WV Student Research Symposium

To help teachers prepare for the West Virginia Student Research Symposium the following support materials are available for download from this web site.

• Review of websites for science lesson plans:

Extensive review of many websites that offer science lesson plans and activities was conducted. The sites were reviewed thoroughly in order to ensure the high quality of the lessons being recommended to science teachers through the project. Sites selected for inclusion offered lesson plans and activities that included such features as lesson objectives, standards addressed by the lesson, complete student directions, teacher support information, and data worksheets for student data. The list included links to each site and a brief description of the lessons offered, including science topic and grade levels if the site offered lesson plans for multiple levels.

•GLOBE lesson plans and activities and resources

GLOBE science lesson plans were chosen as examples as possible activities for the West Virginia Symposium competition. GLOBE lessons are comprehensive resources. They include a brief description (purpose), objectives, concepts covered, cross-curricula science topics integrated and covered by the lesson (life, earth, physical, environmental science topics), complete student procedures, student data worksheets for data recording, student background material, teacher implementation tips and directions, teacher answer key, and suggestions for extensions.

•Websites for GLOBE resources for student research

For teacher convenience, a list of relevant GLOBE resources for conducting and facilitating student research was developed. The sites include references for students on the scientific method, how to define a research question, how to create a research report, what to include in a science poster presentation, and multiple links to how to use GLOBE data tools (if the science teacher is a GLOBE certified teacher and students can upload data.) Teachers can use these sites for preparing students to participate in science research and to prepare for the WV Science Symposium competition. Other sites listed include teacher resources with links to informational webinars on science investigations.

•Development of Judging Materials for Symposium

1. Judging criteria with descriptions - A judging criterion with descriptions for the West Virginia Science Symposium was developed to help judges in the judging phase of the symposium. The descriptions for each category are in the form of questions, which guide judges in assessment of student/team work.

2. Judging criteria rubric - A judging criteria rubric was developed for use during the symposium. Each category has a range of points to be assigned for each project.Judges will also be able to make additional comments on the judging form.

3. Reference handout for symposium - A reference handout was developed for distribution at the poster presentation. A handy reminder for teachers, it includes dates and times of major events, a brief outline of student activities, and contact information.

4. Sample parent letter - A sample parent letter was developed for teachers who may want to notify parents of their up-coming classroom student research activities.A parent letter is a good way to announce the activity and describe the objectives to be met by this specific, sometimes “added on” student opportunity.