Study Session 3: Topic Selection & Beginning Your ResearchJune 22nd, 2014

Sponsored by the CupertinoLibrary Foundation

Welcome

Agenda1) Judging Criteria overview2) Picking Your Topic Group discussion with guiding questions3) MLA Format4) Research Notes5) 10 Min Work Session6) Teamwork & Collaboration tips7) Work Time8) Debrief: Q&A9) Conclusion

Picking Your Topic: Guiding Questions

1) What really interests you?

Guiding Questions:

2) What do you want to learn more about?

Guiding Questions:

3) What do you think will excite the judges?

Guiding Questions:

4) Is there a new way to think an existing

principle?

Guiding Questions:

5) What if your database research does not exactly support the topic you’ve

chosen to research?

Guiding Questions:

A: Based on your database research, create

a topic that fits the category aka working

backwards

Guiding Questions:

MLA Format

In your English class, have you used

the MLA format?

MLADefinition:

MLA is short for Modern Language Association and it is a

type of writing format that is used in high school and college

Source: Purdue Owl

MLA

-Report with Parenthetical citations

-Works Cited

Source: Purdue Owl

MLA Format: ● Paper type: standard, white 8.5 x 11-inch paper.

● Document Spacing: Double-spaced

● Font: Times New Roman, size 12

● Margins: 1 inch

● Indentation: ½ inch for the first line of each paragraph

● Header: ½ inch top right corner. Format: last name + page #

Source: Purdue Owl

MLA

MLA: Works Cited

Compilation of all your resources in a specific manner.

MLA: Works Cited Format: -Title: Works Cited -Alphabetized entries -Hanging Indent-Actual citation format varies based on source used

MLA: Works Cited

MLA: Citing Your Sources Parenthetical Citations:

● Directly citing a piece of researched

information in your report.

Source: Purdue Owl

MLA: Citing Your Sources ● Format: varies by the resource used.

○ Generally, it is : (first word of the MLA citation)

Source: Purdue Owl

MLA: Resources -Source citations:

-bibme.org

-easybib.com

-Purdue Owl

Source: Purdue Owl

-citationmachine.net

Research Notes

Research NotesMLA citation(alphabetical order):

Source Analysis:Source TypeDeveloped by:Publisher:When:Facts based and credible, explain why:

Notes(facts, stats, quotes, paraphrased info):

***The whole format does NOT need to be in MLA

10 Minute Team Discussion

Teamwork & Collaboration

Working as a Team :

-Determine the role that each of you will play in the team-How to divide up the work-How to communicate

We’re here to help!

Judging Criteria:4 Main Aspects

JUDGING CRITERIA:

1. Understanding of the topic: Research is well analyzed and conclusions are clearly presented. The entry explains:

-How the topic relates to science

-The scientific influence today of the topic its influence on the future

-Your personal improvements

JUDGING CRITERIA:

2. Originality: Entries display:

-the participant’s thoughtful arguments

-unique, cogent, and cohesive ideas

JUDGING CRITERIA:

3. Clarity and effectiveness of style and organization: Information presented:

-in a clear and logical manner

-with no grammatical errors and inaccuracies

JUDGING CRITERIA: 4. Following the contest rules and requirements:

-Report with Parenthetical Citations – 3-5 pages

-Works Cited of resources used, including the Santa Clara County Library databases

-Journal – up to 5 pages

-Presentation-video – no more than 5 minutes

Reminder: Registration deadline - July 1st

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/S4Contest

Twitter: https://twitter.com/S4CLF

4th Study Session: Meet Previous Contest Winners/Problem Solving

When: Tuesday, July 8th, 7 - 8:30 PMWhere: Cupertino Room at Quinlan Community Center

Drawing

Debrief: Questions&

Answers

Thank You

-S^4 Task Force