AMITY SCIENCE RESEARCH PROGRAM

This course is designed to develop students’ ability to perform scientific research. It is designed as a comprehensive four year program to supplement, not replace, the student’s regular science course and will be taken concurrently with the student’s regular science course each year.The program is divided into two tiers:

YEAR ONE: During year one the students will:

  • Explore various areas in science for potential research projects.
  • Learn the components of scientific research through various classroom activities and projects.
  • Participatein local and statewide science fairs and in the annual Amity Science Symposium.

ADVANCED: During the second and subsequent years in the program students will:

  • Select a research topic to study in depth and obtain an outside mentor.
  • Conduct their science research with the aid of their outside mentor and supervised by their science research teacher.
  • Share their progress with their classmates to obtain constructive criticism.
  • Continue to participate in various classroom activities and projects.
  • Present their completed project in three local and/or statewide science fairs, at the national level, if accepted, and at the annual Amity Science Symposium

Amity’s Science Research Program gives students opportunities to:

Learn how science research is conducted in the real world, both in academic and in corporate settings.

Read science journals and scientific literature.

Apply science inquiry in an area of interest.

Collaborate with other science research students and with science professionals.

Hear guest speakers from local colleges and universities, research facilities and industry.

Attend field trips that expand their science experience.

The objectives for this program are based on the Connecticut Science Framework. As a result of participating in this program students will gain proficiency in:

Scientific Inquiry:

  1. Searching out, describing, explaining and predicting natural phenomena.
  2. Collecting, analyzing and interpreting data
  3. Sharing findings with peers.
  4. Critically reviewing scientific findings and ideas of their peers and contributing their own ideas.

Scientific Literacy:

  1. Reading, writing, discussing and presenting coherent ideas about science.
  2. Searching for and assessing the relevance and credibility of scientific information found in print and electronic media.

Scientific Collaboration:

  1. Functioning as a member of a team to solve a scientific problem.

Science Careers:

  1. Exploring career choices in science.