Research Program @MCDS
Research Framework
The research program at MCDS is built into the IB framework: Inquiry, Action, Reflection. Throughout their academic careers, students are encouraged to ask questions, explore topics of interest, develop research questions and do background research to learn more. In classes such as science and history, students have opportunities to design investigations, collect and analyze data, and construct arguments based on that data. Finally, students evaluate the research process and report on their work, placing it in a broader social context. At MCDS, students have opportunities to engage in this process in both structured courses and through involvement in extracurricular programs.
Curricular Components
Research Methods
All 9th grade students take a project-based course, Research Methods I. In this class, students will learn how to use library resources to gather background information and properly cite their sources. They will then complete three projects over the course of the year to hone their skills in historical research, engineering design, and science research.
MYP Personal Project
All 10th grade students take a course called Research Methods II, in which they will complete a Personal Project as a capstone for the MYP curriculum. This is an opportunity for students to explore in depth a topic of their choosing. Projects can be academically focused or community-based. In either case, students will conduct research, develop a plan of study for the project, complete the project, and finally reflect on the experience.
Internal Assessment (IA) Projects
The IA projects in IB science courses (biology, chemistry, physics, or environmental systems & societies) are independent research projects that students design and conduct based on their interests. Students choose their own research question and design their experiment. They are expected to spend at least10 hours collecting and analyzing data.
Extended Essay (EE) Projects
The extended essay is the capstone of the IB diploma program. Students develop a research project on a topic of their choosing (in science or another academic area). Science students will spend 40 hours on this research project and write a formal research report to be submitted to the IB examiners.
Extra Curricular Opportunities
Two-week summer program for students entering grades 7-12 to explore areas of current scientific research. Each session is led by a practicing scientist in the community.
10-week summer internship program in which students are placed in an academic research lab, usually at UW-Madison. Students are eligible to apply for ASR during their junior year.
Through a partnership with the Rock River Coalition, MCDS has adopted two stream sites. Teams of students collect data and enter it into a statewide database.
MCDS has both middle and high school Science Olympiad teams. Teams compete in 22 different events at regional and state competitions.