Science is a verb.
Science is not a noun.
So that you can EXPERIENCE science - tackle one of these problems. This problem will be yours with which to mentally and physically wrestle all summer.
Only one person will do any project. First come, first served.
This is anti-cooperative learning --- to promote confidence and individuality.
you will "solve the problem / conduct the research" and write up your findings that are accompanied with graphs, charts, fotos.
This is not for kids.
Second:
you will design six (or more) lessons for elementary school students so that they can discover some of what you discovered with your research.
Call this a "unit" -- that is different from the "unit" you prepared to meat course goal G-6. You'll collect the "science supplies stuff" you'll need to conduct this inquiry with kids.
Third:
you will present your findings to the class in a combination of ¥ hands-on lesson where they learn some of what you discovered -- and
¥ a brief report of your findings.
Fourth:
since you have all the "stuff" --- why not write up your experiences in a format appropriate so some science education journal and send it in for publication.
2. Eggs Ova Litely
- As a disciple of Ralph Nader, determine whether
consumers really get more for their money buying (e.g.) extra large eggs.
Buy a dozen small, medium, large, and extra large eggs, and take the
appropriate measurements to decide this issue.
3. Rolling on a river:
Determine how much water is transported by a
stream in a day.
4. It's That Old Devil Moon in Your Eye:
For the next several weeks,
record the altitude of the moon when it is on the meridian. Compare your
data with the meridian altitude of the sun.
5. A tall thirst:
The campus water tower is 125ft. high. Take the
appropriate measurements to prove this using several scientific
techniques.
7. Water, water everywhere:
They say the campus water tower holds
500,000 gallons of water. Use several scientific techniques to prove this.
8. The acid test:
Check a variety of carbonated beverages with the pH
meter (that you delicately borrow from the Chemistry or Life Science
Department). Check your figures with pH paper.
9. Pepsi generation:
Determine the volume of carbon dioxide that is
dissolved in a bottle of pop. Why not visit the Mattoon bottling company,
too?
10. A + B = C:
Determine if the amount of water flowing from the Riley
Creek + the amount of water in the Castle Creek = the amount of water in
the Kickapoo Creek (on the west side of town) after the two rivers join to
become "the Kickapoo."
12. Very appealing:
Take the appropriate measurements to determine
which is a better buy: thin-skinned juice oranges or thick-skinned navel
oranges.
13. Cool, clear water:
Keep track of the water that you use in a week:
bathtub, dishwasher, etc. Compare your results with the water meter
reading.
14. Flash flood:
How fast does the water move through the pipes in your
house? Does it matter if several faucets are being used at the same time?
Express answers in volume and linear units: e.g. one gallon per minute
and/or five feet per second.
15. Ya load 16 tons, and whadda ya get?
Without counting the
individual bricks, estimate the weight of the west wall of Lantz
Gymnasium.
17. Stop and go:
Make the necessary observations concerning the six
traffic lights on Lincoln Avenue, and determine the speed that is
necessary to pass through all of the intersections without having to stop
for a red light.
18. Round and round I go:
Make an video movie of what happens when
you play "catch" on a merry-go-round. Supplement your film documentary
with the necessary script to explain the practical significance of the
phenomena viewed.
19. Writer's cramp:
Determine how many pencils could be made from
the wood in a telephone pole. If that is too easy-how many pencils could
you make from the wood of a tree?
20. Say, "cheese"
Take some time-lapse photo. graphs of the moon
Using a Polaroid camera. Vary the time lapse and the time (moonrise,
moonset, etc.) you use to compile your photographic diary.
22. Costly droplets
Talk to some of the employees of the water
department, and construct a photographic essay of the water and sewage
treatment plants. Add the necessary prose to your photographs to explain
why Charleston water is so expensive.
23. Gasp, gasp
Experimentally determine the size of your lungs. Take a
"physical" in the EIU--Human Performance Lab of the Physical Ed
Department.
24. Hard water ain't ice
Determine the amount of dissolved solids in
stream water, pond water, ocean water, tap water, softened tap water,
etc.
25. Brick-a-brac:
Weigh several pieces of brick and/or plaster of Paris,
and place them in a can. Roll the can down an incline many, 'many times.
Re-weigh the pieces periodically (e.g.) every 1/10 of a mile. Repeat the
process but this time put water in the can.
28. Try it, you'll like it:
Which releases a greater volume of gas: Alka
Seltzer or Bromo Seltzer?
29. Do, due, dew:
Determine the Dew Point and Relative Humidity
at various intervals of time for a week. Graphically or algebraically
determine from these data some possible minimum levels for cloud
formation.
30. Dam it: Take the necessary measurements (directly and or indirect) and estimate the tonnage of materials that has been removeI by erosion in the streani valley at Lake Charleston. Limit yourself to the distance between the dam and the bridge.
32. Smoke gets in my eyes:
Compare the height of the smoke stack at
the campus power plant to the adjacent water tower. Use several
measuring techniques.
33. The un-question:
When you snap the cap on a bottle of 7-Up (e.g.).
does the gas rush into the bottle or out of the bottle? Design an
experiment to determine the volume of gas that is involved.
34. Annelidae
Thru experimentation, find out what you can about
Earthworms.
35. Monetary monocots
Make some observations tions in a corn field,
and collect such data as: how many kernels are needed to plant an acre of
corn? how much time is needed to plant an acre? how much cost is in-
volved? what is the net return of the farmer's investment -in terms of
money and kernels? etc.
6/11s/95