Each year we spend a signifcant amount of time helping students develop a
major independent research project. The end of the project is set to
allow the stronger students compete in regional and state science,
mathematics and engineering fairs.
Research Seminar becomes a focus of some of the interdiscpilnary work
we do in the junior year where project work is found in all of our
curriculum. It is an evolving course which remains fluid throughout the
year but needs a certain amount of structure to function.Here
is this year's proposed schedule for Research Seminar.
Please note it is subject to change as we see a need.
| Week of | Meeting 1 | Meeting 2 | notes |
| September 3 | Summer assignment of backround reading in an area of interest checked | Peer discussions of Posing Good Questions | distrbute form of questions submission | September 10 | Using the library or internet for research (groups switch) | Using the library or internet for research (groups switch) | ~ |
| September 17 | Initial question due (written) / peer review of questions | discussion of variables and questions as they apply to specific disciplines; proposals discussed and samples by discipline distributed | SUBMIT FINAL QUESTION TO ADVISOR |
| September 24 | Work on technical reading by discpline using primary source article on the student's specific topic | bibliography of at least three sources on chosen work, checked in LOG BOOK by advisors | ~ |
| October 1 | FIRST DRAFT OF PROPOSAL due / peer review | advisors / advisees question status | ~ |
| October 8 | FINAL DRAFT OF PROPOSAL due | work time | ~ |
| October 15 | discussion of project experimental design | discussion of proposals with advisors | ~ |
| October 22 | break | break | break |
| October 29 | Proposed experimental design discussed with advisor as written in your LOG BOOK . | EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN DUE | ~ |
| November 5 | discuss and practice Interview techniques | discuss possible interviews by discpline | ~ |
| November 12 | Discuss equipment and supply needs with staff, this needs to be listed with possible sources in your LOG BOOK . | discussion of oral presentations | name of person to be interviewed, and 10 proposed questions due to advisor and also in LOG BOOK |
| November 19 | 5 MINUTE PROPOSAL / DESIGN ORAL PRESENTATIONS | Thanksgiving | Thanksgiving |
| November 26 | statistics discussion | statistics discussion | Interview write-up due |
| December 3 | statistics discussion | statistics discussion | LOG BOOK checked for 5 good working bibliographic sources, up to date entries |
| December 10 | discussion of research paper structure | work time | LOG BOOK checked for experimental progress |
| December 19 | advisor meeting time | work time | ~ |
| December 24 | break | break | break |
| December 31 | break | break | ~ |
| January 7 | break | data check by advisors Discussion of project displays | ~ |
| January 14 | FINAL LITERATURE REVIEW with documentation DUE / peer editing) | LOG BOOK check (data and analysis) | ~ |
| January 21 | <PROJECT BOARD peer/ advisor review of this in your LOG BOOK | ethical discussion of allocation of credit | ~ |
| January 28 | Project Board PRESENTATION to academy faculty | advisor discussion | ~ |
| February 4 | meeting with advisors for poster feedback LOG BOOK check | work time | ~ |
| February 11 | FIRST DRAFT with documentation DUE, two copies (peer / advisors) | LOG BOOK check with advisors | ~ |
| February 19 | Academy Science Fair Presentations to Judges on campus | work time | ~ |
| February 26 | advisor time / work time | work time | FINAL PAPER DUE two copies (one for the file) |
Academy Sciene Fair Presentation is scheduled for February
19, 2002. Here students will be chosen to enter the Regional Science
Fair. The Regional Science Fair is March 8, 2002. All deadlines are
expected to be met as presented.
Any student whose log book does not meet expectations must schedule
additional meeting(s) with their advisor.
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