Canyon Crest Academy

Learning Objectives: 

Select a General Area of Interest

• Pursue background research on several potential general areas of interest
•  Select one general area of interest
•  Explain (in writing) why you selected the general area of interest
  

Research and Narrow the Topic

• Pursue in-depth research in the area of interest--including primary, secondary, and tertiary sources
• in scientific journals
• Communicate with scientists working in this topic area
• Discuss (in writing) the contributions that specific scientists have made to understanding this topic
• Explain (in writing) the relevance/importance/potential applications of this topic
  

Develop a Research Question

• Study additional background on your topic with a particular emphasis on primary resources
• Identify a professional researcher who will serve as your mentor/supervising scientist
• Arrange for a meeting between your instructor and your mentor scientist
• Develop a written agreement with your mentor that clearly identifies agreed upon expectations for you and the mentor scientist (including district consent form, roles, responsibilities, time, and materials)
• Develop a tentative and original research question
• Discuss your research question with your instructor and mentor scientist
• Select a research question that has potential for original research
• Explain (in writing) the relevance/importance of your research question
  

Design a Research Hypothesis

• Write a review of the literature for the your research project
• Develop a tentative hypothesis or statement of purpose
• Summarize (in writing) the reasoning and research that led to this hypothesis
• Discuss your research hypothesis with your instructor and mentor scientist
  

Design a Research Plan

• Draft a tentative research plan to test your hypothesis through experimentation (data collection) and analysis
• Summarize your tentative research plan using a design matrix
• Prepare a list of needed materials and resources
• Determine the feasibility of the research, including time, materials, and cost
• Describe (in writing) the proposed method or procedures for your project
• Clearly indicate how you manipulate the independent variable,  measure the dependent variable, and control other potential variables
• Determine that you have included sufficient numbers in both control and experimental groups to be statistically valid
• Discuss your research plan with your instructor and mentor scientist
• Develop a realistic timeline for each component of your research plan
• Develop data tables for recording raw and derived data
• Determine that your research plan meets the safety and ethical guidelines (for appropriate research involving human subjects, non-human vertebrate animals, pathogenic agents, controlled substances,
• recombinant DNA, and human or non-human animal tissue)
• Obtain Required Approval for the Research Plan
• Review the information, rules, regulations and forms available at Science Service for the Intel
• Talent Search (International Science and Engineering Fair Science Project)
• Review information, rules, regulations and forms for entry into other science fairs or symposiums recommended by your teacher
• Use ISEF Rules Wizard at http://www.sciserve/isef/students/wizard/index.asp to determine what forms and approvals are necessary before implementing your research plan
• Arrange for a meeting between your instructor and your mentor scientist
• Work with your instructor and mentor to complete the Greater San Diego Science Fair Proposal Form (and if needed animal, human, hazards and tissue forms)
• Order or arrange for needed materials/equipment required for implementing your research plan
• Conduct the Research Investigation
• Maintain a Laboratory Project Data Book that includes detailed notes of each and every
• experiment, measurement and observation (follow the guidelines provided by your teacher)
• Have your instructor, mentor, or a designated adult sign each of the dated entries in your project
• data book to provide evidence of your work
• Implement a preliminary trial of the methods
• Revise or refined the methods based on the preliminary trial
• Discuss with your mentor or instructor potential techniques for statistically analyzing the data you plan to collect (if appropriate)
• Submit any revisions of original research plan for instructor and mentor approval
• Conduct your research following your proposed timeline
• Periodically seek review of your research progress from your instructor and mentor
• Prepare photographs to illustrate key methods, equipment, or results
• Continue to do research to increase your understanding of other scientists' work related to your
• research project
  

Data Analysis

• Use computer spreadsheet software to enter your raw data into a spreadsheet
• Select and used appropriate statistical analysis techniques/software to analyze your data
• Use appropriate computer software to create data tables/charts to summarize/analyze your data
• Prepare a written draft of the discussion/analysis of the data  (including patterns, relationships,
• support/lack of support for hypothesis, and sources of error)
• Obtain feedback this data discussion/analysis from your instructor and mentor
  

Write a Research Paper

• Review the guidelines for writing a research paper provided by the Intel Talent Search at
• www.sciserv.org or by your teacher
• Write a 250-word abstract that includes the purpose of the experiment, procedures used, data,
• conclusions, and possible research applications
• Write a rough draft for each section of the research paper including title page and table of contents,
• introduction, literature review, materials and methods, discussion, conclusion, acknowledgements,
• references and bibliography.  (follow the guidelines provided by your teacher)
• Evaluate your research paper and project using the "Criteria for Evaluation of Projects" from the Siemens Westinghouse Competition
• Seek feedback on each section of your rough draft from your peers, instructor, and mentor
• Use feedback and self-evaluation to make revisions to each section of the research paper
• Prepare a final draft of your research paper
• Prepare a 100-word easily understandable summary of your project in layperson's terms that includes background, procedures, conclusions, and relevance

Complete the Applications

• Identify a science competition to enter (ie. Intel, Science Fair, Siemens)
• Complete application for competition selected, pay special attention to deadlines.
• Submit your application to your instructor and mentor for review
• Refine your project as required for inclusion in other science research competitions Preparing a Visual Display
• Review guidelines for creating an effective poster presentation (provided by your teacher)
• Prepare a display that is organized, clear, concise, correctly presented, well-constructed, and eye-
• catching.
• Practice speaking freely and confidently about your display to demonstrate that you have a good grasp of your project
• Present your display to classmates and engaged in discussion and answering questions related to your work
• Complete peer reviews on visuals and presentations