Junior Science Research Projects

(SD5R/SD6R)

Overview

Faculty

name   office   em ail (718) 724–8500
Mr. Elert   A214   elert@ midwoodscience.org ext. 2141
Mr. McDonnell    A300    mmcdonn2@ schools.nyc.gov ext. 3003
Mr. Rosenfeld   A200   trosenf@ schools.nyc.gov ext. 2003
Ms. Sullivan   A214   jsulliv11@ gmail.com ext. 2141

Fall Semester (SD5R)

Fall Meetings for Juniors

Check the calendar on midwoodscience.org often. Individual, team, or small group meetings are the way business gets done. (Large group meetings are rare.) Keep your supervising teacher up to date on your progress. Do not hesitate to tell us of problems. Above all, do not miss your appointments. They count significantly toward your grade.

Preliminaries

Assignment 0: Official Documents

Getting Into a Lab

Assignment 1: Scientific Interests

Identify 3 possible work sites and provide the following information for each work site.

  1. Find a researcher in the NYC area and report their …
    1. Name
    2. Department
    3. Institution
    4. URL
  2. What do they work on? (Do not copy any text from their webpage to answer this question.)
  3. Why might you want to work there?

Email your answers to your supervising teacher within 2 business days after the assignment is announced (plain text with no attachments). Put SD5R HW1 in the subject line.

Assignment 2: Cover Letter

Answer the following questions in a "cover letter".

  1. Who are you?
  2. What do you want

Email your cover letter to your supervising teacher within 2 business days after the assignment is announced (plain text with no attachments). Put SD5R HW2 in the subject line.

Assignment 3: Resume

  1. Write your resume.
  2. Get it perfect.

Print your resume on paper and bring it to your next meeting. You will write and rewite this assignment several times.

Reading Scientific and Technical Papers

Assignment 4: Watson & Crick

Assignment 5: Hubble

Assignment 7: Classic Paper

The purpose of this activity is to analyze an original and notable piece of science as reported in a scientific research journal using the following summary technique.

Some examples: There is at least one original and notable paper associated with each of the following scientific theories …

 
Biology Chemistry Earth/Space Science Physics
Blood pressure Alpha helix & beta sheet Continental drift Charge of the electron
Germ theory of disease Discovery of the neutron Greenhouse effect Superconductivity
Miller-Urey experiment Electron spin Alvarez hypothesis X-ray diffraction
Structure of DNA Rutherford model Cosmic expansion Davisson-Germer experiment
 

Some additional bits of information.

Due dates will be announced when I get around to it. Keep an eye out for the dates to …

Preparing for the Intel STS: Part I

Intel Science Talent Search Logo

Assignment 6: Write the first Intel personal essay: Your Promise as a Scientist, Mathematician or engineer

Address through specific and concrete examples what characteristics you have that best demonstrate your affinity and aptitude for being a good scientist. What have you done that illustrates scientific attitude, curiosity, inventiveness, initiative? How does your experience suggest future success as a scientist, mathematician or engineer? Please address this topic in 500 words or fewer. Provide a word count to confirm that you have not exceeded the limit.

Lab Logs

Lab logs are due at the first meeting of each month.

  1. June/July/August lab logs are due in September.
  2. September lab logs are due in October.
  3. October lab logs are due in November.
  4. November lab logs are due in December.
  5. December lab logs are due in January.

Spring Semester (SD6R)

Spring Meetings for Juniors

Check the calendar on midwoodscience.org often. Individual, team, or small group meetings are the way business gets done. (Large group meetings are rare.) Keep your supervising teacher up to date on your progress. Do not hesitate to tell us of problems. Above all, do not miss your appointments. They count significantly toward your grade.

Preparing for the Intel STS: Part II

Intel Science Talent Search Logo

Assignment 8: Intel STS Practice Application

Part A: Answer all relevant questions in this Word document to the best of your ability. Questions marked with an asterisk are required and must be answered. Type your responses in the blank space below each question. Do not modify the formatting. Save frequently. Do not print. Email the completed document to your supervising teacher at least one day before your February meeting.

Part B: Show this letter to your mentor (the person who is most familiar with your research). Explain that you will be asking them to complete a similar set of questions online with a deadline in mid-November. Return the tear off signature line to your supervising teacher. Let your mentor keep the remainder of the letter for future reference.

Preparing for NYCSEF

nycsef flyer

Assignment 9: Visit NYCSEF

The New York City Science and Engineering Fair will be held Sunday, March 4, 2012 at City College in Hamilton Heights, Manhattan. Juniors and Sophomores will attend from 2:00–4:00 PM during the public viewing period. Attendance will be taken near the end of the fair. Look for a Midwood science teacher or an officially designated student monitor.

Assignment 10: NYCSEF Practice Application

Overview: Participation in the New York City Science and Engineering Fair (NYCSEF) is required for all seniors in Science Research. The application packet consists of an astounding 26 pages of rules and guidelines and 21 pages of forms. The list below provides a link to a local copy of every document available from the NYCSEF website identified by page number.

  1. Rules and Guidelines
  2.  
    1. Student / Project Information
    2. Team Information
    3. Official Project Abstract
    4. Research Plan / Project Summary (4 Parts): Instructions
    5. Research Plan / Project Summary (4 Parts): Instruction, continued
  3. Checklist for Adult Sponsor (1)
  4. Signature Page
  5. Student Checklist
  6. Approval Form (1B)
  7. Regulated Research Institutional/Industrial Setting Form (1C)
  8. Qualified Scientist Form (2)
  9. Risk Assessment Form (3)
  10. Human Participants Form (4)
  11. Human Informed Consent Form
  12. Vertebrate Animal Form (5A)
  13. Vertebrate Animal Form (5B)
  14. Potentially Hazardous Biological Agents Risk Assessment Form (6A)
  15. Human and Vertebrate Animal Tissue Form (6B)
  16. Continuation Projects Form (7)

Part A: Review all 21 NYCSEF forms. Determine which of three basic categories each form belongs to …

  1. forms that are primarily the responsibility of the student
  2. forms that are primarily the responsibility of the mentor
  3. forms that do not apply to your specific project

Complete as much of this cover letter as you can, print it out, and bring it to your April meeting. DO NOT GIVE IT TO YOUR MENTOR TO SIGN YET. Your supervising teacher needs to review it for accuracy first.

Part B: Print out the forms that you will ask your mentor to fill out next year. Arrange them in order, place the completed and approved cover letter on top, and staple the whole packet together. Deliver the packet to your mentor as soon as possible. Explain that you will be asking them to complete a similar packet of forms with a deadline in mid-December. Return the tear off signature line to your supervising teacher. Let your mentor keep the remainder of the cover letter and the attached forms for future reference.

Assignment 11: NYCSEF Research Plan / Project Summary

The project summary is a succinct detailing of the rationale, research questions, methodology and risks of your research project and should be completed PRIOR to the start of your experimental research. Submit your final draft to your supervising teacher on or before Friday, April 27, 2012.

  1. 500 words or less
    What is the RATIONALE for your project? Please include a brief synopsis of the background research that supports your research problem and explain why this research is important scientifically and, if applicable, explain any potential societal impact of your research. Please include citations in your project rationale.
  2. 250 words or less
    State your HYPOTHESIS(ES) / RESEARCH QUESTION(S) / ENGINEERING GOAL(S). Describe how your research question(s), hypothesis(es) and/or goal(s) build on the research described in your project rationale.
  3. 500 words or less
    1. Describe in detail your research methods and conclusions.
      • Procedures/Data Collection: Detail experimental design, including all procedures used for data collection. Be sure to describe in detail only those methods and procedures you (and your teammates) conducted, and not those of your mentor, teacher, or from any other researcher.
      • Data Analysis: Describe the procedures to be used to analyze your data and answer your research question(s).
    2. Be sure to address all questions in Part B that are relevant to your research project. PART B – ONLY For projects with:
      • HUMAN SUBJECTS (See pages 7-9 of the Rules and Guidelines)
        • Subjects. Describe who will participate in your study (age range, gender, racial/ethnic composition). Identify any vulnerable populations (minors, pregnant women, prisoners, mentally disabled or economically disadvantaged).
        • Recruitment. Where will you find your subjects? How will they be invited to participate?
        • Methods. What will participants be asked to do? Will you use any surveys, questionnaires or tests? What is the frequency and length of time involved for each subject? Please include a copy of the survey or questionnaire (if used) in the research study and provide information as to how the survey questions will inform the research project.
        • Risks. What are the risks or potential discomforts (physical, psychological, time involved, social, legal etc) to participants? How will you minimize the risks?
        • Benefits. List any benefits to society or each participant.
        • Protection of Privacy. Will any identifiable information (e.g., names, telephone numbers, birth dates, email addresses) be collected? Will data be confidential or anonymous? If anonymous, describe how the data will be collected anonymously. If not anonymous, what procedures are in place for safeguarding confidentiality? Where will the data be stored? Who will have access to the data? What will you do with the data at the end of the study?
        • Informed Consent Process. Describe how you will inform participants about the purpose of the study, what they will be asked to do, that their participation is voluntary and they have the right to stop at any time.
      • VERTEBRATE ANIMALS (See pages 10-12 of the Rules and Guidelines)
        • What POTENTIAL ALTERNATIVES to vertebrate animals were considered for this project? Be sure to present a detailed justification for use of vertebrate animals.
        • What procedures or methods that will be used to minimize potential discomfort, distress, pain and injury to the animals during the course of experimentation and any detailed chemical concentrations and drug dosages. Projects containing procedures classified as USDA Pain Category D or E are PROHIBITED for NYCSEF.
        • How many animals will be used in this study? Provide the species, strain, sex, age, etc of the animal and how the animals will be housed and cared for daily. Justify the number of animals planned for this study.
        • How will the animals be disposed of at the termination of the study? Experimental procedures involving toxicity studies, predator/vertebrate prey experiments, or studies where students performed euthanasia on a vertebrate animal are PROHIBITED for NYCSEF.
      • POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS BIOLOGICAL AGENTS (See pages 13-16 of the Rules and Guidelines)
        • Provide a description of the Biosafety Level Assessment process and BSL determination (see page 16 for details).
        • Where did you obtain the specimen, agent, source of specific cell line, etc.?
        • What safety precautions will be used during experimentation?
        • How will any potentially hazardous biological agents be disposed of at the end of the study?
      • HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS, ACTIVITIES & DEVICES (See pages 17-19 of the Rules and Guidelines)
        • Provide a description of the Risk Assessment process and results.
        • Provide a brief summary of the chemical concentrations and drug dosages that will be used in experimentation.
        • What safety precautions and procedures will be used to minimize risk?
        • How will any hazardous chemicals or materials be disposed of at the end of the study?
  4. 500 words or less
    Provide a list of AT LEAST FIVE (5) MAJOR REFERENCES used to form the basis of your research project. References must be from science journal articles, books, or other publications. Encyclopedias and Internet search engines (e.g. Google, Yahoo, WebMD, Wikipedia, etc.) are not considered as major references and WILL NOT be accepted.

Finishing the Year

Assignment 12: PowerPoint Presentations

PowerPoint icon

Midwood High School Science Fair

Midwood Science

Thursday, May 24, 2012, 3:00–6:00 PM

All Science Research students participate in this event.

Lab Logs

Lab logs are due at the first meeting of each month.

  1. January logs are due in February.
  2. February logs are due in March.
  3. March lab logs are due in April.
  4. April lab logs are due in May.
  5. May lab logs are due in June.

Extra Credit

STEM = Science, Technology, Engineering, Math

Public Lecture

Attend a STEM lecture

Possible Lectures

Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) Image of the Week (IOTW)

Create a blog entry around a set of scanning electron microscope images.

Competitions and Events

Participate in STEM competitions or attend STEM special events.

Last Updated 30 January 2012. Expired items are written with a strikethrough. New items will be added as they come across my desk. Contact me if you find anything you think I should check out.

 

Midwood Science Research
Midwood Science Research Program
Glenn Elert — Coordinator		 Midwood High School at Brooklyn College   Midwood High School at Brooklyn College
David Cohen — Principal
2839 Bedford Avenue
Brooklyn NY 11210
(718) 724–8500