Background+research+paper

Two great sites about writing a background research paper (although these sites are a little more involved than our papers need to be. You should aim for around 1.5 - 2 pages, 1.5 or double spaced.)
 * Science Buddies
 * VAL writing site

SCROLL DOWN TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE SEE THE RUBRIC (24 pts) Basically, you are writing this (on that separate Google doc).

** NOTE: Make sure you are using GOOD sources (review search strategies?). Wikipedia is a great place to start, but you must have a second source for all info you use from Wikipedia. Or confirm the original source. **

(You should start by writing a list of questions as you have about your topic - part of developing your skills as a scientist is developing your skills in asking questions.)
 * Give an overview of your topic - describe the overall idea
 * Include mathematical formulas, if any, that you will need to describe the results of the research
 * Define important words and concepts that describe your experiment (vocabulary)
 * Describe any similar experiments (in history / that you find)
 * (optional) Talk to experienced people who have done related projects (Skype is an EXCELLENT tool)
 * Answer some (most?) of the questions on your list (see step 1)
 * ADD: Why did you choose this project - what makes it interesting to you?

(Make sure to use proper citation for your material. Include sources, copyright appropriate images, and use quotation marks around direct quotes) Need a referesher on how to cite sources? Visit this page for info on citing web sources.

Watch this space below for a completed rubric (coming soon): 4 pts || To earn 3 pts || To earn 2 pts || To earn 1 pt || (use Wikipedia as a tool, NOT as a source) ||  ||   ||   ||   ||
 * Part of Research paper (24 pts) || To earn
 * Overview of topic ||  ||   ||   ||   ||
 * Formulas (if necessary) & Vocabulary ||  ||   ||   ||   ||
 * Historical info / other similar experiments ||  ||   ||   ||   ||
 * Answer questions from your list ||  ||   ||   ||   ||
 * Sources cited properly
 * Why you chose this topic ||  ||   ||   ||   ||