Frequently Asked Questions

INDEPENDENT RESEARCH PROJECTS 

What is the independent research project component of the project?
These projects are a chance for you and your students to explore watershed related topics that go beyond the ongoing chemical water testing every three weeks. They are a chance for your students to develop research and scientific method skills, analyze data and problem solve, and explore waterway topics that interest them.

What do the independent research projects have to be about?
They should be about a watershed topic (i.e. water quality, pollutants, water issues, watershed mapping/comparisons, watershed history, hydrogeology, stream morphology, watershed creatures/aquatic life, or stream ecology). Stipend money can be spent on equipment to carry out these projects.

Who designs these research projects?
Ideally, the students; however, if you want to cover a certain topic in your curriculum that you could turn into a class research project, go for it. It should be a goal to have the students feel some ownership of the research design and work.

How many independent research projects do we have to do?
At least one involving the entire class must be completed. Some teachers have one entire class project, some divide students up into groups to each work on a different project. Individual students or small groups can study something on their own. Whatever works best for you in your class setting.

How many students have to conduct independent research projects?
Independent research projects, whether individual or class projects, should involve as many students as possible. Having only a few students doing research is not acceptable.

When do we start working on these projects?
As soon as you and your students want. They must be complete by mid-April for the Student Research Symposium. The earlier they are completed, the better, and the results / presentation will be more impressive for the Student Research Symposium. Allegheny can purchase materials for you between the Summer Institute and March 1 or provide assistance at any point during the year.

Can I get some ideas for projects or a list of projects done in the past?
Yes. They are printed in the project's Handbook for Water Quality Analysis of Western Pennsylvania Waterways starting on page 171 (Research Projects and Symposium Section). The possibilities for projects are vast, and Allegheny can help you design and implement projects.

View a list of the research projects and oral presentations from last year's Symposia.