1. BWHS Science Research Project Guidelines for 2018-19

2. What students are expected to do research?
Independent Science Research – expected to abide by RSEF/ISEF Rules
Students in the Research courses are expected to conduct an independent investigation to answer a research question – expected to abide by LCPS Research Rules
Research Chemistry
Research Biology
Research Earth Science

3. What projects require prior approval before students can begin?
ALL PROJECTS!!!

4. What should be submitted for review?
A project proposal – this contains:
A review of the literature that establishes the importance and relevance of the research question being answered with the investigation
A clear research question
Investigation design
Showing understanding of a sound scientific design that identifies the independent variables and the specific dependent variable being measured
Methodology for selecting research subjects/materials showing understanding of concern for safety and welfare (if appropriate)
Methodology for measuring the dependent variable deLiterature review, research question, investigation design
With enough detail that it could be replicated
Identifies potential risks and provides evidence that methodology is the best to reduce risks to research, environment, research subjects, etc.
Shows how the investigation complies with rules and/or laws associated with the particular materials or research subjects within the investigation
Description of how the results from the investigation will result in answering the research question
Completed forms, signature and dates

5. Will other materials be required?
For some projects more information will be necessary
Human Subjects
How will information collected be kept confidential?
Is there a way to get any potentially personal information in an anonymous way?
How will participants be selected?
If a survey or interview is used, all questions (along with reasoning for obtaining the information) should be provided along with the means by which it will be shared, collected, stored, and destroyed at end of the year
Video Games/Software require documentation about rating (no M, AO, or RP allowed)
Music must have lyrics provided as well (teachers should use Urban Dictionary if they are unfamiliar with language in the lyrics

6. Will other materials be required?
For some projects more information will be necessary
Vertebrates – NEED A COMPELLING ARGUMENT
What alternatives have been considered and why are they not appropriate for the study?
What is novel or unique about this study that is not already known?
Is there evidence that the health and well-being of the animal the first priority?
Potentially Hazardous Biological Agents
BSL level should be indicated for the agents being used
If collecting from school, business, hospital or other commercial location, a letter (on official stationary) giving the student permission to collect, is required in the forms packet.
Students purchasing cultures from Carolina & ATCC must provide documentation (from the source) of the BSL level.
**NOTE: If students are collecting from the environment and culturing unknown microorganisms, the plates must not be opened for any reason (if they are the project becomes a BSL-2), even to pour bleach on them- they must be autoclaved

7. Will other materials be required?
For some projects more information will be necessary
Hazardous Devices/Materials
If using chemicals outside of classroom chemical inventory, they should provide MSDS with research plan (MSDS for all chemicals used is a good idea)
Engineering a device of any kind will need to further explication to determine if it presents any hazards to the researcher or it is to be used by anyone other than the researcher during testing
Will need to be clear what the design goals are and what data will be collected to evaluate the achievement of the design goal

8. Who does the review?
Teacher/School: All projects must be reviewed/approved by the supervising teacher – documented by a signed form
LCPS Symposium – LCPS Symposium Science Research Project Student Form
LCPS SRC: Projects that present special concerns for health, well-being of the researcher or research subjects – These require further review BEYOND the teacher/school BUT Teacher reviews them first

9. What projects require further review before starting?
Human Subjects
Vertebrate Animals
Potentially Hazardous Biological Agents
Hazardous Devices/Materials
There are resources on the VISION Site (some embedded in the forms) for symposia projects to help the student and teacher be more careful in their review

10. What forms should be used?
Project Type
SYMPOSIA
ALL PROJECTS
Science Research Project Proposal Form
Science Research Project Student Form
Student Science Research Project Risk Assessment Form
Human Subjects
Human Subjects Research Checklist & Signature Page
LCPS Informed Consent Forms
LCPS Photo Release (if appropriate)
Vertebrates
Vertebrate Animal Research Checklist & Signature Page
Potentially Hazardous Biological Agents
Potential Biohazard Research Checklist & Signature Page

11. How will SRC reviews happen?
Your teacher will contact me to set up a time for available SRC members to come out and meet face-to-face with you and your teacher to do reviews.
Symposium projects – students will be denied, approved or asked to revise and resubmit (with guidance) to get approval

12. How large can investigation teams be?
Symposia – 2-3 students per group

13. Any questions? Review process? Symposium Research Projects?
Ask at the beginning of class, before we begin the lesson, so that all students might benefit from the answer.