SCIENCE "I SEARCH" PAPER

    Your Home Project this month is to do some Independent Research in Science.  You may pick a topic from the list below.  These topics are themes from our sixth grade Science units this year.  We hope you will choose a topic in which  you are interested, to go further in depth.  We hope you choose a variety of resources with which to help you research answers to your questions.  We hope that you will write a clear story of your search in this "I Search" paper.

    Step One:   Choose a topic from the list below:
 
 
Water and the Environment Insects Studies
Earth Science: atmosphere, weather, ocean, rocks Astronomy and Space Science
Chemistry - Mixing solutions, molecules  Plants Growth, Botanical Studies
Nutrition  Human Body 
Physics: light, friction, motion, sound, gravity, simple machines Electricity - Magnets, Batteries and bulbs, Energy Resources

Step Two:  Ask 10 questions for which you would like  answers.

Step Three:  Search for answers in your community library, school library, Internet, cd-Rom's, magazines, books, newspapers, experts-on-line, personal research and experiments your do, and so forth.  Keep records of your research sources and the notes.

Step Four:  Type a three page paper of your "I Search".  It might go like this:

    I was interested in studying more about space science because I think I might like to be an astronaut one day when I grow up.  I had a lot of questions about space.  Some of my questions were.....
    I used many resources to help me find answers.  I went to the .....I searched the Internet using Metacrawler and found....
    Some of the things I learned about Space Science include......
    In summary,,......
    I still have many questions.  I want to know......

    Notice that your "I Search" paper is all in first person, from your point of view.

Evaluation:
    You will be evaluated on the quality of your work.  High scores will go to students who have an interesting introduction about the topic, use a variety of resources, ask interesting questions, describe complete notes found as answers to questions,  edit for grammar and spelling, and have a strong conclusion.  A bibliography is required. You may include photos and appendices if appropriate, but they are not necessary.  Please plan to share your "I Search" with the class on May 15th.

Some Internet Links for you :   go to      http://www.erols.com/allnutt/homeprojects.html

    Fairfax County Internet Science Links
http://www.erols.com/allnutt/sixthgr.htm

    Teacher and Student Resources in Science on the Net
http://www.erols.com/allnutt/science.html