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CULMINATING PROJECT

STUDENT GUIDE

Purpose: The purpose of presenting a “Culminating Project” is for students to be able to exhibit their knowledge on how to conduct a scholarly research that incorporates the steps of research methodology & their understanding of the learned scientific / Mathematical Principles by applying them to real-life situations.

2015-2016

Requirements for the Culminating Project: Each student that graduates from the Emirates National Schools shall complete a Culminating Project which can be in the form of a “Research paper” or in the form of “Building a Model or a “Prototype”. It can also be an “Extension of your grade 10 project”.

This is an independent research activity that follows the requirements below:

· Design a research study that answers a question based upon your area of interest.

· Include a search of the literature of the topic of study, resulting in a summary of the research with appropriate citations and a reference bibliography

· Include questions to develop the thesis

· Include a process to design and carry an experimental process, collect data and answer to the questions

· Identify and describe the scientific, mathematical and or architectural principle(s) based on which you plan to build the model or a Prototype.

· Develop a rationalized conclusion to the primary question and

· Present the project to an audience of experts and peers.

FYI: Creating a Power point is optional

Purpose / Outcomes of the Culminating Project: As a result of producing a Culminating project, each student will be able to…..

· Prepare for college level undergraduate research process

· Enhance his/ her research and creative skills

· Conduct an in-depth study of a topic of interest

· Enhance his / her written and oral communication skills

· Enhance his / her analytical, critical thinking and problem solving skills.

Guidelines for designing your Culminating project

Your Culminating Project can be in the form of a research paper and or a Model building / Prototype building.

1. If your Culminating Project is a Research paper: (CP-A)

a. The paper should be a minimum of 10 pages and a maximum of 20 pages (within the range of approximately 2000 to 4000 words or more), including references and appendices.

b. All papers must be in third person past tense. (For example, “The researcher then asked the subjects the following questions. . . “)

c. All papers must have 1 inch margins and be keyed in 12 point font (Times or Times New Roman).

d. Photographic images may be used in the paper as long as the photographs are essential to understand the project.

e. Graphs, tables, diagrams, charts, or other graphic representation should be simple, labeled and clear.

f. Follow the “Framework for your submission template A” to submit your project.

2. If your Culminating project is a Model building and or a prototype design (CP-B)

a. Write your research information on the Scientific / Mathematical or Architectural Principles based on which your model / Prototype will be built

b. Identify and explain what you are trying to exhibit / prove via your model / Prototype

c. Identify the types of materials that will be used to build the model and justify the reason for choosing these materials.

d. Include a clear description on the dimensions of your model building that support the scientific, mathematical and or architectural principle(s).

e. Include a clear description of step-by-step process of Model / prototype building.

f. Remember to include a description of the mechanics of how it works and how it targets “point b”.

g. The description could be about 10 pages (within the range of approximately 1500- 2500 words or more), including references and appendices.

h. All papers must be in third person past tense. (For example, “The researcher then asked the subjects the following questions. . . “)

i. All papers must have 1 inch margins and be keyed in 12 point font (Times or Times New Roman).

j. Photographic images of step by step process of model / Prototype building along with measurement / dimension information should be included.

k. Follow the “Framework for your submission template B” to submit your project.

Framework for your submission Template A (CP-A): this should include the following sections. (Each section must begin with a new page).

· Cover Page

· Student name

· School name

· Title Page

· Title of the culminating project

· Acknowledgement

· List any major assistance received (teachers, outside experts)

· Table of Contents

· Introduction

· State your hypothesis

· State your variables

· Background on the topic

· Reason for choosing this topic

· What do you hope to learn or gain from this culminating research

· Materials and Methods (both must be in paragraph format- what you did, how you did and what you used)

· Findings:

· List data or findings only- you will discuss what they mean in the discussion area

· Data tables and charts

· Graphs (Use appropriate graphs for your findings)

· Picture(s) of stage by stage Model / Prototype building

· Discussion

· A discussion of your results- what do they mean and how do the data relate to / defend your hypothesis?

· Include a description of how the model / Prototype works and your findings

· Conclusions

· Relate your findings from the discussion back to your hypothesis- was your hypothesis supported or not supported?- (FYI: Hypothesis never are proven true or false, they are only supported or not supported )

· References used in your research in MLA format

· Appendix or Appendices (if necessary)

· List all tests, surveys developed, step by step process of model / Prototype building process, dimension information, etc.

· Statement of Humane and Supervised Research (Required for research that involve live organisms)

· If you interviewed any human subjects and /or animals in your research, you are required to write this statement in your paper, "Research involving animals or human subjects was conducted under the supervision of an experienced teacher or researcher who followed local regulatory guidance applicable to the human and ethical conduct of such research."

Creating a Power point is OPTIONAL.

Framework for your submission Template B (CP-B): this should include the following sections. (Each section must begin with a new page).

· Cover Page

· Student name

· School name

· Title Page

· Title of the culminating project

· Acknowledgement

· List any major assistance received (teachers, outside experts)

· Table of Contents

· Introduction

· State your scientific, mathematical and or architectural principle(s)

· State your hypothesis

· Background information on the topic

· Reason for choosing this topic

· What do you hope to learn or gain from this culminating research

· Materials and Methods (both must be in paragraph format- what materials did you choose to build your model / Prototype, reason for choosing the identified materials in relation to functionality, how plan to build the model / prototype)

· Findings:

· List your findings

· Include pictures of model / Prototype building stage by stage

· Include brief description that support your stage by stage model / Prototype building

· Discussion

· Include a description of how the model / Prototype works and your findings

· Conclusions

· Relate your findings from the discussion back to your hypothesis- was your hypothesis supported or not supported?- (FYI: Hypothesis never are proven true or false, they are only supported or not supported )

· References used in your research in MLA format

· Appendix or Appendices (if necessary)

· List step by step process of model / Prototype building process, dimension information, etc.

Creating a Power point is OPTIONAL.

APPENDIX A: Culminating project review form

Culminating Project Review Form

Date
Student Name
School Campus and Name
Research Question
Hypothesis
Variables
Data Collection

Timeline / Calendar Plan: (post the deadlines given by your teacher)

Written Overview of your research work:

APPENDIX B: Using Living Organisms

Living Organisms

If you are using any living organisms, you must obtain approval. In order to obtain approval for living organisms, you need must check the following blocks to assure that you understand and you must write an explanation of how you will use the living organisms.

· I will not use any living organisms for my culminating project.

· I will use living organisms for my culminating project (check off the items below to indicate that you are aware and will comply).

If my project is approved, I will:

· Follow the living organisms guidelines

· Protect (anonymize) the identity of the participants.

Signatures

Date: _____________________________________________________________________________________

Teacher Name: __________________________________________________________________________

Teacher Signature: _____________________________________________________________________

Culminating Project Review

· Approved

· Not Approved/Needs Revision

Comments:

APPENDIX C: Grading Rubric

The rubric below details how the elements of the culminating project will be grades. The rubric assesses the written work and the oral presentation on the following scale for a total of 30 points. The rating scale is a 1 to 5 scale that spans from superior to fair. Each element on the scale is described below. Superior work means that the student was able to fully describe and demonstrate understanding of each of the elements on the grading rubric.

5 = Superior 4 = Excellent 3 = Good 2 = Satisfactory 1=Fair

Statement and identification of problem · Is the problem clearly stated? · Is the problem focused? · Does the student demonstrate understanding of existing knowledge about the research related to the problem? · Is the question properly stated to match the research?	12345
Scientific thought, creativity/originality · Process skills demonstrated by the student in the solution to the research problem and/or in building the prototype or the model design · Student demonstrates his or her individual contributions to and understanding of the research problem / building the prototype or the model design · Demonstrates creativity and originality of ideas · Level of effort that is demonstrated · Background information supports the question being explored	12345
Research design, procedures (materials & methods), results 1. Science · Appropriateness of research design and procedures · Appropriateness of scientific, Mathematical or Architectural Principle(s) · Identification and control of variables · Reproducibility of the process 2. Engineering, computer science, technology · Workable solution that is acceptable to any potential user · Recognition of relationship between design, functionality and the end product · Tested for performance under conditions of use · Results offer an improvement over previous alternatives 3. Social, psychological, community · Well-articulated focus questions · Measureable outcomes using accepted and researched procedures · Recognition of relationship between the question and the end product	12345
Discussion/Conclusions · Clarity in stating conclusion · Logical conclusion that is relevant to the research problem and the results of experimentation or testing · Recognition of limitations and significance of results · Evidence of student’s understanding of the scientific or technological principles · Recognition and identification of Theoretical or practical implications · Articulation on what was learned	12345
Skill in communicating research results-- Oral Presentation and or written report or model / prototype presentation · Clarity in communicating research results to non-specialized audience and to judges · Description of principles and processes as necessary · Demonstration of the functionality and purpose · Appropriate use of audio-visuals / wise choice of materials to build model / prototype · Response to questions from audience and judges	12345
Acknowledgement of sources and major assistance received	0 or 5
TOTAL SCORE: / 30