Science Fair Project Research with Emphasis on Digital Citizenship

Ms. LJ Overstreet

Cave Spring High School

Chemistry Class

Objective:

In Chemistry, students are provided with a solid foundation for the interactions of science, technology, and society. Since you will be doing a science fair research project during this school year, you are expected to follow “… safe, legal, and ethical use of digital information and technology, including respect for copyright, intellectual property, and the appropriate documentation of sources.” (ISTE Standard #4)

(ISTE stands for International Society for Technology in Education)

What is Digital Citizenship?

Too often, we are seeing students as well as adults misuse the technology. Since all of you have school laptops, you must know how to use the technology at your hands appropriately.

I. Literacy You need the aptitude to be aware of and apply information in multiple formats from a

wide range of sources.

As you are doing your research, you to need to critically evaluate Web pages for 5 MAIN CONCEPTS:

Applicability How does the new information you found compare with what you already know about

your “research”?

Authenticity Look for citations on the web site that will allow you to search the validity of the site Look for a date created or a last updated date.

Authorship Does this site have an author’s name you recognize? Is there a bibliography about the author, links, or an email address?

Bias Make sure you are not being persuaded to look at an ad versus information Make sure the site is not using giveaways or contests to lure you in!

Usability Is it pertinent to your research? Why is the information here useful?

II. Safety1.Never give out personal information, such as your name,

address and telephone number.

2. Do not communicate with strangers online.

3. Report abusive or offensive web sites to your parents and teachers.

4.Protect your user name and password. Do not share.

5. Carefully select the web sites you visit.

6. Stay away from web sites that promote violence, hate or sexual material.

(from Roanoke County Public Schools)

III. Learning Strategies“Education is not the teaching of the three R’s. Education is the

teaching of the overall citizenship, to learn to live together with fellow citizens, and above all to learn to obey the law” (quote from US Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall).

StrategiesEncourage your peers to use digital communication, but correct them when they are doing something inappropriate that you see.Use e-mail in situations where short responses are most appropriate or use cell phones for learning purposes (e.g., accessing information in real time) not to text message, etc.Provide learning opportunities in different technology modes (e.g.,Web sites, chat rooms, course management systems).Teach information literacy (e.g., identifying, accessing, applying, and creating information) by using technology-infused projects.

IV. Digital Etiquette

Be polite and courteous to others online.Do not steal or copy documents or software for which you have not paid for or do not properly document in your paper -- plagiarism .Students should not forge, intercept or interfere with electronic mail messages. The use of obscene, lewd, profane, threatening or disrespectful language is prohibited. You should respect the computer system’s limits. You should not post chain letters or download large files. You should not use the computer system to disrupt others – hacking, spam, viruses. Students shall not read, modify or delete data owned by others.

You must accept responsibility with your right to use technology! (from Roanoke County Public Schools Internet Policy)

U.S kids' computer usage

You need to know how to use your technological resources that you have at hand usefully!

0 20 40 60 80 100

OnlineGames

IM

Texting

Cell Phone

Daily Use

Online

CHEMISTRY RESEARCH PAPER RUBRIC2008-2009

Category Scoring Criteria Points TeacherEvaluation

Title Page Title page consists only of a descriptive title for the paper, author’s name, and paper completion date. 5

Introduction A thesis statement makes the research topic clear. DO NOT begin your paper with “this paper is about.” Be sure to define your topic in the introduction. What do you plan to cover in the paper? This section should be a summary of the points you will cover in the body of the paper.

20

Body of Research Paper

Scientific terms and concepts are properly used (15 pts). Research findings are presented in the student’s own words, NOT “cut and pasted.” Plagiarism issues will be dealt with according to the guidelines published on August 25, 2004 by Roanoke County Public Schools. All papers will be submitted to Turnitin.com to be screened for plagiarism. Sources are properly cited using MLA style (60 points). Grammar, spelling, punctuation, and capitalization are used properly throughout the paper (10 pts,). There are NO first person statements in the paper (5 pts). There are NO contractions used (i.e., can’t won’t, etc) (5 pts). No abbreviations are used in the paper (5 pts). NOTE: use Times New Roman font in 12 pt., double-spaced, 1-inch margins on all sides. The Introduction, Body, and Conclusion of your paper should be at least 4 COMPLETE pages and no more than 5 complete pages. Any diagrams, pictures, charts, etc. should be put into an Appendix. The Appendix should go after the Works Cited page. You must refer to your Appendix in the body of your paper. For example, if you want to include a picture that illustrates what you are writing about, then write “See Appendix A” in the body of your paper when you want the reader to look at the picture.

100

Conclusion Student’s final thoughts about the research topic are stated. No new information is introduced. The conclusion should “tie together” your thesis statement with the body of your paper.

10

Works Cited The works cited page should be in MLA style. AT LEAST 5 sources should be used. TWO sources must come from journals, books, or other published documents published within the past 1-2 years. Note: it is acceptable to use the INTERNET to access journals, documents, etc. Students who are researching the same topic and are part of the same group may have no more than 2 of the same sources in the Works Cited.

15

Score Total Points 150

Chemistry Research

While researching,

Know if you are using a RELIABLE source or not!

Make sure the site relates to your research so far!

Make sure you can check out the site with other links and/or periodicals

listed there.

http://www.borden.forces.gc.ca/995/1/4/14-8-mul.jpg

THE END!!

Now get busy with your research!