1. Topic-
Developing Your Scientific Research Proposal
 
2. Content-
This lesson is part of the "Writing a Scientific Research Proposal with Microsoft Word" unit (which is part of the larger Mars Student Imaging Project unit). In this lesson, students learn how to organize, develop, and start writing a scientific research proposal.
 
3. Goals: Aims/Outcomes-
1.From Scientific Inquiry Skills Standards for Introductory Physics (Massachusetts) - SIS1. Make observations, raise questions, and formulate hypotheses.

2. From Scientific Inquiry Skills Standards for Introductory Physics (Massachusetts) - SIS4. Communicate and apply the results of scientific investigations.

3.From NETS for Students Standards - Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems, and make informed decisions using appropriate digital tools and resources.
 
4. Objectives-
1.Students will be able to conduct research and formulate questions for a scientific proposal.

2. Students will be able to organize their ideas and form a plan/outline for a scientific research proposal.

3. Students will be able to develop and write a coherent scientific proposal.
 
5. Materials and Aids-
- Smart Board with integrated Student Response System (one handheld SRS unit per student)
- Teacher laptop
- Power Point software on teacher laptop
- Inspiration software on teacher and student computers
- 1 computer student
- Internet access on each student computer
- Microsoft Word on each student computer
 
6. Procedures/Methods-

A. Introduction-

1.When students enter the classroom, there are questions on the board "� What is a scientific proposal? What goes into a scientific proposal? They are to discuss these questions with their neighbor and come up with agreed upon answers. (They are used to starting class this way.)
2. Note, as pre-work for this lesson, they were supposed to review the MSIP Proposal Outline at home (flipped classroom approach).
 

B. Development-

1. The class creates a concept map on the Smart Board that represents the pieces of a scientific proposal.(See attached concept map for an example.)
2. After whole-class concept map creation, I will display the MSIP Proposal Outline on the Smart Board (with the details hidden) and "quiz"� students on what goes in each section (via Student Response System).
 

C. Practice-

1. Students meet with their MSIP groups to divvy up proposal sections.
2. Students watch Inspiration tutorials
3. Individually, students create concept maps for their assigned sections of the MSIP Proposal. Depending on timing, students may start in class and finish at home.
 

D. Independent Practice-

1. At home, students will work with their MSIP groups and use Inspiration software to combine concept maps and produce one outline for their scientific proposal.
 

E. Accommodations (Differentiated Instruction)-

1. Students will have access to Inspiration job aid, if needed
2. Students will have access to Inspiration tutorials
3.Students can also learn from whole-class demo
4. Teacher available after class and via email for any questions.
 

F. Checking for understanding-

1. During whole-class demo, students answer "quiz" questions via SRS
2. During in-class practice, teacher will monitor Inspiration use and group work for understanding
3. Groups will receive peer feedback on their concept maps and resulting outline from other student groups.
 

G. Closure-

1. Student groups will present their proposal concept maps and resulting outlines to entire class
2. Kick-off remarks for next lesson - continued research and writing now that outlines are established.
 

This Lesson Plan is available at (www.teacherjet.com)