Day 14: Preparing for the Science Meeting (Part 2)
Culminating Project
OVERVIEW
In the previous class, children made a plan for what their culminating project will include; today they will work on their product. Teams should be ready to present their work at the science meeting tomorrow.
MATERIALS
Each team needs:
- science notebooks with all documents, notes, etc.
- materials to make the chosen product, including traditional materials (e.g., paper and writing/drawing materials)
- access to team Inquiry Charts, Team Data Logs, and Team CER Charts
- Optional: “Examples of How to Display Data” sheet
SETUP
- Designate a central location where children can access all the materials needed for their culminating project.
- If necessary, ensure that each team has access to any technology they require.
WORKING ON THE CULMINATING PROJECT
During the allotted time, teams should be working on their projects. If not already addressed, explain that scientists hold science meetings to share and discuss the results of their investigations with other scientists or the public. Scientists may also meet with members of their own investigation team to share and analyze their data, discuss new questions that have arisen, and perhaps make plans for new investigations.
Remind the children that they have conducted their own investigations as a team, just as scientists often do, with each team member having a specific role. Congratulate the teams for being able to generate “authentic” data—data that has come from their own work!
Optional: If the team is creating a poster for their culminating project, the children may have questions about how to present data from their science investigation.
- Explain that using a chart makes it easier for others to understand the data. It presents the results in a clear and meaningful manner, using less space than text.
- Direct learners’ attention to the “Examples of How to Display Data” sheet for sample charts and graphs that they can use to display their data; they can decide as a team which one to use. Note: a graph is a type of chart, but a chart is not necessarily a graph.
- Remind learners that they have information on their Team Data Logs, Team CER Charts, and in their science notebooks that should guide them in deciding what data they will use.
End the day by checking learners’ progress on the culminating projects. Remind learners that tomorrow they will present their work as a team and that each team member will responsible for a part of it!