The S^4-Super Summer Science Search™ Contest is open to all outgoing 6th, 7th & 8th graders living within the Cupertino Union School District. The contest includes free and optional sessions. These slides are from Study Session #1 2015, where students brainstormed topic ideas for their projects. We helped them understand how to narrow down a topic to something that would make a good research project.

1. S^
4 SUPER SUMMER
SCIENCE SEARCH
STUDY SESSION #1
Sponsored by: Cupertino Library Foundation

2. Welcome!

3. AGENDA
THE PROMPT
BRAINSTORMING PART 1 - LOCAL ISSUES
MAYOR ROD SINKS
BRAINSTORMING PART 2 - STATE, NATIONAL AND
INTERNATIONAL ISSUES
BRAINSTORMING PART 3 - ENGINEERING, BIOLOGY,
HUMANITIES
BREAK TIME - DO YOU NEED A PARTNER?
QUESTIONS?

4. PROMPT:
Step 1. Choose an area of study
from these three choices:
● biology● Engineering
● Humanities (i.e. arts, music, etc.)

5. Step 2. Based on your
selected area of study,
choose one issue or
problem at either the local,
state, national, or
international level that
interests you.
PROMPT:

6. Step 3: Do research within
the library’s online
databases based on your
topic.
PROMPT:

7. Step 4. Describe your
scientific solution in a
report. include in the report
your creative ideas on how
to implement your solution.
PROMPT:

8. Step 5. Format your
presentation as if you were
presenting to a community
group, government agency, or
corporation.
PROMPT:

9. BRAINSTORMING PART 1
WORKING AT YOUR TABLE: THINK OF 10
LOCAL ISSUES OR PROBLEMS
THE FASTEST TABLES GET A PRIZE!

10. REFINE YOUR ISSUE FROM A
BROAD ONE TO SOMETHING
MORE SPECIFIC
Broad issue: Bike Safety
Narrow it dowN: Eliminating head
injuries from bike accidents
How could science help?: Better
engineered helmets, or system
that prevents bike from moving if
helmet not on and latched

11. MAYOR ROD SINKS

12. FIVE STATE ISSUES
FIVE NATIONAL ISSUES
FIVE INTERNATIONAL ISSUES
REMEMBER: NARROW DOWN YOUR
IDEAS
Brainstorming Part 2

13. Brainstorming Part 3
Relate the topics your group
came up with to:
● Engineering
● Biology
● Humanities

14. Break Time!
10 minutes
Mentoring Time
What do You or your team need help
with today?

15. Important resources:
WWW.CUPERTINO LIBRARYFOUNDATION.ORG
https://www.facebook.com/S4Contest
https://twitter.com/S4CLF

16. KEY DATES:
-Registration: May 1st- June 1st
-June 1st: Contest Officially begins
-Study Sessions on May 16, June 14 & 29,
July 11
-August 1: Contest entries due by 11:59 P.
M. PDT
-August 10*: Winners are notified
-August 16: Awards and Celebration
*This date is subject to change

17. HOW TO GET STARTED:
1.) Register for the contest using link on
CLF website.
2.) Get a FREE SCCLD library card (free to all
Cupertino residents/ CUSD students).
3.) Explore your interests and pick a specific
topic.
4.) Start your research with SCCLD
databases.
5.) Attend the Study Sessions.
6.) Compile final documents.
7.) Turn it in by August 1st, 2015 (11:59 P.M. PDT)!
8.) Celebrate!!!

18. STUDY SESSIONS
Dates & Locations:
-Study Session #1: Saturday, May 16th, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.,
Quinlan Center
-Study Session #2: Sunday, June 14, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.,
Community Hall
-Study Session #3: Friday, June 26, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.,
Community Hall
-Study Session #4: Saturday, July 11, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.,
Community Hall

19. STUDY SESSIONS
Themes:
-Study Session #1: choosing your topic
-Study Session #2: how to use the databases
-Study Session #3: writing your report
-Study Session #4: making a presentation

20. Drawing!

21. THANK YOU!
SEE YOU JUNE
14!
Brought to you by the S^
4 Task Force

22. fun Quiz time!!