Enough with the Plants Already! Exploring Practical Approaches to Student Choice and Scientific Inquiry Through a STEAM Showcase Framework (S2): Research Plan

This document presents the research plan for an independent, practitioner-led examination of Science Showcase (S2), a collaborative, school-based STEAM initiative in a Virginia public secondary school. The proposed research explores how meaningful student choice, creative expression, and rigorous scientific inquiry can coexist within a practical instructional framework. It considers teacher guidance, scientific rigor, safety, accessibility, resources, and implementation demands, with attention to approaches that may be adaptable to other educational settings. This document is a research plan, not a report of completed research or validated findings. Document version: 1.0Research Plan date: November 10, 2026Author: Adam Hoo