Chemistry Project

Research Projects

Objective: To research a topic in chemistry and do a project to display what you have learned.

Groups: You should work on your own. You may work in pairs IF you present a proposal to me that explains exactly what your project is and what each of you will be responsible for, AND I ok it.

Format of presentation: Open. You should choose a format well-suited to your topic. For example, a topic in technology can often be well-represented by a display or experiment, while a theoretical topic is better suited to an essay or perhaps poster paper presentation. Other formats to consider are: demonstration, computer-based presentation (Powerpoint or web page, for example), video, model, debate and oral presentation.

What you will be doing: You will be expected to complete the following steps:

Choose a topic of interest to you, a brief outline of exactly what you will be learning about in carrying out the project, a format for your presentation and a couple of good initial sources (correctly cited) that you will be using to get to know your topic. (Due October 29.)
Research your topic, gathering at least 3 up-to-date sources that are well-suited to your level of understanding and your topic. (Due November 1.)
Present a detailed outline or concept map of your topic and how you intend to deal with it given your format. (Due November 5.)
Present you final project with a bibliography. (Due November 10.)

Topic suggestions and possible initial sources:
(You can find more at: http://www.chemistrycoach.com/high5.htm)
I strongly encourage those of you who are interested to take a topic from your investigations on archaeology and chemistry (assignment 4).

Topic	Source
The Search for Dark Matter	Scientific American, June 2003
The Dawn of Physics Beyond the Standard Model	Scientific American, March 2003
Super Fibers	Science News, June 14, 2003
Dismantling Nuclear Reactors	Scientific American, March 2003
Historical Factors, Nations and Scientific Discoveries	Naming Rights Natural History, February 2003
Chemistry of Cooking	Go here and here
Superfluidity	www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superfluid
Ancient Chemistry	Chemistry, call no. 540 New
Global Warming	The Way Nature Works, call no. 570 Way
Ozone Depletion	The Way Nature Works, call no. 570 Way
Acid Rain	The Way Nature Works, call no. 570 Way
Chemistry Magic Show	See me
Forensic Chemistry	Go here
Chemistry in Archaeology	Scientific American, June 2003
Origin of Matter in the Universe	Scientific American, June 2003
Garbage Disposal in Cochabamba	See me
Chemical Origin of Life	www.panspermia.org/rnaworld.htm
Chemical Weapons	On your own
Chemistry and Literature	Periodic Table, Primo Levi
Astrochemistry	See me, lots of topics
Petrochemistry	On your own

How you will be marked: Your project will be marked out of 20 on difficulty of material, research, understanding and presentation. A further 4 marks will be assigned according tohow you work on your project during class time and how punctual you are in ecah of the steps.

	4	3	2	1
Difficulty	I chose a topic that challenged me but that I was able to master.	I chose a topic that was a bit below or above my level.	I chose a topic that I already had a pretty good understanding of.	I chose a topic that I had already learned about in this or a previous class.
Research	I researched my topic thoroughly and found lots of information in various formats (WWW, books, articles) suited to my level.	I researched my topic well and found more than three sources mostly on the web. Most of my sources were at the right level for me.	I researched my topic a bit and found three or four web sources. A few of my sources were at the right level.	I did a little research on my topic and found three web sources which were either too easy or difficult for me.
Understanding	I understood my topic well and was able to show what I learned.	I mostly understood my topic and was able to show what I learned.	I understood some of my topic and showed some of what I knew.	I understood little of my topic.
Presentation	My format was suited to my topic. My presentation was clear and interesting.	My format was pretty well suited to my topic. My presentation was usually clear and interesting.	My format was somewhat suited to my topic. My presentation was occasionally clear and interesting.	My format was not suited to my topic. My presentation was confusing.

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