Conducting SIR Investigations
"Approach each new problem not with a view of finding what you hope will be there, but to get the truth, the realities that must be grappled with."
Introduction
The student investigation is conducted as an interactive partnership with an advisor to pursue a question or topic about which the student is keenly interested. While pursuing this investigation, using inquiry standards and with the support of the advisor, the student acquires further knowledge and a deeper understanding of the topic, and further develops skills in planning, investigating, analyzing, and communicating results of the investigation.
Participation Requirements
SIR is an academic year-long (e.g. two semester) course; once admitted to the program, students must participate for the entire academic year. (Note that for students participating in SIR, course load limits as described in the “Course Load” section of the IMSA Student Handbook will be increased.) Since SIR is a student-centered and student-driven endeavor, to remain in good standing with the SIR program and to earn academic credit the participating student is expected to meet all requirement deadlines for conducting investigations and adhere to all administrative requirements.
The Investigation
Initially, the student considers possible areas of investigation to work in and potential advisors to work with. After the options have been narrowed, the next step is to secure a particular advisor and formulate, with the guidance of that advisor, the specific Student Plan of Inquiry/Research Proposal to investigate the chosen area or topic. The advisor and the SIR Coordinator review the student's completed proposal to determine if further information is needed before formal approval can be granted by the SIR Coordinator. Limited funds and other IMSA resources may be available to support approved investigations.
Progress on the investigation is documented regularly by the student in a journal. Occasional written reports are also prepared by the student to formally document progress of the work and to allow for structured reflection on the investigation. These reports are: the first semester progress report; the second semester investigation abstract; and the final report.
Sharing Results
Near the end of each academic year, all SIR participants finalize their work and prepare to share their results in a public forum. IMSA sponsors an annual on-campus showcase of student investigations, called IMSAloquium, in the spring where students share their investigations with invited guests, SIR advisors, and IMSA staff and students.
Students are also encouraged to share their work and results with relevant organizations outside of the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy when the project has reached an appropriate state of maturity. There are many outstanding additional opportunities to leverage SIR experiences and results, and IMSA students have received many external achievements with them.
Assessment of the Investigation
Upon completion and presentation of the investigation at IMSAloquium, the student writes the final report and participates in reflection with the advisor. When these steps are completed, a final assessment is done to determine what grade will be recorded for the investigation on the student's transcript and whether academic credit will be awarded. Students who achieve significant results are encouraged to pursue additional opportunities with their work.
Communication with Parents/Guardians
The Coordinator of Student Inquiry and Research will ensure that parents/guardians receive ongoing status about the student's approved SIR investigation through the IMSA online school management system provided by PowerSchool®, and via mail, as needed.