Independent Research Project & Science Fair

Independent Research Project

Honors Requirement

Honors students in 7th grade science, 8th grade science, Biology, and Chemistry are required to complete an Independent Research Project (IRP) that begins in the fall semester. Middle School IRPs are due before Winter Break, and High School IRPs are due in the spring.

Goal

The goal of the Independent Research Project is for students to think like and become scientists. While passionately pursuing areas of interest, students are provided with an experience that fosters an authentic scientific process that allows them to build scientific skills and take a more active role in their learning. This opportunity cultivates resilience, tenacity, and persistence to help students become better problem solvers.

Process

The IRP process includes coming up with an original experiment or engineering design, conducting research about the topic, designing an experiment or engineering project, collecting quantitative and qualitative data, analyzing data, and presenting results.

Purpose

Students encounter the scientific process on a daily basis, and the Independent Research Project aligns the development of practical, transferable science skills to the current curriculum and science standards. The opportunity to overcome design challenges, recover from setbacks, and learn from unexpected results demonstrates that science is not a linear process.

By providing students the opportunity to pursue their own interests in the independent research project, they are engaged in their own learning process. Participating in the scientific process allows students to differentiate between valid and invalid sources of information. Structured communication between peers through peer review interactions provides meaningful feedback leading to effective communication and analysis in future professional settings. These skills involve developing testable questions, analyzing data, problem solving, innovating and communicating ideas articulately and effectively.

To think like a scientist is to develop a comfort level with unpredicted results and recognize the importance of inquiry for true growth and discovery. Students are tasked with carving their own pathways toward a solution. It’s in the recognition that this pathway needs continual modification that learners can build the flexibility and resilience needed for future careers. By learning to think and communicate like scientists, students are positioning themselves for success in any field and inspiring their contributions to a constantly evolving world.

Science Fair (Optional)

The IRP is not the same thing as the science fair! While honors students are required to complete the IRP for the course, the decision whether or not to enter the science fair is made by the student. Science fair is optional!

Students who choose to compete in the science fair with their Independent Research Project create a science fair board to display their project design and findings. They compete against other students from around the campus, district, region, state, and/or world who conducted projects on similar topics. This gives them the opportunity to interact with experts in their field of interest through the interview process and earn placement and advancement in each progressive competition.

Conclusion

The independent research project affords students an opportunity to follow their passion in a rigorous, organized, low-risk environment. Plano ISD reduces the equity gap for our upcoming generation through this rigorous experience. By performing research, communicating evidence, and overcoming obstacles, students learn to think like scientists!