PHYSICS RESEARCH PROJECT 2009

 

Proposed Timeline:

 

Research in IRC during class time       May 13th & 26th     

Research paper due to Turnitin.com.:   May 31st  Midnight

Presentations                               W/Th May 27th – June 11th

 

Proposed guidelines:

1.     This activity counts for 10% of your total grade or approximately one test grade. You should work by yourself.  Tests and the final will be 70% of your grade.    

2.     Topics: You can relate what you have learned in physics to something in the outside world, or you can expand on something we have learned or discuss a new physics topic. However you must get me to approve it and you must not do the same as someone else in the class. Book your topic with me as soon as possible. We will organize your presentation day/time also.

3.     Probably you can think of an idea of your own. Start by looking through your textbook or think of something that has interested you during the year.

4.     You must address the class for a minimum of 5 minutes, preferably 7 minutes, then answer any questions we have, for a total time of 10 minutes.

5.     You must produce one poster. It can be butcher paper or thin poster board of standard size. It needs to be readable from 34 to 36 feet away with neither too much detail (i.e. NOT pages downloaded from the Internet), nor too little detail (one basic sentence or picture from a magazine). It should be colorful and decorative. Include a works cited page on the back of your poster.  You should cite at least three sources of information. 

6.     Your oral presentation must both keep our interest and get over the ideas to us. A demo is good (rehearse ahead!).

7.     If you are done before 5 minutes, you will be penalized. We will warn you when 5 minutes are up. If you go over 7 minutes, you will be cut off and we may miss the good part.

8.     By May 31st, you need to turn in a summary paper to http://www.Turnitin.com. Project ID is 2738000 and the password is spartan.  It should be at least two pages long, but no longer than two and one half pages, typed and single spaced, in Times New Roman font, size 12-point. Include a log of what you did, how much time you spent and where you looked for the information. Do not include the bibliography.

9.     You will not have set up time during class – everything has to be ready to go when it is your turn. You will be penalized if not ready to go.

10.  Grading will be on accuracy and amount of content (too much can be bad), poster, written summary, presentation –easy to hear, eye contact, organized, interesting, etc. No candy or other rewards are to be given to your audience.

11.  You will sign up for a presentation time, on a day you will be sure to be in class. If you fail to give your presentation at the assigned time for any reason, you will have to come on one of the finals afternoons and bring an audience of six people. You may switch presentation times with someone else if they are agreeable.

12.  You will be attentive and respectful during other presentations. A significant part of your grade will depend on listening quietly to others and asking questions. You will not study or do work for another class or go to sleep. In addition your citizenship will be N or U if you can’t behave appropriately. Part of your grade is your attendance. One absence is allowed without penalty. If you are absent more than once for verified illness, you will have the opportunity to make up the time missed. Do NOT interrupt a presentation by being tardy. You will be penalized.