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CHM250 - Chemistry in Everyday Life: Ms. Lee

Assignment

Final Research Project: Overview

This project will be a multi-week group effort to research and present original work on one of the following topics. Research topics are intentionally broad, and research must pertain to at least 3 areas of study from our course thus far, and must go beyond the scope of the class in at least 1 area. Presentations should be 10-15 minutes long, and can be in the form of a PowerPoint presentation, a Prezi, a chalkboard lecture, poster session (or others--if you have an idea, come talk to me!). There will be ample time to do research in class, but you should be working with your group outside of class as well. Requirements for the project are:

1. Abstract, written within the first week of starting research as a group DUE Friday February 9th 3:00 pm

2. In class meeting with Ms. Lee to discuss research and progress

3. Out of class check-in with Ms. Lee to discuss research and progress

4. Properly cited and researched final project, with hard copy or link to presentation turned into Ms. Lee

5. Updated/revised abstract and bibliography turned in with project

6. Logical, compelling, informative, and well-rehearsed presentation 10-15 min in length

7. Reflection on the group’s process/team work and the project as a whole

Topics and some initial research questions are below:

Ocean Chemistry

  • How rising temperatures affect the ocean?
  • How do gases (oxygen, carbon dioxide) get into the water to fish/other marine animals?
  • How do rising carbon levels affect the ocean's chemistry?

Biological Chemistry

  • What kinds of solutions are in the body?
  • How do gases (oxygen, carbon dioxide) travel in the body?
  • How do biological molecules interact via chemical forces?

Agricultural Chemistry

  • What chemical reactions occur in plants?
  • What kinds of chemistry are used in fertilizers?
  • How are fertilizers produced? Natural fertilizers? Synthetic fertilizers?
  • How are fertilizers used in plants?

Chemistry of Climate Change

  • What kinds of atmospheric changes are occurring?
  • How do temperature changes affect the world/weather/natural disasters?
  • What chemistry is being used to mitigate climate change?
  • What chemistry is being used that encourages/hastens climate change?

Food Chemistry

  • How do we measure the caloric content of foods?
  • What kinds of reactions occur during cooking?
  • How does the body use food for chemical reactions?

Chemistry of Fuels

  • How are different types of fuels produced? Fossil fuels? Green fuels?
  • How do we determine the energy content of fuels?
  • How do fuels release energy?