What do I need to do to take a G/T Research class? To apply to the Independent Research Course or the Intern/Mentor Program: 1. Register for the class as you would any other HCPSS class for the next school year. 2. Access the application from this website for the class that you hope to take next school year. 2. Complete the application electronically. You will be contacted as to your acceptance. The time of notification is subject to the scheduling process. The goal is to let you know by February or March. What is the Independent Research Course? Independent Research is a college-level course in which students design an original research study or creative production in self-selected areas of interest. Students learn advanced-level research methodologies and college-level writing and oral presentations skills. Under the guidance of the G/T Resource teacher, each student identifies a problem and formulates a research question. Student researchers address identified problems, answer research questions, and communicate the results of their creative achievements to appropriate audiences. Students collaborate and receive ongoing feedback from professionals in their selected areas of study.
What is the Intern/Mentor Class? The G/T Intern/Mentor Program is a college-level course in which students design an original research study or creative production. Students study off-campus with a professional mentor in a self-selected area of interest. Student research or creative production focuses on contributing new knowledge to the field of study. The G/T Resource teacher facilitates classroom and internship experiences, focusing on advanced-level research methodologies and college-level writing and oral presentations skills. At the mentor site, students apply the knowledge and skills they have learned in an authentic, professional environment.
My child does not have an idea about what he would like to research. The GT Resource teacher helps students choose their research question during the following school year along with their Mentor or Adviser. Many of the students have just a vague idea of what they are interested in when they enter the class, particularly the GT Independent Research class. We start with that and then we go through a process that helps them focus their interest into a research question.
Do the students actually do lab research or other types of research? Students can do either lab type research or original research through journals, professional databases, etc. Some students even use the course as a compliment to science competitions and the National History Day competition..
Do the IR & Intern classes look good to colleges? I can tell you that when the students attach a research abstract along with my letter of recommendation, it helps differentiate them from the other students who haven't attempted this type of course. See a section from a sample email below from St. Mary's College: "I am the counselor who will be reviewing the applications of your student who applied to St. Marys from your high school. I received the letter you wrote which accompanied the abstract of XXXXXX's project about sleep deprivation. My reason for contacting you is to say thank you for the information. It is really quite helpful. Many students do internships, projects etc, but not many of them ever make it clear to us the scope and the depth of their activities. I always tell them we don't know what you have done unless you tell us."
When do students go to the Mentor site? Most students take Intern-Mentor during 6th period and then go to their site at the beginning of the period. However, some students take the GT Intern-Mentor class for two credits and leave after 4th period. Students may take the GT Intern-Mentor class during the another class time slot & go to their Mentor at their convenience at a time after school that they and the Mentor agree to.
Will my IR Student be matched with an adviser for their research? Yes, the student & I will work together to procure an adviser to help them with their research, the development of their student product and the research paper. We will also visit a college library to see how college level research is done and we usually have a college professor speak to us about how to write an effective research paper.
What is the major difference between the G/T classes & the ARL Academies? The academies are for general learners as well as advanced learners. The G/T Independent Research & Intern-Mentor classes are for advanced learners. Also, we do not ask a mutli-year commitment as do some of the academies.
What if a mentor/advisor is not located for my child? Every effort will be made to place each student in an internship working with his/her mentor as quickly as possible. Finding quality mentors in some fields can be exceedingly difficult, and, in some cases impossible given the severe shortage of mentors in those fields and extreme competition from other in-county, out-of-county, and college programs. In rare cases, students may be asked to select another class instead of the Intern-Mentor Program. The GT Independent Research class is is a likely alternative.