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Science · Grade 12

A Senior Science Research Capstone

The capstone guides learners through a genuine small research project: framing a focused question from a source review, evaluating and citing sources, designing an ethical, safe sampling study, analysing data with means, uncertainty and trends, and communicating results through an abstract and peer review. A worked example follows a student lichen survey of roadside air quality; learners then plan and report their own study for teacher review.

  • 5 lessons
  • About 130 minutes
  • Research capstone check: 10 questions
  • Ways to answer: fill in the blanks, choose an answer, draw a graph, highlight a text, match pairs and type a number
See plans Included with Family, Teacher and School plans. Open in PlayOwl

What learners will discover

  • Frame a focused, feasible and testable research question, justified by what existing sources do and do not show.
  • Evaluate sources for credibility, relevance and possible bias, and distinguish primary from secondary sources.
  • Design a field study with an appropriate sampling strategy, replication, controlled variables, safety and ethical safeguards.
  • Analyse data with means, standard error, graphs, trend lines and correlation, and judge what the results can and cannot show.
  • Communicate research in a structured abstract, give and use constructive peer review, and state limitations honestly.

Lessons

  1. From a topic to a research question 5 steps3 practiceabout 24 min
  2. Finding and judging sources 5 steps3 practiceabout 24 min
  3. Designing a safe, ethical field study 6 steps3 practiceabout 28 min
  4. Analysing the data 6 steps4 practiceabout 30 min
  5. Communicating and peer review 6 steps3 practiceabout 24 min
  6. Research capstone check 10 questions at the end

Keep exploring

More 12th grade science

Guide for grown-ups