Creating and Maintaining a High School Physics Research Program

摘要

Perhaps the ultimate challenge a high school (or for that matter college) science student can undertake is independent science research. Research requires a large time commitment and much dedication. In any original and independent study, there are no guarantees that an experiment will even work until one tries. A very small percentage of students get involved in original, challenging research, especially if there is no local college or university where an interested student may go to obtain such an opportunity in a professor's lab. For those relatively few students who do proceed with this type of investigation, the experience can be rewarding and even life changing. This paper provides some recommendations to teachers who have given thought to getting students involved in science research, but have not been able to jump-start a program that can maintain itself over time. Several examples of topics that have led not only to good science but also to local and national recognition for the students will be presented, as well as a brief outline of some top national science competitions where high school students can participate.