CITY SPARC Programme Guide

Introduction

Welcome to the CITY SPARC Programme! This guide is designed to help you successfully complete the programme and achieve the prestigious Gold CREST Award. The CITY SPARC Programme provides a structured pathway for students to engage in independent research and project development under the guidance of experienced supervisors. The Gold CREST Award is a recognition of your ability to carry out significant research and contribute to your chosen field, showcasing your dedication, creativity, and scientific understanding.

Timeline

Choosing a Supervisor

Selecting the right supervisor is a critical step in your project. Here are some tips to help you choose:

1. Review the List: Go through the list of 85 PhD students and City alumni supervisors.
2. Match Interests: Look for supervisors whose expertise aligns with your research interests.
3. Consider Availability: Ensure that the supervisor can accommodate your schedule and project needs.

Tips for Selection:

• Research Backgrounds: Investigate the research background of potential supervisors to find a good match.
• Seek Advice: Talk to peers or teachers who may have insights into working with specific supervisors.
• Prepare Questions: When contacting potential supervisors, be prepared with questions about their research and how they can support your project.

Generating a Research Question

The "Generating Questions for CREST" document helps you come up with a relevant and engaging research question. It encourages you to think about your interests, personal experiences, and current events to identify a meaningful topic.

Importance of a Good Research Question: A well-defined research question is the backbone of a successful project. It guides your research, helps you stay focused, and ensures that your project is testable and measurable.

The 5W1H Method: Use the 5W1H method to formulate your research question:

• Who: Who benefits from the research?
• What: What can be changed or improved?
• Where: Where can this research be applied?
• When: When is the best time to conduct this research?
• Why: Why is this research important?
• How: How will you conduct this research?

Project Development and Supervision

Your project will include:

• Initial Workshop: The starting point of your journey.
• 10 Supervision Sessions:
  • 1 in-person session on the launch day.
  • 9 online one-hour sessions.

Project Planning:

• Set Clear Aims: Define what you want to achieve with your project.
• Break Down Objectives: Divide your project into smaller, manageable tasks.
• Use Resources Effectively: Ensure you have access to all necessary materials and references.
• Conduct Thorough Research: Gather reliable and relevant information to support your project.

Project Planning

Developing a Detailed Project Plan: Create a timeline or Gantt chart to organize your tasks and milestones. This plan should include:

• Project Aims and Objectives: Clear goals for your project.
• Key Activities and Milestones: Major tasks and deadlines.
• Resource Allocation: Materials and resources you will need.
• Risk Assessment: Potential risks and how you will mitigate them.

Example of a Gantt Chart:

Supervision Sessions

Making the Most of Supervision Sessions:

• Prepare Questions: Before each session, prepare specific questions or topics to discuss.
• Document Feedback: Take detailed notes during your sessions to track your supervisor’s feedback.
• Set Clear Goals: After each session, set clear goals for what you need to achieve before the next meeting.

Tips for Effective Communication:

• Be Open and Honest: Communicate openly about any challenges you are facing.
• Be Receptive to Feedback: Take constructive criticism positively and use it to improve your project.
• Stay Professional: Maintain a professional attitude in all communications.

Structuring a Scientific Research Report

Sections of a Scientific Research Report:

1. Title Page:
   • Title of the project
   • Your name
   • Supervisor's name
   • Date of submission
2. Abstract:
   • A brief summary of the research question, methodology, results, and conclusions. Keep it concise and to the point.
3. Introduction:
   • Background information and context for the research.
   • Explanation of the research question and its significance.
   • Objectives and aims of the study.
4. Literature Review:
   • Summary of existing research related to your topic.
   • Identification of gaps in the literature that your research aims to address.
5. Methodology:
   • Detailed description of the methods and procedures used in the research.
   • Explanation of experimental design, materials, and equipment.
   • Description of data collection and analysis methods.
6. Results:
   • Presentation of the data collected during the research.
   • Use of tables, graphs, and charts to illustrate findings.
   • Clear and objective reporting of results without interpretation.
7. Discussion:
   • Interpretation of the results in the context of the research question.
   • Explanation of the implications of the findings.
   • Comparison with existing literature and discussion of any discrepancies.
8. Conclusion:
   • Summary of the main findings and their significance.
   • Suggestions for future research.
   • Reflection on the limitations of the study.
9. References:
   • List of all sources cited in the report, formatted according to a specific citation style (e.g., APA, MLA).
10. Appendices:
    • Any additional material that supports the research but is not essential to the main text (e.g., raw data, detailed calculations).

Gold CREST Criteria

To achieve the Gold CREST Award, your project must meet the following criteria:

1. Planning the Project
   • 1.1 The student set a clear aim for the project and broke it down into smaller objectives.
   • 1.2 The student explained a wider purpose for the project.
   • 1.3 The student identified a range of approaches to the project.
   • 1.4 The student described their plan for the project and why they chose that approach.
   • 1.5 The student planned and organized their time well.
2. Throughout the Project
   • 2.1 The student made good use of the materials and people available.
   • 2.2 The student researched the background to the project and acknowledged their sources appropriately.
3. Finalizing the Project
   • 3.1 The student made logical conclusions and explained the implications for the wider world.
   • 3.2 The student explained how their actions and decisions affected the project’s outcome.
   • 3.3 The student explained what they have learned and reflected on what they could improve.
4. Project-Wide Criteria
   • 4.1 The student showed understanding of the science behind their project, appropriate to their level.
   • 4.2 The student made decisions to direct the project, taking account of ethical and safety issues.
   • 4.3 The student showed creative thinking.
   • 4.4 The student identified and overcame problems successfully.
   • 4.5 The student explained their project clearly, in writing or conversation.

For more details, please visit the Gold CREST Award page. Please study the examples carefully and watch the video provided.

Drafting and Feedback

Preparing a Draft:

• Organize Your Work: Ensure your draft is well-structured and logically organized.
• Include All Relevant Information: Provide a comprehensive overview of your research and findings.
• Proofread: Check for spelling and grammatical errors before submitting your draft.

Submitting the Draft:

• Submit on Time: Ensure you meet the deadlines for draft submission.
• Incorporate Feedback: Use your supervisor’s feedback to make necessary revisions and improvements.

SPARC Contacts

• Christopher Bradford, Director of Science at CLS: csb@cityoflondonschool.org.uk
• Russell Ives, Director of STEM at CLSG: ivesr@clsg.org.uk
• Lizzie Elvidge, Director of Partnerships at City Schools: ee@cityoflondonschool.org.uk

Final Submission

Steps for Finalizing the Project:

1. Review Criteria: Ensure your project meets all the CREST Gold criteria.
2. Clear Communication: Make sure your findings are clearly communicated, with logical conclusions and broader implications.
3. Proofread and Edit: Finalize your document, ensuring it is free from errors.

Submission Process:

• Create a CREST online account.
• Create a project application for a Gold Award.
• Add your supervisor as a collaborator.
• Submit your project by the hard deadline: Tuesday, 22nd March.
• Upload your final project to the designated Dropbox link: [Placeholder for Dropbox link]

Emphasizing Key Points:

• Logical Conclusions: Draw well-supported conclusions from your research.
• Broader Implications: Discuss the wider impact of your findings on the field.

Resources

Available Resources:

• CREST Help Centre: Provides guidance and support for all stages of your project.
• Teacher or Parent Guides: Additional support from educators or parents.
• CREST Resource Library: Access to a wide range of resources to aid your research and project development.
• CREST Student Form: CREST Student Form
• CREST Help Centre
• Teacher Guide
• Parent Guide
• Student Guide Gold

Important Documents

Videos

Introduction to CREST

This video gives an overview of Silver and Gold CREST Awards.

Overview

A student's overview of the process and how rewarding it was.

CREST: A Case Study

Learn how to formulate a compelling research question that drives your project. This video explains the process of identifying gaps in existing research and defining a clear, focused question.

CREST: Process Explained

This video delves into the project development phase, offering insights on planning, executing, and managing your research project effectively to ensure success.