Honors Science Research

Independent Study

Liberty Senior High School

Independent Study Course Description

Our understanding of the natural world is based on scientific research. Well-designed laboratory experiments are fundamental to the scientific process. However, few students have the opportunity to fully experience authentic research in a traditional science curriculum. This is a one-year course intended to help highly motivated students understand the scientific process and how it may be applied to practical issues that face our society. Students will work with the teacher and a mentor to develop an original research project in an area of interest within the natural or social sciences. They will identify a problem and then develop and conduct independent research in an effort to address the question. Throughout the investigation, students will strengthen both research and laboratory skills. In addition, students will learn to communicate their research findings by writing publishable laboratory papers. Finally, they will learn how to make an oral presentation of their data at a scientific meeting or other professional forum. While a specific outcome may be desired, the goal of the course is the research process rather than the end product. For a complete course description, click here.

Independent Study Resources

· For a good resource to research in the Kansas City area and opportunities to meet and work with professional scientists and the Greater Kansas City Science Fair, visit the Science Pioneers web site.

· Access to the PubMed database sponsored by the National Institutes of Health.

· Missouri Junior Academy of Science web site.

· An informational web site for The Missouri Junior Science, Engineering, and Humanities Symposium and other science education programs.