Science+Essays

=**Science Essays **= Approximately every two weeks, you will need to complete an essay in response to a news article or science article. The readings and the corresponding questions will be listed on this page. You need to choose one of the questions listed, and give a thorough response. The response lengths may vary week to week, and thus are posted below. The location of your bi-weekly science essays have changed! Visit out Physics Ning to record your thoughts/reponses to various physics articles/ideas.

http://peterka-physics.ning.com/

=Fourth Marking Period Science Essays=

Essay 2- Respond to your classmate's Six Flags Projects through the Physics Ning- You need to share your reflection to THREE different projects, or reflect on Two projects and comment on another person's reflection.

http://peterka-physics.ning.com/forum/topics/six-flags-project

Essay 1- Due Friday April 16th- Wireless Electricity Go to the classroom Ning site, and reply to the new forum question- "Wireless Electricity" -http://peterka-physics.ning.com/forum/topics/wireless-electricity

1. Your own original response -10 points 2. Comment on two other student's work- 5 points each -10 points total Total Essay Assignment - 20 points

= = = = =__THIRD MARKING PERIOD SCIENCE ESSAYS__=

Essay 2: DUE March 5th- Sports and Physics
Go to the classroom Ning site, and reply to the new forum question- "Sports and Physics" -http://peterka-physics.ning.com/forum/topics/sports-and-physics

1. Your own original response -10 points 2. Comment on two other student's work- 5 points each -10 points total Total Essay Assignment - 20 points

Essay 1: DUE February 5th- Driving and Cell Phones
Go to the classroom Ning site, and reply to the new forum question- "Driving and Cell Phones" -http://peterka-physics.ning.com/forum/topics/driving-and-cell-phones

1. Your own original response -10 points 2. Comment on two other student's work- 5 points each -10 points total Total Essay Assignment - 20 points

Essay 5: DUE December 18th- Science and the Holidays
Go to the classroom Ning site, and reply to the new forum question- "Science and the Holidays" 1. Your own original response -10 points 2. Comment on two other student's work- 5 points each -10 points total Total Essay Assignment - 20 points



Essay 4: DUE December 4th
Go to the classroom Ning site, and reply to the new forum question- "All in the name of science" 1. Your own original response -10 points 2. Comment on two other student's work- 5 points each -10 points total Total Essay Assignment - 20 points



Essay 3:
Go to our classroom Ning site, and reply to the Forum question- "What does all this water mean?" For your essay, your need to complete both of the following:

1. Your own original response -10 points 2. Comment on two other student's work- 5 points each -10 points total Total Essay Assignment - 20 points



//Essay 2//- Choose one from the two options listed below and write a one page (MAXIMUM) response:

THE BIG:
Read about the recent moon crash, what in the world NASA is doing sending space crafts into the moon at high velocities. //Question//: Do you think the money that the US government spends on our space program is spent wisely? List some reasons why it is important for NASA to spend money on space exploration, and some reasons why it could be wasteful. Then, explain your own view (Yes, or No) and find other articles or legitimate websites to help back up your opinions.

**and the small:**
Check out this information on particle physics, and what in the world that has to do with particle colliders located in both Switzerland, and in Illinois. http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/09/halpern-qa/

//Question//: Do you think the money that the US government spends on physics research (like a giant particle accelerator) is spent wisely? List some reasons why it is important to spend money on science research, and some reasons why it could be wasteful. Then, explain your own view (Yes, or No) and find other articles or legitimate websites to help back up your opinions.



Essay 1- Read the following and choose one of the questions below. Write a half page response. While formulating your thoughts, make sure to include scientific facts to support your opinions.

1. What is your current power usage at your house, and what are some concrete ways you can reduce the amount of electricity used? 2. Do you agree with the idea of having efficiency standards for electrical devices? Give the pros and cons to having these standards, and then share your own views. 3. Conduct a scavenger hunt at your own house for electronics that cannot be permanently turned off. List the types of devices, and explain how you can tell that they do not ever completely shut off. Figure out why they require constant power, and explain the reasoning. In what ways could these devices be more efficient?

DUE: Oct. 9th Questions????- Email Miss Peterka - tpeterka@umasd.org