Science Journal Project
Over the next two months of Physics, you are to use 10-15 minutes on assigned days to read
about some topic of interest in a science related article or book. You may bring these in from
home, or access my collection of books and magazines at the side of the classroom. In a journal,
you are to:
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


Mark down the date
Title of book or article read
Summarize what you have read
Write down any questions/comments after reading the article.
From these readings, you will choose ONE topic to study in more depth. You are to rely on the
questions you have about a topic after reading about it.
Can you find the answer to your questions? Do more questions occur to you as you study the
topic?
You are to complete research- during science journal time in class, and on your own time at
home. You are to complete ONE of the following
A research report
A powerpoint
A poster
OR present your topic to the class
The project must include:
Why you are interested in the topic
The questions that you had about the topic
The results of your research into the topic
Visuals to help the class understand the topic
A proper work cited page for all of your research
This project is to be completed before Easter. If you wish to present to the class, please discuss
with me an appropriate date.
Rubric for Research Projects
LEVEL 1
LEVEL 2
LEVEL 3
LEVEL 4
Knowledge and
Understanding
CRITERIA
Demonstrates limited
understanding of
concepts related to topic
Demonstrates some
understanding of
concepts related to topic
Demonstrates
considerable
understanding of
concepts related to topic
Demonstrates thorough
understanding of
concepts related to topic
Communication
of information
and ideas
• Communicates
information and ideas
with limited clarity and
precision
• Communicates
information and ideas
with some clarity and
precision
• Communicates
information and ideas
with considerable clarity
and precision
• Communicates
information and ideas
clearly and precisely
Bibliography or Work
Cited is not complete
Uses a bibliography
Uses a proper work cited
page
Use of scientific
terminology,
symbols,
conventions,
and standard
(SI) units
Application
Making Connections
between concepts and the
world around us
• Uses scientific
terminology, symbols,
conventions, and SI
units with limited
accuracy
• Uses scientific
terminology, symbols,
conventions, and SI
units with some
accuracy
• Uses scientific
terminology, symbols,
conventions, and SI units
with considerable
accuracy
 Uses a proper work
cited page with
citations throughout
the report
• Uses scientific
terminology, symbols,
conventions, and SI
units with few if any
errors
Makes connections
between science,
technology and society
with limited effectiveness
Makes connections
between science,
technology and society
with some effectiveness
Makes connections
between science,
technology and society
with considerable
effectiveness
Makes connections
between science,
technology and society
with a high degree of
effectiveness
COMMUNICATION
Limited use of visuals
OR visuals not
relevant to ideas
presented
Powerpoint
OR
Presentation to class
Technology used
emphasizes text with
some visuals OR
visuals detract from
presentation
Technology is
appropriate and
visuals add to the
presentation
Creative use of
multimedia with
visuals that illustrate
main ideas