- What do I need to do to take a G/T Research class?
- My child does not have an idea about what he would like to research.
- Do the students actually do lab research or other types of research?
- Do the IR & Intern classes look good to colleges?
- Students need to provide their own transportation for the Mentor class?
- When do students go to the Mentor site?
- Will my IR Student be matched with an adviser for their research?
- What G/T Research Programs are offered at Marriotts Ridge High School?
- What is the Independent Research Course
- What is the Intern/Mentor Program?
- What is the major difference between the G/T classes & the Academies?
- What if a mentor/advisor is not located for my child?
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What do I need to do to take a G/T Research class?
To apply to the Independent Research Course or the Intern/Mentor Program:
1. Download the application from this website.
2. Complete & submit the application by the due date on the application.
3. Schedule an interview with Mr. Eckert in G/T office in room 220.
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My child does not have an idea about what he would like to research.
I help students choose their research question. Many of the students
have just a vague idea of what they are interested in when they enter the
class. We start with that and then we go through a process that helps them
focus their interest into a research question.
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Do the students actually do lab research or other types of research?
Students can do either lab type research or original research through
journals, professional databases, etc. Some students even use the course as
a compliment to the Science Fair.
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Do the IR & Intern classes look good to colleges?
I can tell you that when the students attach a research abstract along with
my letter of recommendation, it helps differentiate them from the other kids
who haven't made the effort to attempt this type of course. See a section
from a sample email below from St. Mary's College:
"I am the counselor who will be reviewing the applications of your student
who applied to St. Mary’s from your high school. I received the letter you
wrote which accompanied the abstract of XXXXXX’s project about sleep
deprivation. My reason for contacting you is to say thank you for the
information. It is really quite helpful. Many students do internships,
projects etc, but not many of them ever make it clear to us the scope and
the depth of their activities. I always tell them we don’t know what you
have done unless you tell us."
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Students need to provide their own transportation for the Mentor class?
Yes. The student will spend 4-5 hours per week at a Mentor site and they
must provide their own transportation to and from the site.
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When do students go to the Mentor site?
Most students take Intern-Mentor during 6th period and then go to their site
at the beginning of the period. However, some students may take the mentor
class during the another class time slot & go to their Mentor at their
convenience.
site at a time after school that they and Mentor agree to.
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Will my IR Student be matched with an adviser for their research?
Yes, the student & I will work together to procure an adviser to help them
with their research, the development of their student product and the
research paper. We will also visit a college library to see how college
level research is done and we usually have a college professor speak to us
about how to write an effective research paper.
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What G/T Research Programs are offered at Marriotts Ridge High School?
Intern/Mentor and Independent Research are the two programs offered in each
high school in Howard County.
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What is the Independent Research Course
Independent Research is a college-level course in which students design an
original research study or creative production in self-selected areas of
interest. Students learn advanced-level research methodologies and college-
level writing and oral presentations skills. Under the guidance of the G/T
resource teacher, each student identifies a problem and formulates a
research
question. Student researchers address identified problems, answer research
questions, and communicate the results of their creative achievements to
appropriate audiences. Students collaborate and receive ongoing feedback
from professionals in their selected areas of study.
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What is the Intern/Mentor Program?
The G/T Intern/Mentor Program is a college-level course in which students
design an original research study or creative production. Students study
off-
campus with a professional mentor in a self-selected area of interest.
Student research or creative production focuses on contribuing new knowledge
to the field of study. The G/T resource teacher facilitates classroom and
internship experiences, focusing on advanced-level reasearch methodologies
and college-level writing and oral presentaions skills. At the mentor site,
students apply the knowledge and skills they have learned in an authentic,
professional environment.
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What is the major difference between the G/T classes & the Academies?
The academies are for everyone. The G/T Independent Research & Intern-Mentor
classes are for advanced learners. Also, we do not ask a mutli-year
commitment as do some of the academies.
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What if a mentor/advisor is not located for my child?
Every effort will be made to place each student in an internship
working with his/her mentor as quickly as possible. Finding quality
mentors in some fields can be exceedingly difficult, and, in some cases
impossible given the severe shortage of mentors in those fields and extreme
competition from other in-county, out-of-county, and college programs. In
rare cases, students may be asked to select another class instead of the
Intern-Mentor Program.
