Chemistry of Materials – Coordinated Science II – 4th Marking Period Project
DUE THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2008
Assignment and Objective: Understanding atomic and molecular structure expands our knowledge of the nature of the material world and advances the technological sophistication of society. Each student will learn about the history and chemical make-up of a commonly used material, and present that information to the class. Students will also be responsible for learning about the topics that are presented by others.
Procedure:
Each student will be assigned a topic by lot (random drawing from a container). Each student in the class will have a different topic to research, which will be one of the following topics:
∙ Amber ∙ Henna ∙ Plastic Bags ∙ Chili peppers ∙ Chewing Gum
∙ Honey ∙ Polyurethane foam ∙ Margarine ∙ Food Coloring ∙ Food Preservatives
∙ Citronella Oil ∙ Kava ∙ Artificial Sweeteners ∙ MSG Flavor Enhancer ∙ Licorice
∙ Melamine Dishes ∙ Catnip ∙ Kitty Litter ∙ JELL-O® ∙ Insect Repellent
∙ Crayons ∙ Golf Balls ∙ Sticky Notes ∙ Super Glue ∙ Sunscreens
∙ Marshmallows ∙ Gasoline ∙ Teflon ∙ Teeth Whiteners ∙ Bag Balm
∙ Motor Oil ∙ Ice Cream ∙ Glass ∙ Opal ∙ Duct Tape
∙ Shower Cleaners ∙ Pencils and Pencil Lead ∙ Fireworks ∙ Fluoride ∙ Aspirin
∙ Chocolate ∙ Silly Putty ∙ Self Tanners ∙ Hair Coloring ∙ Cheese Whiz
∙ Asphalt ∙ Baseballs ∙ Mylar ∙ Lipstick ∙ Light (glow) sticks
∙ Ink ∙ Cement ∙ Tyvek ∙ Kevlar ∙ Paper
This is an independent, at-home research project.
Each individual student will present their research information to the class by presenting an 11” by 17” Shutter Fold (foldable) display of their work, which is constructed according to the attached directions and as demonstrated by the teacher. Pictures of sample displays are on this web site: http://www.cavalierscience.blogspot.com
The display is to include the following:
1. a history of the use and invention of the material.
2. diagrams/drawings of the chemical structures, or chemical formula of all the ingredients that make up the
material.
3. the health hazards and health benefits of the material.
4. a biography of the inventors of the materials, or a description of a company that manufactures the
material.
5. a copy of a patent from http://patft1.uspto.gov/netahtml/PTO/search-bool.html or
http://www.google.com/patents where the name of the material, or the important chemical ingredient in
the material has been put in as a search term.
6. a completed information sheet about the patent.
7. pictures of the material, or actual samples of the material.
8. The student’s research information should include a bibliography (MLA format), with a minimum of two
references. This is a formal presentation. The writing and project should reflect a student’s best effort.
During a gallery walk presentation, the audience will take notes about each of the materials.
Everyone will be responsible for knowing the important facts about each material and will graded on their proper
participation as an audience.
The finished project is due on Thursday, April 10, 2008. The Middletown Cavalier Chemical Science
Meeting will commence on April 10 and run through April 11 to allow for all students to have
an opportunity to present and gather the important information about each topic. Late projects will not
be accepted. Students must be prepared to present on April 10. The project is 20% of the marking
period grade and will be evaluated as follows:
∙ Visual Aid/Foldable presentation 20 points
∙ Important information included 18 points
∙ Well organized 06 points
∙ Pictures of Material & Chemical Structure 06 points
∙ Copy of Patent with Completed Information Sheet 20 points
∙ Bibliography – must have two sources 12 points
∙ Audience Notes 18 points
