The scientific research process is central to a well-rounded technical education. It connects cross curricular coursework and physically defines the mission of the SMT Magnet program. The project represents an opportunity for students to apply what they have learned in class to an area of interest (wherein the student will become expert). Two credit bearing options are available, SMT Research Seminar and Engineering Design and Development (PLTW), as support for Skyview students looking to engage in the research process.

The Project Process:

Step 1-Apply-

In order to participate in the research seminar students will need to apply to their top three research group choices. The options are as follows:

• Computer Science and Software Development

  • Students will work in teams of 3-5 students to design and create apps for tablets and smartphones that solve real-world problems. As with other SMT Magnet Research Projects, the apps will be submitted to a competition and presented to a panel for judging.

• Renewable and Sustainable Energy Systems

  • Research within this group will center on developing both physical and behavioral based systems that promote renewable and sustainable human energy production and consumption. Students will focus their research around participation in the Washington State University Imagine Tomorrow competition which is themed and specifically supports 4 threads: Technology, Design, Behavior and Biofuels.

• Advanced Statistics Applications

  • Teams of 2-6 students will compete at the Washington State Math Council Competition. Each team will be required to address a problem that that relates to a specific social, environmental or economical task. Students will use their understanding of math to make predictions and convey meaningful information in a way that is accessible and helpful to others.

• Watershed Systems

  • This project will tie in with the Watershed Congress that is the culmination of the Watershed Monitoring County Environmental Services Clean Water Program. The Watershed Congress focuses on education, discovery, and stewardship. SMTM students will be required to become educated, test, report out, and potentially become a steward of a local Watershed.

Step 2-Selection-

Based on student application data the SMTM faculty will then select students into specific research groups. Students will be notified of their selection approximately 2 weeks after the application window closes.

Step 3-Participation-

In order to earn the 0.5 elective credit students will need to:

• Document 90 hours of combined meeting time and individual work time over the course of the school year (Note this is a full year long course).
• Complete the requirements of the challenge/competition designated within each research group.
• Work positively with other members of the research group
• Actively participate in presenting findings to an external panel of judges