Chemistry Research Project Mrs. Abergos

Nuclear Chemistry

Objective #1: For this project you will first use your knowledge of Nuclear Chemistry and your ability to conduct research to seek out and answer several questions (see below). You will write your answers to the questions.

Objective #2: You will present your findings to the class. You will use your good judgment and creativity to make an effective presentation. The goal of your presentation is to demonstrate your knowledge of your specific topic to the rest of the class. (TENTATIVE SCHEDULE)

The presentation should be 5-8 minutes long.

Suggested Topics for Research:

PERIOD 5- 9 PERIOD 10

Nuclear Chemistry Mervo Research Project

·  Medicine: g - rays, x- rays, pet-scans, cat-scans, radiation treatment for cancer/illness

·  Food treatment (irradiating food)

·  Smoke detectors, home radon detectors

·  Radiochemical dating in geology, archaeology, performance enhancing drugs (PEDs)

·  Glow in the dark products

·  Nuclear Weapons

·  Nuclear power plants in the U.S.

·  Remediating radon problems in the home.

·  X – ray scanners at airports

·  Full body scans at airports

·  How is half life determined?

·  Radiation Poisoning

·  What does the NRC do?

·  Nuclear arms inspections IAEA

·  Enriching plutonium

·  Mining uranium and enriching it.

Nuclear Chemistry Mervo Research Project

Slides will include:

Nuclear Chemistry Mervo Research Project

1. Topic Title

2. Background on this topic

3. How does this relate to nuclear chemistry?

4. Uses of this topic

5. Advantages

6. Disadvantages

7. The future of this topic / alternative applications

8. How reliable is your information? Comment on the reliability of your sources.

Nuclear Chemistry Mervo Research Project

Your research project and presentation will be graded using two separate rubrics (both of which are attached). First, using the ‘Content’ rubric, the content of your research project will be graded on how well you have answered the eight questions above. Second, using the ‘Oral Presentation’ rubric, the presentation of your research project will be evaluated on how well you present the material to the class. Keep in mind that this second rubric on oral presentations is also a requirement to get a passing grade in chemistry.

Nuclear Chemistry Research Project - Content Rubric
CATEGORY / 4 / 2 / 0
Main function(s) or use(s) of your topic / A clear and accurate description of your topic’s main use(s) and function(s) is provided. / A clear description of the main use(s) is given, but is inaccurate. Or, the main use(s) is slightly unclear. / An unclear description of the main use(s) is given, or no description is given at all.
How does Nuclear Chem. fit in? / Clear and accurate connections are made between the topic and Nuclear Chemistry. / The connections made between the topic and Nuclear Chemistry are slightly unclear, but are provided. / The connections made between the topic and Nuclear Chemistry are unclear, or do not represent valid connections at all.
Advantages & Disadvantages / Both the advantages and disadvantages of the topic are presented in a clear fashion. / The advantages and disadvantages of the topic are presented in a somewhat unclear fashion, or only the advantages or disadvantages are presented. / Neither the advantages nor disadvantages of the topic are presented.
Technological advances possible? / A clear description of the topic’s potential for technological advances is presented. / An unclear description of the topic’s potential for technological advances is presented or is missing altogether.
Other possible applications / At least one (1) other possible use for the topic is clearly described, with information being directly related to the topic’s properties. / Other possible uses for the topic are described, but no connection is made to the topic’s properties. / No possible uses for the topic are given.
Reliability of information / A clear description of the reliability of information is provided. At least two (2) different sources are used. / A confusing description of the reliability of information is provided, or is missing altogether. Or, only one source is used.
Overall understanding of the topic / Student demonstrates a good understanding of the topic. / Student demonstrates a poor understanding of the topic.
Length of Presentation / Presentation was 5-8 minutes long. / Presentation was longer than 9 minutes or shorter than 4 minutes

Total Score: ______

Excellent performance 20-24 points Marginal performance 8-13 points

Proficient performance 14-19 points Unsatisfactory performance 0-7 points

Speaking Rubric
CATEGORY / Effectively – 5 / Adequately – 3 / Inadequately – 1 / Score
Student makes eye contact and uses appropriate body language and other nonverbal
elements / Student consistently makes eye contact, and successfully uses body language and other non-verbal elements well. / Student generally makes eye contact and uses body language and other non-verbal elements. / Student rarely makes eye contact and does not use body
language and other non-verbal elements.
Student varies volume and rate of delivery / Student consistently varies volume of speech and rate of
delivery. / Student generally varies volume of speech and rate of delivery. / Student rarely varies volume of speech or rate of delivery.
Student uses correct
pronunciation and enunciation / Student consistently pronounces words correctly, uses appropriate grammar, and clearly enunciates. / Student generally pronounces words correctly, uses appropriate grammar often, and clearly enunciates. / Student rarely pronounces words correctly, often uses
inappropriate grammar, and does not enunciate words
clearly.
Student communicates
intended purpose / Student consistently communicates an understanding of the purpose for the presentation. / Student generally communicates some understanding of the purpose for the presentation. / Student rarely communicates an
understanding of the purpose for the presentation.
Student uses logically sequenced supportive details
and examples / Student consistently elaborates with accurate supporting details and appropriate examples, organized logically and uses an introduction, transitions, and closure. / Student generally elaborates with some accurate supporting
details and appropriate examples, organized somewhat
logically and uses an introduction, transitions, and
closure to a degree. / Student rarely elaborates with
accurate supporting details and
appropriate examples, and has little logical organization or any
introduction, transitions, and
closure.
The student effectively
engages listeners / Student consistently maintains enthusiasm and audience attention and achieves the purpose of the presentation. / Student generally shows enthusiasm, keeps audience
somewhat interested, and achieves the purpose of the
presentation to a degree. / Student rarely shows enthusiasm, fails to keep the audience interested, and does
not achieve the purpose of the
presentation.

Effective 24-30 points = 5 Total Score: ______

Adequate 18-23 points = 3

Inadequate Below 18 points = 1

Nuclear Chemistry Mervo Research Project