200 Memorial Place – Manhasset, New York 11030

Telephone: (516) 267-7560

E-Mail Thomas_Elkins@manhassetschools.org

Manhasset Public Schools

Science Health and Technology

“Excellence through Effort”

February 13, 2018

Dear Parents/Guardians,

This letter serves to inform you of the application process for students who are interested in

being part of the Manhasset High School Science Research Program. Your child can choose to

be part of a cohort of highly motivated, academically mature students who display high levels of

interest in expanding their scientific knowledge by conducting independently created science

research projects.

We are very fortunate to have Ms. Alison Huenger and Mrs. V. Diann Flanagan, the driving

forces behind the rigorous and academically demanding High School Science Research Program.

Attached to this letter is the current syllabus and course outline for the Introduction to Science

Research class. It is expected that all interested students and parents read through these

documents to gain a greater insight to the expectations of this course. The Science Research

Program is a highly rigorous program, which demands a great level of independent work from

students. Students are expected to be independent learners and be highly motivated towards the

completion of tasks. Students are expected to spend several hours each week on the completion

of homework assignments. This is a fast paced program, where students are expected to pay

strict attention to detail and deadlines for all assignments.

All interested students will be required to complete the application packet no later than

3pm on Tuesday, April 10, 2018. Failure to submit the completed application by this date

will render you ineligible for consideration for this program. Students will be evaluated

based on their ability to excel in Science, Math and English, teacher recommendation, and

a personal essay. All interested students must provide their science teacher with the faculty

recommendation form (and envelope) at least one week prior to the application deadline.

All completed applications can be returned to Mr. Elkins’ outer office.

Sincerely,

Thomas Elkins District Coordinator for Science, Health and Technology

Manhasset Science Research Program

Introduction to Science Research

Student Application Form

Name: ______________________________________________ Grade: _________ Science Teacher: ______________________________________ I. Academic Record:

Attach your unofficial transcript to your application packet. This must show final averages for the following courses for 7th and 8th grade* (9th grade if you are currently a 9th grade student):

Science

Math

English

*Note – If you are currently taking the course, your 1st and 2nd Quarter grades should be provided along with your midterm scores.

II. Co-Curricular Community Activities

List all school and community activities in which you have participated during middle school. (List science related activities first.)

Activity 7 8 9** Accomplishments

**To be completed by students who are currently in high school and interested in taking Science Research.

III. Science Research Related Experience(s): (if applicable)

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

Manhasset Science Research Program

Introduction to Science Research IV. Personal Statement:

Write an essay indicating your reasons for wanting to be involved in Manhasset High School Science Research Program. Your essay should include expectations of your involvement in the program, the understanding of the rigor involved and why you believe yourself to be a good candidate for the program. Your response should be at least one page (no more than 2 pages), single spaced, and size 12 font. Please attach a separate sheet in response to this question.

V. Faculty Recommendations:

Ask your current science teacher to complete a “Faculty Recommendation Form”. Provide your teacher with an envelope so they may sign the seal of the envelope after completing the recommendation form. Teachers will return the sealed and signed envelopes to Mr. Elkins.

Reminder:

This completed application must be returned to Mr. Elkins no later than Tuesday, April 10, 2018 at 3 pm. Failure to submit your application by this date will render you ineligible for consideration for the program. You will receive notification of your application status in May. If you have any questions regarding this application, please see Ms. Huenger in Room 129 or send an email to Alison_Huenger@ManhassetSchools.org.

Student Contact Information:

Email: ___________________________________________

Address: _____________________________________

_____________________________________

Manhasset Science Research Program

Introduction to Science Research Faculty Recommendation Form

The student named below should provide you with an envelope and recommendation form. Please complete this recommendation form, and sign the seal on the envelope. Please drop off the sealed envelope in Mr. Elkins’ outer office. The students have been instructed to give you this form at least one week prior to the due date for all application materials, which is April 10, 2018.

Thank you for your support. Candidate’s Name: ______________________________________________

Name of Faculty Supporter: _______________________________________

Name of Course and level of course: ________________________________

Date of Recommendation: ________________________________________

Please check your assessment in each column.

Characteristic

Below Average

Average

Excellent

Outstanding

No Opportunity

to Assess

Laboratory Skills

Scientific Reasoning

Ability to Draw Conclusions

Scientific Understanding

Attention to Detail

Ability to Follow Directions

Initiative and Reliability

Motivation

Independence

Leadership Ability

Concern for Others

Academic Integrity

Organizational Skills

Creativity

Completion of Assignments

Attention to Deadlines

Please share any comments you may have about the applicant. __________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

Signature: ____________________________________________

Manhasset Secondary Schools

7-12 Science and Technology Education

Course Name – Science Research – 2017 - 2018

Teachers: Alison Huenger and V. Diann Flanagan

Contact E-mail: Alison_Huenger@manhassetschools.org Virginia_Flanagan@manhassetschools.org

Science Research Website: Google Classroom (Class access code can be found on the timeline for each science research level)

I. Course outline Through a series of guided experiments, research papers, and presentations the student learns about the intricacy of the Scientific Method. Each project builds on the fundamentals of: library research techniques, computer and Internet search techniques, how to design projects that insure validity and, the importance of statistical analysis in the development of sound conclusions.

Projects will explore science in a number of different areas. Slated areas include but are not limited to: Astronomy, Fluid Dynamics, Genetic Engineering, Electronics, Nutrition and Exercise, Aging, Botany, Learning and Memory, Chemistry, and Environmental Science

A. Resources – Students will receive training in various software packages which will help to enhance the quality of their written and visual presentation skills. Some of these packages include: Word Processing on MS Word, Graphing and Statistical Analysis on Excel and SPSS, and Multimedia Presentations on MS PowerPoint and through video. In addition, students will learn to access and use many Internet and E-library based databases.

B. Responsibilities – This is an extremely rigorous course that stresses the importance of proper time management. Students must turn work in on assigned dates in order to allow adequate time for revisions and rewrites. Several times a year, students will need to go to Public and University libraries. Reading materials can be ordered through inter library loan at the Manhasset Public Library. (Parental help and support is important in this area.)

C. Competitions – All Science Research students will enter the Manhasset Science Research Exposition (March 12th). Some Intro Science Research students will be selected to present their research at the Research Association Science Fair and the Molloy Science Fair. Some advanced Science Research students will participate in the Long Island Science Congress, the L.I. Science and Engineering Fair, the N.Y.S. Science and Engineering Fair, Research Association Science Fair, Google Science Fair and the Siemens Competition. All senior Science Research students will participate in the Siemens Competition, Regeneron STS, and Google Science Fair. Some senior Science Research students will participate in the L.I. Science and Engineering Fair, Junior Science and Humanities Symposium and the Long Island Science Congress.

D. Parent Teacher Partnership – No task is ever assigned without adequate time to complete it. Once a student falls behind it is very difficult to catch up. Students are given project schedules for each assignment that are either handed out or included in their class notes. Because assignments are given far in advance of due dates, last minute problems are NOT ACCEPTABLE reasons for late assignments. A full letter grade will be subtracted for each day an assignment is late. After 4 days it is an F. The students will be competing in outside competitions and there are no extensions allowed for any reason. I am always available to help students with the timely completion of their tasks. If your child is having problems, please urge him/her to meet with me far in advance of due dates. If there are serious problems, please do not hesitate to call or email.

II. Classroom Supplies A. 2 inch Binder B. Dividers and Page Protectors C. Marble notebook

III. Classroom rules A. Follow ALL Manhasset High School Rules B. Meet all deadlines C. Act responsibly D. Work safely and carefully in the lab E. For students involved in outside competitions, there are no extensions allowed.

IV. Grades – Grades are based on several areas. 1) Responsibility - Efficient use of class time during independent work sessions 2) Punctuality - Completion and submission of assignments on scheduled dates. 3) Rubric assessment of finished work 4) OTE (Opportunity to Excel) - this performance based assessment allows students the opportunity to

demonstrate the knowledge and abilities acquired during the quarter while working in the lab. 5) Quizzes and Tests

V. Late assignments and laboratory reports, make-ups – A. Work not completed due to absences must be made up. One extra day will be given for each day of absence.

B. Lateness grade penalties – 1 full letter grade for each day late – after 4 days, the assignment is given an F.

VI. Extra Help – by appointment

VII. Mandatory extracurricular dates: Senior Symposium (January 8th, 7 pm) The Science Expo (March 12th, 7 pm) Science Fairs the student has been selected to attend

VIII. Other Dates of Interest W.A.C Invitational Science Fair (April 15th) – Manhasset HS will be hosting this science fair (Helping setup for this event on April 14th and/or volunteering on April 15th would be greatly appreciated.)

IX. Academic Integrity As written in the annual student planner, "To help students achieve their maximum academic potential, Manhasset Secondary School promotes an environment which fosters integrity and honorable conduct. Administrators, faculty, students and parents share the responsibility for maintaining an atmosphere in which personal accountability is valued." With this statement in mind, students must maintain work that is theirs alone and does not violate the academic integrity policy. Please refer to the handbook regarding the consequences and procedures used when an academic integrity violation has occurred.

I have read and I understand the requirements for this course.

Student’s Signature: ________________________________________________ Parent’s Signature: _________________________________________________

Manhasset Science Research: Introduction to Research

General Overview Calendar

2017 - 2018

September through October

General Knowledge of the Sciences

Safety in the Laboratory

Laboratory Techniques and Lab Etiquette

Scientific Method

Topics for Scientific Research in the

Manhasset Lab (What is a Doable Project?)

Article Review Format

Journal Review Format

Four Question Method for Topic Selection

Topic Selection Proposal

Development of an Area of Interest

Research Question Development

Introduction to Technical Writing

What is Plagiarism? and How to Avoid It

Development of the Research Purpose

Development of the Hypothesis

Development of a Methodology

Development of the Methodology –

Protocols

Ordering Supplies

November

Statistical Analysis

Submission of weekly work plans

Ordering Supplies

Set up for Pilot Studies for Research Project

December

Pilot Studies and Experimentation

Submission of weekly work plans

Re-evaluation of the Methodology

Development of Poster Board – “Left Side” of Board and Flow Chart

January February

Experimentation and Data Collection

Submission of weekly work plans

Interim Review of Data – Is the data helping to answer the question? – Reevaluation of method

Development of Poster Board

Descriptive Data Analysis

Statistical Analysis of the Data

March April

Development of a Discussion and Conclusion

Oral, Written and Visual Presentation of the project

Development of a Research Paper

Preparation of a new project idea or refinement to the next level of the present project

May June

In-depth Literature Review

Presentation of Project Proposal

Development of the Methodology – Protocols

Development of Oral and Verbal Presentation

Submission of a Video Project Proposal – Final Exam