Rockdale Magnet School for Science & Technology

Fall 2014Syllabus for Magnet Research II/III/IV

Teacher:Scott Bolen Phone: (770) 483-8737 E-mail:

Office & Lab Hours:

3:15-5pm: Wednesday(please arrive by 3:15pm) Room 818/Lab

Course Description: Research II/III/IV is a course that is targeted towards 10th-12th grade students who are pursuing an independent research project.These projects should be of the highest quality and reflect the rigor of each student’s experiences in independent scientific research and coursework throughout his or her previous years at RMSST. Students will be trained in experimental techniques related to their projects. They will also be instructed in the appropriate descriptive and inferential statistical analysis procedures. This course meets for 90 minutes every other day. Additional time will be needed to perform experimentation.

Materials:

Classroom/Lab use: 1 roll of paper towels, 1 bottle of liquid dishwashing detergent
Individual use: binder, dividers, paper, calculator, logbook, USB-drive/Dropbox, blue or black pen

Wish List: Kleenex, liquid hand soap, extra paper towels, bleach (only if parents bring it in)

Texts:A Short Guide to Writing About Biology, 6thed byJan A. Pechenik (replacement cost $40.00)

Research Methods in Physical Activity by Thomas and Nelson (replacement cost $77.00)

RMSST Research Manual, 1st ed.(students may use the pdf version if they have lost their hard copy)

Tablet: Students are expected to have their tablet during each class period.

Course Topics/Products

• Logbook/Evidence – The logbook should be updated on a regular basis. Students should have it present during every class meeting. Students will not be allowed to work in the lab without their logbook present. Further project evidence includes photos, prototypes, completed surveys, etc…
• Paper – The research paper and all associated drafts should be submitted on time and revised as the project evolves. This topic is the largest component of the final grade.
• Oral Presentation – Presentations should be revised from previous drafts to reflect the most current work on the project. All presentations should be delivered in a professional manner.
• Poster Display –Like the other components of the presentation, there is an expectation that the research poster is revised and edited as we progress through the year.
• Paperwork – Paperwork includes all of the required documents to compete in the various science fairs and competitions that students are required to compete in and any other documents that are needed for school purposes.

Research 2-4 Tentative Schedule:

• Journal Club introduction
• Laboratory Safety
• Scientific Notekeeping

• ISEF paperwork
• Editing research plan and detailed procedures
• CITI RCR Course
• Data Collection and Experimentation

• Journal Club Presentation

• Data Collection and Experimentation Completed
• Logbook assessed (ongoing)

• Journal Club Presentation
• Data management in Excel & MiniTab

• Statistical Analysis Procedures
• Data Analysis Completed
• Deadline for Siemens Application

• Journal Club presentation
• Graphic Design for Scientific Presentations

• Results and Conclusions Completed
• Backboard/Poster design Completed
• Applications open for ISWEEEP

• Journal Club presentation
• Advanced MiniTab

• Final Research Paper (Semester exam) due
• Class Practice Science Fair
• School Science Fair – Dec. 5th
• Develop and practice project PowerPoint

• Journal Club

• Oral presentations
• Regional Science and Engineering Fair – Jan. 30th
• GJSHS Applications

• Journal Club
• Update Naviance resume’ (10th)
• Mock Job Fair (11th)

• RMSST Student Showcase Presentation – Feb 10th

• Deadline to apply for the BioGENEius Challenge
• Development of introduction and literature review for new project

• Journal Club
• Professional Development and College Planning

• Georgia Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (GJSHS)
• Georgia Science and Engineering Fair – March 27&28

• Journal Club
• Internship Interviews (11th)
• Judging 9th grade posters (11th)

• Development of methodology and detailed procedures
• Ordering materials for new project
• PPT for new project

• Journal Club

• Alpha Testing and editing of detailed procedures.
• Ordering materials for new project
• International Sustainable World Project Olympiad (ISWEEP) – May 7-10
• International Science and Engineering Fair – May 10-15

Grading Policy:

Rockdale County Public Schools uses a standards-referenced grading system. Grades will be entered in either the progressive or summative category (see below). The final grade for the course will be calculated as 80% coursework average and 20% final exam.

Table 1: Grading Categories, Weighting, and Descriptions

• Logbook/Evidence
• Paper
• Oral Presentation
• Poster Display
• Paperwork

Grading Scale: 100-90% A, 89-80% B, 79-75% C, 74-70% D, 69-0% F

Coursework standards are based on product mastery with the end goal that all students become stronger independent thinkers by producing a competitive scientific research project. The ten-point standards-referenced grading system scale (below) will be used to evaluate each assigned student product at the specified time intervals during the school year.

Table 2: Standards-Referenced Grading System and Descriptions

Students will have the opportunity to demonstrate progress towards mastery “to date” on assigned topics at 5 grading deadlines throughout the semester. Class averages will be calculated based on the weighted average of each product due at that time period. Timeliness will be recognized using the indicated checkpoints for each product. The act of revising and correcting work and will be awarded over time using the multipliers associated with each check point.

Table 3: Summative Category Topics, Deadlines, and Associated Point Values

*Students not meeting the deadlines will be given the opportunity to complete extension forms for issues related to the experimentation phase of the research process. Extensions are subject to approval and will not be allowed for assignments not related to experimentation.

Learner Behaviors:

Homework assignments reinforce classroom learning and allow students to practice and work towards mastery. Homework assignments should be completed by the due date in order to be beneficial in the learning process. Completing assignments after the due date does not help students develop mastery of the content, prepare for assessments, or develop good time management skills.Homework assignments that are evaluated to determine mastery of concepts and skills may be graded and can count toward the achievement grade.

Teachers may assign consequences for late assignments (e.g, time management workshop, detention, mandatory office hours, etc.) Teachers may accept missing workwithin a defined timeframe that they decide and communicate to students (certain date, number of days, by the end of the unit, etc.). After that time, the grade may be recorded as a zero and the assignment may no longer be accepted. Teachers may require a written explanation from the students as to why the assignment is being submitted after the deadline. Teachers will keep the Parent Portal updated regularly to reflect missing assessments. A zero will be entered in Infinite Campus until the missing work has been submitted and graded by the teacher.

It is important that students practice work habits and behaviors that will support their academic achievement and success in life. Student progress in these habits and behaviors will be reported in the following key areas:

• Conduct/Behavior (respectfulness, participation, follow directions, citizenship
• Timeliness (punctuality, assignments)
• Homework Completion
• Work Habits (prepared for class, group skills, organization)

Student performance in these areas will be rated on the following scale:

• S = Satisfactory
• NI = Needs Improvement
• U = Unsatisfactory

Research Student Expectations:

The student assumes primary responsibility for all aspects of the research process and production of a documented scientific paper/presentation including:

1. Active participation in the class website and My Big Campusand compliance with all requirements regarding its appropriate use.
2. Conducting original research into a problem approved by the faculty committee
3. Working responsibly with mentors/faculty advisors
4. Keeping a research logbook following guidelines
5. Meeting all deadlines
6. Reading completely all literature referenced in the research paper/presentation
7. Respect copyright laws and do not plagiarize
8. The Magnet Honor Code will be strictly enforced
9. Participation in the Rockdale Magnet School Symposium
10. Participation in the Rockdale Magnet School Science Fair
11. Keep all electronic files on a USB drive and bring this drive to class at all times.

Classroom Rules and Procedures:

In order to maintain a positive and productive environment in the classroom, rules and procedures must be understood and followed. Everyone has the right to learn. No one will be allowed to disrupt the learning process for others. Students are responsible for their own behavior and appropriate classroom behavior is expected from each student at all times.

1. Students should be in their seats and completing bell work assignments before the tardy bell rings.

2.Students are required to bring their agenda (with all assignments recorded), textbook (when appropriate), 3-ring notebook, logbook, pencil/pen, and all research project supplies including jump drives to class every day.

3. Assignments must be turned in at the beginning of the class period that they are due. No late work will be accepted without a written request for extension and attendance at a morning work-ahead tutorial. If you are absent on the date an assignment is due, you must hand in the assignment on the day of your return unless other arrangements have been made. You will have five days to make up work assigned during your absence upon return.

4. Rubrics are important teaching and learning tools. Students should use them as a checklist to make sure they have completed all components of an assignment. The original rubric and paper must be turned in with all subsequent drafts.

5. Cheating in the form of plagiarism, copying, supplying answers, etc. is a violation of the RMSST Honor Code. All work handed in must be your own unless a group project or assignment is involved. .

In addition to the rules listed above, the Magnet Code of Conduct must be followed as outlined in the Magnet Student Handbook; all RCPS rules will be enforced.

Failure to do so will result in disciplinary referral.

Magnet Research II/III/IV Syllabus

Rockdale Magnet School for Science & Technology

Fall 2014

Please sign and return this form to Mr. Bolenat the start of your next Research class. Please place your syllabus in the front of your research binder/folder.

Both my parents/guardians and I have completely read over the Research II/III/IV Syllabus and agree to comply with the guidelines presented.

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Parent/Guardian SignatureDate

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Student SignatureDate