Course Instructors:
David "Bermi" Bermudez and Dan Martin

Scientific Research Course Description:
In this course, students have the opportunity to use the Bend Science Station lab to put the scientific method to the test. The goal for this class is for students to develop their own research question and attempt to answer it. Due to the independent nature of this course, the class is only open to middle and high school students and class size is capped at eight. Students who participate in this program will have the opportunity to discuss their findings with knowledgeable experts in their field and participate in a regional science fair and/or the Intel Northwest Science Exposition which is scheduled for Friday, April 2, 2010.

While simple in concept, scientific research requires a large commitment of time and energy. To successfully complete a project over the course of six months, participants in this class need to be self motivated and willing to work both in and out of class designing, constructing, analyzing and reporting their findings.

Please note that while the lab will be open from 1:00 to 5:00 pm on each day of class, a commitment of one and a half hours of that time is all that is required. Spreading the students out over the four hour period allows for more one-on-one interaction with the instructors.

Course Syllabus:

September 28, 2008—1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.	Introduction to lab & research
October 5, 2008—1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.	Brainstorm possible research projects
October 12, 2008—1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.	Establishing research question and ISEF registration
October 19, 2008—1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.	Begin proposal & internet research
October 26, 2008—1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.	Write and format reference section
November 2, 2008—1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.	Complete research proposal and begin data tables
November 9, 2008—1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.	Complete data tables and assemble materials
November 16, 2008—1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.	Test experimental setup
November 23, 2008	NO CLASS -- Thanksgiving Break
November 30, 2008—1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.	Begin research project
December 7, 2008—1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.	Continue research project
December 14, 2008—1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.	Continue research project
December 21, 2008	NO CLASS -- Winter Break
December 28, 2008	NO CLASS -- Winter Break
January 4, 2009—1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.	Continue research project
January 11, 2009—1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.	Continue research project
January 18, 2009	NO CLASS -- MLK Day
January 25, 2009—1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.	Complete data analysis and graphing
February 1, 2009—1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.	Edit abstract and procedure
February 8, 2009—1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.	Begin work on introduction
February 15, 2009	NO CLASS -- Presidents' Day
February 22, 2009—1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.	Begin work on conclusion and finishing touches on everything else
March 1, 2009—1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.	Finishing touches on written work
March 8, 2009—1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.	Edit and layout research boards
March 15, 2009—1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.	Mock EXPO
March 22, 2009	NO CLASS -- Spring Break
March 29, 2009—1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.	Final edits to board
April 1, 2009—2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.	Drive to PDX and setup at EXPO
April 2, 2009—ALL DAY	NorthWest Science Exposition (Portland)

Course Cost:
$800.00—While this cost covers all instructional costs and registration fees for events, it DOES NOT cover the cost of transportation, food and lodging associated with competitions.