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Kwan, Winnie » Senior Seminar Research

Senior Seminar Research

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION:  LHS MAGNET SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY & RESEARCH SEMINAR

Ms. Kwan, Ms. Willis, Mr. McGillen

The goal of this class is to give our Magnet seniors a chance to use research skills and demonstrate that they have acquired, over the course of their years with us, a high level of ability and skills in the areas of math, science, and technology, which is the cornerstone of our Magnet program. 


Thus, they will be expected to:

- choose a research topic from the areas of math, science, or technology 

- research what is currently known about this topic, using various online sources and databases to produce   

  a high-quality research paper, using proper format from at least 5 sources.

- gather and analyze data which has a bearing on what they have researched (eg. design an experiment or 

run survey based research to analyze a particular problem or solution), OR show ability to apply acquired  

           knowledge to real-world situations and generate data (eg. demonstrate engineering theories, 

programming, modeling).    

- use google slides, power-point, or poster to present the highlights of your research and                

hands-on work to the Magnet community (students, parents, teachers, administrators) at a Senior Projects 

Symposium


This course is based on the Next Generation Science Standards Science Engineering Design Practices, and springs from the founding philosophy expressed in our Magnet program handbook.  We hope it will provide our students the final "tidying up", if you will, of any loose ends of their education, so that they can feel confident that they leave us well prepared for what's ahead!


You will have guidance for each step of the way but much of the research and hands-on component will be independently run. Plan for extra after school hours on zoom conferences, peer discussions, and research using the digital library.  All components of the research need to be well documented with data, pictures, learning artifacts or videos and properly cited to avoid plagiarism.


Calendar and Important Dates: (you will be deducted 10% off your score for the assignment every day it is late!)

  1. project idea approved by latest August 21
  2. outline of research paper due August 25
  3. materials & methods due by September 6
  4. research draft on background September 18
  5. hands-on work started by September 18
  6. revised materials methods and additional research sources completed: Expertise Test September 29
  7. hands-on project/data collection/demonstration done by November 8
  8. graphs constructed for analysis due  November 15
  9. research draft with data,graphs, analysis, and conclusion completed by November 17
  10. google slides turned in by November 28
  11. practice December 4-8
  12. research slides presented & project found to be of satisfactory quality by evaluating committee at Senior Symposium Caltech Dec 9, 2023
  13. research paper (final draft) turned in by  December 12, 2023



EVALUATION RUBRIC FOR SCIENCE RESEARCH AND INVESTIGATION COURSE:


20% of grade based on performance leading up to finished research work

  class participation: discussions/conference meetings

project design

carrying-out of hands-on work (technique, labeling, perseverance, science procedures used) 

documentation (completeness of lab notes, thoughts-in-progress, raw data)

documentation of notes taken and reflections on research articles used  

expertise test

rough draft sections of the research paper


40% of grade based on final draft of written report SEE RUBRIC HERE

1.Title Page with a descriptive title; name/date/section (all on its own page)                                                                        

2.Introduction with background information (cited) and experimental design elements in paragraph form;   

  3.Methods and Materials (in paragraph form)             

4.Results (includes analyzed data table, graphs, statistical analysis summary                                                      

5. Discussion (restate purpose and hypothesis; statement regarding support or not of hypothesis with statistical analysis; Reasoning for results supported by cited research; Possible errors and improvements;                                                 

 6. Resources section in APA format                                                   


40% of grade based on the finished project and its presentation (includes 10 minutes of oral discussion with visuals, then question and answer session):  SEE EVALUATION HERE

Format:  google slides/power-point

includes: purpose of research

incorporation of at least 4 research sources (8 if no hands on component)

abstract of hands on component (what you did, results obtained, analysis, conclusions)

unexpected problems and limitations affecting results, alternative or followup suggestions 

(evaluation based on clarity of information, completeness, expertise level

exhibited, response to questions, presentation style)