college research worksheet middle school

• Research Skills

50 Mini-Lessons For Teaching Students Research Skills

Please note, I am no longer blogging and this post hasn’t updated since April 2020.

For a number of years, Seth Godin has been talking about the need to “ connect the dots” rather than “collect the dots” . That is, rather than memorising information, students must be able to learn how to solve new problems, see patterns, and combine multiple perspectives.

Solid research skills underpin this. Having the fluency to find and use information successfully is an essential skill for life and work.

Today’s students have more information at their fingertips than ever before and this means the role of the teacher as a guide is more important than ever.

You might be wondering how you can fit teaching research skills into a busy curriculum? There aren’t enough hours in the day! The good news is, there are so many mini-lessons you can do to build students’ skills over time.

This post outlines 50 ideas for activities that could be done in just a few minutes (or stretched out to a longer lesson if you have the time!).

Learn More About The Research Process

I have a popular post called Teach Students How To Research Online In 5 Steps. It outlines a five-step approach to break down the research process into manageable chunks.

This post shares ideas for mini-lessons that could be carried out in the classroom throughout the year to help build students’ skills in the five areas of: clarify, search, delve, evaluate , and cite . It also includes ideas for learning about staying organised throughout the research process.

Notes about the 50 research activities:

• These ideas can be adapted for different age groups from middle primary/elementary to senior high school.
• Many of these ideas can be repeated throughout the year.
• Depending on the age of your students, you can decide whether the activity will be more teacher or student led. Some activities suggest coming up with a list of words, questions, or phrases. Teachers of younger students could generate these themselves.
• Depending on how much time you have, many of the activities can be either quickly modelled by the teacher, or extended to an hour-long lesson.
• Some of the activities could fit into more than one category.
• Looking for simple articles for younger students for some of the activities? Try DOGO News or Time for Kids . Newsela is also a great resource but you do need to sign up for free account.
• Why not try a few activities in a staff meeting? Everyone can always brush up on their own research skills!

• Choose a topic (e.g. koalas, basketball, Mount Everest) . Write as many questions as you can think of relating to that topic.
• Make a mindmap of a topic you’re currently learning about. This could be either on paper or using an online tool like Bubbl.us .
• Read a short book or article. Make a list of 5 words from the text that you don’t totally understand. Look up the meaning of the words in a dictionary (online or paper).
• Look at a printed or digital copy of a short article with the title removed. Come up with as many different titles as possible that would fit the article.
• Come up with a list of 5 different questions you could type into Google (e.g. Which country in Asia has the largest population?) Circle the keywords in each question.
• Write down 10 words to describe a person, place, or topic. Come up with synonyms for these words using a tool like  Thesaurus.com .
• Write pairs of synonyms on post-it notes (this could be done by the teacher or students). Each student in the class has one post-it note and walks around the classroom to find the person with the synonym to their word.

• Explore how to search Google using your voice (i.e. click/tap on the microphone in the Google search box or on your phone/tablet keyboard) . List the pros and cons of using voice and text to search.
• Open two different search engines in your browser such as Google and Bing. Type in a query and compare the results. Do all search engines work exactly the same?
• Have students work in pairs to try out a different search engine (there are 11 listed here ). Report back to the class on the pros and cons.
• Think of something you’re curious about, (e.g. What endangered animals live in the Amazon Rainforest?). Open Google in two tabs. In one search, type in one or two keywords ( e.g. Amazon Rainforest) . In the other search type in multiple relevant keywords (e.g. endangered animals Amazon rainforest).  Compare the results. Discuss the importance of being specific.
• Similar to above, try two different searches where one phrase is in quotation marks and the other is not. For example, Origin of “raining cats and dogs” and Origin of raining cats and dogs . Discuss the difference that using quotation marks makes (It tells Google to search for the precise keywords in order.)
• Try writing a question in Google with a few minor spelling mistakes. What happens? What happens if you add or leave out punctuation ?
• Try the AGoogleADay.com daily search challenges from Google. The questions help older students learn about choosing keywords, deconstructing questions, and altering keywords.
• Explore how Google uses autocomplete to suggest searches quickly. Try it out by typing in various queries (e.g. How to draw… or What is the tallest…). Discuss how these suggestions come about, how to use them, and whether they’re usually helpful.
• Watch this video  from Code.org to learn more about how search works .
• Take a look at  20 Instant Google Searches your Students Need to Know  by Eric Curts to learn about “ instant searches ”. Try one to try out. Perhaps each student could be assigned one to try and share with the class.
• Experiment with typing some questions into Google that have a clear answer (e.g. “What is a parallelogram?” or “What is the highest mountain in the world?” or “What is the population of Australia?”). Look at the different ways the answers are displayed instantly within the search results — dictionary definitions, image cards, graphs etc.

• Watch the video How Does Google Know Everything About Me?  by Scientific American. Discuss the PageRank algorithm and how Google uses your data to customise search results.
• Brainstorm a list of popular domains   (e.g. .com, .com.au, or your country’s domain) . Discuss if any domains might be more reliable than others and why (e.g. .gov or .edu) .
• Discuss (or research) ways to open Google search results in a new tab to save your original search results  (i.e. right-click > open link in new tab or press control/command and click the link).
• Try out a few Google searches (perhaps start with things like “car service” “cat food” or “fresh flowers”). A re there advertisements within the results? Discuss where these appear and how to spot them.
• Look at ways to filter search results by using the tabs at the top of the page in Google (i.e. news, images, shopping, maps, videos etc.). Do the same filters appear for all Google searches? Try out a few different searches and see.
• Type a question into Google and look for the “People also ask” and “Searches related to…” sections. Discuss how these could be useful. When should you use them or ignore them so you don’t go off on an irrelevant tangent? Is the information in the drop-down section under “People also ask” always the best?
• Often, more current search results are more useful. Click on “tools” under the Google search box and then “any time” and your time frame of choice such as “Past month” or “Past year”.
• Have students annotate their own “anatomy of a search result” example like the one I made below. Explore the different ways search results display; some have more details like sitelinks and some do not.

• Find two articles on a news topic from different publications. Or find a news article and an opinion piece on the same topic. Make a Venn diagram comparing the similarities and differences.
• Choose a graph, map, or chart from The New York Times’ What’s Going On In This Graph series . Have a whole class or small group discussion about the data.
• Look at images stripped of their captions on What’s Going On In This Picture? by The New York Times. Discuss the images in pairs or small groups. What can you tell?
• Explore a website together as a class or in pairs — perhaps a news website. Identify all the advertisements .
• Have a look at a fake website either as a whole class or in pairs/small groups. See if students can spot that these sites are not real. Discuss the fact that you can’t believe everything that’s online. Get started with these four examples of fake websites from Eric Curts.
• Give students a copy of my website evaluation flowchart to analyse and then discuss as a class. Read more about the flowchart in this post.
• As a class, look at a prompt from Mike Caulfield’s Four Moves . Either together or in small groups, have students fact check the prompts on the site. This resource explains more about the fact checking process. Note: some of these prompts are not suitable for younger students.
• Practice skim reading — give students one minute to read a short article. Ask them to discuss what stood out to them. Headings? Bold words? Quotes? Then give students ten minutes to read the same article and discuss deep reading.

All students can benefit from learning about plagiarism, copyright, how to write information in their own words, and how to acknowledge the source. However, the formality of this process will depend on your students’ age and your curriculum guidelines.

• Watch the video Citation for Beginners for an introduction to citation. Discuss the key points to remember.
• Look up the definition of plagiarism using a variety of sources (dictionary, video, Wikipedia etc.). Create a definition as a class.
• Find an interesting video on YouTube (perhaps a “life hack” video) and write a brief summary in your own words.
• Have students pair up and tell each other about their weekend. Then have the listener try to verbalise or write their friend’s recount in their own words. Discuss how accurate this was.
• Read the class a copy of a well known fairy tale. Have them write a short summary in their own words. Compare the versions that different students come up with.
• Try out MyBib — a handy free online tool without ads that helps you create citations quickly and easily.
• Give primary/elementary students a copy of Kathy Schrock’s Guide to Citation that matches their grade level (the guide covers grades 1 to 6). Choose one form of citation and create some examples as a class (e.g. a website or a book).
• Make a list of things that are okay and not okay to do when researching, e.g. copy text from a website, use any image from Google images, paraphrase in your own words and cite your source, add a short quote and cite the source. 
• Have students read a short article and then come up with a summary that would be considered plagiarism and one that would not be considered plagiarism. These could be shared with the class and the students asked to decide which one shows an example of plagiarism .
• Older students could investigate the difference between paraphrasing and summarising . They could create a Venn diagram that compares the two.
• Write a list of statements on the board that might be true or false ( e.g. The 1956 Olympics were held in Melbourne, Australia. The rhinoceros is the largest land animal in the world. The current marathon world record is 2 hours, 7 minutes). Have students research these statements and decide whether they’re true or false by sharing their citations.

Staying Organised

• Make a list of different ways you can take notes while researching — Google Docs, Google Keep, pen and paper etc. Discuss the pros and cons of each method.
• Learn the keyboard shortcuts to help manage tabs (e.g. open new tab, reopen closed tab, go to next tab etc.). Perhaps students could all try out the shortcuts and share their favourite one with the class.
• Find a collection of resources on a topic and add them to a Wakelet .
• Listen to a short podcast or watch a brief video on a certain topic and sketchnote ideas. Sylvia Duckworth has some great tips about live sketchnoting
• Learn how to use split screen to have one window open with your research, and another open with your notes (e.g. a Google spreadsheet, Google Doc, Microsoft Word or OneNote etc.) .

All teachers know it’s important to teach students to research well. Investing time in this process will also pay off throughout the year and the years to come. Students will be able to focus on analysing and synthesizing information, rather than the mechanics of the research process.

By trying out as many of these mini-lessons as possible throughout the year, you’ll be really helping your students to thrive in all areas of school, work, and life.

Also remember to model your own searches explicitly during class time. Talk out loud as you look things up and ask students for input. Learning together is the way to go!

You Might Also Enjoy Reading:

How To Evaluate Websites: A Guide For Teachers And Students

Five Tips for Teaching Students How to Research and Filter Information

Typing Tips: The How and Why of Teaching Students Keyboarding Skills

8 Ways Teachers And Schools Can Communicate With Parents

10 Replies to “50 Mini-Lessons For Teaching Students Research Skills”

Loving these ideas, thank you

This list is amazing. Thank you so much!

So glad it’s helpful, Alex! 🙂

Hi I am a student who really needed some help on how to reasearch thanks for the help.

So glad it helped! 🙂

seriously seriously grateful for your post. 🙂

So glad it’s helpful! Makes my day 🙂

How do you get the 50 mini lessons. I got the free one but am interested in the full version.

Hi Tracey, The link to the PDF with the 50 mini lessons is in the post. Here it is . Check out this post if you need more advice on teaching students how to research online. Hope that helps! Kathleen

Best wishes to you as you face your health battler. Hoping you’ve come out stronger and healthier from it. Your website is so helpful.

Comments are closed.

Email Newsletter

Receive free lesson plans, printables, and worksheets by email:

Printable Student Research Skills Worksheets

These worksheets are great for working on library and media skills. In order to complete these printables students will need to intensely research the topics independently. It is also a great idea to have them properly cite the references that they use.

Research Skills Worksheets Related To History and Social Studies

• Abolition of slavery in America
• Adolph Hitler becomes dictator after coup
• America buys Alaska
• American Constitution Drafted
• Atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
• Berlin Wall built between East and West Germany
• "Bloody Sunday" massacre in Ireland
• Civil Rights Act passed in US
• Cleopatra becomes Queen of Egypt
• End of Crusades (Tenth) with defeat of Muslims in Israel
• Great Wall of China Is Built
• Henry Ford designs first mass-produced cars
• Ivan IV (the Terrible) crowned Tsar of Russia
• Julius Caesar becomes Roman Leader
• Joan of Arc burnt at stake after military campaigns against England
• John Cabot lands in Canada
• King John forced to sign Magna Carta
• Last major eruption of Mount Etna, Sicily
• Macbeth becomes king of Scotland
• Napoleon sells Louisiana to America
• Nuremburg War Crimes Tribunal
• Poland and Lithuania unite
• Portugal achieves independence from Spain
• Portuguese travelers discover Congo River
• Reformist John Calvin regains authority in Geneva
• Republic of Rome Declared
• Teutonic Knights established in Prussia
• The Boston Tea Party
• Treaty of Paris
• Witchcraft trials in Salem, Massachusetts

Research Skills Worksheets For Grade 3 to 6 Students

• Do The Research Worksheet 1
• Do The Research Worksheet 2
• Do The Research Worksheet 3

Research Skills Worksheets For Middle School Students

How to improve your research skills.

Research is one of the universal requirements that we come across more often than we think we do. Whether we are deciding which new car to buy, the best fat loss strategy, or authoring a thesis, research is one of the unavoidable processes we must go through.

It can also be said that when we go through research, we most definitely grow through it. Considering its ever-increasing demand, being a good researcher is a must-have skill. With the vast armada of information and disinformation available in today's world, the ability to separate useful from the highly abundant irrelevant material is indeed an art and a skill.

Like any skill, it can be learned, and if you are looking to tackle your woes of not being able to research properly, you've come to the right place!

In this article, five tips are highlighted for your consideration: time-tested tactics that people use and recommend related to searching and researching. These tips will assist you in refining your research skills and, if done properly, will result in speedy execution with less effort. Read on to find out!

Essential Tips on How to Improve These Skills

Research skills are essential for both your academic and professional lives. These skills enable you to identify problems, search for solutions to solve these problems, or perhaps even come up with new solutions altogether.

These types of abilities are necessary for building knowledge and facilitating the process of learning. With increased awareness, you understand social issues and become more aware of your surroundings. If you are well-researched and well-versed on a topic, you will be in a better position to disapprove lies and uphold the truth while building on creating authentic and reliable knowledge.

Here are some essential tips for improving your research skills! Plan Bottom-Up

When you are researching, you may be initially overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the task at hand. This is a common occurrence that the result of planning ahead can overcome. A recommended planning strategy revolves around starting on broad terms on the top and then narrowing it down into subsections.

Suppose you are writing a paper on a particular event in history. It will help you go through a general overview of the topic on an open-source online website like Wikipedia. It will give you a gist of the occurrence in a brief manner.

Now to narrow down on the causes, detailed occurrence, results, aftermath, and the effects of the event, you can search accordingly in search engines for more detailed articles.

The critical takeaway is to begin research by first getting a general overview of the article and then going into its depth after getting that basic understanding. This way, you will have a mental image of the desired product at each stage and will definitely hit the bull's eye without wasting excessive time and effort.

Verify Your Sources

The internet presents us with various options that are not always accurate in what they say. It is impossible to ensure the authenticity of everything that is listed online.

However, by cross-checking multiple sources, you will be able to establish fact from fiction. This may appear to be a time-consuming process, but it may actually be done through the correct use of search engines and websites with the reference list for the source of information.

Be Organized In Your Research

Being organized in your research pays more dividends with each passing moment. While the attraction is strong towards having more and more information available to us, it becomes a challenging task to keep it in a manner in which we can access it at the required time without making too much effort. Being organized can be done in multiple ways. For example, you can save essential links in the bookmarks section of your browser; this will enable you to access information quickly and easily while your record will be maintained effectively.

A second tip would be to keep an annotated bibliography of research material which you can use at a later stage as per requirement. Another way people keep organized is to make folders regarding different subtopics of your research topic, which can assist you when you need to cite a particular reference. These tips help you achieve optimal performance and are a must learn for the academic researcher.

Do Not Disregard Library Sources

Libraries are one of the best places to do research. Library resources offer organized systems with search engines like Google, Yahoo, etc. The databases available in libraries contain a vast amount of data and information and superior searching capabilities that allow you to verify and evaluate your information sources. These databases come in different forms that are as follows:

- Catalogs - E-books - E-journals - Internet Resources - Trading Print Resources

So, if you doubt your research skills, you need not worry –there are numerous places where you can carry out research. Several high schools and colleges allow the general public to access their resources. So, keep an eye out for any such facilities in your area.

You can access research guides or gain access to specific databases by checking out the library websites. Remember that the key to successful research is knowing how to use and select appropriate resources that meet your requirements and are relevant to your study.

You may come across certain answers that sound surprising to you during your research. To be a good researcher, one must learn to be open to such answers.

If you only look for information that confirms your idea or thoughts, you are not doing a very good job. You would selectively pick and choose only that information supporting your theory. This approach prevents you from developing an accurate understanding of the subject matter. So, have an open mind while conducting your research.

The key to successful research is identifying the problem, collecting information from relevant sources, and verifying your sources. Remember to always be open in your research!

MOST's College and Career Readiness Toolkit is a comprehensive guide to help middle and high school out-of-school-time programs get laser focused on building 21st century skills and supporting young people as they navigate through the complex world of planning for their advanced education and careers.

We will be adding free and low cost professional development resources including videos, online courses and opportunities for live virtual training.

Want to help MOST spread the word? Use our Social Media Sharing Resources .

The toolkit provides practical resources, information and activities for out-of-school time programs to move through this continuum, starting with foundational skills, career and college readiness culture building, and awareness. As students move closer to high school graduation, the toolkit offers how-to’s on building partnerships with colleges and industry to make the transition to applied learning that prepares students for the next steps.

Included in each unit:

• Overview of the area of focus
• Relevant research
• Guided Activities
• More Links to Explore
• Accompanying student worksheets, activity guides, and supplemental student resources
• Where applicable, information and resources have been provided about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting closures and delays on existing processes, data, and overall approaches.

Ready to get started?

• Read our full Introductory Letter from MOST
• View our Introductory Webinar and Slideshow

Photo: Higher Achievement Baltimore

UNIT 1: Overarching Principles of Career and College Readiness

This first unit provides information and resources to support the overarching principles of college and career readiness. Here you will find what you need to get started with creating a culture of college and career readiness, setting and upholding high expectations of youth in your programs, providing mentorship opportunities as a support structure for post-secondary success, and collecting and using data related to college and career readiness throughout your program to inform decisions and program design. 

Sub-topics:

• Creating a College and Career Readiness Culture
• Raising the Bar on Expectations
• Collecting Data Related to College and Career Readiness

Photo: MERIT Health Leadership Academy

UNIT 2: Guiding Youth Through Career and College Decisions

This unit aims to provide activities and resources for exploring career and education options with students in middle school based on their interests, skills, and strengths. Additionally, this unit includes curated resources for helping youth understand the important economic context surrounding post-secondary education and careers such as salaries, wages, debt to income ratios, and other relevant economic implications.

• Information and Activities for Middle School Career Exploration and High School Decisions
• Information and Activities for High School Career Exploration and College / Post-Secondary Education Decisions
• Economic Context for Youth

HANDOUTS (Student Resources )

• Middle School This is Me Web Worksheet
• Middle School Career Alignment Worksheet
• High School Interest Inventory Worksheet
• High School Career Alignment Research Worksheet
• High School Pathway Profile Worksheet

Photo: Baltimore SquashWise

UNIT 3: Foundational Skills for College and Career Readiness

Unit 3 focuses on the foundational skills necessary for post-secondary pursuits by presenting information, engaging activities and simulations, and resources for middle and high school students on building 21st century skills, learning about and practicing skills for success in the workplace, interviewing skills, and financial responsibility.

• Building 21st Century Skills
• Preparing Youth for the Workplace
• Interviewing Skills
• Financial Responsibility

ACTIVITY GUIDES

• Cup Stacking
• Time Management
• Compliment Yarn
• Taking a Stand on Controversial Issues
• Body Sculpting
• Town Hall Circle
• Dress and Groom Checklist

HANDOUTS (Student Resources)

• Best Practices in the Workplace
• Interviewing Basics
• Personal Appearance

UNIT 4: Career Readiness

This unit focuses solely on the aspects of career readiness as a starting point for making decisions about post-secondary education options. Beginning with the end in mind, it is important to expose youth to as wide a variety of career options as possible, beginning as early as possible. This toolkit was designed to start with career aspirations in order to make informed decisions about post-secondary education that will lead to successful career attainment. In this section of the toolkit you will find a wide variety of resources, activities, and supporting materials to help youth learn more about the types of careers that are available and the pathways to those careers. 

• Career Awareness
• Entrepreneurship
• Job Readiness Skills
• Work Experience
• Crafting a Resume
• Email Writing Simulation
• Phone Interview Simulation
• Video Interview Simulation
• Company Research
• Composing Professional Email
• Job Shadowing

UNIT 5: Alternative Post-Secondary Options

In recent years, there has been a focus shift toward four-year colleges and universities as the most recommended path after high school. However, there are many reasons someone may want to consider alternative options for their post-secondary education experiences. This unit looks at many of the alternatives to a traditional four-year college pathway and provides resources and information to help your staff and youth learn more about these options. 

• Certificates
• Two-Year Degrees
• Alternative Post-Secondary Pathway Research

Photo: Maryland MENTOR

UNIT 6: College Readiness

The final unit of the toolkit focuses specifically on more traditional college and university experiences and preparation for these pursuits. There are many activities and resources included in this section to help students explore colleges, become more financially aware, and confidently navigate the planning and application processes. Special sections on considerations for First Generation college students and students with various immigration statuses are included as well. Additionally, there is a family guide included as an introduction to dual credit opportunities to be used to help parents of youth in your programs understand the considerations of dual enrollment for high school students.

• College Awareness
• First-Generation College Students
• Supporting DACA Recipients and “DREAMers”
• The College Search
• Financial Planning
• Dual Enrollment
• Applying to College
• Managing the Transition to College
• College Visit Guide
• College Visit Checklist
• College Fair Questions
• Financial Planning for College
• Making a College Transition Plan
• Virtual Campus Tour Summary 

HANDOUTS (Family Resources)

• Family Introduction to Dual Enrollment Opportunities

DOWNLOAD THE FULL TOOL KIT HERE

Note - All activities and handouts and linked in the toolkit and can be downloaded from the units above.

The CCR Toolkit has been translated into Spanish!

Ver el documento y todos actividades aqui!

• Click here.
• Create a login.
• Search for the courses (recommended search term for easy access: "readiness").
• "Engaging Middle School Youth in College & Career Readiness"
• "Engaging High School Youth in College & Career Readiness"

JFF has created 12 lessons which compliment the toolkit and provide additional CCR resources. Click here to download them.

College & Career Readiness Training for Providers

Since launching the CCR Toolkit in February, MOST has been collecting a team of highly qualified training personnel to deliver this information to our program partners and the communities we serve. We have partnered with Leaders of Tomorrow Youth Center to provide training to programs wishing to incorporate college and career readiness into their curricula.

Contact Executive Director Ellie Mitchell at [email protected] for all inquiries regarding College & Career Readiness Training.

The College & Career Readiness Advisory Board

MOST Network has established a diverse, statewide advisory board to promote the expansion of college and career readiness resources across Maryland. Each of them brings their unique skillset and institutional background to bear in providing these essential tools to our young people as they prepare for life after high school. We are proud to host such an amazing group of individuals and are excited for the continued growth and expansion of the CCR initiative. Meet our wonderful board members and liaisons here !

This toolkit was created with support from a Career and College Readiness Opportunity Grant from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation.

• McCormick Elementary School
• McCormick Middle School
• McCormick High School
• School of Early Education

We Succeed No Excuses No Exceptions

• Administration
• Faculty/Staff Information
• Career Development
• Media Center
• Bradshaw, Christin
• Brantley, Jennie
• Callaham, Brittany
• Callaway, Robert
• Campbell, John
• Coffin, Jillian
• Davis, Shawn
• Fenwick, Eileen
• Greene, Kerry
• Grove, LouAnne
• Gunter, Kenneth
• Johnson, Michael
• Kinsler, Martha
• Livingston, David
• Lyles, Courtney
• Martin, Nitara
• Ouzts, Caitlin
• Pratt, Paul
• Robinson, Rachel
• Bolen, Nicole
• Stoner, Cherith
• Viloria, Egli
• Wilson, Beverly
• Wilson, Joseph
• Yarbough-Jones, Valerie
• Important information for Parents and Students
• Parent-Student Handbook
• School Improvement Council
• Middle College
• Gifted and Talent Program
• End of Course Testing
• Help with Schoolwork and Testing
• Marching Chiefs
• National Honor Society
• Student Government Association
• Links to Google Resources
• Information for School During the Pandemic
• Cross Country
• Track and Field

Page Navigation

• Request My Transcript
• NCAA Eligibility Center
• Common Application
• Black College Common Application
• Graduation Requirements
• High School Promotion

College Research Worksheet

• Parent Information
• Senior Infromation Sheet
• Practice Exams
• Scholarship Links

Students can use this College Reserach Worksheet to compare different colleges or universities.

Address 6981 Hwy 28 South, McCormick, SC 29835

Phone 864-443-0040

Fax 864-443-0049 fax

• Questions or Feedback? |
• Web Community Manager Privacy Policy (Updated) |

• My Storyboards

Research Writing Templates

Customize research writing templates.

If you're assigning this to your students, copy the worksheet to your account and save. When creating an assignment, just select it as a template!

What is Research?

Research is the systematic process of gathering and analyzing information to establish facts, gain knowledge, and draw new conclusions. It involves a methodical approach to collecting data from various sources and critically examining it to generate insights and deepen understanding.

When conducting research, individuals seek to explore a chosen topic or question and find relevant information to answer it. This may involve investigating existing knowledge, gathering data through surveys or experiments, analyzing statistical information, or reviewing scholarly literature. The goal is to uncover new insights, validate existing theories, or contribute to the advancement of knowledge in a particular field.

Collecting information requires careful consideration of reliable sources. These sources can include books, scholarly articles, reputable websites, and expert interviews. By utilizing trustworthy and credible sources, researchers can ensure the accuracy and validity of their findings.

Research allows individuals to go beyond surface-level knowledge and delve into a subject in depth. It involves critically examining different perspectives, analyzing data, and interpreting results to form evidence-based conclusions. Individuals can contribute to the body of knowledge, inform decision-making processes, and make meaningful contributions to their respective fields.

Utilizing Research Worksheets to Improve Research Skills and Enhance Writing Abilities

These skills are essential for students to develop a better understanding of various subjects and effectively explore topics. Our templates offer valuable guidance and resources to assist middle school students in their journey of conducting research and writing papers. They provide a structured framework that helps students navigate the process, explore different subtopics, generate ideas, and avoid plagiarism. By utilizing these worksheets, students can enhance their skills, improve their writing abilities, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics they are studying.

One of the key aspects of the research process is identifying suitable topics. Our templates offer prompts and exercises that help students brainstorm ideas and select topics that align with their interests and academic goals. By engaging in these activities, students can explore various subjects and narrow down their focus to a specific area.

Once students have chosen their topics, the templates guide them through the process of conducting research. They provide helpful tips on utilizing search engines effectively, evaluating the credibility of sources, and organizing information. Kids can use these worksheets to record their findings, take notes, and develop a comprehensive understanding of their chosen topics.

Furthermore, they cater to the unique needs of students by providing age-appropriate activities and resources. They are designed to foster engagement, critical thinking, and independent learning. By utilizing these worksheets, students can develop essential skills that will benefit them not only in their academic journey but also in their future educational pursuits.

In conclusion, research worksheets serve as valuable tools for middle school students to enhance their skills, streamline the process, and gain a better understanding of various topics. By incorporating these handouts into their learning, students can develop valuable skills, foster a deeper appreciation for education, and excel in their academic endeavors.

Examples of Classroom Activities to Use Research Worksheets

• Social Studies Exploration: Introduce students to the world of research by assigning a country project. Provide them with templates that guide them through the process of gathering information about their chosen country. These worksheets can include sections for collecting statistical information, identifying reliable sources, and establishing facts about the country.
• College-Level Research: Prepare middle school students for higher education by incorporating college research worksheets into their curriculum. These worksheets can focus on developing skills such as utilizing search engines effectively, avoiding plagiarism, and critically evaluating sources. Students can practice these skills by exploring different subtopics related to their areas of interest.
• Writing a Research Paper: Help students navigate the process of writing a research paper by providing them with specialized worksheets. These worksheets can assist them in organizing their research, outlining their paper, and citing sources. By using writing a research paper worksheets, students can gain a better understanding of the process and develop strong academic writing skills.
• Interactive Research Activities: Engage students in hands-on activities using printable country research worksheets. These worksheets can include prompts and questions that guide students in collecting specific information about a country, such as its geography, history, culture, and economy. Students can work individually or in groups to complete these activities, fostering collaboration and critical thinking.

In addition, we offer a wide selection of other educational materials to support your teaching. Our worksheet templates section provides a wealth of resources, including phonological awareness activities, making connections worksheets , and active reading worksheet templates . These resources can be seamlessly integrated into your lessons to strengthen students' understanding of cardinal directions while building essential reading and comprehension skills.

How to Make a Research Writing Worksheet

Choose one of the premade templates.

We have lots of templates to choose from. Take a look at our example for inspiration!

Click on “Copy Template”

Once you do this, you will be directed to the storyboard creator.

Give Your Worksheet a Name!

Be sure to call it something related to the topic so that you can easily find it in the future.

Edit Your Worksheet

This is where you will include directions, specific images, and make any aesthetic changes that you would like. The options are endless!

Click "Save and Exit"

When you are finished, click this button in the lower right hand corner to exit your storyboard.

From here you can print, download as a PDF, attach it to an assignment and use it digitally, and more!

Happy Creating!

Frequently Asked Questions About Research Writing Worksheets

Where can i find research worksheets for different topics.

You can find a variety on Storyboard That. They offer activities and college research worksheets that cater to various subjects and grade levels.

Can I use Storyboard That for research activities?

Yes, Storyboard That offers a range of resources and tools to support research activities. We offer handouts and college research worksheets that assist students in organizing their findings, creating visual representations, and writing research papers. Additionally, their free printable country research worksheet is a helpful resource for studying and exploring different countries.

Are the research worksheets from Storyboard That suitable for college-level research?

Yes, Storyboard That offers college research worksheets that are designed to meet the research requirements of college-level students. They cover various aspects of the research process, including topic selection, gathering statistical information, using reliable sources, and drawing new conclusions. They provide a comprehensive framework for conducting thorough research and writing academic papers.

Can I access the research worksheets from Storyboard That for free?

While Storyboard That offers a range of resources and tools, some of the premium content may require a subscription or purchase. However, we also provide free printable country research worksheets and offer trial periods and discounts for educators and students.

Try 1 Month For

30 Day Money Back Guarantee New Customers Only Full Price After Introductory Offer

Learn more about our Department, School, and District packages

• Thousands of images
• Custom layouts, scenes, characters
• And so much more!!

Create a Storyboard

middle school college project

All Formats

Resource types, all resource types.

• Rating Count
• Price (Ascending)
• Price (Descending)
• Most Recent

Middle school college project

AVID Middle School Project College Career Week Substitute Digital resources set

College Research Pennant Project | College & Career Awareness

Fad Diet Comic Strip Project : Middle School , High School , College Level

Drawing Objects in 3D space- Perspective Art Project middle high school college

College & Career Bundle: Career Research Project , Resumes, & Cover Letters

College Research Pennant Project With Worksheet

College Pennant Research Project

College and Career Research Project for End of the Year

• Internet Activities

College Major One Pager Project l College and Career Readiness

College and Career Project *EDITABLE* Math in their career

College and Career Readiness Budgeting Project Real World Personal Finance

Opportunity Cost of College Mini- Project

• Word Document File

AVID College Research Project : Pennant Flag Directions College Week Activity art

College Major One Pager l College Research Project for the avid learner

• Google Slides™

College Research Project for Google Slides

Career Exploration Poster Project l College Elective Class l for avid learners

Career Exploration Project Based Learning | Middle School | High School

• Google Drive™ folder

College Me ( College Research Project )

College Research Project - AVID

College Career Research Projects Avid Study Skill Middle Junior High School Edit

College Research Jacket ( College Research Project )

High School Diploma vs. College Degree - 21st Century Math Project

• Google Apps™

Virtual College Research Project for AVID, ASB, Leadership, Student Council

Linear Equations Project and Compound Interest Project Cost of College Bundle

• We're hiring
• Help & FAQ
• Privacy policy
• Student privacy
• Terms of service
• Tell us what you think

Summer II 2024 Application Deadline is June 26, 2024.  

Click here to apply.

Featured Posts

Pace University's Pre-College Program: Our Honest Review

Building a College Portfolio? Here are 8 Things You Should Know

Should You Apply to Catapult Incubator as a High Schooler?

8 Criminal Justice Internships for High School Students

10 Reasons to Apply to Scripps' Research Internship for High School Students

10 Free Business Programs for High School Students

Spike Lab - Is It a Worthwhile Incubator Program for High School Students?

10 Business Programs for High School Students in NYC

11 Summer Film Programs for High School Students

10 Photography Internships for High School Students

10 Great Research Topics for Middle School Students

Middle school is the perfect time to start exploring the fascinating world of research, especially if you're passionate about STEM and the humanities. Engaging in research projects now not only feeds your curiosity but also develops critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and a love for learning. Whether you're intrigued by the secrets of the universe, the beauty of numbers, or the complexity of robotics, there's a research project that you can pursue to help you build your knowledge. Let's dive into some advanced yet accessible research topics that will challenge you and enhance your academic journey.

1. Program your own robot

What to do:  Start by defining the purpose of your robot. Will it be a pet robot that follows you around, or perhaps a robot that can help carry small items from one room to another? Sketch your design on paper, focusing on what sensors and motors you'll need. For instance, a robot that follows light might need light sensors, while a robot that avoids obstacles will require ultrasonic sensors. Use an Arduino or Raspberry Pi as the brain. You'll need to learn basic programming in Python (for Raspberry Pi) or C++ (for Arduino) to code your robot's behavior.

Tips to get started:  The official websites for Arduino  and Raspberry Pi  offer tutorials for beginners. For more specific projects, such as building a pet robot, search for guides on Instructables  that detail each step from hardware assembly to software programming.

2. Design a solar-powered oven

What to do:  Investigate how solar ovens work and the science behind solar cooking. Your oven can be as simple as a pizza box solar oven or more complex, like a parabolic solar cooker. Key materials include reflective surfaces (aluminum foil), clear plastic wrap to create a greenhouse effect, and black construction paper to absorb heat. Experiment with different shapes and angles to maximize the heat capture and cooking efficiency. Test your oven by trying to cook different foods and measure the temperature achieved and cooking time required.

Tips to get started:  The Solar Cooking  wiki is an excellent resource for finding different solar cooker designs and construction plans. YouTube also has numerous DIY solar oven tutorials. Document your process and results in a project journal, noting any changes in design that lead to improvements in efficiency.

3. Assess the health of a local ecosystem

What to do:  Choose a local natural area, such as a stream, pond, or forest, and plan a series of observations and tests to assess its health. Key activities could include water quality testing (for pH, nitrates, and phosphates), soil testing (for composition and contaminants), and biodiversity surveys (identifying species of plants and animals present). Compile your data to evaluate the ecosystem's health, looking for signs of pollution, habitat destruction, or invasive species.

Tips to get started:  For a comprehensive approach, NOAA’s Global Monitoring Laboratory  provides information on atmospheric and environmental monitoring techniques. Tools like iNaturalist  can assist in species identification, and water and soil testing kits are available from science education suppliers.

4. Develop an educational app

What to do:  Identify a gap in educational resources that your app could fill. Perhaps you noticed that students struggle with a particular math concept, or there's a lack of engaging resources for learning a foreign language. Outline your app’s features, design the user interface, and plan the content it will deliver. Use MIT App Inventor  for a drag-and-drop development experience, or Scratch  for a game-like educational app. Test your app with classmates or family members, and use their feedback for improvements.

Tips to get started:  Both MIT App Inventor  and Scratch  provide tutorials and community forums where you can learn from others’ projects. Begin with a simple prototype, focusing on one core feature, and expand from there.

5. Model rocketry: design, build, and launch!

What to do:  Dive into the basics of rocket science by designing your own model rocket. Understand the principles of thrust, aerodynamics, and stability as you plan your rocket. Materials can range from simple kits available online to homemade components for the body, fins, and nose cone. Educate yourself on the proper engine selection for your design and the recovery system to ensure your rocket returns safely. Conduct a launch in a safe, open area, following all safety guidelines.

Tips to get started:  The National Association of Rocketry  is a treasure trove of information on model rocket safety, design, and launch procedures. For beginners, consider starting with a kit from Estes Rockets , which includes all necessary components and instructions.

6. Create a wearable electronic device

What to do:  Envision a wearable device that solves a problem or enhances an aspect of daily life. It could be a smart bracelet that reminds you to stay hydrated or a hat with integrated LEDs for nighttime visibility. Sketch your design, listing the components you'll need, such as LEDs, sensors, a power source, and a microcontroller like the Adafruit Flora or Gemma. Plan your circuit, sew or assemble your device, and program it to function as intended.

Tips to get started:   Adafruit’s Wearables  section offers guides and tutorials for numerous wearable projects, including coding and circuit design. Start with a simple project to familiarize yourself with electronics and sewing conductive thread before moving on to more complex designs.

7. Explore the science of slime and non-Newtonian fluids

What to do:  Conduct experiments to understand how the composition of slime affects its properties. Create a standard slime recipe using glue, borax (or contact lens solution as a safer alternative), and water. Alter the recipe by varying the amounts of each ingredient or adding additives like cornstarch, shaving cream, or thermochromic pigment. Test how each variation affects the slime’s viscosity, stretchiness, and reaction to pressure.

Tips to get started:  The Science Bob  website offers a basic slime recipe and the science behind it. Document each experiment carefully, noting the recipe used and the observed properties. This will help you understand the science behind non-Newtonian fluids.

8. Extract DNA at home

What to do:  Use common household items to extract DNA from fruits or vegetables, like strawberries or onions. The basic process involves mashing the fruit, adding a mixture of water, salt, and dish soap to break down cell membranes, and then using cold alcohol to precipitate the DNA out of the solution. Observe and analyze the DNA strands.

Tips to get started:  Detailed instructions and the science explanation are available at the Genetic Science Learning Center . This project offers a tangible glimpse into the molecular basis of life and can be a springboard to more complex biotechnology experiments.

9. Investigate the efficiency of different types of solar cells

What to do:  Compare the efficiency of various solar panels, such as monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin-film. Design an experiment to measure the electrical output of each type under identical lighting conditions, using a multimeter to record voltage and current. Analyze how factors like angle of incidence, light intensity, and temperature affect their performance.

Tips to get started:  Introductory resources on solar energy and experiments can be found at the Energy.gov  website. Consider purchasing small solar panels of different types from electronics stores or online suppliers. Ensure that all tests are conducted under controlled conditions for accurate comparisons.

10. Study ocean acidification and its effects on marine life

What to do:  Simulate the effects of ocean acidification on marine organisms in a controlled experiment. Use vinegar to lower the pH of water in a tank and observe its impact on calcium carbonate shells or skeletons, such as seashells or coral fragments. Monitor and record changes over time, researching how acidification affects the ability of these organisms to maintain their shells and skeletons.

Tips to get started:   NOAA’s Ocean Acidification Program  offers educational materials and experiment ideas. For a simpler version of this experiment, see instructions for observing the effects of acidified water on eggshells, which are similar in composition to marine shells, at educational websites like Science Buddies .

By pursuing these projects, you will not only gain a deeper understanding of STEM principles but also develop invaluable skills in research, design, and critical analysis. These projects will teach you how to question, experiment, and innovate, laying the groundwork for future scientific inquiries and discoveries.

One other option – Lumiere’s Junior Explorer Program

The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is a program for middle school students to work one-on-one with a mentor to explore their academic interests and build a project they are passionate about .  Our mentors are scholars from top research universities such as Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Yale, Duke and LSE.

The program was founded by a Harvard & Oxford PhD who met as undergraduates at Harvard. The program is rigorous and fully virtual. We offer need based financial aid for students who qualify. You can find the application in the brochure ! 

To learn more, you can reach out to our Head of Growth, Khushi Malde, at [email protected] or go to our website .

Multiple rolling deadlines for JEP cohorts across the year, you can apply using this application link ! If you'd like to take a look at the cohorts + deadlines for 2024, you can refer to this page!

Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.

• middle school students

STEM Career Research Project for Middle School

• December 18, 2022
• Engineering , STEM
• Career Exploration , Engaging Lessons , Real World Connections

How do you inspire future scientists and engineers? Do your students know what careers are STEM careers and what it means to have a career in STEM? You can answer these questions and more with this multi-day STEM career project !

STEM Career Research Project

In this project, students will choose an engineering career to research. They will discover the job roles and responsibilities, possible work environments, education requirements, average salaries, helpful skills and traits, and projected job growth in that field. Then students will imagine a company that is looking to hire a person in that career field. They’ll examine real-world job postings and then design and create a “help wanted” poster for their chosen career. Next, students will present their work and learn about other careers in a gallery walk activity. Finally, they’ll complete an independent reflection activity.

This STEM career research project is independent and low-prep. Grab this resource today! You will save your prep time, and know your students will be engaged and inspired while learning about STEM careers.

What’s included in the STEM Careers Research Project?

This no-prep project includes everything you need for 3-5 days of engaging STEM activities, including: 

• Printable PDF, Google, and Easel versions of the student activities and worksheets
• A webquest that guides students to choose and research a STEM career
• Detailed guidelines and  templates for the “Help Wanted” job advertisement project
• A graphic organizer for capturing student learning during the Gallery Walk activity
• An independent reflection worksheet to be completed at the end of the project
• Embedded links to quality background research websites
• Detailed teacher notes for easy facilitation
• An easy-to-use grading rubric

What materials do you need?

You only need to provide printed or digital copies of the student worksheets and devices with internet access for research. 

How can you use the STEM career project in your classroom?

You can use the research project as a week-long study of STEM careers. You will open your students’ eyes to career options that they may have never before considered. This is a great introductory activity for your STEM class, and it can be used to celebrate National Engineering Week in February.

This STEM career project is also perfect for giving yourself a bit of a break when you are feeling burnt out or feeling frustrated with challenging student behaviors. For example, you could use the project to keep students engaged before a school holiday. You can also use the project to keep students learning when you have unusual schedules or low attendance due to field trips, testing, assemblies, or other interruptions. Or, you can leave the low-prep project as a multi-day STEM sub plan.

Looking for other STEM Career activities?

If you’d like more ideas for inspiring your students and teaching them about STEM careers, check out this blog post on exploring STEM careers !

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More Blog Posts

How to Create a Water Filter STEM Project

By Trilby Hillenbrand DIY water filters are an impactful STEM project. The learning experience can inspire and empower students to

Creative and Unique End-of-Year Student Awards for Middle School

By Trilby Hillenbrand The weather’s getting warmer, and everyone’s counting down the days until summer! End-of-year awards are a great

Create Coding Wizards with Our Middle School Computer Science Worksheets

By Trilby Hillenbrand Hello, Middle School STEM Teachers! Unlock the world of computer programming for your students with our computer

Hi, I'm Trilby!

I help middle school educators like you facilitate high quality STEM lessons that engage and challenge students while saving time and energy.

Grab your free STEM lesson!

Shop the store.

Copyright 2024 | STEM in the Middle, LLC. | All Rights Reserved

Choose Your Test

Sat / act prep online guides and tips, how to do college research right: step-by-step guide.

College Admissions , College Info

College research can be an overwhelming task, and it's not easy to know where to begin. In this article, I'll help you sort through your options and find your dream college.

If you work through the following four steps, you'll be well on your way to compiling a list of schools that fulfill all your most important criteria:

• Identify your priorities
• Search with an online college finder
• Consider your chances of admission
• Finalize your list

In the next few sections, we'll cover how to research colleges in a straightforward and effective way.

Step 1: Identify Your Priorities and Preferences

The first step in tackling the college search process involves thinking about what you want out of your college experience. There are some essential qualities that differentiate colleges from one another that you should consider first, such as location, size, cost, and academic programs. You should also contemplate what you want out of the social scene and academic climate at your college. Then, you can search for schools that fit your needs across a variety of different dimensions.

Primary Factors

Here's a list of the first four factors you should consider when searching for colleges:

#1: Location

Do you want to be far away or close to home? Attending an in-state school can mean a lower tuition price, but it may stunt your college experience if you continue to rely on your family and old friends. You should also consider whether you're interested in a rural, urban, or small town college environment. The surrounding area can have a big impact on your happiness and comfort level.

Large and small colleges often have very different vibes. You're more likely to get personalized attention at small colleges , but they might have fewer resources and less diversity amongst students. You should research each college individually, but there are certain characteristics shared by most large or small colleges that might lead you to prefer one type over the other.

#3: Academics

You're going to college primarily to learn stuff, so academics should be up there on your priority list. Just how serious of an academic environment are you looking for? Do you want a school that focuses on undergraduate teaching or research? What types of programs interest you? If you have any ideas about your potential major, keep that in mind as you search for schools so you can apply to places that offer the best programs for you.

Selectivity and reputation also come into play here. Based on your test scores and GPA, you can predict your admissions chances at different schools (more about this later). It's advantageous for you to attend the most competitive school possible based on your stats. This will provide you with the greatest number of opportunities both in college and in your post-graduate endeavors.

Tuition prices are something you should think about in your college search, but don't let a high price prevent you from applying if you really love a school. Right now, you should just work on determining whether cost is an issue for you. If so, focus your search on schools that offer generous financial aid and merit scholarships . You can also investigate colleges with no application fees.

Secondary Factors

This list goes into some other factors to think about in your college search that are less fundamental but can still have a really strong influence on your experience.

#1: Social Scene

This is a vague term, but you should have some idea of what type of social environment you're looking for in college. Do you want to be at a party school? Or are you more of a library-all-day-every-day type? Are you at all interested in Greek life? Do you want to be able to go out to bars and clubs? Make sure the environment at the school you choose will be a fun place for you to spend four years.

#2: Housing

Is it important to you to have a really nice dorm? Do you want to be able to live off campus at some point? Schools may offer more or less variety in housing, so this is definitely worth considering. Universities located in rural areas may have fewer options for living off campus.

Are you looking for a school with lots of dining options? This is important to consider especially if you have special dietary preferences or requirements. Whatever accommodations you need, make sure the schools you choose have the ability to provide them.

#4: Extracurriculars

Think of any extracurricular activities you want to pursue in college. If these are priorities for you, you should ensure that any schools that you're considering have the appropriate resources. Extracurriculars are a huge part of the college experience for most students, and they provide a great social outlet outside of the party scene and classes.

#5: Athletics

If you're hoping to play a sport in college for fun, you should make sure that anywhere you apply will give you that opportunity. Are you planning to work out in college? If this is a priority for you, look for schools that have high-quality athletic facilities and give students full gym access. Many schools offer exercise classes for students at their gyms, which is a really nice perk.

As you consider these factors, you can continue to customize the priority order to fit your needs. Some of the factors I listed as "secondary" might actually be of primary concern to you. If you feel that something is a priority, don't discount it just because other things are "supposed" to be more important. You may even be totally indifferent to some of the factors I've listed (for example, "athletics" are a foreign concept to us hardcore nerds). That's fine too! You can choose to ignore these factors in the next step.

Now that you're armed with your preferences and priorities, it's time to start your college search for realz.

Step 2: Search for Schools Using an Online College Finder

After you've figured out your preferences, the easiest way to find schools that you like is to use an online college finder tool to search based on your criteria.

One option that you might consider initially is College Navigator . You can specify location, size, major program, public or private, tuition, test scores, and more in your search. This tool will give you all the statistics on different schools and help you locate options that seem like the right fit. As you investigate the results of your search, add schools to your "favorites" and compare them side by side to see how they differ. This might eliminate some options based on factors like cost and admissions rate.

Another site to investigate is Cappex . Cappex is a college matchmaking site where you can fill out a profile and get matched up with schools that align with your preferences. The site provides suggestions for schools that you might like after you complete your profile. It has a pretty complete overview of each school including student reviews and information about campus life that might not be included in the College Navigator statistics.

If you find schools that you like, you can add them to your running list and compare them against each other. Cappex also links directly to the application pages for schools on your list of favorites, so you can check out what materials you're expected to submit.

There are also a number of other sites you can use at this stage. The link at the beginning of this section will take you to my reviews of the ten best college search websites. Feel free to use whichever one seems most accessible to you!

Step 3: Consider Admissions Chances and Reputation

Once you've figured out what you want from a college and have gotten some solid suggestions from search sites, you should step back and take an objective look at your results. It's important to maintain realistic expectations in the college application process, so you should choose schools where you have reasonable chances of admission.

Though the sites I mentioned above may give you statistics for a school's average test scores and GPA, it's difficult to understand your chances of admission just by looking at statistics. I would recommend that you Google "(name of school) PrepScholar admissions requirements" to access our database pages about each school. Use the tools on these pages to enter in your GPA and SAT scores and calculate your chances of admission.

In general, if your chances are below 30 percent the school qualifies as a reach school . A school with an admissions rate that's below 15 percent is a reach school for all students regardless of scores and GPA. If all or most of the schools you're interested in are reach schools, it's time to adjust some of your criteria to allow for other options. Only a third of the colleges where you apply should be reaches.

This is also a good time to check ranking lists like US News and Forbes to see whether the colleges that interest you have decent reputations. However, be careful when considering these rankings! If two schools are within ten or so ranks of each other, there probably isn't much of a difference in quality between them.

Rankings are a tool to be used after you've already picked out schools based on other factors. If you're trying to decide between two schools and the lower ranked school is a much better fit for you, then you should still apply to that one. Rankings are more of a tie-breaker to be used when all other measurements are equal. Prestige can be important because it generally means a more intellectual student community and greater academic opportunities, but you should put your personal goals and priorities above the prestige of the school.

After consulting these resources, you'll end up with a better sense of the quality of your preliminary list of schools. This leads to the next step, making your final college list!

Step 4: Make a Final List

Now that you've gathered all of this information, it's time to tweak your list of schools so that it has a nice balance of different options. As I mentioned in the previous section, it's important to have reach schools, but they should only make up about a third of your list. Another third of the schools should be likely options, and the last third should be safety schools .

You can use the same process as above to look up potential likely and safety schools and check your admissions chances. Safety schools are schools where you have at least an 80 percent chance of admission. Likely schools are schools where you have a 30 to 80 percent chance of admission. These can be further divided into "possible" and "probable" options. Possible options will be in the 30-50 percent range, and probable options are between 50 and 80%.

Most students end up applying to around 5-8 colleges in total. Start out with three schools in the reach category, three in the likely category (two probable and one possible), and three in the safety category. Then, if you find that you're overwhelmed by the application fees or the supplementary essays, you can always cut out 2-3 schools. Be honest about whether you can realistically see yourself attending all of the schools on your list.

You should also do some research to check whether the schools on your list use the Common Application or if they require you to fill out separate applications. This can have a big impact on the time you spend on the process. You might decide to eliminate a school from your list if you're not super attached to it and it's the only option that requires an individual application.

Once you've balanced your list, begin brainstorming your application essays and deciding which accomplishments and activities you want to highlight for colleges. Read this article about how to create a versatile application for some more tips!

What's Next?

Now that you know how to do research colleges, you should also be able to put it into practice. Learn more about the application deadlines that will be most critical for you.

College ranking lists can be helpful tools if you use them in the right way. Find out about all the college ranking lists you should read and how much you should rely on them.

Looking to attend a top-notch liberal arts school? Here's a list of the 28 best liberal arts colleges in the country.

Samantha is a blog content writer for PrepScholar. Her goal is to help students adopt a less stressful view of standardized testing and other academic challenges through her articles. Samantha is also passionate about art and graduated with honors from Dartmouth College as a Studio Art major in 2014. In high school, she earned a 2400 on the SAT, 5's on all seven of her AP tests, and was named a National Merit Scholar.

Ask a Question Below

Have any questions about this article or other topics? Ask below and we'll reply!

Improve With Our Famous Guides

• For All Students

The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 160+ SAT Points

How to Get a Perfect 1600, by a Perfect Scorer

Series: How to Get 800 on Each SAT Section:

Score 800 on SAT Math

Score 800 on SAT Reading

Score 800 on SAT Writing

Series: How to Get to 600 on Each SAT Section:

Score 600 on SAT Math

Score 600 on SAT Reading

Score 600 on SAT Writing

Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests

What SAT Target Score Should You Be Aiming For?

15 Strategies to Improve Your SAT Essay

The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 4+ ACT Points

How to Get a Perfect 36 ACT, by a Perfect Scorer

Series: How to Get 36 on Each ACT Section:

36 on ACT English

36 on ACT Math

36 on ACT Reading

36 on ACT Science

Series: How to Get to 24 on Each ACT Section:

24 on ACT English

24 on ACT Math

24 on ACT Reading

24 on ACT Science

What ACT target score should you be aiming for?

ACT Vocabulary You Must Know

ACT Writing: 15 Tips to Raise Your Essay Score

How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League

How to Get a Perfect 4.0 GPA

How to Write an Amazing College Essay

What Exactly Are Colleges Looking For?

Is the ACT easier than the SAT? A Comprehensive Guide

Should you retake your SAT or ACT?

When should you take the SAT or ACT?

Stay Informed

Get the latest articles and test prep tips!

Looking for Graduate School Test Prep?

Check out our top-rated graduate blogs here:

GRE Online Prep Blog

GMAT Online Prep Blog

TOEFL Online Prep Blog

Holly R. "I am absolutely overjoyed and cannot thank you enough for helping me!”

A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

A lock ( ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

• Public Health in STEM Education
• CDC's Impact
• Public Health Strategy
• Teacher Resources K-12
• Student Resources K–12
• College and Professional Resources
• Examples of STEM Partnerships

Middle and High School Teacher Resources

What to know.

Teaching public health in the middle and high school STEM classroom can support student learning and career exploration. Here, you will find a wealth of valuable classroom resources, activities, and lesson plans designed to engage and educate your students.

Classroom Resources, Activities, and Lesson Plans

Stem curriculum in epidemiology and public health.

CDC NERD teaches students about public health, epidemiology, and careers. Learn more about CDC NERD Academy .

STEM Lesson Plans in Epidemiology & more

This program has developed STEM educational activities about epidemiology, outbreaks, surveillance, and preparedness and response. Learn more about CDC Science Ambassador Educational Activities .

Graphic Novel

This graphic novel educates youth about CDC's real-life disease detectives. Learn more about Junior Disease Detectives: Operation Outbreak Graphic Novel and STEM Classroom Educational Activities .

STEM Lessons in Public Health

These STEM lessons introduce students to public health issues. Learn more about CDC Museum Public Health Academy STEM Lessons .

Modules that Tell the Story of CDC

The CDC Museum's modules teach students the history of CDC. Learn more about CDC Museum The Story of CDC Enrichment Modules .

Resources for Teaching about Healthier Lifestyle Choices

CDC's BAM! Body and Mind has classroom resources for grade 4–8 teachers to help students make healthier lifestyle choices. Learn more about BAM! Body and Mind, Classroom Resources for Teachers .

Request a CDC Volunteer

The CDC Ambassador program connects CDC employee volunteers with community organizations and schools. Find out how to request CDC participation and learn more about CDC Ambassador Program Community & School Events .

See How to Make Your School Healthier

The Virtual Healthy School interactive tool is for K−12 teachers, administrators, and staff. It shows how components of the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child model can be integrated into schools. Learn more about Virtual Healthy School .

Training and Fellowships

Become a cdc fellow: learn how to write public health lessons.

The CDC Science Ambassador Fellowship is for middle and high school STEM teachers. It includes a 5-day summer course at CDC headquarters and virtual trainings for 1 year. Learn more about CDC Science Ambassador Fellowship .

Train with CDC: Learn how to teach public health lessons

The CDC Science Ambassador Regional Trainings are for STEM teachers and other educators to learn strategies to teach public health. Learn more about CDC Science Ambassador Regional Trainings .

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM)

Public Health in STEM Education is a program that aims to integrate public health concepts and practices into STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education.

For Everyone

Public health.

• Strategic Plan
• School Store
• Summer @ BB&N

Annual Middle School Science Knight Explores Compelling Research Topics

Every year, eighth-graders embark on a long research project that culminates in a night of presentations to the community. This year many were inspired by what Ilsa Schrag ’28 described as “topics that have a big influence on our lives.” From the smallpox vaccine and the science behind hair to self-driving cars and space colonization, students delved into projects that affect their everyday lives and could affect their lives in the future. 

These impressive poster boards and demonstrations didn’t come to fruition overnight. Throughout April and the end of March, students hunkered down in the Library Learning Center (LLC) during their E block to collaborate with their peers and build their final product. Students pushed themselves to do their best work, knowing they’d get to share their findings with their parents and the wider BB&N community. 

One compelling project spearheaded by Aiden Ashaye ’28 and Kevin Pineda ’28 investigated what color blindness is and how it affects humans. When asked why they chose this specific topic, both Aiden and Kevin cited wearing glasses as the main inspiration, as they have “difficulty perceiving what other people naturally can.” At their booth, they encouraged visitors to take their color blindness test and showed off the glasses they invented that can show a person how a red/green and blue/yellow color-blind person sees the world. 

Another presentation by Liya Tilahun ’28 and Julian Foster ’28 focused on hair growth in straight versus curly hair. Sparked by their culture and identity, Julian noted that he was “curious about why there are different hair types.” Liya noted that it was surprising that different types of hair follicles influence the growth of the strands of hair, thus creating the wide range of styles found in humans. 

Launching a research project can be daunting but with the proper guidance and hard work, the eighth-graders completed another massive step on their BB&N journey.

Related News

Middle School Drama Festival Entry Wins Gold and Individual Accolades

Third-Grade Students Engage in Disability Education

Bionutrient Researcher Visits Sparks Street

• © Buckingham Browne & Nichols School 2023. All Rights Reserved
• Privacy Policy

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Privacy Policy