Nature of Science, Lab Reports, and Science Fair Resources

Science Speed Dating

I wanted something for back-to-school that felt kind of academic but also told me a little about the kids but was hands-on and flexible and I couldn't find anything so I made this.

Set up little science stations to let the students get a taste of some of the different fields of sciene and have them do a little worksheet. Bada-bing, bada-boom!

Toilet Paper Test Lab

We do this lab after we learn about independent, dependent, and controlled variables, and hypothesis writing (Criterion B).

Our actual test was a strength test. We measured out a specific length of TP, placed it over a glass jar and rubber banded it in place. We used an equal amount of water to wet each sample, and then placed pennies on the saturated TP until they broke through.

PS: Our overall winner was Charmin Ultra. 

2021 NOSE Unit Planner

I teach at an MYP/IB school, so our first unit is dedicated to the basics of Criterion B and Criterion C. For non-MYP folks, that's lab reports.

This document should have all the relevant links to materials I created or found on online, including slides, lab sheets, and Google Form exit tickets. It also includes my completely candid notes to myself about things that worked and things that spectacularly failed. 

Use with caution! I'm not an expert lol.

Metric Olympics

This is a fun and slightly chaotic review of metric length, volume, and mass measurement.

Adapted from Science with Jordan.

M&M Lab

After a lesson on Qualitative Observations, dazzle your students by putting M&Ms in water. Seriously. 

Adapted from the American Chemical Society.

Qualitative and Quantitative Observations Practice

Set up is simple. Put a bunch of junk in paper bags and provide the appropriate measurement tools.

MYP Science Lab Report Guide

The BEST guide to the MYP lab report that I have ever found. If you teach in an MYP or IB school, you need to download this PDF.

Created by Brian Neises (The MYP Teacher)

Criterion B: Peer Review Guide

The practice of reflecting on one's work is essential to all learning, especially in the MYP. This resource guides students to work with their peers to improve their lab reports.

Criterion C: Peer Review Guide

The practice of reflecting on one's work is essential to all learning, especially in the MYP. This resource guides students to work with their peers to improve their lab reports.

Writing a Procedure Practice

First, we watch Cookie Monster get some bad directions about making an egg sandwich, then we write the directions again so that even Cookie Monster can follow them.

Goat by the Water

This is a classic lesson to each the difference between an observation and an inference. 

Adapted from Middle School Science.

Science Fair Contract

You won't regret sending home this alert to parents. This will open a line of communication that could be useful later on in the project.

Science Fair Project Planner

I hand out this document on the first day of science fair (the second page is a brainstorming document). It helps students track their own progress.

Science Fair Parent Project Approvals

I learned the hard way that there are some projects that you need to clear with parents. If your student wants to make slime, do baking, or some kind of sports activity, then their parents need to know that data will need to be collected at home or that they will need to purchase additional materials.

Science Fair Project Ideas and Vetted Research Links

Because decision making is hard, and scaffolding is BAE.