Checkpoints for Science Research Project

CHECKPOINTS FOR SCIENCE RESEARCH PROJECT

_____Checkpoint 1: General Information Sheet

Complete the Student Information Sheet

_____Checkpoint 2: Notice to Parents of Science Research Students

Return a signed copy of the Notice to Parents Sheet

_____Checkpoint 3: Email Communication

Send an email to ith an email that you check daily. Email is our communication link. You will be added to an email group for communication.

_____Checkpoint 4: Schedule 1st Individual Conference

Use the wall calendar to schedule your first individual conference to set up your lab notebook and portfolio. I am available every Period 0 and during lunch time.

_____Checkpoint 5: Set-up Lab Notebook

You will:
Set up your new, current Science Research Lab Notebook
Label every page with a title, date and page number
Bring your Lab Notebook with you to every individual conference

_____Checkpoint 6: Selecting a general area of interest

You will provide evidence that you have:
Pursued background research on several potential general areas of interest
Selected one general area of interest
Used online resources to locate sources related to your general area of interest
Explained (in writing) why you selected the general area of interest

_____Checkpoint 7: Article Research

Find 10 articles related to your topic from any source.
Print out each article and staple a typed 100-word summary to the front of each article.
Record article title, author(s) and topics in your Course Reader as evidence of research in the References Record Sheet Section.

_____Checkpoint 8: Submission of Question From

You will:
Complete the Submission of Question form found in your lab manual
Discuss all components of this form as a starting point to creating your research plan.

_____Checkpoint 9: Designing a Research Plan

You will provide evidence that you have:
Drafted a tentative research plan to test your hypothesis through experimentation (data collection) and analysis
Summarized your tentative research plan using a design matrix
Prepared a list of needed materials and resources
Determined the feasibility of the research, including time, materials, and cost
Described (in writing) the proposed method or procedures for your project
Clearly indicated how you manipulate the independent variable, measure the dependent variable, and control other potential variables
Determined that you have included sufficient numbers in both control and experimental groups to be statistically valid
Discussed your research plan with your teacher and mentor scientist
Developed a realistic timeline for each component of your research plan
Determined that your research plan meets the safety and ethical guidelines (for appropriate research involving human subjects, non-human vertebrate animals, pathogenic agents, controlled substances, recombinant DNA, and human or non-human animal tissue)
See Checkpoint 12 and discuss research plan format with teacher for formatting, forms required
Pre-approval for your topic may be necessary and additional forms and date deadlines will apply
Prepared a formal research plan (in writing) that describes the question being addressed, the hypothesis/problem/engineering goals, a description in detail of methods and procedures, and a bibliography/references (follow guidelines provided by your teacher)
Answered (in writing) the question, "How did you get the idea for your research?"

_____Checkpoint 10: Obtaining Approval for Research Plan= ONLY AFTER YOUR RESEARCH PLAN HAS BEEN APPROVED BY TEACHER OR IRB/SRC COMMITTEE

You will provide evidence that you have:
Reviewed the information, rules, regulations and forms available at Science Service for the Intel Talent Search (International Science and Engineering Fair Science Project) at
Reviewed information, rules, regulations and forms for entry into other science fairs or symposiums recommended by your teacher
Used ISEF Rules Wizard at to determine what forms and approvals are necessary before implementing your research plan
Worked with your sponsor and teacher to complete the following forms: Checklist for Adult Sponsor, Research Plan (1A), Research Plan Attachment, Approval Form (1B), and SRC/IRB approval (if needed)
Ordered or arranged for needed materials/equipment required for implementing your research plan

_____Checkpoint 11: Conducting the Research Investigation

You will provide evidence that you have:
Maintained a Lab Notebook that includes detailed notes of each and every experiment, measurement and observation (follow the guidelines provided by your teacher)
Implemented a preliminary trial of the methods
Revised or refined the methods based on the preliminary trial
Discussed with your mentor or sponsor potential techniques for statistically analyzing the data you plan to collect (if appropriate)
Submitted any revisions of original research plan for sponsor and mentor approval
Conducted your research following your proposed timeline
Periodically sought review of your research progress from your sponsor and mentor
Prepared photographs to illustrate key methods, equipment, or results
Continued to do research to increase your understanding of other scientists' work related to your research project

_____Checkpoint 12: Data Analysis

You will provide evidence that you have:
Use computer spreadsheet software to enter your raw data into a spreadsheet
Selected and used appropriate statistical analysis techniques/software to analyze your data
Used appropriate computer software to create data tables/charts to summarize/analyze your data
Used computer software to created appropriate graphs and figures
Prepared a written draft of the discussion/analysis of the data (including patterns, relationships, support/lack of support for hypothesis, and sources of error)
Obtained feedback this data discussion/analysis from your teacher and mentor

_____Checkpoint 13: PVPSEF Science Fair Application

You will:
Complete all necessary forms for the Palos Verdes PVPSEF Science Fair
Meet deadlines for science fair applications
Submit required forms
Submit your application to your sponsor and teacher for review
Refine your project as required for inclusion in other science research competitions
If selected in the top 13 you will advance to the LA County Science Fair in March

_____Checkpoint 14: Writing the Abstract

You will:
Use the Writing the Abstract Template found on
Complete all 4 sections of the Abstract
Email your rough draft to me for review and editing

_____Checkpoint 15: Writing an APA-format Research Paper

You will provide evidence that you have:
Written a 250-word abstract that includes the purpose of the experiment, procedures used, data, conclusions, and possible research applications
Written a rough draft for each section of the research paper (follow the guidelines provided by your teacher)
Sought feedback on each section of your rough draft from your peers, teacher, and mentor
Used feedback and self-evaluation to make revisions to each section of the research paper
Prepared a final draft of your research paper

_____Checkpoint 16: Preparing a Professional Board Visual Display

You will provide evidence that you have:
Reviewed the information of visual displays
Reviewed guidelines for creating an effective poster presentation (provided by your teacher)
Prepared a display that is organized, clear, concise, correctly presented, well-constructed, and eye-catching.
Email rough draft of your PowerPoint template to your teacher for review
Provide an enlarged version of your abstract for display during science fairs.
Once your rough draft is approved, submit your PowerPoint to a local printing company (~$60-$120)

_____Checkpoint 17: Preparing an Oral Presentation for Participation in Science Fairs

You will provide evidence that you have:
Practiced speaking freely and confidently about your display to demonstrate that you have a good grasp of your project
Presented your display to classmates and engaged in discussion and answering questions related to your work
Prepared a written script for a 12 minute oral, public presentation about your research
Prepared appropriate visuals for use in your presentation
Reviewed the guidelines for oral presentations (provided by your teacher)
Practiced using the script/visuals
Used peer review to revise the script/visuals and improve your presentation skills
Practiced for a "Question & Answer" session in which judges will ask questions about your research project

_____Checkpoint 18: Science Fair Materials and Preparation

You will prepare yourself for the Science Fairs and take the following:
Professionally printed Science Fair Board
A Stand for your board
1 binder that has your final research paper + INTEL forms in it (with printed label)
1 binder that has all of your article research and forms (with printed label)
Your Research Log/Notebook (with printed label)
Any materials or demonstrations materials you would like to display
Clear, acrylic frame with your typed abstract in it