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.