Now that your teacher has approved your topic and question, you are ready to begin your research!
You probably have been using a page like this one to come up with questions that you will use for research (click to open): STEM Research Questions – Phase 1 . Before you begin searching for information, be sure that you have written several questions on this page that will guide your research.
You have several choices for how you will record your research notes. I will describe the choices below, but be sure to check with your science teacher in case they have a specific format that they would like you to use.
The first option is to create a Stixyboard. We modeled this in the library with all of our 4th and 5th grade classes. On your Stixyboard, you will write each research question on a separate sticky note, then record the source and the facts that answer each question. You can see a screenshot below that shows an example from one of our fourth grade classes. Notice that the example only shows part of the board. If you’d like to see the entire board, go to http://www.stixy.com/guest/181976 . NOTE: You will not use this Stixyboard for your research. You need to see Mrs. Austen to set up your own board.
The second option is to use this Word template to record your questions, research, and sources: STEM Research Table for Students . You can save the template in your own file or flashdrive. Note that the template reminds you to begin your research with World Book and netTrekker BEFORE you use a search engine.
The third option is to ask your teacher for a printed copy of the STEM Research Table. You can simply write your questions and research notes on the page.
One final option is to create your own graphic organizer or note taking sheet. You should use Microsoft Word for this so that you can open your notes at school. If you have a Web 2.0 tool that you’d like to use, please check with Mrs. Voelker first to be sure that we will be able to open the tool on a BCPS computer.
If you have any questions about your research, please let me know and I will be happy to help.
🙂 Mrs. Austen