Marshmallow Launcher:
Students will design and build an apparatus to launch standard-size marshmallows. Grading will
be based upon the following criteria:
1. An initial design evaluated by the teacher worth a daily grade
2. A scientific rationale for the design of the launcher. This rationale should be for the final
design constructed. This will be worth a quiz grade.
3. A self-designed (or group-designed) test to evaluate the effectiveness of the launcher. This
will be submitted as a report on paper, and be worth a daily grade.
4. A presentation to the class of the project. This may be a live or video presentation of the
apparatus, and should be presented live to the class. This will be evaluated by peers and the
teacher, and worth a test grade.
8th Grade Science TEK Electronic Unit
Students will address one of the 8th grade Science TEK Objectives (numbers 5-11) in depth
through electronic media as if they are teaching future students the material required by the TEK
objective. Grading will be based upon the following criteria:
1.
An initial blue-print of the parts of the project planned evaluated by the teacher and worth
a daily grade.
2. A scientific explanation of the TEK objective presented on paper and evaluated by the
teacher. This will be worth a quiz grade.
3. A self-designed (or group-designed) test of the knowledge that should be mastered after
studying the material required by the TEK objective, including key. This will be submitted on
paper and be worth a daily grade.
4. A presentation to the class of the project. This should be presented live to the class. This
will be evaluated by peers and the teacher, and worth a test grade.
Self-Directed Student Project
Students will choose their own Science project to demonstrate mastery of scientific principles. Grading
will be based upon the following criteria:
1. An initial blue-print of the project plann evaluated by the teacher and worth a daily grade.
2. A scientific explanation of the project on paper and evaluated by the teacher. This will be
worth a quiz grade.
3. A self-designed (or group-designed) evaluation tool for determining the success (or need for
adjustment of) the project. If the project were in a lab-report, this tool would evaluate the
data and draw conclusions about the hypothesis. This will be submitted on paper and be
worth a daily grade.
4. A presentation to the class of the project. This should be presented live to the class. This
will be evaluated by peers and the teacher, and worth a test grade.
Hands-On Project
Students will demonstrate hands-on activities designed to reinforce four specific TEKS objectives.
Grading will be based upon the following criteria:
1.
An initial written description of the planned activities to be evaluated by the teacher and
worth a daily grade.
2. A written presentation of the activities on paper to be evaluated by the teacher. This will be
worth a quiz grade.
3. A self-evaluation of the activities as conducted and their efficacy in reinforcing the specific
TEKS objectives. This will be submitted on paper and be worth a daily grade.
4. A video (or live) presentation of the activities to be evaluated by peers and the teacher. This
will be worth a test grade.
Scientific Vocabulary Project—Glossary of Scientific Prefixes and Suffixes
Students will create a glossary of Scientific prefixes and suffixes useful for comprehension of Science.
The glossary should include definitions, etymology, and examples of uses of the terms. Grading will be
based upon the following criteria:
1. An initial list of the planned terms to be evaluated by the teacher and worth a daily grade.
2. A written presentation of the glossary on paper to be evaluated by the teacher. This will be
worth a quiz grade.
3. An electronic presentation of the glossary on paper to be evaluated by the teacher. This will
be worth a daily grade.
4. A presentation to the class of the project. This should be presented live or on video to the
class. This will be evaluated by peers and the teacher, and worth a test grade.
Science Journal Index of Terms and TEKS Objectives
Students will create an index of important Scientific terms, concepts, and TEKS objectives as presented
in our Science journals. Grading will be based upon the following criteria:
1.
An initial list of the planned terms and concepts to be evaluated by the teacher and worth
a daily grade.
2. A written presentation of the index on paper to be evaluated by the teacher. This will be
worth a quiz grade.
3. An electronic presentation of the index to be evaluated by the teacher. This will be worth a
daily grade.
4. A presentation to the class of the project. This should be presented live or on video to the
class. This will be evaluated by peers and the teacher, and worth a test grade.