Chemistry+Podcast

  In this unit you will be carrying out an investigation of your choice. It could be a controlled experiment or an investigation into chemistry working in everyday life. Your assignment is to create a podcast to communicate your findings to the general public in a way that  expands their knowledge,  improves their understanding,and  fosters scientific literacy.

You will be assessed on the following:

1. // Name of podcast // - Relevant and original.

2. // Planning // - Podcast has a clear structure – an opening, discussion and closing.

3. // Sound // - Podcast is enhanced with high quality and appropriate sound effects and music. There is no distortion of sound and background noise is minimized.

4. // Grammar // - Use of proper nouns and verbs. Substances and materials are named correctly. Generalizations, vague and imprecise words are avoided.

5. // Vocal Expression // - Strong, clear vocal expression with good articulation and pronunciation. The speed of delivery is acceptable and there is variation in tone, volume and speed. P auses are used effectively when transitioning between questions and speakers. F iller words such as umm” and “like” are minimal.

6. // Voice – // Upbeat conversational style that is not stilted or contrived.

7. // Length // - Podcast keeps the listeners interested to the end. It is not so long that the listeners lose interest or too short that the listeners are left with a superficial understanding. 5-10 minutes recommended.

8. // Audience // - The podcast is designed for the general public. It conveys science in a way that is engaging and easy to understand. The information and explanations are clearly articulated.

9. // Understanding // – Podcast shows a depth of understanding of chemistry concepts and ideas.

10. // Questioning // - The questions allow for critical analysis. This means they will illicit responses that explain, evaluate, and compare rather than merely describe or name. ** Question Ideas ** 

1.   What made you investigate this particular topic? What interested you in it? How did you decide on this particular one?

2.   What were you expecting to find?

3.   Did your findings confirm your initial expectations?

4.   What evidence do you have to support your conclusions?

5.   Why should people trust your findings? What did you do to ensure that the results were as accurate (limitations in the method, difficulty controlling variables) and precise (repeated measurements, equipment choice)?

6.   Chemistry is an experimental science. What makes your research an experiment?

7.   How was chemistry involved in your investigation?

8.   Explain (using a specific example) how you approached an aspect of this research that was unfamiliar?

9.   Were there any aspects of your project that went beyond your capability to investigate or verify?

10.   Describe one challenge you faced and explain how you tried to overcome it? Think about planning and organization, controlling variables, finding precise methods of measurement, making it work, collecting sufficient reliable data,   deciding what was important,    explaining the results,   <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> not being sure what to expect,   <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> achieving trustworthy and reliable results,   <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> communicating your ideas,   <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> lack of prior knowledge and experience,   <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> working in a team. <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">

11.  <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> Describe the strengths of your investigation. Possible things to consider are: planning,  <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> methods of measurement and data collection,  <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> controlling variables,   <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> data analysis,   <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> working in a team   <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">

12.  <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> If you could continue with this investigation what direction would it take and why?

13.  <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> How did your knowledge and understanding of Chemistry change over the course of this investigation?

14.  <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> What role if any did imagination and creativity play in this investigation?

15.  <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> Did you use technology? How dependent were you on it?

16.  <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> How do your findings help explain what happens in the real world?

Some good Science podcasts online are:  <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> [|60 Second Science] - from Scientific American, [|NASACast] - one of the many podcasts from NASA, [| The Naked Scientist] - podcast from The U.K, [|Quirks and Quarks] - from CBC Canada and [|ScienceFriday] - podcast from NPR US, Science Times - from The New York Times Science Section, Discovery News Bulletin - from Discovery Channel.


 * Assessment**

** <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> How to make a Podcast    ** <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">

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