Teacher Quick Guide

Guiding high school students through research requires a different approach than traditional teaching. Your role is to facilitate discovery, not dictate answers.

Key mindset shifts:

• From "expert" to "guide" - You don't need to know their topic deeply

• From "grading" to "coaching" - Focus on process, not just output

• From "teaching" to "questioning" - Good questions unlock better research

1. "I can't find a topic"

→ Start with frustrations, not interests. What bothers them about the world?

2. "My topic is too broad"

→ Apply the "dinner table test" - Can they explain it in one sentence?

3. "I don't understand the papers I find"

→ Teach the 3-pass method: Abstract → Conclusion → Full paper

4. "I'm stuck on methodology"

→ Start with the question, not the method. What data would answer it?

5. "I'm running out of time"

→ Scope reduction is always better than incomplete work

1. Interest Audit (20 min)

Students list 5 things they've Googled this month, then identify patterns.

2. Gap Hunting (30 min)

Give students a research paper. Ask: What did they NOT study?

3. Question Refinement Pairs (15 min)

Partners take turns asking "What specifically?" until the question is narrow.

4. Elevator Pitch Practice (15 min)

Students explain their research in 30 seconds. Class gives feedback.

5. Methodology Match (25 min)

Present 5 research questions. Students choose best method for each.

RESEARCH QUESTION (25%)

✓ Clear and specific

✓ Answerable with available resources

✓ Novel angle or context

LITERATURE REVIEW (25%)

✓ 8+ quality sources

✓ Sources are synthesized, not summarized

✓ Gap is clearly identified

METHODOLOGY (25%)

✓ Approach matches question

✓ Data collection is feasible

✓ Limitations acknowledged

WRITING & PRESENTATION (25%)

✓ Clear academic writing

✓ Proper citations

✓ Logical argument flow

The Research Starter Kit is just the beginning. Sir Luther Center offers:

→ Research Publication Fellowship (8 weeks)

• 1-on-1 mentorship with Harvard graduate researchers

• Complete 8-week curriculum with 24+ worksheets

• Mentor support until the paper is accepted in a peer-reviewed journal

• Perfect for students ready to publish

→ School Partnership Programs

• Bring research mentorship to your school

• Train teachers with our full curriculum

• Bulk enrollment discounts available

→ Contact us at team@learnwithleaders.com