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Suggested High-Tech Topics for Student Presentations
NS 116, Spring 2009
The underlying theme for the presentations is How Things Work. The 15-20 minute presentation should focus on (Team Member 1) what the basic science is that lies behind the technology, (Team Member 2) how the selected technology works, and (Team Member 3) what impact this technology has on society. Each team will choose a different topic. Some topics are broad enough that distinct subtopics could form the basis for more than one team presentation. Students may choose other topics with the approval of the instructor. Students may not do the same presentation prepared for another class. Each team member must participate equally in the presentation. Although some overlap with the biological sciences is inevitable, topics dealing with physical science are preferred.
Many of these topics are very "high-tech." Please discuss possible choices with your instructors so that appropriate simplifications can be agreed to that will fit the abilities of your team. You will have to learn some new things, but we don't expect you to become a fully certified "rocket scientist" to do your presentation!
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Topic/Technology |
Presenting Team of Three (please use your first and last names) and Date |
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Global Positioning System (GPS) |
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Cell Phones--Basic (how they work) |
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Cell Phones--Advanced (Multimedia Wireless: iPhone and Blackberry) |
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Satellite Phones |
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Computer CPU Microchip |
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Computer Magnetic Hard Drives |
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USB Flash Drives |
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Digital watches |
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Digital Cameras, including how sensors work |
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Film Cameras, including how film works |
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Speakers and amplifiers for music |
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Compact Disk (CD) for music |
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MP3 for music (iPod and others) |
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AM and FM radio |
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Digital Satellite Radio |
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Analog, Digital and HD Television |
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Fiber Optic Communication Cables |
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Communication Satellites |
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The Space Shuttle and its replacement |
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Space Telescopes |
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Ground-based telescopes |
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The International Space Station |
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Supersonic Aircraft |
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Hypersonic Aircraft |
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Space probes mapping other planets |
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Remote vehicles on other planets |
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Remote Vehicles (ROV) on this planet |
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Radar and Air Traffic Control Systems |
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Single Stage to Orbit Vehicles |
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Robots in manufacturing |
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Robots that mimic humans |
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Superconductors and Maglev high speed trains |
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eBooks and digital paper-The Amazon Kindle |
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Advanced Oil Drilling Technologies |
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Missile Defense Shield |
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Space Elevators and nanotechnology cables |
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Submarines |
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The physics of sailing into the wind |
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Smart Homes-security and convenience |
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Smart Buildings-energy management |
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Smart Automobiles-advanced safety features |
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MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) |
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Ultrasonic medical imaging |
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X-Ray Medical Imaging |
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Prosthetic Limbs |
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Mechanical Hearts |
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DSL, POTS and Cable Modems |
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Wireless networking, WiFi Hotspots for laptops |
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Microwave ovens |
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Helicopters |
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Where are the Flying Cars? |
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Cruise Missiles and UAV's |
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Two-stroke vs. Four-stroke engines |
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Automobile Air Bags |
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Plasma Television Displays |
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LCD Television Displays |
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DVD's for movies, Blu-Ray vs regular |
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TiVo and Digital Video Recorders |
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Radio Frequency ID (RFID) chips and privacy |
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<others of your choice> |
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Teams can also elect to present a FOSS kit or other science instruction media. (See http://lhsfoss.org/scope/index.html for a list of FOSS kits in Physical Science for grades K-6.) You can check out kits from our local Fresno Unified School District Science Education Center (http://science.fresno.k12.ca.us/index2.html).
Science Education Center, IMC
3132 E. Fairmont, Building 5
Fresno, CA 93726
(559) 248-7181
Please call the Science Education Center to see which Physical Science kits are available. Please choose kits that relate to physical science and/or technology. Past presentation favorites were "Magnetism & Electricity" and "Physics of Sound," both of which fit well with the topics in NS116, but these kits are probably no longer available. If your team chooses to present a FOSS kit, ask the Science Education Center if they want any special identification from me to take with you so you can pick up the kit in advance of your presentation. Before picking up the kit, please call the IMC at 248-7181 so they can determine if they still have the kit, and so they can get it ready for your pick-up. When I contacted them this semester (Spring 2009), they said far fewer kits would be available this year. Mixtures and Solutions for 5th/6th grade is still there, but little else. Check for others. See www.pbs.org/teachers/ or others for online media ideas if FOSS is not available.