SCIENCE PROJECTS

By : Ms. Michelle Castellino (12) Ms. Grizella DSouza (30) Ms. Kirti Fal Dessai (37) Ms. Nellyesha Florindo (54) Mr. Jimmy Mendes (67) NIE 2011-2012

What is a project?
A project is a problematic act carried to completion in its natural setting. J. A. Stevenson

A project is a whole hearted purposeful activity proceeding in a social environment. Dr. Kilpatrick

 A project is a unit of activity in which pupils are made responsible for planning and purposing. Parker

A project has some purpose and there is planning to achieve that purpose which is achieved in social, real and natural situations created in the school.

OBJECTIVES
Developing an experimental design and carrying out the experimental method of science. To represent facts in a most concrete manner. e.g. the stages involved in transpiration. To test the abilities of students to apply scientific principles to problem situations. To enhance logical thinking and problem-solving skills . To illustrate the skill of doing an activity

TYPES OF PROJECTS:
Producer projects

Consumer projects

Problem projects

Drill project

STEPS
Providing a situation: Teacher must always be on the look out to find situations Situations may be provided by different methods

 Choosing and purposing Kilpatrick, the part of the pupil and the part of the teacher in most of the school work depends largely on who does the proposing. The teacher may tempt the students but the choice must finally come from the students. the teacher should bear in mind that it should be of real need to pupils. The purpose of the project should be clearly defined and well understood by the pupils In case of wrong choosing, the teacher should tactfully guide the students to see that the project is not good

 Planning The teacher should guide the students to plan the project through good and scientific planning. Before the finalizing, the plan needs to be discussed among the students and every child involved should be given a chance to put forth his/her suggestions Later, each pupil should write the plan properly.

 Executing The work of the project should be distributed among the pupils of the group according to their interests and abilities. The teacher should guide, encourage and watch the progress of students and should give instructions wherever need be.

 Evaluating The students review the project and find out mistakes if any The teacher should see to it, that the objectives of the project have been achieved.

 Recording The students should keep a complete record of work

ROLE OF A TEACHER:
Teacher is a friend, guide and a working partner. Teacher provides occasions for shy pupils to come forward and contribute something towards the success of the project. Teacher learns with the students. In distributing responsibilities, the teacher helps in developing the character and personality of the pupil.

ROLE OF A TEACHER contd.

Teacher aims at inculcating Scientific Attitudes and giving training in the scientific method. Students feel free to express their ideas. Teacher needs to be alert and active all the time to see that the project is running successfully. Thorough knowledge of individual children is necessary so as to allot them work accordingly. Teacher should have initiative tact and zest for learning and should be well experienced.

MERITS
It is a cooperative enterprise: the teacher and students join the project. The teacher is a wise counsellor and a guide, while the child is an active agent. With a wise chosen theme the method tends to focus attention of interest to the pupils, of use to the community and of scientific importance.

MERITS contd.
Interest stimulating Enhances dignity of labour Students learn by self-activity. It calls for wholehearted purposeful activity Helps students to organise their knowledge.

DEMERITS
Time consuming Competence of the teacher Syllabus limitations It gives pupils a superficial knowledge Expensive

EVALUATION
The definition of goals and objectives is more of an art than a science, and it can be difficult to define them and align them correctly. Evaluation is done based on the following criteria: Specific, Measurable, Attainable/Achievable, Realistic and Time-bound (SMART).