Basic 8 · Science · Term Project
Term Project in Science
In this topic you will apply the term's learning through a science project, using observation, investigation, recording and presentation of findings.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Plan a science project
- Carry out an investigation and record the results
- Present and evaluate the findings
What you already know
- All topics covered in Science this term
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
Lesson 1
- Strand
- Diversity Of Matter
- Sub-strand
- Term Project
Introduction
Scientists work on real questions. In this project you can investigate a question from your own community.
1. Project Options
| Option | Task | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| water filter | build a sand and charcoal filter | separation |
| mosquito survey | map breeding sites in your area | mosquito |
| solar cooker | build and test a solar oven | energy |
| tooth care | survey brushing habits in your school | teeth |
| carbon audit | estimate tree numbers and plant more | carbon cycle |
2. Writing a Plan
- State your question and hypothesis.
- List the materials you need.
- Decide what you will change, measure and control.
- Share roles among group members.
- Set a timetable.
- Identify safety risks.
3. A Worked Plan
A group building a water filter might ask, "Which filter gives the clearest water?" They could change the layers in a plastic bottle, using sand, gravel and charcoal. They would use the same amount and type of muddy water each time and compare clarity. They would not drink the filtered water, since filtered water may still contain germs.
Safety: Do not drink water from a homemade filter. Wear gloves when handling dirty water and wash your hands afterwards.
4. Thinking About Risks and Ethics
Good scientists think about safety and respect. Get permission before inspecting homes or taking photographs. Keep clear of dirty areas and sharp objects. Be truthful about results, even if they surprise you, and treat survey answers as confidential.
New words
- project
- A planned investigation.
- hypothesis
- A testable idea.
- timetable
- A plan of when tasks happen.
- ethics
- Rules of right conduct.
Summary
- Choose a project linked to the term's topics.
- Write a clear plan with variables and safety notes.
- Act safely and honestly.
Class activity: Project Planning
- Choose a project.
- Write a plan.
- Show it to your teacher for approval.
You need: Beaker, Hand lens, Safety goggles
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. A project plan should include…
- A. safety risks
- B. only a title
- C. nothing
- D. only pictures
Show answer
Answer: safety risksPlanning.2. Which project suits energy?
- A. solar cooker
- B. tooth survey
- C. mosquito map
- D. ink test
Show answer
Answer: solar cookerEnergy.3. Homemade filtered water is always safe to drink.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: FalseMay contain germs.4. Rules of right conduct are called ______.
Show answer
Answer: ethicsHonesty.5. List three things to include in a plan.
Show answer
Answer: Question, materials and safety risks.Any three.6. Why keep some factors the same in a test?
Show answer
Answer: So that any change in the result is caused by the factor being tested.Fair test.
Lesson 2
- Strand
- Diversity Of Matter
- Sub-strand
- Term Project
Introduction
Now it is time to test your idea. Careful work matters more than fast work.
1. Doing the Investigation
- Collect your materials.
- Follow your plan step by step.
- Take measurements carefully and repeat them.
- Record your data in a table straight away.
- Take photographs or drawings if allowed.
- Clean up and return apparatus.
2. Recording Data
Results
A group tests a solar oven, recording these temperatures: 10:00, 30 °C; 10:30, 45 °C; 11:00, 58 °C; 11:30, 64 °C. Find the total rise in temperature and the average rise for each 30 minutes.
- Total rise: 64 − 30 = 34 °C.
- There were 3 intervals of 30 minutes.
- Average: 34 ÷ 3.
Answer: 34 °C in total, and about 11 °C for each 30 minutes
3. Solving Problems
Things do not always work out. A hypothesis may turn out to be wrong, or apparatus might fail. Do not hide this. Scientists learn from failure. Find what went wrong, change your method and try once more. Record any changes that you make, because they form a part of the honest story of your project.
4. Analysing the Results
Look for patterns in your data. Draw a graph. Compare your results with your hypothesis. Is there another explanation for what happened? Could anything have made your results inaccurate? These questions will help you write a stronger conclusion. Use phrases like "Our results suggest" to show that one small test does not prove everything.
New words
- data
- Facts and numbers collected.
- pattern
- A regular trend in results.
- accuracy
- How close a result is to the true value.
- analyse
- To examine in detail.
Summary
- Follow your plan carefully and record results immediately.
- Learn from problems and record changes.
- Analyse patterns and link them to your hypothesis.
Class activity: Run the Investigation
- Carry out your investigation.
- Record your data in a table.
- Draw a graph of your results.
You need: Beaker, Hand lens, Safety goggles
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. Results should be recorded…
- A. immediately
- B. next month
- C. never
- D. only if good
Show answer
Answer: immediatelyAccuracy.2. A temperature rising from 25 °C to 40 °C is a rise of…
- A. 15 °C
- B. 65 °C
- C. 25 °C
- D. 40 °C
Show answer
Answer: 15 °C40 − 25.3. Scientists learn from failed tests.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueLearning.4. A regular trend in results is a ______.
Show answer
Answer: patternAnalysis.5. What should you do if your apparatus fails?
Show answer
Answer: Find the problem, change the method, repeat and record the change.Problem solving.6. Why say "our results suggest" and not "prove"?
Show answer
Answer: One small test is limited, and other factors could be at work.Caution.
Lesson 3
- Strand
- Diversity Of Matter
- Sub-strand
- Term Project
Introduction
Science is shared knowledge. Presenting your work lets others learn from it and question it.
1. Presenting Your Findings
- Give your question and hypothesis.
- Describe your method.
- Show your results in a table or graph.
- State your conclusion.
- Suggest improvements.
- Answer questions.
Use your own words. Bring your model or poster. Speak clearly and face your audience. Practise as a group so that everyone knows their part.
2. Evaluation Checklist
| Criterion | Question |
|---|---|
| question | Was it clear and testable? |
| method | Was it safe, fair and repeatable? |
| data | Was it recorded accurately? |
| conclusion | Did it match the evidence? |
| presentation | Was it clear and interesting? |
| teamwork | Did all members contribute? |
3. Taking It Further
The best projects help real people. A mosquito survey could lead your community to clear gutters. A tooth survey could lead to a school brushing campaign. A solar cooker could interest a local business. Share your findings with your school or assembly.
4. Scientists in Ghana
Ghana has produced fine scientists. Professor Francis Allotey made important contributions to mathematical physics. School science fairs, quizzes and STEM programmes encourage young scientists today. Think about what you might discover or invent.
5. Thanking Those Who Helped
Thank the people who gave you information or materials. Share your results with them, because they supported your work and may want to act on what you found.
New words
- evaluate
- To judge quality.
- conclusion
- What the results show.
- repeatable
- Giving the same results when done again.
- community
- The people living in an area.
Summary
- Present your question, method, results and conclusion.
- Evaluate projects using clear criteria.
- Use your findings to help your community.
Class activity: Science Fair
- Display your projects.
- Present them to classmates or visitors.
- Evaluate two other projects.
You need: Beaker, Hand lens, Safety goggles
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. A graph shows…
- A. results
- B. apparatus
- C. hazards
- D. rules
Show answer
Answer: resultsData.2. A repeatable method gives…
- A. similar results when repeated
- B. new results each time
- C. no results
- D. only errors
Show answer
Answer: similar results when repeatedReliability.3. Conclusions should match evidence.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueScience.4. To judge the quality of work is to ______.
Show answer
Answer: evaluateJudge.5. List three things to include in a presentation.
Show answer
Answer: Question, results and conclusion.Any three.6. How could a mosquito survey help a community?
Show answer
Answer: It shows breeding sites so that people can clear them and reduce malaria.Application.
Homework
- Write a report on your project of about 150 words.