The science research courses in New York's Hudson Valley don't travel a predictable path. Unlike science labs, the outcomes of student experiments are not known ahead of time.

Alignment with the state's standardized assessment is unlikely, but the courses do create experiences of deep learning and high-level competitors in national science fairs.

Students design their own course of independent study that allows them to explore a single topic for three to four years. In some cases, classes meet only once a week. For the first six months, students primarily do online research, reading articles and scientific to expand their knowledge of their chosen topic. They then seek out mentors at local colleges and companies as they develop plans for research and experiments.

"Science research students create science. In the traditional classes they listen to science," said Timothy Selg, director of White Plains High School's 10-year-old science research program. "When you think about a project and you overcome obstacles and create ideas and implement those ideas and find out the results of those ideas, that learning is a lifelong learning. You'll never forget it."

Maureen Lackner, for example, is pursuing the theory of a tether-powered satellite. Studies in gravitational physics and advanced calculus are essential to her work. She has also learned how to write programs in the C++ computer language to create 3-D models on her laptop. Other topics include identity-theft prevention, linguistics, gene therapy for cancer treatment, growing bone cells more efficiently, robotics, and using leech enzymes to treat equine diseases.

The impressive programs require a district commitment. In Dobbs Ferry, the school Foundation provided a $15,000 grant to help pay for equipment and the conversion of an old greenhouse into a computer lab. The program in nearby Brewster County pays the teacher who runs it an additional $20,000 annually, and the Brewster Education Foundation provides $4,000 annually to defray costs.

Source: The Journal News, Science research fosters "deep learning," by Dwight R. Worley. The article is the third in a series called "Beyond the Tests."

To view videos of Lower Hudson Valley students explaining their science research projects, scroll through The Hall Monitor blog, or find the text "science research course" on that page.

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