Independent Research Tips
- Don’t simply type the questions into Google. You might need to be more creative than that. Use resources outside of the obvious ones.
- Find sources beyond Wikianswers and Yahoo answers. These can be good starting places, but try to go to the original sources for information. They will be more credible, accurate, and reliable.
- Keep at it! Answering big questions can be challenging and take a good amount of searching and reading, but the information you can find is worth the search!
- Let me know tips to add to this as your research, experiment, and learn.
Independent Research Project Ideas
- PowerPoint
- Prezi
- Wixx
- Write a song/rap
- Record a video
- Record/write an interview
- Create a poster
- Draw/write a comic
- Draw illustrations
- Create a blog
- Come up with your own creative idea!
Sample Independent Research Questions
** Feel free to come up with and explore your own questions!
- Why do human beings age/grow old?
- Why do companies still make cigarettes when they are known to kill people?
- Why are guns manufactured?
- Why do people do destructive things to themselves and others?
- What evidence is out there showing that aliens do or do not exist?
- How big is the universe? Is there an end to the universe?
- What is a black hole?
- What kinds of animals are there in the ocean?
- Why do athletes get paid so much, and where does that money come from?
- Is there life on other planets?
- What are the options for alternative/different sources of energy?
- Why do some states allow the death penalty why others do not?
- A new spacecraft is headed to Pluto. What are we hoping to learn, and how will it help us?
- What is worse for you too many calories, carbohydrates, or grams of fat?
- How has the treatment of cancer evolved over the past ten years?
- Where is Mount Rainier, and what would happen if it erupted?
- What is causing the planet to get warmer? What might happen if the planet continues to get warmer?
- How are the music and movie industries affected by people downloading music and movies?
Independent Research Project Rubric
100% A – The project displays a thorough understanding of the answer(s) to the question(s). All reasonably possible details are included and written in the students’ own words.
85% B - The project displays a thorough understanding of the answer(s) to the question(s). Many details are included and written in the students’ own words.
75% C - The project displays understanding of the answer(s) to the question(s). Some details are included. They are written in the students’ own words.
65% D – The project displays a limited understanding of the answer(s) to the question(s). Few details are included. They are written in the students’ own words.
55% F – The project does not display an understanding of the answer(s) to the question(s). No details are included.
0%F – The information presented in the project is plagiarized/copy and pasted.