Junior Science Research Projects
(SD5R)
Overview
- The first goal of this class is to help students find volunteer positions in academic, government, or industrial labs where they will participate in scientific research with a mentor. Projects typically take from 5 to 15 months to complete and end over the summer or during the first few months of senior year.
- The second goal of this class is to help students acquire the skills needed to be successful in the scientific competitions that occur in senior year. Students will be given assignments that align with the requirements of the Intel Science Talent Search (Intel STS), the New York City Science and Engineering Fair (NYCSEF), the Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology, and others.
- Students can receive college credit for the work done in this class. SUNY Albany will award 4 credits for work done during the regular academic year and 2 credits for work done during the summer. The grade you receive in this class will be the grade that appears on your SUNY Albany transcript if you register for this option and pay them the very reasonable fee. For more info, see Mr. Rosenfeld in room A200.
- Students enrolled in this class commit to the entire academic year whether or not they ever find work in a lab or intend to continue working over the summer and on into senior year. The work requirements for this class are identical for all students.
- Grades are based partly on how much you do (the more things you try, the better your grade will be) and partly how well you do them (the better your work is, the better your grade will be) Every month spent working in a lab is worth one point toward your final grade. Mandatory assignments are highlighted in yellow. Important dates are in red. There are many extra credit opportunities. See grades-sd5r.pdf and grades-sd6r.pdf for more information.
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@ |
schools.nyc.gov |
ext. 2141 |
Fall Semester (SD5R)
Fall Meetings for Juniors
The year starts with biweekly large group meetings.
- Entrance meeting on the first day of the semester. Everyone attends.
- September and October
- Students in SD5R-01 meet on Monday and Wednesday (and the occasional Friday).
- Students in SD5R-02 meet on Tuesday and Thursday (and the occasional Friday).
Keep your supervising teacher up to date on your progress. Individual, team, or small group meetings are the way this business gets done. Do not miss your appointments.
- October: 1 meeting
- November: 2 meetings
- December: 2 meetings
- January: 2 meetings
Preliminaries
Assignment 0: Official documents
- You will give me …
- Your email address (so that I can contact you and so that email from you does not wind up in the spam box).
- Signed parent release (so that you can leave the building and work outside of the school).
- Signed room usage agreement (so that you can use the research room — A214).
- Signed photo release form (so that we can publicize your accomplishments on the school's web site).
- Proof of lab assignment when you find a place to work (so that you can get 1.1 weighting on your grade and a student MetroCard).
- I will give you …
- Letter of reference (for those who think they may need it).
- MetroCards (for students working in a lab).
- Brooklyn College Library Cards (for everybody).
Getting Into a Lab
Reading Scientific and Technical Papers
Assignment 5: Watson and Crick's paper on the structure of DNA
Assignment 6: Hubble's "Cosmic Expansion" paper
Assignment 7: a "classic" paper of your choice
Writing Scientific and Technical Papers
Extra Credit
Public Lecture
Attend a scientific lecture
- Clear the lecture with your supervising teacher.
- Attend, listen, and take notes.
- Retain your admission ticket (or other proof of attendance)
- Complete this assignment while the lecture is still fresh in your mind. (Print the page before you go.)
- Bring the completed assignment to your supervising teacher with proof of attendance to your next one-on-one meeting. (Be prepared to answer additional questions.)
Competitions and Events
Participate in competitions or attend special events.
- Tell your supervising teacher what you intend to do officially.
- Provide evidence of progress or participation for partial credit.
- Manage your time effectively. Anticipate Deadlines. (Items written in strikethrough are past deadline or possibly discontinued.)
- Provide evidence of completion for full credit.
Last Updated 8 February 2010. New items will be added as they come across my desk. Contact me if you find anything you think I should check out.
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