Publish that project: here's your chance to share your findings with teens around the world - write your report: includes how to write an abstract for The Student Researcher - Special Issue: Science Project Success Guide

Science World, Sept 20, 1996 by Karen McNulty

What do you do after you've collected your data, made your charts and graphs, and realized you've found a new way to keep sneakers from wearing out? Announce your findings to the world!

That's what real scientists do. Sports scientists, for example, publish their research in scientific journals like the Sport Science Quarterly and the Journal of Sports Biomechanics. Other scientists - and anyone else who wants to learn about the latest discoveries - can read about their research in these journals.

Some people think publishing research is the most important and exciting part of doing science. After all, fame and fortune could follow. But laying your research on the line can be risky business. When other scientists read about your work, they might not believe your conclusions. But they can follow your procedure and analyze the results themselves. If they get the same results, they confirm your original results - or discover a better method -they can publish their findings. Either way, everyone learns, asks more questions, and the process of scientific discovery continues.

YOU CAN GET PUBLISHED

But bigwig scientists aren't the only ones who can publish their work. Now you can publish your research in a science journal just for teens. It's called The Student Researcher; and it's published four times a year by students and teachers at the National Studen Research Center at Mandeville Middle School in Mandeville, Louisiana.

The journal is filled with reports of science projects done by students nationwide. You can also read it on the Internet where it's called The E-Journal of Student Research (see Web site address right). All you have to do to get published in The Student Researcher is write an abstract - a summary - of your science project. A good abstract contains all the main ideas and supporting details of your research, says John Swang, director of the National Student Research Council. For specific instructions, see abstract format, below.

When you think your abstract is finished, have your teacher look over your work and help you make corrections. Then mail your final paper to the National Student Research Center, or send it by e-mail (addresses below).

The Student Researcher's editors may ask you to make some changes or provide additional information before they publish your work. But they'll always let you know when your paper will appear in print. And, of course, they'll send you a finished copy. Good luck!