NSci 116, Fall 2003: Suggested Topics for Student Presentations

The underlying theme for the presentations is How Things Work. The 15-minute presentation should focus on how the selected technology works, what the basic science is that lies behind it, and what impact this technology has on society. Each team will choose a different topic. If the technology chosen appears to duplicate one scheduled for presentation by the instructors, check with them first so that we assist each other instead of duplicating each other. 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 instructor 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!

Many of the best presentations are based on the Science Teaching Kits. Instead of choosing a technology, your team can present a K-8 science teaching kit. For a list of examples, go to the web site for the Lawrence Hall of Science Full Option Science System (FOSS). http://www.lhs.berkeley.edu/FOSS/. Scroll down to FOSS Strand Matrices for Grades K-8 and select the Physical Science strand to download a PDF file of available physical science kits and how they fit into the K-8 curriculum. For details on individual modules scroll to the FOSS Module Matrix to see where all the modules fit into the K-8 Curriculum. Most modules in this matrix have a link to a PDF file giving more details. We can arrange to have the kit your team needs delivered from the local school district, so give us enough lead time to make this happen.