G.W. Hewlett High School

Biological and Social Science Research Program

I. Introduction:

• The Science Research Program at Hewlett High School enables highly motivated and responsible students to experience the processes and rewards involved with science research.

II. Program Purpose:

• To allow students to conduct independent research projects. Ideally, students will use their research to apply to competitions such as:

• Intel Science Talent Search• Siemens Westinghouse Science and Engineering Competition• Junior Science and Humanities Symposium• Otto Burgdorf Student Science Conference and Competition• Long Island Science Congress Competition.

III. Benefits in Competition Participation:

• With academic standards being higher and more competitive than ever, student college applications must be a head above the rest.

• Participation in well-respected science research competitions is one manner for students to differentiate themselves from other applicants.

IV. The Organization of The Science Research Program:

a) Biological Research Program consists of three elective classes that must be taken along with Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.

• Introduction to Research (methods)

• first of course in the sequence of three classes

• offered to ninth graders who are currently enrolled in

or have already taken HONORS BIOLOGY.

• Students learn basic laboratory techniques and research skills. The emphasis is micro- and molecular biology.

• Introduction to Biotechnology (methods)

• second course in the sequence of classes

• usually offered to sophomores who are currently taking or

have already taken HONORS CHEMISTRY.

• the emphasis is the DNA isolation, characterization, and manipulation.

• Independent Study

• third course in the sequence of classes that is offered to juniors and seniors who have completed the Introduction to Research and Biotechnology courses.

• The emphasis of this class is advanced techniques in molecular genetics.

• students are expected to complete a group research project.

• successful completion of this course results in the completion of a 20 page research paper.

• Students wanting to enroll in this course must be recommended by the research mentor.

• There will be no overrides of the mentor recommendations.

b) Social Science Research Program

• consists of the development of independent research projects under the supervision of a social science mentor.

• project development, survey creation, and data analysis will be completed by the beginning of senior year.

• the scope of social science research includes: political science, sociology, economics, and psychology.

V. Independent Research and Mentoring

The various science research competitions are incredibly competitive.

• Although there is a possibility of having an in-school mentor, the most successful projects are developed by students who dedicate their time in participating in a summer science research internship.

• Hewlett-Woodmere students have applied to and participated in the following Summer Science Internships:

• Simons Summer Research Program

• Rockefeller Science Outreach Program

• New York Academy of Sciences Science Research Training Program

• North Shore-LIJ Summer Research Program.

Student applicants from Hewlett-Woodmere schools have participated in these programs with a wealth of knowledge and experience due in part to the Science Research Program at Hewlett High School.

• The benefits of the research classes transcends high school.

• It familiarizes students with the use of databases, reading, analyzing, and reporting on journal articles, the use of presentation programs such as PowerPoint, and writing research reports.