Chemistry in Everyday Life
Purpose: To tie together abstract chemistry knowledge with application in everyday life.
Task: Working in groups of up to four people, you will investigate a topic, process, or reaction that you’ve somehow encountered in everyday life. Make sure you choose something specific enough that you can learn about and model it within two weeks. Choosing a topic may be difficult, but I am keeping the requirements broad to encourage your creativity. General subjects you could explore for more specific ideas include: cooking, atmospheric chemistry, electrochem applications (batteries, etc.) to name a few.
What you need to produce:
~A 3-4 page (12 Times New Roman, double spaced, one inch margins, standard formatting) paper describing your investigation of chemistry in everyday life. For example: if you investigate the chemical role of gluten in bread-making you can describe the chemical reaction, describe how it is used in everyday life, and also explore how different bread products use flours with varying gluten amounts to achieve different ends…you could even discuss how “gluten-free” breads attempt to overcome the textural problems created when gluten is not used in baking!
~An interactive exhibit that allows people to learn about the process you investigated. This could take the shape of a model, poster, video, demonstration or some other interactive experience. During finals period, our classroom will become a sort of museum space where different “exhibits” will be stationed around the room. Extending the gluten example: You could create a poster showing the chemical structures and reactions involved in gluten-rich bread. You might even bake some bread and try different types of flour with the same recipe and have the samples “on exhibit” to demonstrate how varying gluten amounts impact bread texture.
Don’t complain because: The reason the project is open-ended is because I want you to be able to learn about and work on something you are interested in. Rediscover the curiosity you had as a child. Let your curiosity lead you to learning something new and applicable in your life.
Grading Policy:
This project is worth 100 points in the Tests/Quizzes category of your grade according to the following rubric:
10 points: Reviewing other groups’ work during finals period
45 points: 3-4 page paper described above
45 points: exhibit described above
DO NOT BE ABSENT: Anyone who is absent during the final exam period will face serious grade penalties on this project