Science Research Project

Tuscarora High School2012-2013 Academic School YearScience Research Project

Tuscarora Science TracksEarth Science 9th Grade9th grade: Honors Earth Science10th grade: Biology11th grade: Chemistry, Environmental, Physics, AP Biology (w/Chem), GIS12th grade: AP level courses, Environmental, GIS or ISRHonors Biology 9th Grade9th grade: Honors Biology10th grade: Chemistry11th grade: AP Biology, AP Chemistry, Physics, Environmental, GIS12th grade: AP level courses, Environmental, GIS or ISRWhere should I be in math?Honors Earth Science 9th GradeEntering into at minimum Algebra 1 or past Algebra 1Should be an A-B student in mathHonors Biology 9th GradeEntering into at minimum Geometry or past GeometryShould be an A student in mathWhy Science Research?Scientific Research is about studying the natural phenomenon that occurs on Earth & how we can better improve our world.Problem Solving SkillsApply mathematical skillsAnalysis/Data SkillsPresent their findings to scientists in the greater DC metropolitan area.

Excellent Award Winning Projects ISR Course

Excellent Award Winning ProjectsISR Course

Excellent Award Winning ProjectsISR Course

Other project exampleswww.lcps.orgClick on academicsScroll to ScienceClick on LCPS Regional Science and Engineering FairClick on 2012 Student AbstractsHonors = building research skills Through inquiry based projects/labs!Honors Earth Science: (25% of your grade each quarter)Foundational science course to build research based skills for higher level science courses Learning how to conduct background research for inquiry based labs or earth science related projects, creating procedures for different earth science topics, applying their knowledge in applicable experiments/models, analyzing data using mathematical analysis, etc.Examples:Oceanography Project setting up a salt water tank and investigating how organisms behave in that environment. Students will also use salinity sensors and hygrometers to learn about different scientific tools used in ocean exploration.Meteorology Project Tracking hurricanes during the season using the ArcGIS program, GPS equipment etc.

Successful 9th Grade Honors Biology Students areFurther utilizing skills gained in honors earth science to use in inquiry based labs or biology related projects, further skills in analyzing data using statistical analysisAbility to write a research paper, cite a paper, create bibliography in APA format on your own before entering this course!Higher level math ability On top of school work, seeks helps and asks questions!OrganizedTime management skillsPassionate about sciencePassionate about math analysisLoves to experimentTakes responsibility, completes assignments on timeStudent should want to be here!!!Honors Biology: (25% of your grade each quarter)

Taking Honors Biology as a Freshman..You will complete the following assignments over the summer:Student Interest SurveyHow to Read a Scientific PaperLiterature Review: Collection of 10 sourcesLiterature Review on a specific science topic or current event topic

Student interest surveyStudent Interest Survey: use the word template to type in your answers..this will help you lead to scientific current events you are interested in to write your Science Literature Review!

How to read a scientific PaperA 3 part assignment to help you gain understanding on how to read scientific papers:A scavenger hunt on how to find scientific papers and the information they contain.Using a scientific journal article and analyzing the parts of the scientific inquiry (hypothesis, IV, DV, control, constants, results, analysis and conclusion)Using Ted Talks Bio-mimicry in Action and analyzing the scientists findings10 Sources and NotesDecide on your topic areaCollect 10 sources/informational notes on previous research that pertains to your topic area.Credible vs. non-credibleExamples:Bacterial growth with different types of pimple creams: how bacteria respond to different chemicals, tests that were previously done on the products, the differences in pimple creams on the market.How age affects ability to read and comprehend volume and numbers: aging effects on brain development, how much a person can memorize in a given amount of time.

Literature reviewStudent will organize their 10 sources into a well written paper with an introduction to their topic and a conclusion based on what has been discovered about their topic, what needs to be improved, and where scientists can go from here.Roughly 1000 word paperUse APA format for in text citations and your bibliographyNow what? Please contact your guidance counselor or Gabrielle Carpenter (Gabrielle.Carpenter@lcps.org) if you are switching to honors earth science.

If you enroll in honors biology.You will submit all of your work (student survey, how to read a scientific paper assignment, 10 sources/notes, and Literature review) on SEPTEMBER 5th and 6th 2012If you have specific questions on an assignment:Amanda Smith amanda.smith@lcps.orgBenjamin Kagan benjamin.kagan@lcps.org

All assignments are on the science department webpage (under academics, scroll down to science and the Honors Biology Requirements link on the left tool bar to access everything!)

ANY QUESTIONS?????