Program Overview
Science Research is a one-to-four year sequential course designed for highly motivated students to advance an understanding of research. Emphasis is on both laboratory and bibliographic research and will cover the Next Generation Science Standards for experimental design. This course engages students to work in conjunction with research scientists and professionals within their field of work. Students create their own unique investigative question, create a research plan, conduct their own experimentation, write a research paper, analyze past and present scientific research for scientific methods, and discuss solutions to current dynamic issues. Students can undertake their independent research in mathematics, life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, computers, or social science. Students are taught the process of online bibliographic researching. Student commitment to long-term focused research, demonstrating initiative, perseverance, and creativity is fostered. Science Research is offered as a Period 7 course where students meet monthly at lunch and by individual conferences with the teacher. All PVHS Science Research students compete at the local PVPUSD Regional Science and Engineering Fair. The top 13 projects advance to the Los Angeles County Science Fair to compete for awards and prizes with the opportunity to advance to the California State and Regenron International Science Fairs.
Award-winning PVHS Science Research Program
Los Angeles County Science Fair
PVHS researchers compete at a high level and have won numerous awards including cash prizes, an Earthwatch expedition trip and a trip to the State Science Fair for placing in the top 3 in their respective categories.
Regenron Internation Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF)
PVHS researchers have been selected to compete in the Regenron Virtual ISEF fair. The ISEF fair is the pinnacle fair where students from 80 countries converge to present their research.