Topics+In+Science+Outline

// Students will feel empowered to hold and express a personal point of view on issues with a science component, which enter the arena of public debate, and perhaps to become actively involved in some of these issues (Alsop and Benoze, 2000; Beyond 2000: Science Education for the Future, 1998 12). //

Topics in Science may be used as a graduation requirement for science at River East Collegiate. It may not be used for entry into any of the Senior 4 science courses currently offered.

Students will be creating a portfolio of current topics. This will include articles and stories from newspapers, magazines, journals, and the Internet. It may also included summaries of news stories from TV or radio or personal communications. Each student will categorize his or her portfolio under appropriate topic headings. At the end of the semester, each student will pick a topic of particular interest (that we have not completed as a class). The students will research that topic and present the information to the class. This will be assessed as a research project and presentation* according to an evaluation rubric that will be discussed before beginning the assignment.

The whole class will cover most topics, but there will be room for students to explore areas of individual interest.

Course Overview
** Topics To Be Covered ** Lab Safety/ WHMIS/Safety in Science Drugs and Alcohol

Possible Topics to be covered individually or as a class include: - Space Exploration - Forensic Science advances (DNA analysis, fibre analysis, blood splatters…) - Cloning - Human impact on the environment/ Environmental Issues - GMOs (genetically modified organisms)/ Organic foods - Botany - Geology - Diet supplements, fad diets - Medical technologies and diagnostic techniques - Communication systems - Disease - Alternative energies - New scientific advances (as appropriate) - Other topics as they appear

Evaluation
Evaluation will be based on a variety of criteria that include formative and summative methods of assessment.

** Term Marks: ** Term Work 60% Tests 20% Final Project/Final Exam* __20%__ 1 00% Term work will consist of projects (both individual and group), portfolios, quizzes, daily activities and class participation**. ** Participation is an important element in Topics in Science as this is a student driven course. Every student is expected to participate in class discussions and activities to enrich their project and portfolio work. Performance assessments may include lab reports, research papers, posters, essays, and individual portfolio progress or brief presentations.


 * Details on the Final Project/Final Exam to follow in class **. It will consist of a research project and a presentation of the research.

- Pens, pencils, erasers - Notepaper - Pencil crayons - Scissors - Glue stick - Plain white paper and poster board as required - Coil bound notebook for portfolio
 * Materials needed: **

Expectations

 * Students are expected to take an active role in their learning. They are expected to arrive on time, ready to work. If a student is absent, please contact the school. This is essential for days when tests or presentations are occurring.
 * It is the student’s responsibility to obtain notes and assignments. Assignments must be completed on time.
 * Assignments handed in more than three days after the due date will be placed in a late folder and marked as time allows.
 * Read the requirements for all assignments carefully. Rubrics will be given for all graded assignments with group responsibilities.