PreAP Bio summerwork 09

WELCOME TO BOWIE PRE-AP SCIENCE SUMMER WORK!THIS SUMMER WORK IS FOR FRESHMAN PRE-AP BIOLOGY. Yes, this information is correct for 2009 OVERVIEW OF SUMMER WORK:STEP 1: Purchase a Composition Book (cardboard cover, red or black speckle). Recycling a gently used one is OK, too--Just paper clip/rubberband/tape up old pages so that they are not in the way.STEP 2: Complete 3 Library Modules from http://tilt.lib.utsystem.edu/. It will take about an hour for each. Take good notes on each! (see Science Fair Links page)STEP 3: Explore for Topic Ideas. Refer to details below. Be cautioned: choose a topic you really like and can live with for MONTHS! It also must lead to an experiment--not just a demonstration or display. Even if the topic is science, if it does not lead to an experiment--you cannot use it! If this is a project that could be done by a third grader, it is not appropriate for a High School level project and you cannot do it!!STEP 4: Of your list of ideas, choose the top two. These should be able to generate experiments with testable hypotheses. You will want to obtain measured data for graphing. The data should be quantitative (numbers). If your experiment calls for qualitative data, you will have to use some sort of rating scale.STEP 5: Find Scientific References for your top two ideas. This is the most time consuming step. Since you will need to refer back to these articles, you should make copies. Highlight and take notes on the article as you read it. Keep the copies in a file called “References”.DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT EACH STEP:1. Purchase a COMPOSITION BOOK for keeping records of summer work. Number all the pages front and back. Set it up like this:a. Page 1 - Title page. Full name, teacher name, class period.b. Pages 2 and 3 – save for Table of Contentsc. Pages 4 through 7 – glue in printed out copy of this webpage. Do not exceed page 7. If necessary, make the glue-in a fold-out. Check off each item as it is completed.2. Rev up RESEARCH SKILLS!a. Click on the Required  Empower Modules b. Register as a first-time visitor. Include your full first name and last initial so that we can recognize your work, ex: Samantha C. 

c. When viewing the modules, the brown arrow will take you to the next screen. You may need to scroll down to the bottom to see the arrow.d. After each quiz, either print your results or e-mail them to yourself to print later. You must scroll down to the bottom to find the box and insert your e-mail address. Check your e-mail to see if you received it.e. Take detailed notes on each module beginning on page 8 of your notebook. You will use your notes for a test the first week of school. 

-Notes should include answers to the following: What is a journal?What is the difference between a browser and the web?Compare library resources and web resources.List differences between popular and scholarly periodicals.-Notes should include answers to the following:What is ‘brainstorming’ and how is it done?When using a search engine, what’s the difference between ‘and’ and ‘or’ ? Why should more than one search engine be used?How is a search narrowed or expanded?-Notes should answer the following:How does one find the home page for an URL?What is PLAGIARISM and how is it avoided?[This is VERY imortant information since the penalty for plagiarism at Bowie High School is a zero.]How are references cited in APA format?How are domains used to determine the credibility of a source?Note: If necessary, go back to the modules and add info to your notes.3. CHOOSE A TOPIC of interest for independent research. Explore your thoughts by seriously thinking about what already interests you. Have an alternate topic, as well. a. Visit the Intel Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) link above. Browse the list of topic categories, such as engineering, mathematics, space science, etc. Does your proposed project fit into one or more of these categories?b. Keep the ISEF categories in mind as possible topics are explored. Start by exploring the web links above which include current Science articles and journals.c. Once an article of interest is found, write the following in the composition book, using at least one fresh page for each article:- Bibliographic information.- Key terms and vocabulary (defined) from the article- Summary of article (2-3 sentences)- List of questions this article evokes. State into which ISEF category each question would fit. Example: Suppose you found an article discussing how carbon dioxide from houseplants affects indoor air quality. You could generate several questions, such as:-How could plants be utilized in a space station to improve air quality? (Space Science)-How do plants respond to increases in carbon dioxide levels? (Botony, Environmental Science)-How many plants per cubic foot of house space are required to significantly improve air quality in a sealed home? (Engineering)-What is the financial trade-off between air quality (and how many plants it takes to obtain it) and housing cost (size of home)? (Mathematics)-How do elevated carbon dioxide levels affect learning environments? (Behavioral, Medicine and Health)SEE!!!??? Just one interesting article can lead to MANY good project ideas!4. Choose the TOP TWO IDEAS (main topic and alternate). Be sure the selections could lead to an experiment that meets the following criteria:a. It has a testable hypothesis.b. It is age appropriate, for HIGH SCHOOL, not elementary or middle school level.c. It is time appropriate, and could be completed in 6 to 8 weeks.d. It requires only easily available equipment and resources. Check the ISEF link for special regulations concerning projects involving humans, vertebrate animals, hazardous and controlled substances, and pathogens).5. FIND SCIENTIFIC REFERENCES for the main topic and alternate topic.a. Minimum of 3 sources for each topic.b. For each source:- APA style bibliography entry (see Library Module notes and link to Bibliography)- Minimum of 5 major points and how they relate to the topic.- If project involves a living organism, include a source for obtaining it, its proper scientific name (species), and detailed information about the organism.Requirements for 3 Scientific References:1. Minimum of one Scientific Journal article (see link for example)2. All sources are credible (see Library module). All references MUST have authors, titles, and dates. If this information is not available, do NOT use the article! Keep looking!