What do industrial designers, pilots, carpenters, engineers, athletes, biochemists, and auto mechanics all have in common? Each of these occupations and many more, require the working knowledge of PHYSCAL SCIENCE. Physical science includes all of the many branches of chemistry and physics, studying the make-up of matter and matter in motion. As you begin working in this very exciting realm of science, you will soon see that it is quite different from the life sciences you may have already studied. A sound mathematical background is required as well as special laboratory skills. In the pre-chemistry/pre-physics course, we want to develop these skills to prepare you for your future high school science curriculum.
This year it is important that you continue to practice a scientific method approach to answering questions. This includes research, looking for answers outside the classroom. Each student is required to complete an independent science project. Begin now to explore topics. To aid this exploration you are required to read articles from approved scientific journals and summarize each. The following requirements are to be met:
- Articles must be summarized from acceptable science journals such as: Science, Scientific American, SciQuest, Bio Science, Nature, and Omni of the last three years. Articles should be at least two pages in length and authored.
- Summary must be written in the reader’s own words as he/she understand the article. Plagiarism will not be tolerated.
- Summary must fill the form provided and be concise and reflective.
- Summary must include a full reference citation using APA format
- Example: (from journal hard copy)
Brown, E (1996). The lake of seduction: Silence, hysteria, and the space of feminist theatre.
JTD: Journal of Theatre and Drama, 2, 175-200.
- example: (from online journal)
Evnine, S. J. (2001). The universality of logic: On the connection between rationality and logical ability [Electronic version]. Mind, 110, 335-367.
(Journal titles are in italics or underlined)
- Three articles are required per nine-week grading period, one every three weeks.
- Each article is worth 25 points. If the summary does not meet the guidelines, it will be returned for rewrite.
- No late summaries will be accepted!!!!
Experimentation is an important part of any scientific method and you will put this into practice through laboratory experience. Remember: ABSOLUTELY NO HORSEPLAY WILL BE TOLERATED! Safety procedures are to be observed at all times. Fines will be levied for broken equipment. The science classroom is a unique learning environment. Often expensive and hazardous materials must be used. It is important then that it also be a disciplined environment. The following apply to all:
- Get organized! A science notebook is required and will be checked to be certain to keep it updated each day.
- You are responsible for asking about missed assignments. Late work will not be accepted. You will have an equal number of days to make up work that you missed - no more!
- Your classroom behavior is a part of your grade. When the first bell sounds you are to be in the seat and ready to go. At the end of the period your table and surrounding are must be clean and orderly.
- We will soon be discussing your required science fair project in class so start thinking about topics that interest you. Do not go online and find an experiment and then build your project around that experiment….that’s not the way scientist work and the goal is for you to model the scientific method.
Your grade is based on the following: unit tests, lab reports, research summaries, daily assignments, and class participation and behavior. The grade you earn is the grade you will receive – there will never be extra credit in the class, I believe it to be a hindrance to your education. For all graded materials the following percentages will apply:
90-100 Scale:
90 - 100 = A
80 - 89 = B
70 - 79 = C
60 - 69 = D
59 and under = F
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