Biology Summer Research Project  

Welcome to Biology! First of all, we are so proud you made the decision to complete this course in 8th grade!! This is definitely 
going to be a challenging course, but we will guide you through every step! Although this is not going to be as extreme as the 
Biology Honors course offered at Golden High School, we will cover the concepts that grade level Biology students cover! For 
your summer assignment, you will complete a research project that will prepare you for Biology. You will be required to present 
this project during the second and third day of school! If you have any questions, feel free to contact us!  
Ms. Alicia Martin  Mr. Troy Santiago 
amartin52@shadowcreekmiddleschool.org  tsantiago6@shadowcreekmiddleschool.org 
(Team 8/1 Advanced)  (Team 8/4 Advanced) 
Project Introduction: 
- Research a topic that sticks out to you! 
- Be able to collect information, perform labs and analyze data! 
- Make your presentations fun, they are only ​worth 35 points​, and should be fun! This class is meant to be a 
fun, rigorous course! Make a good impact!  
- Late work will only be accepted for 70% credit. Late is considered shared after the first presentation day!  
- Be sure to share your presentation with ​YOUR​ teacher, ​once you have received your schedule​ and you know 
who your teacher is. If you would like one of us to briefly look at presentation, before finding out who your 
teacher is, feel free to shoot us an email, and we’ll try to get back to you within 24 hours! 
- See the attached rubric to make sure you are ready for an amazing presentation!! Have fun! 
- A laboratory is required! Basically, find either a video, film yourself or bring a SAFE lab to class to show your 
topic in action!! 
- A lab write up is required; choose a question you have on the topic and write a C.E.R. regarding the question 
with research you found! This can be a very vague, short, paper, but we want you to dig deep and find a 
question you have on your topic! 
Topics: 
- Analyzing DNA samples for crime! (Gel Electrophoresis, email if in need of equipment!) 
- Anatomy of a Cell! (Plant or Animal) 
- Evolution of a Species! (Which ever species you want!) 
- Mitosis vs Meiosis! (Email us for help, if needed) 
- Research a Natural Disaster! (Impacts on cultural landscape) 
- Analyzing DNA Genotypes and Phenotypes (Punnett Squares) 
- Cell Cycle (From birth to death) 
Specifications: 
- You may create a presentation such as PowerPoint, Slides or Prezi!  
- Illustrations, diagrams, models are all helpful!  
- Descriptive Lab Report is required (see rubric) 
- Videos and Demonstrations are amazing! (not required) 
Presenting: 
- Presentations will take place based on last name (N-Z Tuesday; A-M Wednesday) 
- Any students who don’t present on their designated day will present on Thursday!  
Presentation Rubric (25pts): 
  1  2  3  4  5 

Research:  No Research  Little Research  Good research  Awesome  The best 

research!  research with a 
lot of evidence! 

Laboratory:  No Laboratory  Insufficient  Efficient  Awesome  Laboratory is 

Laboratory  Laboratory  Labratory!  presented in 
detail and is 
relevant to the 
topic!  

Presentation:  No presentation  Ehh Presentation  Good presentation  Awesome  An amazing 

Presentation!  presentation with 
detail and 
precision. 
Accurate data and 
information! 

Audience:  No energy  Ehh energy  Good energy  Interest audience  Audience is 
engaged with the 
topic and seems 
interested! 

Topic:  No topic  Topic is present  Topic is  Topic is well  Topic is well 
researched, not  research, a few  known by the 
thoroughly  misconceptions  student and if 
asked questions, 
able to answer to 
a greater extent 
 
Lab Write Up (10pts): 
- Claim: What did you learn coming across your topic? What was your essential question? (1pt) 
- Evidence: What research did you come across that proves a question you had? (2pt) 
- Reasoning: How does your research connect to your claim? (2pt) 
- What did you learn about your topic through research and preparation for your presentation? Is 
this a topic you are excited to discuss in class? Explain! (5pt)