LONG TERM RESEARCH PROJECT

2013-2014

ACCELERATED BIOLOGY

Ms. Yetter

Ms. Shoop

Ms. Katz

Princeton High School

Princeton, NJ

I. Requirements

A. Journal Entries: (30 points)

1. Journal, proposed topics, pasted+signed grading sheet (loss of 3 points if not complete).

2. Topic Research – (2 points)

3. Annotated Bibliography (working with background notes) – (8 points)

4. Materials and Procedure – (5 points)

5. Research notes #2 (materials/procedure) – (5 points)

6. Thesis, Hypothesis, +Prediction – (5 points)

7. Raw Data (observations, tables, photos) – (5 points)

B. Final Report: (60 points)

1. Introduction (with quote) (10 points)

2. Hypothesis+Prediction (5 points)

3. Methodology (5 points)

4. Final data – polished tables (averages), graphs, and photos (10 points)

5. Analysis+Conclusions (15 points)

6. Final Bibliography (5 points)

C. Oral Presentation: (20 points/5 each section)

1. Visual (MUST contain photographs as well as tables and graphs of final data)

  • Poster, powerpoint, or video

2. Introduction-background, hypothesis+prediction, methodology

3. Analysis+ Conclusions – data interpretation and discussion; final summation

4. Question and Answer: defense of topic

TOTAL: 100 Points

Due dates:

Thursday, December 12, 2013 or Friday December 13, 2013 – Topic Research
Wednesday, January 8, 2014 – Topic Proposals

Friday, February 7, 2014 – Annotated Journal Bibliography+research notes

Monday, February 24, 2014 – Journal Materials and Procedure + research notes

Friday, March 7, 2014 – Thesis, Hypothesis, Prediction

Tuesday, April 1, 2014 – Journal Raw Data Check (Does not need to be finished; it may be in process)

Friday, May 2, 2014 – Final report and Journal

II. Explanation of Requirements

A. Journal:

1. Students must purchase and keep a marbled hardcover composition book. It must be sewn together, not spiral or glued. Only one journal is needed between partners.

2. Your names should be placed on the outside cover and the grading sheet should be glued to the inside of the front cover.

3. The grading sheet should be filled out and signed.

4. All entries must be in blue or black ink or typed. Pencil may be used for raw data.

5. Changes and alterations should be avoided. Raw data is what it is and should not be doctored. This is now considered a scientific document.

Journal Entries:

Topic Proposal: Three ideas, only one of which may come from the list in the

pamphlet. Describe in 1-2 sentences, e.g. “the effect of …on …” and the reason why youwant to study this topic. Star your favorite if you have one.

Annotated Bibliography: A working list of journals, textbooks, and interviews. Encyclopedias may not be used in your bibliography. They may be used, however, as personal background research. Internet sites must be critically examined and supported by reputable sources (e.g. N.I.H., Scientific American, etc.). Include a summary paragraph of the source as your annotation. Go beyond a quick Google search; use the school databases such as EBSCO, Google Scholar, etc. Proper format (including alphabetical order) should be used. A minimum of 6 references are needed for the first check. To be augmented as needed.

Materials and Procedure:Quantity, brands, and specifics of all materials in list form. Diagrams or photos of any apparatus or complicated set-ups.Numbered, step-by-step outline of protocol. This includes the name anduse of any and all instrumentation, quantitative and qualitative data that will be collected, as well as the preparation of any solutions. Include a sample data table. See the teacher about borrowing equipment or materials. In addition, you must include how you plan to procure your materials and equipment. For example, you may need to research where you can order Daphnia, and how much it costs. 1 revision for a higher grade will be allowed.

Updated Annotated Bibliography with Materials, Procedure and Research Notes: You should conduct research on the materials/specimen you are using. For example, if you need to use an incubator or prepare media be sure you know how to do this. You should add the sources you consult to your working bibliography. Keep a journal of all activities and happenings during the project. Extensive comments, thoughts and notes on researched information (all sources), annotated (include citations) and in your own words (6 pages; 1 page/source).

Thesis, Hypothesis, and Prediction:Thesis: What will your research examine? The effect of …on… Hypothesis+Prediction: What do you predict will happen and why? Use the traditional If…then…because structure. Do not go into the procedure. Use citations.

Raw data:Recorded in tables; provide the dates. Both qualitative+quantitative data should be included; averages are not needed at this point. Metric measurements should be used. Use titles and number them in consecutive order. Photos documenting your experiment are required. Any diagrams or photographs should be referred to as figures and should be titled and numbered in consecutive order with captions.

B. Final Report:

1. Font size: standard and no smaller than 11 point,double-spaced.

2. Title page should include title, researchers, Accelerated Biology, teacher,

period number and due date. No cover is needed.

3. Style should be formal but engaging.

4. The teacher will not read over your final report before you submit it, but

will answer specific questions.

5. Turn in your journal along with the report.

Introduction:This will include your topic idea, basic background and any theories collected from your reading. Select and include an interesting or perceptive quote from one of your references which encapsulates your topic. Be sure to give credit to the author. Do not include procedure.[no longer than 2 pages]

Hypothesis+Prediction:Formalized statement. Use citations. [1 short paragraph]

Methodology:As you have already listed this information in your journal, you should now summarize this information in paragraph form. Include general setup and methods of data collection. [1-2 paragraphs]

Final Data: 1. Summary tables using averages and/or totals must be presented.

Tablesmust be properly titled and have appropriate headings supplied for all columns and rows. Appropriate 2. graphs and 3. photographs must display this information. They must be titled, labeled as to axis (graphs), and captioned (photos). Be judicious as to the number that you provide. Redundancy will not gain you extra points.

Analysis+Conclusion:Discussion of your findings. This section should refer back to your data and should discuss general trends or outcomes. What are the implications of your research? The relevance? Author-date citations should be used in body of report to reference your sources. A final conclusion should refer back to your hypothesis+prediction. [no longer than 4 pages]

Final Bibliography:Updated and revised references;6 minimum. Use proper format.

C. Oral Presentation: participation between partners should be balanced. Note cards may be used. Do not simply read directly from what is on your notecards, poster or PowerPoint. Clarity is important.[15 minutes, plus a 5 minute window for Q&A; 20 minutes total]

Visual:To convey the scope of your experiment to the class. Show apparatus, various stages of experimentation, and research specimens. The presentation must be visually accessible to the audience.

  • Poster: photographs, data tables, final graphs -OR-
  • Power Point: digital photographs, data tables, final graphs -OR-
  • Video: live footage documenting research, data tables, and final graphs; maximum length of video (if included) is 5 minutes

Introduction:Include a basic overview of the experimental background and design plus your hypothesis and prediction to provide a context for the listener.

Analysis + Conclusions:Verbal interpretation of results, summation of findings and supporting theory. Refer to tables and graphs.

Questions and Answers: Be prepared to answer questions from students and teacher.

III. Suggestions to the student

1. Read through the list of suggested topics. Run them by your parents and partner. There will be one topic per class unless the specific topics do not overlap. Cost and a place to run the experiment should be considered. Parents must sign off on topic selection.

2. It is strongly suggested that projects be collaborative. Careful consideration of a partner should include work habits, scheduling,andproximity. Please see your teacher as soon as problems arise!

3. Approval for topic MUST be explicitly given before any materials are purchased or any experiment begins.

4. Sample size will depend on the topic; in general at least 15 per group. While a valid experiment requires a large sample size, we will reduce this for practicality.

5. Duration of the experiment will again depend on the topic. If brief, as in bacterial growth, repeated validation of data will be necessary for success. Plant growth will require pre-germination of seeds, followed by4weeks of data collection. Expect to restart your experiment at least once.

6. In most cases a control group will be necessary in order to compare the variable setup. Please be careful to have groups of subjects separated so that comparison of data is possible. It is usually suggested that 2 or 3 variations of the variable and a control will be successful (e.g. 1% salt solution, 2% salt solution, no salt).

7. Photos should be taken during all aspects of the experiment and printed periodically to be sure they are successful. Duplicate photos will be necessary for the oral presentation.

8. Please be aware that the experimental time runs over spring break. Take into consideration that you may be absent during this period and your experiment will need tending. In addition, be careful to stay on top of due dates and budget your time carefully. Do not procrastinate; get an early start and keep up with your work.

9. Style notes: The final report should be written in the third person and should be formal and serious in intent; there should be no personal comments. The journal would be an appropriate place to address these kinds of comments to the teacher or to vent.

10. Please make a backup of all written work and please keep track of your journal. Be sure your computer is working and has a new cartridge and that your printer is functioning. Proofreaders for content, grammar and spelling are a must! Consider an adult as well as a peer for readability.

11. All investigations involving chemical, heat, machinery, electrical apparatus, etc. should be done under adult supervision.

12. Serious penalties include plagiarism intentional or not. Be careful to cite all references, quotes, and information that are not common knowledge.

13. Lateness is a serious offense.

  • Journal: one point deduction for each day late
  • Final Report: 5 point deduction for each day late
  • Oral Presentation: 5 point deduction if not prepared on assigned date
  1. Please realize that the teacher is your best resource. Constant communication will assist a successful completion of your final work. A great online resource for science projects is LabWrite:

IV. Topics for your consideration

Only one topic proposal may come from this list. Use online resources, library project suggestions, text laboratory exercises for areas of potential research. This is an accelerated class; the level of the experiment must be appropriate. Organisms which may be considered include: Planaria; Drosophila; Bacteria; Plants; Yeast; Earthworms; Daphnia; Brine shrimp; Crickets.

  • Effect of smoke on plant growth
  • Biodiversity in polluted vs. unpolluted streams
  • Effect of radiation on plants
  • Wisconsin fast plants: Genetics
  • Effectiveness of anti-bacterial cleansers
  • Effect of light source on plant growth
  • Effect of oil on aquatic plants, e.g. Elodea
  • Effect of various plant foods (macro/micronutrients) on growth
  • Effect of crowding on plant growth
  • Daphnia: physiological investigations, e.g. effect of drugs on heart rate
  • Feeding preferences of herbivorous larval insects
  • Effect of cotyledon on germination
  • Effect of temperature on seed germination
  • Effect of moisture on seed germination
  • Effect of salinity on seed germination
  • Factors affecting regeneration in Planaria
  • Factors affecting respiration in dormant and germinating seeds
  • Effect of earthworms on soil quality
  • Water quality assessment
  • The chemistry of smell
  • Effect of salinity on plant growth
  • Perceptions of "hotness" (spiciness) in foods
  • Earthwormresponses to light/vibrations
  • Fungal decomposition of string
  • Euglena phototaxis
  • Genetics of Drosophila
  • Bacteriocidal effects of spices
  • Effect of root length on plant growth (“forcing”)
  • Insect behavior (e.g. cricket aggression)

Long Term Research Project Grading Sheet

(Please cut+paste on the inner front cover of journal)

Approved Final Topic______

Researcher1______

Researcher 2______

Parent 1 Approval______

Parent 2 Approval______

Journal Grades:

1. Topic proposal…………………….…______

2. Bibliography (working)……………..______[5]

3. Research notes (background)………..______[5]

4. Materials + Procedure……………….______[5]

5. Thesis, Hypothesis+Prediction……..______[5]

6. Raw Data (observations, charts, tables)______[5]

Total points for Journal………………….______[25]