2013-2014 School Year
THS SCIENCE
WHY SCIENCE RESEARCH SKILLS?
They develop…
 Critical thinking & problem solving skills
 Applying mathematical skills
 Analysis/data skills
 Communication with peers and adults about
findings
Both Honors Earth & Biology will…
 Conduct individual and partnered research
throughout the year
 Present their projects at the Science Symposium
next spring
WHY SCIENCE RESEARCH SKILLS?
They will be used…
 In all other upper level science classes
 In college
 In the capstone research course “Independent
Science Research: Oceans and Climate
Change” offered to seniors passionate about
science research & Earth Science (It’s Earth
Science- based course!)
 When students compete in the Regional
Science & Engineering Fair as seniors in ISR
RESEARCH PROJECT EXAMPLES:
www.lcps.org
 Click on academics
 Scroll to “science”
 Click on LCPS Regional Science and
Engineering Fair
 Click on 2013 student abstracts

HONORS EARTH:
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investigates questions
related to Earth Science
learns APA format- how to
cite sources within a paper &
make a reference page
learns how to write
scientifically & analyze data
develops critical reading
skills essential for writing
HONORS BIOLOGY:

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applies/builds upon Earth
Science skills to:
investigates questions
related to Biology
collect and analyze data
from in class & data sets
uses upper level math to
perform statistical analysis
on data
must learn to write about
results & conclusions
WHERE DO SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH SKILLS
START AT THS?
WHAT IS EARTH SCIENCE?

the study of how the Earth and all of its
components interact and change (life, rocks,
atmosphere, space, water, and ice)

Topics include: meteorology (weather & climate),
oceanography, astronomy (space & the solar
system), plate tectonics (changing continents),
minerals, rocks, natural resources, VA
history/geology, geologic time, and environmental
issues; mapping skills will also be integrated
SCIENCE TRACKS:
Earth Science- 9th grade
10th: Biology
Honors Biology- 9th grade
10th: Chemistry
11th: Chemistry,
Environmental, Physics,
AP Biology (w/Chem),
GIS
11th: AP Biology, AP
Chemistry, Physics,
Environmental, GIS
12th: AP level courses,
Environmental, GIS
and/or ISR
12th: AP level courses,
Environmental, GIS
and/or ISR
WHERE SHOULD I BE IN MATH?
Earth Science- 9th grade
 Entering Algebra I or a
higher level
Honors Biology- 9th grade
 Entering Geometry or a
higher level

Should be an A/B
student in math

Should be an A student
in math

Should have passed all
science & math SOLs

Should have passed all
science & math SOLs

Should enjoy math
SUCCESSFUL 9TH GRADE HONORS EARTH
SCIENCE STUDENTS ARE…
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Learning how to complete background research for inquiry
based labs and Earth Science related projects; creating
procedures for conducting different Earth Science projects
Applying Earth Science to real-world issues and the
environment
Must be passionate about science & math analysis
Be organized and on top of their work
WANT TO BE IN SCIENCE CLASS
Examples:
Meteorology Project- tracking hurricanes during the season using
NOAA and our ArcGIS program
Oceanography Project- using a saltwater tank to model conditions
found in the oceans using salinity measurements & hygrometers
SUCCESSFUL 9TH GRADE HONORS
BIOLOGY STUDENTS ARE…
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Furthering skills in statistical analysis, analyzing
data, utilizing skills gained in Honors Earth
Science to perform inquiry-based labs
Using a higher level of math than most of their
peers
On top of their school work & ask questions!
Passionate about science & math analysis
Takes responsibility & completes extra work
Student should WANT to be in science class
TAKING HONORS BIOLOGY AS A
FRESHMAN…
You will complete the following assignments
over the summer:
1) Learning to Read Scientific Research
2) Annotated References for 10 scientific
sources
3) 1000 word research paper on a chosen
scientific question
 These assignments will be due the second
week of school!

LEARNING TO READ SCIENTIFIC
RESEARCH

A 3 part assignment to help you gain
understanding on how to read scientific papers:
1.
2.
3.
Scavenger hunt on how to find scientific papers
and the information they contain.
Using a scientific journal article and analyzing the
parts of the scientific inquiry (hypothesis, IV, DV,
control, constants, results, analysis, and
conclusion)
Using TED Talks to analyze the scientists’ findings
ANNOTATED REFERENCES & PAPER
Student will pick a research question
 Student will find 10 scientifically credible
sources and create an annotated reference
page using APA format
 Student will organize information from the 10
sources into a well written paper:

Must have an introduction to topic as well as a
conclusion based on what has been discovered
about their topic and the future implications the
topic has for humans
 1000 words (roughly 4-5 pages)
 Use APA format for in text citations and bibliography
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WHAT SHOULD I DO NOW?
If you’d like to switch courses…
 Email your student’s guidance counselor or Gabrielle Carpenter
(gabrielle.carpenter@lcps.org), THS Director of Counseling
If you have further questions…
 Email Kathryn Blessing (kathryn.blessing@lcps.org),THS Science
Chair
If you need help with the assignment…
 Email Harvey Vandenburg (harvey.vandenburg@lcps.org) or Benjamin
Kagan (benjamin.kagan@lcps.org), both Honors Biology teachers
If you need another copy of the Summer Assignment…
 Go to the THS Science website (under Academics scroll down to
Science)