This lesson plan was designed using the Big Six and the UOP format.

Invitation

I've asked the students to pass in a project proposal. After I've read their proposals, I take five minutes out of each class to dicuss their project with them. Speaking with each student takes me about three weeks. (See timeline at the bottom of the page).

Health and Nutrition

• Is fat in your diet really as bad as we hear? Why/why not?
• What is a balanced diet?
• What does your body need to function properly?
• Exercise and how it affects your body.
• Nuclear medicine.

Environmental Issues

• Oil industry/oil spills.
• Alternative fuels for cars.
• Global warming/ozone layer depletion.
• How bad is sun exposure to us? Why?
• Acid rain.
• Irradiated foods. Pros and cons.
• Chemical spraying to kill moscutios.

Consumer Issues

• Which detergents work best when cleaning clothes.
• Which fabrics keep you from getting cold when you go outside.
• How much sugar is in gum?

#1:Task Definition

Lab/Research Based Projects

I encourage you to think independently. This project must be entirely the work of the individual student or students. It is important that your project has a central theme and answers a definite scientific question.

What am I supposed to do?

Decide what you would like to research and make sure there is some "chemistry" in your project.

When you decide what you would like to research, then you must generate a hypothsis.

Interactions and Tasks

What information do I need in order to do this?

1. Pass in a paragraph or two describing the project you wish to do. I will read it and decide if your project is possible to do with the equipment and time we have to work with.

2. Find a mentor to work with and discuss with your mentor the direction in which you wish to take your project. Inform your mentor that you need to present a poster board which shows the results from a lab based project.

3. Start researching and remember to keep track of your sources.

4. This project is written up as a research paper and presented to the class on a poster board.

Tools

#2: Information seeking strategies

What are the possible sources to find this information?

• Research internet sources
• Encyclopedia sources
• Journal sources (Journal of Chemical Education)
• Magazine articles
• Interview people
• Find a mentor to work with.

  A mentor could be a parent, older sibling, neighbor, or someone you contact that knows something about your project. The teacher/mentor role should be one of guidance, encouragement, and constructive criticism as the need arises. All students must have teacher approval for their project before they begin their project.

• Chemistry books in the classroom are available for you to check out.

Which ones are best for me to use?

People are your best resources and will add a non-sterile quality to your project and presentation.

#3: Location and Access

Where will I find these sources?

Library, media center, chemistry classroom, and your mentors workplace or home.

Who can help me find what I need?

Teacher, librarian, parent, friend or relative.

Task

#4 Use of information

How will I record the information?

Keep an original notebook (dated day-by-day) that records all plans, procedures, observations, failures, and successes.

How will I give credit to my sources?

As you research information, keep track of your sources and write a bibliography.

(See me for examples of how to site your sources correctly). You must use a minimum of four references: one source from each of the following choices: internet, person/mentor, encyclopedia, journals, and or magazines.

Task & Situations

#5 Synthesis

What product or performance will I make to finish my assignment?

• Written Reasearch Paper

  Your research paper must be word processed and be 4 pages in length if working alone, 8 pages if working with a partner.

• Preparing an Abstract

  The abstract is a written summary (2-3 paragraphs in length)- purpose, procedure, results (data), conclusions, and applications - of a research project. Your abstract is due the day you present your project. The abstract will be entered into a booklet or on a web site showing all projects being presented in during the present school year.

  Please e-mail me your abstract or bring it in on a disk.

  My e-mail address is Janet_Fasano@needham.k12.ma.us

• Preparing your poster board

  The styrofoam poster board must clearly show your project. If another student looks at your poster board, they will understand what lab you did and what you were trying to accomplish. Your oral report should be a summery of your research. The poster board will act as the visual part of the report. This does not mean you should read what you wrote in your report.

How will I give credit to my sources in my final product or performance?

Include a bibliography.

Standards and Assessment

Inquiry based projects allow the students to design an investigation and analyze and interpret data. This project is somewhat in alignment with the Massachusetts state assessment guide put fourth by the Massachusetts Department of Education as of 1999.

#6 Evaluation

How will I know that I have done my best?

The quality of the project will be graded not only on what is presented but also on the presenters ability to discuss the work intelligently. Each project will be graded based on the following criteria.

Paper - 70 points total

Format - 30 points

• 10 points - paper is typed, and contains a cover page, introduction, body, and conclusion.
• 10points-contains a works cited page, which lists at least 4 sources ( 3 different types of sources), all recorded in proper format.
• 10 points-citations are made correctly throughout paper to avoid plagiarism.

Content-40 points

• 15 points-paper contains information that is scientific, interesting, and accurate.
• 15 points-ideas flow logically from one to another, and are strengthened by supporting statements.
• 10 points-paper is free of grammar and spelling errors.

Presentations-30 points total

Visual Aid-20 points

• 10 points-presented in a neat, easy to read/easy to understand fashion.
• 10 points-presents the important facts from the paper.

Speaker-10points

• 10 points-presents him/herself in a professional manner, speaking clearly, making eye contact with audience, and displaying knowledge of the topic.