Meeker Middle School
Science Research Paper-HC
Handbook
2011
Paper Requirements
1. Science topic of your choosing
2. Final paper will be minimum of 20 pages typed
3. 14 point font
4. Double Spaced
5. Title page
6. Bibliography
7. Clean Cover
Science Research Paper Topics
1. Type of Animal: evolutionary path, physiology,
environmental/habitat, history of human involvement, food/diet,
reproduction, population, and description.
2. Genetics: history, how it works, disease/problems, benefits,
controversies, famous people associated with genetics, future of
genetics.
3. Cloning: how it works, expected benefits, problems, fears, ethical
ramifications, future, current events, laws.
4. Evolution: define, history, major concepts, and types of evolution—
include support for concepts, known problems with theories—give
supporting information, controversies.
5. Famous Science Person: what are they famous for, history,
schooling, where they lived and worked, explain why or how they
became famous and for what reason, timeline for their life, map of
places lived, worked, or of significance to their life, successes,
failures, difficulties.
6. Scientific Theory: what the theory is, who were the scientists
involved with the theory, how the theory evolved into what it is today,
and applications of the theory, any controversies then or now.
7. Biological Warfare: what is it, history, how it evolved into what it is
today, major types, symptoms, treatment, prevention’s complications
or effects of exposure, how used or deployed, why used, human rights
issue, ethical issue, what countries have capability.
8. Type of Machine/Technology: what is it, how does it work,
scientific principles involved, development and evolution, people
involved with inventing, creating, or modifying, past and current uses
or applications, benefits to human.
9. Disease: Type, transmission, symptoms, treatment, effects, curable,
history evolution of disease, who is effected, scientists involved,
federal dollars spent for finding a cure, charities, life expectancy.
10. Meteorological events: what are they, where are they normally
located, how do they form, what are the sizes or types, are they
predictable, famous people and events associated with event.
11. Geological events: what the event is, where does this type of event
occur, what is the cause of the event, what is the frequency of the event,
is it predictable? What famous people and events are associated with the
event, past and future problems involved with this type of event.
TOPIC AND QUESTION WORKSHEET
*DUE March 14*
Your research paper must be on a topic in SCIENCE (earth science,
astronomy, biology [plants, animals, bacteria, viruses, etc], chemistry, and
physics) HEALTH or the ENVIRONMENT.
Topics I am interested in researching:
1. _____________________________________________
2. _____________________________________________
3. _____________________________________________
Of these possible topics, the one I am most interested in is:
MY TOPIC: ___________________________________________
1. This topic is: _____science (see below); _____ health; _____environment
If my topic is science, which branch is it found within? ________________
2. If someone were to go looking for examples of my topic (geographic
location, humans, companies, products, local places) where would they find
some? ______________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
3. My topic______________________________________ can be defined as:
(List words which best describe your topic – color, shape, materials, texture,
temperature)
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
4. Things which are associated with my topic _______________________are
(List items, tools, products, equipment, things or other organisms you would find with your topic)
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
5. Words which describe how my topic works, moves, functions, interacts, or
does something are: (finish the sentence: My topic can…)
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
QUESTIONS ABOUT MY TOPIC
*DUE March 14*
Complete the following starters to generate ideas for questions to research.
Questions should not have a ―yes‖ or ―no‖ answer, but have several ways to
answer.
MY TOPIC: ___________________________________________________
Develop at least six questions that make the most sense to you:
How does ____________________________________________________?
What causes __________________________________________________?
What does _______________________________________________mean?
How is ________________________related to ______________________?
Should ______________________________________________________?
What makes __________________________________________________?
What are the __________________________________________________?
How can _____________________________________________________?
If _____________________________, then _________________________?
Is it reasonable that _____________________________________________?
What would happen if ___________________________________________?
Which _______________________________________________________?
What is the difference between ___________________________________?
How would ___________________________________________________?
Write your own questions:
THROUGH ANOTHER LENS
*DUE March 14*
List three different kinds of people who are associated with your topic and
explain how they would think of your topic.
1. What would a ______________________________________think about
(my topic) _________________________________________?
2. What would a _______________________________________ think about
(my topic) ________________________________________?
3. What would a _____________________________________ think about
(my topic) __________________________________________?
SCIENCE RESEARCH PAPER TIMELINE –HC
Timeline signed and returned March 14 50 Points
Topic Worksheets Due March 14 50 Points
Topic and Question approval form due March 14 50 Points
Notes and Bibliography Due (20 Sources) April 22 100 Points
Outline Due April 29 100 Points
Draft Paper (as perfect as possible) Due May 26 100 Points
Final Paper Due (20 Pages) June 3 100 Points
Every effort will be made to return your work as soon as possible. However,
you should turn in a COPY to me, keeping your original, so you can continue
to work.
This is a required assignment that is a major part of this semester’s science
grade. Failure to complete this assignment will result in a failing grade for
second semester science.
Class time will not be provided to complete any portion of this assignment. All
work must be done outside of class.
Deadlines are firm and absolute!
Student Name _________________________________________________
Student Signature ______________________________________________
Parent Signature _______________________________________________
Returned, signed for grade. DUE by March 14
TOPIC AND QUESTION APPROVAL FORM
The topic for my science research paper is:
The questions that I am researching are:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Student Name _________________________________________________
Student Signature ______________________________________________
Parent Signature _______________________________________________
Returned, signed for grade. DUE by March 14
Research Paper Outline Format
You need to create and turn in an outline for your paper. This is a guide to help
you.
Title of Paper
Your Name
1. Opening Paragraph
This is your introduction. It should be interesting and tell the reader what
your paper will be about, what branch of science your topic fits and why you
are interested in the topic. You should write this paragraph last, that way
you will know everything that will be in the paper.
2. First Research Question *Write out the Question
A. First fact, idea or concept For your outline each of these A, B, and
B. Second fact, idea or concept C should be at least one complete sentence.
C. Third fact, idea or concept Each question should have a minimum of
three facts ideas or concepts.
3. Second Research Question
A.
B.
C.
4. Third Research Question
A.
B.
C.
(Over)
5. Fourth Research Question
A.
B.
C.
6. Fifth Research Question
A.
B.
C.
7. Sixth Research Question
A.
B.
C.
8. Seventh Research Question
A.
B.
C.
9. Concluding Paragraph
Summarize what you have learned about your topic. Explain the relevance
of your topic to the real world, and why your topic is important to other
students. You should write this paragraph just before you write the opening
paragraph. That way you will know all the facts, concepts and topics that
were covered in your paper.
Outline DUE by April 29
Notes and Bibliography
Use this page to enter bibliographic information and to take notes. Write the
page number and remember to put any words you copy directly in quotation
marks. Make 20 copies of this page.
Turn in 20 pages of Bibliography and Notes by April 22nd -100 Points
Author: ______________________________________________________
Second Author: ________________________________________________
Chapter or Article: _____________________________________________
Book or Publication Title: _______________________________________
Publisher and City: _____________________________________________
Date: _________________________________________________________
Website address: _______________________________________________
Page # ________:
Page # ________:
Page # _________:
Continue on the back or on additional pieces of paper.
*One page per reference. You should have 20 or more pages when finished