Program Pathways

The first year of the course is the same for everyone.  Although most people who start the course are sophomores, juniors and seniors are also welcome if interested.  Please note, however, that you are only eligible to continue past the first year of the course if you begin as a sophomore.

Timeline and General Goals: This program is designed as a three-year sequence of research courses. Students can earn up to 12 college credits through the University of New York at Albany.

Summer 1 (Rising Sophomore)

1. Explore three potential topics and identify potential research questions 

2. Get familiar with the style of scientific writing 

Sophomore School Year

1. Choose a topic to pursue.

2. Read professional scientific articles and academic texts on the topic. 

3. Narrow the topic to a specific research question. 

4. Contact experts in the field of research. 

5. Establish rapport with one or more professionals, leading to a student/mentor relationship and if applicable, a laboratory in which to work.

6. Complete four written quarterly reports 

7. Make PowerPoint/poster presentations of scientific papers and your own research plan. 

8. Participate in local Sophomore Symposium and the Guilderland Science Research Symposium at the end of the school year.

Summer 2 (Rising Junior)

College credit is available at this point for students who have successfully completed the first year of the program as outlined above.  During the summer, students begin learning research techniques and collecting data with the guidance of their mentor.  Students must remain in contact with their teachers via email.

Junior School Year

Meet with mentor(s) at least twice per month

Continue to develop/ expand experimental procedures

Continue data collection and redefine the hypotheses if necessary. 

Make oral presentations of their research for midterm. 

Complete four written quarterly reports and Junior metamorphosis assignment (end of year) 

Participate in Regeneron Science & Engineering Fair as well as other science competitions 

Present research poster at the end-of-year Guilderland Science Research symposium.

Summer 3 (Rising Senior)

A large portion of the junior summer is expected to be dedicated to science research.  It is during this summer that most students complete data collection and statistical analysis under the direction of the mentor.  Students continue to maintain contact with their teachers and write a preliminary draft of their Regeneron Science Talent Search research report.

Senior School Year

1. Write formal research paper and submit to Regeneron Science Talent Search competition 

2. Prepare slide and poster presentations for local science competitions 

3. Act as "mini-mentors" for underclassmen in the Guilderland Science Research Program 

4. Organize and plan the end-of-year Guilderland Science Research Symposium

At the very beginning of the school year, you will identify your research interests.  What makes this process fun and unlike any other class you've taken before is that everyone has different research interests!  As long as your research interests are grounded in fact, you can explore it in this class.  (Sorry, but researching how being a Gemini impacts your life isn't going to fly.)

During the first quarter, you will explore how to find factual and reliable information about your topic(s).  At this stage, many students are exploring more than one topic.  As you gather new information and start to narrow down your interests, you'll be introduced to scholarly level research papers.  This will be the first big learning curve headed your way that will take some time to feel comfortable with.  You will be in a stretch from the middle of the first quarter and well into the second quarter where a majority of your time for the class will be spent on reading the research that already exists surrounding your topic.

Once you become an expert on your topic, you will consider one of three available pathways to continue your research:

1. Mentor Pathway (Outside Research):  Find a local research mentor who is willing to let you use their facilities to conduct your own research project.  Selecting this option makes you eligible for UAlbany credit.

2. Mentor Pathway (In-House Research):  Find a research mentor (doesn't have to be local but can be) who is willing to help you plan and implement a research project that you will conduct at school.  Selecting this option makes you eligible for UAlbany credit.

3. Non-Mentor Pathway:  Work with Mr. Williams to develop a local (in school) research project.  Without an outside research mentor, you are not eligible for UAlbany credit.

Of course, you can also leave the course after your first year if you decide to not continue.  Those who only participate in the first year of the course still leave with valuable skills, including how to conduct and communicate research outside of a typical school setting.

Use the buttons below to explore the different options available for your second year in the course.