Bridal Veil Living Classroom

I. Concise hypothesis and methods description to be written before data collection

II. Data collection for projects done in field setting

III. Data analysis carried out before beginning to write your research paper

IV. 4-5 page research paper should include:

A. Scientific Writing Method

1.                  Abstract:  a brief summary of your study, 50 -100 words, describing the goals, results and conclusions of your project.

2.                  Introduction:  describe background information of your subject, description of the issue you are researching, previous research, importance of your study, and what your paper will address.

3.                  Site Description:  describe the setting in which your study was set, how do sample sites differ from one to the other, physical characteristics of the data collection sites s/a aspect, elevation, life zone, vegetation types common to the area, etc.

4.                  Methods:   describe HOW you carried out your field study.  Tell enough details so that the reader can duplicate your study.  Describe, chronologically, the steps taken in the process.  Discuss your techniques, equipment, and data analysis methods.

5.                  Results:  present the facts of the data you collected, describe patterns seen in the data.  Use graphs and tables to illustrate your text.  A summary sentence at the beginning of each paragraph will guide the reader.

6.                  Conclusion/Discussion:  speculate on the meaning of your results.  How do your results relate to your hypothesis?  Does your data support or refute previous studies?  What improvements can be made to the study, or what other important facets need to be studied in the future.  (Writing@CSU Home Page)

B.     Scientific classification of species in study:  Latin nomenclature described in research paper regularly or in abstract and introduction.

C.     Biodiversity index calculation for species counts in your study (described in Methods, and disclosed in Results)

D.    Simple statistical analysis of data      (described in Methods, disclosed in Results)

E.     At least 2 graphs or tables illustrating data (at end of paper or in Results)

V.                Oral presentation for your science class describing the following:

A.    Description of the Bridal Veil Living Classroom and the work conducted (aside from your specific research project)

B.     Physical characteristics of the environment

C.     Verbal presentation of your research project, presenting:

1.                  Hypothesis

2.                  Methods

3.                  Results and Conclusion

D.    Presentations must have a visual component, to keep your audience

interested. 

Examples:

Power point

Slide show

Diagrams

Maps

Interpretive poster

Artistic illustrations of subject matter

... .much more... .

(The visual aid can also be the teaching tool described in the following section (VI) if it is something that has visual appeal or physical specimens described in detail, which will serve both purposes of engaging your peers' interest and being a useful resource for next year's Living Classroom students.)

VI.             Teaching tool, with a visual element, created by the first students, to be used by future students of the Bridal Veil Living Classroom.  What would have been helpful to you in the field?

Examples:

Herbarium

Booklet of the birds of the Bridal Veil plots

Instruction for different methods of collecting insects

Key to identifying difficult plant

Informational brochure about biodiversity of the study area

Documentary or instructional film