Name: ____________________________________

Science Project Planning Document

#1. Topic
- My science project topic is the affect of gravity on objects with different weights.
- To understand the science behind my project I will do research on
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#2. State your purpose as a question. What is it that you want to find out by doing this project?
Research Question:___________________________________________________________________
Some questions I have are
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#3. Research Research your problem. Look at any books/websites that might help you, make observations by
simply looking at things, talk to people, and find out as much as possible about your topic. Turn in all of your
research notes when you turn in your paper. Cite the sources for your information.
Research Paper Directions: The purpose of your research paper is to give you the information
necessary to understand why your experiment turns out the way it does.
Your research paper is DUE Monday, April 11th.
Title page (with the title of your project, your name, your teachers name, room number, and the
date the paper is due)

Your report
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Definitions of all important words and concepts that describe your experiment
Answers to all your background research plan questions
o Your Research Paper should have a conclusions which states what you believe
will happen in your experiment and why.
Bibliography (Do this in MLA format)

Name______________________________________ Homeroom____________

Science Project Research Paper Rubric

Title
(3 points)

Background
Information
(10 points)

Excellent
(35 points)
Title page includes
students name,
subject, room number,
teacher, and science
project due date. Title
is bold-faced and
centered mid-page and
concisely addresses
project topic.
3
Student introduces a
specific and testable
topic question, and
provides background
information on science
concepts related to the
question.

Good
(27 points)
Title page is missing
one of the following:
students name,
subject, room number,
teacher, or science
project due date.
Title addresses project
topic.
2

Poor
(19 points)
Title page is missing
two of the following:
students name,
subject, room number,
teacher, and science
project due date. Title
somewhat addresses
project topic.
1

Incomplete
(11 points)
Title page is missing
several components
and is difficult to
understand.

Student introduces a
specific and testable
topic question, and
provides background
information on some
science concepts.

Student introduces a
specific and testable
topic question, but
provides little
background
information on
science concepts
related to the
question.
6

Student is missing
one or more of the
following: topic
question, background
information.

Bibliography
(7 points)

Overall Content
(15 points)

10
All sources are
correctly cited in MLA
format. Includes
numerous and variety
of sources No
plagiarism!
7
Times New Roman,
size 12, doublespaced. Student uses
correct grammar,
punctuation, and
spelling throughout the
report. Report uses a
formal style. Report
flows from one idea to
the next. Content is
correct and complete.
15

Total Score: _________ / 35 points

All sources are

correctly cited in MLA
format. Includes at
least few different
sources. No
plagiarism!
5
Times New Roman,
size 12, singlespaced. Student has
fewer than five
mistakes in the report.
Report mostly uses a
formal style. Report
jumps from one idea
to the next, but does
display clear
understanding of the
project
12

Most sources are

correctly cited in MLA
format. Includes only
one source. No
plagiarism!

4
Sources are missing
and/or incorrectly
cited.

3
Font other than Times
New Roman, size 12.
Student has several
misspelled words,
poor grammar, and
poor punctuation.
Report does not use a
formal style. Report
does not flow and is
difficult to understand.

1
Report shows lack of
effort and is unclear
throughout.

#4. Hypothesis choose one of the sentence starters below to write your hypothesis.
Hypothesis: Based on your research, do you think the heavy objects or the light objects will fall faster?
(1)

If _____[I do this] _____, then _____[this]_____ will happen.

(2)
I know that when_______[this happens, this occurs]_______. So, when
_____[this]______ is (increased, or decreased) ________[I think this will occur]_________.
Hypothesis:

#5. Plan Your Project How will you test your hypothesis? What experiments will you do? How will you
measure the results? Where will you keep your information?

Controlled Variable
(what stays the same)

Independent Variable

Dependent Variable

(what you change)

(the measured result)

Procedure:
1. Develop a step by step procedure to test your hypothesis. As part of your procedure, drop a
heavy object and a light object at the same time. Create a procedure that insures the objects will start
dropping at the same time. You cannot just release them from your hands at the same time.
2. Observe which object hits the ground first. This step requires two people, since the person who
drops the objects cannot accurately observe the objects hitting the ground.
3. Repeat your procedure and step 2 for each pair of light and heavy objects. If you cannot find the
objects listed above, you can use other objects. Make sure you this them in the materials.
My procedure will be

#6. Materials:
Material Suggestions:
Light Objects:

Empty Soda Can

Dry Sponge
Wadded Paper
Plastic Fork

Heavy Objects:

Full Soda Can

Wet Sponge
Heavy Book
Metal Fork

If you cannot find the objects listed above, you can use other objects. Make sure you this them in the materials.
#7. Measurement Tools: You will need to know the distance that you are dropping your objects, and you will
need a timer to keep track of how long each object takes to hit the ground.
Ex.

Variables

Trial 1

Plastic Fork
Metal Fork

#8 Record your data: (Analysis)

Observation starters:
- During the experiment I observed..
- What I saw was
- Based on what I observed I think.
- Because the . It is possible that.

Trial 2

Trial 3

Average Time

- When I look at my data I noticed that.

- What was surprising was..
- I did not expect that.
- Its important to notice that..
#9. Conclusion
What did you learn from your experiments? Have you proved or disproved your hypothesis? You made a
guess about what you thought would happen. Now tell what really did happen and why.
CLAIM: (restate your experiment question, purpose of experiment and your hypothesis. Then write a claim
answering your original question. Was your hypothesis supported or not supported by the experiment
results?)
Evidence: (defend your claim by talking about your evidence. What does your data tell you? What else did
you observe that helps to support your claim?)
Reasoning: (What did you learn from your research that can explain why your experiment did what it did?)
#10. Prepare your class presentation: You will need a poster board to display your experiment and
findings.

Science Project Presentation

Student Name: ______________________________________________

Homeroom _______________

Exemplary

Accomplished

Developing

Beginning

Purpose / Question is clearly defined and grade level

appropriate.

Background Research is well done and helped student

identify the scientific concepts of the investigation.

Hypothesis is well defined and testable.

Planning and Preparation is obvious including

materials listed, clear procedure and safety precautions.

Experimental Procedure is logical and organized.

Experiment shows good sample (trial) size and data was
collected in metric unit.

Evidence is provided using effective methods. Data

chart, photographs, graphs and observation notes
provide accurate evidence.

Conclusion is stated in multiple organized paragraphs.

It is based on the results of the experiment and

JUDGING CRITERIA

None

effectively evaluates his/her project.

Visual Presentation was well prepared, attractive and
adds to the overall experience of the experiment.

Total: ____________ / 40 points

Your Poster board with completed experiment
and results is due May 2nd.