Research and Problems - Academy of Science and Technology

After successful completion of Scientific Research and Design, students may select one of several Research and Problems Activities.

Students must complete a new Research and Problems Contract each year. Submit both copies to the Teacher/Sponsor. Some Research and Problems activities such as Destination Imagination, Envirothon, Quiz Bowl, Science Bowl, and FIRST Robotics, require a separate application.

A grade and one half (.5) credit of Research and Problems (R&P) I, II, or III will be earned each year that a student successfully completes the required Academy major project in grades 10-12. For projects, students may solve design problems, do an individual experimental research project, a group experimental research project, or participate in approved competitions. Transcript credit will be awarded upon completion of the course requirements.

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(Grades 9-12)

Students may choose to design an Independent Experimental Research Project (IERP) or a Group Experimental Research Project (GERP) as part of their Research and Problems requirement. Students in the ninth grade are enrolled in the Scientific Research and Design class and are required to do such a project. Students in grades 9-12 who do a research project will enter their projects in SCI://TECH in February. Successful projects qualify for the Science and Engineering Fair of Houston (SEFH) in March. Students who continue to advance are encouraged to attend the ExxonMobil Science and Engineering Fair (EMSEF) in May and ultimately the international competition, Intel Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). Students may enter the Technical Writing Competition beginning with our local competition, SCI://TECH.

Not only are students whose projects are selected as winners eligible to win money, students gain recognition for their creativity and hard work. Each year, corporations recognize successful students through gifts, public recognition, and scholarships.

Additionally, students with successful science fair projects are eligible to attend other competitions, such as Texas A&M’s Texas Junior Science and Humanities Conference, NCSSSMST Student Conferences, I-SWEEEP, U.S. Stockholm Junior Water Prize, and ultimately, the venerable Siemens Competition and Regeneron Science and Talent Search.

Students develop many skills as they conduct research. These include ability to design a project to answer a question, research skills, writing skills, data analysis, and make inferences and draw conclusions. For more information visit the SCI://TECH website

Note: All research proposals must be approved by the Scientific Review Committee prior to experimentation. Students must adhere to the rules outlined by the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) and regional rules of the Science and Engineering Fair of Houston (SEFH).

(Grades 9 – 12)

Teams of 5-7 members work together to solve a Team Challenge using creativity, critical thinking, and students’ particular talents. Teams choose one challenge that focuses on science, math, or technology from among several options. Team challenges are released in early September allowing teams 6 – 12 weeks to prepare for local and regional competitions. Academy teams have historically advanced to DI Global in May. The challenges are open-ended and solvable in various ways:

Challenge A: Technical/Mechanical

Challenge B: Scientific

Challenge C: Fine Arts

Challenge D: Improvisation

Challenge E: Structural

The Team Challenge consists of the Central Challenge and Side Trips. In addition, teams are asked to solve the Instant Challenge in a very short period of time at the tournament and without prior knowledge of what it is. For more information visit the Texas Destination ImagiNation website.

(Grades 10-12)

Envirothon is the largest and most academically challenging high school environmental competition in North America. It is a team competition and requires several months of study to be prepared for testing in wildlife biology, forestry, aquatics, soil science, and current environmental issues. Two teams of 5 work together to answer knowledge-based questions in outdoor field-testing stations and apply knowledge to solve real-life problems. Winning team at state advances to the Canon National Envirothon in August. For more information visit the Texas State Envirothon website.

(Grades 10-12)

Students who are interested in engineering and robotics may want to enter this competition. Working in groups of two, students design a robot that will satisfy a particular game design. The story of the competition is released in September with the web site going operational in October. Using the competition rules, students have four months to design and build their robot before entering the Senior High Engineering Competition as part of SCI://TECH in February. For more information visit the SCI://TECH website.

(Grades 10-12)

For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) is a team competition that challenges students and their mentors to solve a common problem in a six-week period with a given kit and common set of rules. Teams build the robots and enter them in competitions. Students are recognized for excellence in design, demonstrated team spirit, gracious professionalism and maturity, and the ability to overcome obstacles. Kickoff is in October followed by Regional competition is in October, Lone Star Regional in March, FIRST Championships are in April. For more information visit the Texas Torque Team 1477 website.