Discovery Overview

Exclusive Course Offerings

DISCOVERY AP Seminar

This initial course is the first step in laying the foundation needed for the scientific research the students will conduct during their sophomore and junior years. This year-long course explores many branches of science and aids the students in identifying their area of interests within one of these branches. This course will serve as a foundation for developing a research proposal. The students are, in addition, required to develop a portfolio of current scientific findings and issues facing society today. The students will also learn to dissect graduate level, professional journal articles. This step-by-step approach aids the students in understanding the content of the primary research article, even though they have not completed a high school level science course. In addition, the students are taught to find valid articles using databases, write scientific papers, and convey the information they have learned through effective presentations.

DISCOVERY Research I

This is a year-long course that offers sophomores the opportunity to study in detail a topic of interest to them and to research a specific problem within that topic. Students learn approaches to technical literature, use of the USC Cooper Library, experimental design methods, scientific and statistical interpretation of data, and how to write and research a formal paper. This course will build upon skills developed in AP Seminar, and students are expected to have a written proposal prior to beginning this coursework. Student efforts are supported by the course instructor, other faculty advisors, community members, and/or professional mentors. A highlight is the student presentations at the Spring Valley High School Research Symposium, which is attended by peers, parents, community members and scientists in our area. Students also participate in the Region II Science and Engineering Fair and the South Carolina Junior Academy of Science.

DISCOVERY AP Research

AP Research, the second course in the AP Capstone™ experience, is a year-long course that allows students to explore an academic topic, problem, issue, or idea of individual interest in depth. Students design, plan, and implement a year-long investigation to address a research question. Through this inquiry, they further utilize the skills they acquired in Research I, such as developing research methodology, scientific and statistical interpretation of data, employing ethical research practices and accessing, analyzing, and synthesizing information. Students reflect on their skill development, document their experimental processes, and analyze data collected through a scholarly research process resulting in a reflection portfolio. The course culminates in a research paper of 4000-5000 words in addition to the AP oral defense. Students again polish their presentations and receive valuable feedback at the Spring Valley High School Research Symposium. Students present their work at the Region II Science and Engineering Fair and/or the annual meeting of the South Carolina Junior Academy of Science.

DISCOVERY Research III

This third-year research elective course is offered as an independent study for those students wishing to continue developing their research and analytic skills. The student, with permission from the director and advisors, may continue the research begun in the DISCOVERY Research I and/or II courses, or may choose a completely new project. Students meet informally with the teacher and advisors to clarify work or solve problems during the research time. This course emulates research in universities and industry in that the researcher is the prime motivator in a very loosely-structured environment. A finished, formal paper and presentation before the faculty and invited guests will complete the course requirements. It is anticipated that the students will present their work at the annual meeting of the South Carolina Junior Academy of Science or the Region II Science and Engineering Fair. This is an elective course and is not required for graduation from the Discovery program.