Article Assessment Assignment (5 points)
https://www.wired.com/2015/11/nuclear-fission-works-fine-but-not-fusion-heres-why/
Complete an Article Assessment on the issue of fission vs fusion.
Why is fusion not possible?
Final Journal Entry Assignments: Complete TWO (2) of the following assignment options
1) Respond to two of the Discussion Questions for the articles posted on the Science in the News page.
2) Write a short story; the race to build the atom bomb was a very close one, and had Germany (or any other country) succeeded in building one first, the world today would be a very different place. The Cold War could've wiped out much more of the planet if different powers were involved. What would that alternative future look like?
3) Write out the pros and cons of Nuclear power. What are good arguments both FOR and AGAINST the use of nuclear power?
4) Choose another issue as a potential topic for our FINAL in-class debate. Write out the pros / cons of this issue, and why you think it would make a good debate topic?
Textbook Review and questions:
p168, 170-177, p.201 q 1p
p246-247 – What is a hydrocarbon? Answer p252 q 14
pP260 Fig 6.4; what’s happening in the beaker, where the bonds in water are being broken to form H2 and O2. Which beaker has which gas?
Reaction Rate – P. 274 – 276; What factor(s) would be most important for the combustion of wax?
Light, heat, energy -- P426 - 429
Q2 Content:
The Scale of the Universe
Candles, Fire, States of Matter.
What is fire? Combustion and the energy in chemical bonds that power our world.
How do Candles work? https://www.explainthatstuff.com/candles.html
What is heat? https://www.explainthatstuff.com/heat.html
What is light? https://www.explainthatstuff.com/light.html
Nematodes survive long sleep in Siberian permafrost:
http://siberiantimes.com/science/casestudy/news/worms-frozen-in-permafrost-for-up-to-42000-years-come-back-to-life/
Q1 Content
Exit Slip 2 -- Cows and Methane Production. Watch the video in this link and answering the following questions (4 marks)
Methane (CH4) is ~ 21 x more potent for climate warming than CO2.
1) What are 2 major sources of methane? How do cows contribute?
2) Describe the difficulties of trying to “block” the escape of methane gas from cows. What’s a better solution?
Extremophiles and Mutation rate in Bacteria:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZbcwi7SfZE
1)Explain how bacteria can develop resistance to NEW antibiotics, despite only reproducing ASEXUALLY?
2)How are these “superbacteria” created? List 3 reasons.
What’s the reason that the scientists in GATTACA are interested in exploring Titan?
Watch the following video on exploring Saturn`s moon of Titan.
What evidence is there that life on Titan could be possible?
1) List 2 factors.
2) What are the seas and rivers on Titan made of?
Previous Journal Assignments (5 points each):
1 = What is reality and The Simulation Argument: www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlTKTTt47WE
Give your definition of reality, and state your opinion on whether the argument about living in a simulation is any good.
2 = Critical Thinking -- What is the meaning of the motto of The Royal Society: `Think for yourself and question authority.`
Describe why this motto is important for the advancement of science.
3 = CRISPR and Genetic Engineering -- Describe the pros and cons of a future where humans are genetically engineered to have the best possible traits.
4 = Podcast response -- Find an interesting podcast related to science and give a summary of an episode. Describe why you chose it and what the first episode is about!
5 = Speciation short-story: Write a science-fiction story (1 page double-spaced) about a future where genetic engineering has become normal, and the potential for `speciation` to occur, where humanity branches into two separate species! How would this happen and why? (This and previous entries all due as of Tuesday)
6 = Are we alone in the universe? (Due Friday July 20th)
7 = Journal entry about the topic your group was given for the Final Project assignment -- the Global Pollution Epidemic. (Due Thursday -- time will be given during class)
Other Assignments:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8qLBE8qPv0
The Drake Equation handout -- Questions 1-3, 9, 10, 13 (Due Friday)
Science in the News: submit by e-mail to [email protected]
•Send LINK to article; MUST BE DONE BEFORE THE START OF CLASS!
Write a summary that you'll present to the class. Include:
The TITLE of the article
A 1-2 paragraph summary of article and concept behind it. Ask yourself: "Why is this story worth sharing?"
•Discussion Questions -- Ask a question or two to the class, in response to the article. I will give you some help to get the class going, but think of why this article is important. Does the article refer to:
Potential technology? Dangers or ethical issues? Political issues related to science?
These are great topics to start a discussion!
•Graded by peers and by me (this is a fun / friendly environment to practice your public speaking and share somthing you're passionate about. No pressure!).
•Students will be selected at random; 1st article due on Monday!
Sample article and brief summary:
https://phys.org/news/2018-07-july-fourth-year-worst-air.html
Title: July 4th brings the year’s worst air pollution thanks to fireworks.
Summary (1-2 paragraphs; this one is quite short but sufficient to convey the information):
Fireworks contain heavy metals and toxic chemicals. These chemicals and metals produce the brilliant colours that are part of a fireworks display. These chemicals are dangerous, though, and pollute the air -- especially the night of July 4th through July 5th, and cause serious harm to our lungs. They also pollute the soil and water nearby.
Discussion questions: Should we ban fireworks? Can ‘clean’ fireworks be made? How do we balance between something that's "fun" and part of our culture, vs. something that causes great harm to our health and the environment?
Check out the following links:
www.nature.com
www.phys.org
https://www.sciencenews.org/
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/
Other links as you find them (these are only a few examples.)
https://www.wired.com/2015/11/nuclear-fission-works-fine-but-not-fusion-heres-why/
Complete an Article Assessment on the issue of fission vs fusion.
Why is fusion not possible?
Final Journal Entry Assignments: Complete TWO (2) of the following assignment options
1) Respond to two of the Discussion Questions for the articles posted on the Science in the News page.
2) Write a short story; the race to build the atom bomb was a very close one, and had Germany (or any other country) succeeded in building one first, the world today would be a very different place. The Cold War could've wiped out much more of the planet if different powers were involved. What would that alternative future look like?
3) Write out the pros and cons of Nuclear power. What are good arguments both FOR and AGAINST the use of nuclear power?
4) Choose another issue as a potential topic for our FINAL in-class debate. Write out the pros / cons of this issue, and why you think it would make a good debate topic?
Textbook Review and questions:
p168, 170-177, p.201 q 1p
p246-247 – What is a hydrocarbon? Answer p252 q 14
pP260 Fig 6.4; what’s happening in the beaker, where the bonds in water are being broken to form H2 and O2. Which beaker has which gas?
Reaction Rate – P. 274 – 276; What factor(s) would be most important for the combustion of wax?
Light, heat, energy -- P426 - 429
Q2 Content:
The Scale of the Universe
Candles, Fire, States of Matter.
What is fire? Combustion and the energy in chemical bonds that power our world.
How do Candles work? https://www.explainthatstuff.com/candles.html
What is heat? https://www.explainthatstuff.com/heat.html
What is light? https://www.explainthatstuff.com/light.html
Nematodes survive long sleep in Siberian permafrost:
http://siberiantimes.com/science/casestudy/news/worms-frozen-in-permafrost-for-up-to-42000-years-come-back-to-life/
Q1 Content
Exit Slip 2 -- Cows and Methane Production. Watch the video in this link and answering the following questions (4 marks)
Methane (CH4) is ~ 21 x more potent for climate warming than CO2.
1) What are 2 major sources of methane? How do cows contribute?
2) Describe the difficulties of trying to “block” the escape of methane gas from cows. What’s a better solution?
Extremophiles and Mutation rate in Bacteria:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZbcwi7SfZE
1)Explain how bacteria can develop resistance to NEW antibiotics, despite only reproducing ASEXUALLY?
2)How are these “superbacteria” created? List 3 reasons.
What’s the reason that the scientists in GATTACA are interested in exploring Titan?
Watch the following video on exploring Saturn`s moon of Titan.
What evidence is there that life on Titan could be possible?
1) List 2 factors.
2) What are the seas and rivers on Titan made of?
Previous Journal Assignments (5 points each):
1 = What is reality and The Simulation Argument: www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlTKTTt47WE
Give your definition of reality, and state your opinion on whether the argument about living in a simulation is any good.
2 = Critical Thinking -- What is the meaning of the motto of The Royal Society: `Think for yourself and question authority.`
Describe why this motto is important for the advancement of science.
3 = CRISPR and Genetic Engineering -- Describe the pros and cons of a future where humans are genetically engineered to have the best possible traits.
4 = Podcast response -- Find an interesting podcast related to science and give a summary of an episode. Describe why you chose it and what the first episode is about!
5 = Speciation short-story: Write a science-fiction story (1 page double-spaced) about a future where genetic engineering has become normal, and the potential for `speciation` to occur, where humanity branches into two separate species! How would this happen and why? (This and previous entries all due as of Tuesday)
6 = Are we alone in the universe? (Due Friday July 20th)
7 = Journal entry about the topic your group was given for the Final Project assignment -- the Global Pollution Epidemic. (Due Thursday -- time will be given during class)
Other Assignments:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8qLBE8qPv0
The Drake Equation handout -- Questions 1-3, 9, 10, 13 (Due Friday)
Science in the News: submit by e-mail to [email protected]
•Send LINK to article; MUST BE DONE BEFORE THE START OF CLASS!
Write a summary that you'll present to the class. Include:
The TITLE of the article
A 1-2 paragraph summary of article and concept behind it. Ask yourself: "Why is this story worth sharing?"
•Discussion Questions -- Ask a question or two to the class, in response to the article. I will give you some help to get the class going, but think of why this article is important. Does the article refer to:
Potential technology? Dangers or ethical issues? Political issues related to science?
These are great topics to start a discussion!
•Graded by peers and by me (this is a fun / friendly environment to practice your public speaking and share somthing you're passionate about. No pressure!).
•Students will be selected at random; 1st article due on Monday!
Sample article and brief summary:
https://phys.org/news/2018-07-july-fourth-year-worst-air.html
Title: July 4th brings the year’s worst air pollution thanks to fireworks.
Summary (1-2 paragraphs; this one is quite short but sufficient to convey the information):
Fireworks contain heavy metals and toxic chemicals. These chemicals and metals produce the brilliant colours that are part of a fireworks display. These chemicals are dangerous, though, and pollute the air -- especially the night of July 4th through July 5th, and cause serious harm to our lungs. They also pollute the soil and water nearby.
Discussion questions: Should we ban fireworks? Can ‘clean’ fireworks be made? How do we balance between something that's "fun" and part of our culture, vs. something that causes great harm to our health and the environment?
Check out the following links:
www.nature.com
www.phys.org
https://www.sciencenews.org/
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/
Other links as you find them (these are only a few examples.)