For Parents

1. Question: What should a ninth grader who is preparing to enter the Science Research course in 10th grade expect within the first few months of the course and throughout the year?

Answer: The students will have in class assignments which usually conclude as out of class assignments, approximately 3-4 times per week. The tenth grade students primarily focus on: 1. understanding all aspects of the scientific method from a researcher’s perspective, 2. enhancing their level of thinking to that of a scientist, 3. identifying a topic of interest, then obtaining and reading science journals/publications to further gain understanding of the science of their topic of interest, and 4. identifying, contacting, and obtaining a mentor in the field of their choosing by using a specific process established by Dr. McCalla.

2. Question: My child is excellent in science, why should she or he take this course?

Answer: If your child is interested in science as a possible career choice, he or she should expose himself/herself to an in depth perspective of that science of interest. In this course, the students not only learn the theoretical background and explanations of a particular subject but also are given the opportunity to test and experiment with the unknown realms of that particular science topic of interest.

3. Question: Is this course widely recognized by college admission boards?

Answer: Yes, colleges look favorably on students who have remained committed to a course of study completed at an extremely intricate level of comprehension. Also, with participation in various competitions, these students will have a unique list of extra curricular activities to add to their resumes.

4. Question: If my child isn’t interested in a career in science, will this course still be useful?

Answer: Yes, this course addresses many major goals of science education: 1. teaching science as inquiry, 2. allowing students to work independently and to be creative, 3. providing a showcase for displaying academic excellence, 4. training students skills which they will use throughout their academic and professional careers, 5. improving students’ chances for acceptance into major universities while possibly receiving scholarship monies.

5. Question: When should a student begin the opportunity of participating in Independent Science Research?

Answer: Students should begin in tenth grade and remain in the program until the completion of the first semester of their senior year.

6. Question: If my child has additional questions about the science research program when can he or she speak to the research teacher?

Answer: Dr. McCalla is available in the morning and afternoons, daily, by appointment or via email- smccalla@jerichoschools.org

1. Question: Can my child participate in the Siemens Competition?

Answer: Yes, all students’ grades 9-11, may participate in the Siemens Competition but only as a member of a two or three person team (this team does NOT have to include a senior class member). Only grade 12 students may participate without team members.

2. Question: Can my child participate in Intel (STS)?

Answer: No, this competition is exclusively designed to have only senior class students apply and compete.

3. Question: Which student types perform best in this course?

Answer: Any student can be successful in this course, if he or she is innately motivated and has interest in any math or science topics.

4. Question: What are the time constraints associated with excellent performance in this course?

Answer: Science research requires a time commitment beyond the traditional school day and scholastic school year. Past history of excellent attendance is a desirable asset.

5. Question: Is my child required to work in a research facility during the summer between her/his sophomore and junior year?

Answer: No, but it is strongly recommended that your child establishes a strong base of research skills to compete in the highly prestigious Siemens competition, Intel (STS), and Intel (ISEF) competitions. Students sometimes find it very difficult to obtain enough data to participate in these competitions after only completing one summer of science research in a regulated research facility.

6. Question: When should a student begin the opportunity of participating in Independent Science Research?

Answer: Students should begin in tenth grade and remain in the program until the completion of the first semester of their senior year.

7. Question: What course objectives extend past gathering scientific literature and data collection?

Answer: Students learn to design and present displays of their work. They are encouraged to build their self confidence and speak proficiently in front of large bodies of individuals.

8. Question: What are the tenth grade course objectives?

Answer: Students will learn how to critically think, write, and speak. They will learn how to conduct a literature search. They will identify and select an area of interest in which to complete a scientific study. They will learn to write a scientific abstract and research paper. They will learn advanced laboratory techniques. They will prepare project displays for presentation.

9. Question: Will 10th grade students compete in competitions?

Answer: Yes. Students must compete in Toshiba ExploraVision and The DuPont Challenge as sophomores in the Science Research course. Also, 10th grade students should complete the steps of the scientific method to study a given topic. As a result of completing an “in- house” study, or using data obtained from a project conducted in a regulated research facility between 9th and 10th grade, students will also be encouraged to participate in data driven fairs and competitions.

10. Question: Which local competitions can my child enter if they completed a research project over the summer?

Answer: Long Island Science Congress, Molloy College Annual Science Fair, New York State Science and Engineering Fair (Andromeda Division), Neuroscience Research Prize, YES Competition, Rohm & Haas Science competition, Young Naturalist Awards, and ISWEEEP (International Sustainable World-Energy, Engineering, and Environmental Project). Dr. McCalla also identifes new competitions, annually.

1. Question: Is my child required to work in a research facility during the summer between his or her junior and senior year?

Answer: Yes. The science research course, as designed for senior class students’ primary focus is preparation for the Siemens, Intel (STS), and Intel (ISEF) competitions. Students will need to collect data for a particular project in a regulated research facility if they which to be competitive against their peers of the same age group. A major focus of the senior class course is to perfect the work from the prior summer to successfully compete during their senior year.

2. Question: How will this course help my child prepare for college?

Answer: Students will use apparatus and techniques usually first introduced as undergraduates or possibly a graduate student in college. Students also learn how to effectively conduct literature searches and develop advanced laboratory techniques. They also learn how to write research papers and a research abstract (techniques needed to complete masters and doctoral theses).

3. Question: What are some of the major accomplishments of Jericho High School Science Research students?

Answer: Please see the “In the News” section of the Jericho High School Science Research website!

4. Question: In which disciplines can a junior class student complete research?

Answer: Microbiology, nuclear energy, cell physiology, meteorology, biochemistry, forestry, ecology, electrical engineering, bioengineering, molecular genetics, inorganic or organic chemistry, oceanography, protozoology, biology, chemistry, physics, hydrology, string theory, number theory, topology, discrete math, complex analysis, abstract algebra, game theory, plant physiology, botany, soil science, environmental sciences, computer sciences, industrial engineering, hematology, immunology, medicine and health, planetary sciences, environmental management, animal sciences, cellular and molecular biology; just to name a few mathematical and scientific areas applicable to this course.

5. Question: Which competitions can my child enter after completing a science internship at a regulated research facility over their junior to senior class summer?

Answer: Siemens Competition, Intel (Science Talent Search), International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), New York State Science and Engineering Fair (NYSSEF), Long Island Science and Engineering Fair (LISEF), Long Island Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS), Davidson Fellowship, MIT-THINK Competition, New York State Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF Division), Neuroscience Research Prize, YES Competition, Rohm & Haas Science competition, Young Naturalist Awards, and ISWEEEP (International Sustainable World-Energy, Engineering, and Environmental Project). Dr. McCalla has also identified new competitions, annually.