You may observe birds, animals, cockroaches, trees, weather patterns, instant noodles, ice cubes, or anything else that is not human for this project.
Project
In the second stage of the project, you will collect and analyze your data. You may need to collect supplies and measurement tools or travel to particular locations. You might need to spend a few minutes on several different days collecting and analyzing data, or you might be able to do this in one day. Be sure to allow adequate time for the observations.
To make your observations repeatable, you will need to describe exactly what you did.Describe any relevant aspects of what you did or the environment. Pictures can be very helpful in this process, so feel free to include lots of them, including a photo of you collecting your data. You will also need to do the following:
- Create a table listing your data.
- Create a chart or graph that shows your data and highlights what you think are important features of the data.
Stage 2 Report
Add the Stage 2 items to your Stage 1 report. Make any edits you would like. In addition to all the Stage 1 items, your Stage 2 report should include:
- a detailed description of your data collection methods: This description should be sufficiently detailed so that someone else can read it, repeat exactly what you did, and get the same or very similar results. Your description must include at least one photo of you making observations.
- a table listing all your data: The table must have a title, column headings, and measurement units (as appropriate). Photos of your data notebook are not sufficient. If it makes sense to do basic calculations with your data, such as calculating an average or a rate, include that also.
- a chart or graph of your data: The type of chart or graph must be suitable for your data. It must include a title, axis labels, and measurement units (as appropriate). The chart or graph should illustrate what you think is the most important aspect of your data and, ideally, make obvious whether your data support your hypothesis or cause you to reject your hypothesis.
The Stage 2 report will typically be four to six pages (this includes all the Stage 1 items and all the Stage 2 items). It may be longer if you include a lot of photos and graphics.
Grading Rubric—Stage 2
|
Item |
Points |
|
All the items from Stage 1 are included. |
10 |
|
The observation methods are described in sufficient detail. |
30 |
|
A photo illustrating the observations being made is included. |
10 |
|
A table of data is included. Table includes title, column headings, and units |
15 |
|
A graph of data is included. Graph is of a type appropriate to the data and includes title, axis labels, and units. |
15 |
|
An explanation about how the data are represented in or by the chart or graph is included. |
5 |
|
Report is of an appropriate length. |
5 |
|
Report is well organized and free from spelling and grammatical errors. |
10 |
|
Total |
100 |