CHE 101 - Applied Chemistry

Research Papers:

Critical Thinking and Research Assignment

Debunking or Supporting a ‘Science Based’ myth/Urban Legend.

Write a two page paper on the instructor approved myth/legend of your choice.
You will need to address the following:

1 – Explain the myth/legend in plain terms.
– Define the parameters in which this myth is supposed to be true. i.e. Eggs balance on the equinox.

2 – Expound on the facts and present data and information in an unbiased manner.
– Gather your sources and information being VERY careful where you get your informatio:.
– Is your source simply relaying information that they gathered, or: did your source actually perform a test, conduct scientific experimentation, is an authority on the subject etc.
(You should try to go to the source or get information directly.)
Be as OBJECTIVE and UNBIASED as possible.

3 – Then reveal your own conclusion about the truthfulness of the myth/legend.
– Based on your research give your opinion about the myth/legend, and be prepared to argue your stance.
– Is the myth itself false. That is ‘is it a complete falsehood’ or lie?
Or: – Is it based on some science or truth that has been twisted or misunderstood?
Or: – Is it completely true?
Show evidence, facts etc. that support this.


APA Page at CCC

Health Note Research Oral Presentation


The purpose of this paper is for you to do scientific research on a topic that relates chemistry to personal health.
Your assignment is to present a ten minute talk on a specific subject, your presentation must be complete and informative.

1 – Choose a topic. Make sure the topic is narrow enough to do a thorough report on.
E.g. If your topic is Lung Cancer.. it would be too broad to cover completely in 10 minutes.
Choose one aspect of Lung Cancer, like: Discussing the compounds in cigarette smoke and what each does to you.

2 – Research the topic. Choose your sources carefully. Remember that .COM websites are usually trying to sell you something.
.ORG websites are usually nonprofit/ noncommercial sites, .GOV websites are government sites and .EDU websites are schools. EACH type has good and bad aspects. Remember to examine who is the author and double check evidence with more than one source.
- Online Journals are a good source. Professional journals will have up to date articles and many journals heavily screen their content.
- Manufacturer’s data sheets ( Spec sheets; MSDS ) are a good source.
- Document your sources.

3 – Organize your research into a presentation that has a focus and flow. Try to explain the point of your presentation as well. Keep the information at an appropriate level, challenging enough to make it interesting but not over the audience’s head. Since your audience is your peers you can use yourself as a measure of how easy or difficult the material will be to comprehend.

4 – Use instructional aids like: Power Point; posters, real items (tools, real samples, models, live examples). The added bonus of having a real item for your audience to touch or examine is extremely beneficial.

5 – Practice your presentation at least once.

6 – Enjoy doing the research. Since YOU get to pick the topic, it should be one you are ready to spend some time learning about.

YOU WILL BE GRADED ON YOUR REPORT USING THE FOLLOWING RUBRIC:

Category	Description		Points
Oral presentation / Time	- How well you presented the material. - Did the presentation’s ideas flow well. - Did you stick to the time allowance. Reading directly from your notes, going over the time limit will cost you points, etc.	- 5 - 10 - 5	20
Content presented at appropriate level	- The report was challenging enough to make people think yet easy enough to be enjoyable Difficult points were explained well enough. Background and vocabulary were explained.	- 20	20
Covered Topic chosen, and had the Proper Focus	- Did the report cover the topic well enough. The report was complete, well planned with respect to the material and did not leave gaps. - The report was aimed at the chemistry behind the topic.	- 20 - 10	30
Research Mat. /Bibliography	- Sources were appropriate for the topic. - Enough sources were used and your bibliography was done correctly. - Links to internet sources were valid.	- 5 - 10 - 5	20
Extra Materials – teaching aids – group participation	- Use of extra material: anything that will enhance the presentation, anything above and beyond your voice or you writing on the board. Materials MUST be incorporated into the presentation. This includes: power points, posters, live specimens (clear with me first), models, pictures. NOT printed pages from the internet.	- 10	10

APA Page at CCC

Example of citing a TV Show:

"Trash of the Titans." The Simpsons, Season 9. Dir. Jim Reardon, Mark Kirkland, et al. Voices: Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith, Hank Azaria, Harry Shearer. CBS. KPIX, San Francisco. 10 September 2006.

Contact info:

Room 221 Stafford Center for Art, Science and Technology

Clinton Community College

136 Clinton Pt. Dr.

Plattsburgh, NY 12901

518-562-4337

CCC HOME | MATH SCIENCE HOME PAGE |