IMPORTANT NOTE: This timeline is only one example of a possible pathway available to students. The progress through this program is often very individualized, since the each student's work is specific and unique to them.
SOPHMORE YEAR
Sophomore Year
- Become actively involved in all research related activities
- Review the impact that science research has on the world and review the importance of following an organized “scientific process” in all research
- Review potential science research areas and specific topics in STEM related fields
- Decide on the general area of research that you will focus on
- Find basic information about your chosen area of research through reading general Take notes and write summaries on the articles you have chosen
- Make vocabulary lists for all terms within your chosen area of research
- Maintain and document “outside” hours for research related activities EVERY 2 CYCLES (This will be checked at your bi-weekly meetings)
- Narrow down your field of research
- Find more extensive information about your topic by reading a minimum journal articles (peer reviewed)
- Design a resume (Curriculum Vitae), cover letter and letter of interest that can be sent to prospective mentors
- Design a research project based on your readings of journal articles
- Collect, analyze and interpret data OR analyze data from previous research from your chosen area
- Present your research to your classmates, via PowerPoint and poster
- Contact professionals in your field of research and gain more information and insight into this area
- Become proficient in technology use to access data and articles, including the use of such tools as the "AP Science” database
- Contact scientists or researchers that could serve as a mentor and guide you through a multi-year project
- Meet with the potential mentor to secure a spot for the upcoming summer and beyond
- Organize and document your Summer research plan (including schedule, transportation + expenses)
- Observe other students presenting their research at local sci. competitions & sci. fairs
- Present your upcoming research at the Westlake Invitational Competition (usually first Saturday afternoon in June)
- Present your upcoming research at our End-of-the-Year Science Symposium.
- Register with the University of Albany for Summer Credit – ACAS109 (optional)
- Submit all necessary INTEL ISEF/WESEF forms BEFORE you start your research
- Spend at minimum of 90 hours performing research related activities under the guidance of your mentor and instructor
- Document all hours and start writing your research paper as you progress.
- Turn in different parts of your research progress notes / research paper during the summer.
JUNIOR YEAR
Junior Year
- Register with the University of Albany for School year credit – ACAS110 (optional)
- Document all activities for both in-class and “outside” hours during the entire year.
- Maintain and document “outside” hours for research related activities EVERY 2 CYCLES (This will be checked at your bi-weekly meetings).
- Make vocabulary lists for all terms within your chosen area of research
- Continue to find more extensive information about your topic
- Finish phase 1 of your project if it is not completed by the start of school (Complete data collection, if needed.)
- Analyze winning vs. non-winning student research papers to gain insight as to how to improve your paper
- Continue to write your research paper so that you can submit it for competitions by November. (This paper can be reformatted to fit the Extended Essay Requirements for IB)
- Continue “running” your experiment, if needed.
- Learn about statistical analysis (with the advice of your mentor) and start to use it to analyze your research data.
- Enter all science competitions possible (JSHS, WESEF, Tri-County, ISWEEEP, Genius Olympiad)
- “Adopt” and assist your “SOPHOMORE PARTNER” with all aspects of their research.
- Present your current research at our End-of-the-Year Science Symposium.
- Register with the University of Albany for Summer Credit – CAS209 (optional)
- Submit all necessary INTEL ISEF/WESEF forms BEFORE you start your research
- Spend minimum 90 hours performing research related activities under the guidance of your mentor and instructor
- Document all hours and start writing your research paper as you progress
- Continue “running” your experiment.
- Start organizing your INTEL Science Talent Search (STS) research paper, Siemens research paper & application - Turn in different parts of your research progress notes / research paper during the summer
- Fill out all forms with your mentor to enable you to enter all of the competitions
- Finish the rough draft of your paper by the end of the summer (This paper can be reformatted to fit the Extended Essay Requirements for IB)
SENIOR YEAR
Senior Year
- Register with the University of Albany for School year credit – ACAS210 (optional)
- Maintain and document “outside” hours for research related activities.
- Present your research publicly, if invited to do so (Board of Ed., PTSA, Local organizations, etc.)
- Finalize your research paper by the Siemens deadline (late Sept.)
- Continue to find/ learn more information about your topic and related research.
- Finish “running” your experiment. Complete all data collection.
- Calculate and organize final data analysis of your research using pertinent statistics and other analyses.
- Ask your mentor and teachers to write you evaluation letters for INTEL STS and other competitions
- Enter all science competitions (Siemens, Intel Science Talent Search, WESEF/Intel ISEF, JSHS, ISWEEEP, etc..)
- Continue to assist your “Sophomore Partners” with all aspects of their research
- Evaluate the 3 year Science Research program and make suggestions for future improvements
- Be a judge for the sophomores at the Westlake Invitational Competition. This counts as your final exam.
- Present your current research at our End-of-Year Science Symposium