Half Hollow Hills
Research Organizer for Integrated Algebra / ERS Research
Name _____________________________________
Date__________
Teacher ____________________________________
Period__________
The Al Kalfus Long Island Math Fair is an annual competition sponsored by the Nassau
and Suffolk County Math Teachers’ Association as well as the New York Metropolitan
Section of the Mathematical Association of America. The competition invites nearly 1100
students in grades 7 through 12 from Nassau and Suffolk counties to conduct independent
research on a math topic that interests them. Once a paper is accepted by the review
committee the students make a 15 minute preliminary round presentation to the judges.
Students who make a successful presentation are invited to participate in the final round.
Task Definition: “What do I need to do?”
A submitted paper must consist of the following;
1. A title page which includes the title of your paper, your name, your teacher’s name, the
name of the course you are presently enrolled in, and your present grade.
2. An introduction which explains why you selected this particular topic and what you plan
to discuss in your paper. This should not be longer than one-half to a full typewritten page.
3. Your research paper (approximately 4 -10 typed pages) should explain the
mathematics that is an important and major part of your research and how that math is
used to make discoveries or explain your topic. The paper must contain parenthetic
documentation to give proper credit to your sources.
4. A "Works Cited" page which consists of no fewer than three to four sources
which you used in research. At least one of these sources should be an electronic
resource (i.e. CD Rom, Internet) and at least one reference should be non-electronic
(i.e. book, magazine, encyclopedia, etc.).
5. Parenthetical documentation and the “Works Cited” page must be in MLA format. This
format can be found in your student assignment book pages 17-25.
6.
An attractive cover. (Optional)
7.
Your paper must be typed, double spaced and in 12-point size standard font.
8.
Your paper will be graded according to the two attached rubrics.
What is the essential question?
Explain the mathematics that is an important and major part
of (your topic). Include how (your topic) has been used to
make advances in math and science, technology, or human
culture using original calculations.
What do I need to know? What are my supporting questions?
Who discovered (your topic) and how?
What are the discoveries related to (your topic)?
How did (your topic) influence the culture at the time of its discovery?
How has (your topic) influenced life in the year 2009?
What are several practical applications or connections of (your topic)?
How has/will the development of (your topic) changed/change the world?
How can I use mathematical calculations to support (your topic)?
What elements of my paper/project show original work?
Assignment Timeline
Task Definition (Explanation of Project)
Date
week of September 21st
Topic Submission (Ideas for Project)
Due date
October 2nd
 A list of three topics (in the order you prefer them) along with a brief description of
what you would be researching about them is to be submitted for teacher approval.
See attached form.
Teacher Notification of Topic
Date
October 6th
Information Searching (Note Taking)
Date
October 6th - December 17th
Synthesis (Project Development)
 Outline/Draft
Due date
November 20th
o A serious, detailed outline of the topic chosen should be submitted,
before you proceed with the actual writing of the paper. Include your works
cited list appropriately completed.

Completed Assignment
Due date
December 18th

L.I. Math Fair applications
signed and returned
Due date
January 8th, 2010
LI Math Fair 1st Round
Date
March 5th, 2010
LI Math Fair Final Round
Date
April 30th, 2010
STEP 1: TASK DEFINITION

Choose a subject – make sure it is of interest to you and that there is enough
information on the subject.

Narrowing the subject into a topic – a subject can be very broad. Select an aspect
or section of the subject to concentrate on.
Examples of narrowing subject to a topic and subtopic:

SUBJECT
TOPIC
SUBTOPIC
Algebra
Conic Sections
Parabolas
Geometry
Math and Art
M.C. Escher and
Tesselations
Probability
Dependent Events
Genetics / Traits
Choose your essential/guiding question – use the narrowed topic (subtopic) to
create your essential/guiding question. Use words such as how and why.
Examples of essential/guiding questions:
-Why do you need to understand the characteristics of conic sections to design bridges?
-How did tessellations influence the design of early Roman architecture?
-How did Gregor Mendel discover that inherited traits can predict outcomes?

Create a thesis statement that will answer your essential/guiding question. There
are three types of thesis statements:
Explanatory – organized information supporting a specific idea
Argumentative –influence an audience to agree with the writer’s point of view
Analytical – makes conclusions from facts and information gathered
Research Project Suggestions
Aeronautics and Aerodynamics
Friendly Numbers
Pascal’s Triangle
Animals and Math
Game Theory
Perfect Numbers
Architecture
Games and Puzzles
Physics
Area Under the Curve
Genetics
Pi
Astronomical Units
Golden Ratio & Phi
Polyhedra
Astronomy
Groups and Fields
Prime Numbers
Bar Codes
Infinity and Zero
Probability
Binary Numbers and Other
Number Bases
Internet
Pyramids
Binomial Theorem
Limits
Pythagorean Theorem
Boolean Algebra and Switching
Circuits
Linear Programming
Sequences and Series
Bridges of Konigsberg
Logarithms
Set Theory and Venn Diagrams
Calculating Instruments
Logic
Seven Bridges of Konigsberg
Calendar and Time
Magic Squares
S-I-R Model in Epidemiology
Chaos Theory
Maps and Map Coloring
Theory of Relativity
Circuit Theory
Math and Art
Smith Numbers
Codes and ciphers
Math and Food labels
Sports Physics
Combinations and Permutations
Math and Music
Statistics
Complex and Imaginary
Numbers
Math and Plumbing
Stock Market
Computing Methods
Math and Sound
Technology
Conic Sections
Math and Swimming
Tessellations
Cramer’s Rule
Matrix Algebra
Topology
Criminology
Measuring Devices
Trachtenberg Speed System
Cryptography
Meteorology
Transformational Geometry
Discrete Math
Mobius Strip
Trigonometry
Fibonacci Sequence
Modulo Numbers
Vector Analysis
Finance and Math
Networks
Zeno’s paradox
Fourth Dimension
Numeration Systems
Fractals
Paper Folding
We encourage you to think
out of the box and develop
your own ideas too!
BIG 6 RESEARCH RUBRIC - PROCESS
Criteria
Assignment
Timeline
2 Points
1 Point
Shows good
understanding of
task.
Shows good
understanding of
meaning and
purpose of research
questions.
Shows some
understanding of
task.
Shows some
understanding of
meaning and
purpose of research
questions.
Shows little
understanding of
task.
Shows little
understanding of
meaning and
purpose of research
questions.
Works Cited List
Selects and uses at
least 2 print and 2
electronic resources.
Selects and uses 1
print and 1 electronic
resource.
Uses 1 print and 1
electronic resource
selected by teacher.
Uses 1 print or 1
electronic resource
selected by teacher.
Project
Development
Records all key facts
on organizer properly
and efficiently.
Records most key
facts on organizer
properly and
efficiently.
Records some key
facts on organizer
properly and
efficiently.
Shows some
planning of final
product.
Shows some
evaluation of process
and product.
Records few key
facts on organizer
properly and
efficiently.
Ideas for Project
Research
Questions
(Big6 #1)
Ability to answer
supporting
questions
Resource
Selection
(Big6
2 & 3)
Product
Synthesis
(Big6 #5)
3 Points
Shows thorough and
complete
understanding of task.
Shows thorough and
complete
understanding of
meaning and purpose
of research questions.
Task
(Big6 #1)
Notetaking
(Big6 #4)
4 Points
Outline
Evaluation Completed
(Big6 #6) Project
Shows thorough and
complete planning of
final product.
Shows thorough
evaluation of process
and product.
Shows good planning
of final product.
Shows good
evaluation of process
and product.
Shows little planning
of final product.
Shows little
evaluation of process
and product.
Total Score
Score
Name___________________________________
Topic:_______________________________________
MATH RESEARCH PAPER - RATING
Criteria
Language
Sophistication,
Variety &
Grammar
Logically
organized
(flow of paper)
Originality and
quality of
mathematical
concepts
Precision of
mathematical
definitions
Significant
mathematics
with indication
of in-depth
study
4 Points
3 Points
2 Points
1 Point
Unclear word use,
little sentence variety,
contains some
spelling and grammar
errors
Some parts correctly
sequenced & easy to
follow – some logical
gaps
Very unclear, many
spelling and grammar
errors that interfere
with meaning
Easy to read,
stylistically
sophisticated, control
of grammar and
spelling
All parts correctly
sequenced & easy to
follow.
Engages reader,
some sentence
variety, few spelling
and grammar errors
Contains quality
original mathematics
applying topic
May contain original
applications of topic
Not likely to contain
original work
No parts of paper are
original
All are defined
precisely
Most are defined
precisely
Some defined
precisely
Few are defined
precisely
Discusses the most
interesting and
unusual aspects of
the topic
Discusses some of
the most unusual
aspects of the topic
Discusses some
interesting aspects of
the topic
Does not discuss the
most interesting
aspects of the topic.
Most parts correctly
sequenced & easy to
follow.
Does not correctly
sequence material on
topic
Total Score
Score
Integrated Algebra RESEARCH PAPER TOPIC FORM
Name_________________________________________________________________
Topics in order of preference: brief description
1.__________________________________:
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
2.__________________________________:
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
3._________________________________:
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Your approved topic is______________________________________________