Overview
1 Final Project Reflection
Research Project Proposal
Answer the following questions about your proposed research project. Please be thorough in your answers to help me understand what you are researching and how I may help you.
- Topic. Indicate the topic you would like to research. Be specific and indicate how you will take the broad topic and make the scope narrow enough to fit into this project. For example, if you were researching water pollution, you could indicate that you are focusing on water pollution in Minnesota or Somalia and even narrow it down to certain rivers or lakes if you wish.
- Statement of purpose. Write a 3-5 sentence justification for researching this topic. What is the motivation for researching this topic? Why should people care? Why do you care?
- Approach to the subject. There are several ways you can present material in your project. How will you integrate the biological concepts and terms with the social and historical context? Remember you will be creating an outreach resource and a presentation about your project to present to your classmates. Will you have a poster? Brochure and flier? Video? Feel free to include any questions that you may have.
- Authors Biases. If the topic is controversial, do you all have an opinion? How will you address any biases when examining and presenting information about the topic? Will you include opposing views and compare and contrast them to your views? Remember the project must be a critical evaluation of a topic that does not vilify any “side” but rather examines our current situation, how we got here and addresses possible solutions.
- Kinds of sources that you all will use. Where do you intend to find information? How will you ensure information is balanced and accurate? You must have at least three popular media articles and three sources from the scientific literature.
- Timeline. Indicate when you want to have certain components of the project finished.
- 2, Your final project and presentation
- How are you going to structure your time?
- Questions for Dr. LaJoy. What questions do you have? How can I help you?Current event research projectTo better understand the real-world applications of what we are learning, and to be more informed global citizens, you will choose a current environmental issue and research it in the news, and the scientific literature (your textbook and other scholarly sources). Your research will provide a complete picture of the biology and the social complexity behind the issue. The project has two components: a community outreach project presentation and a written personal reflection summary.Project Presentation and Report and presentationCommunity Outreach Project and PresentationYou create an informative presentation that will increase awareness and educate the Normandale community about your topic. The project should take one of these forms: PowerPoint/Prezi presentation, a poster or brochure (with video commentary about it), a documentary video, podcast, and/or whatever takes advantage of your skills and interests.Your community outreach project should include:
- - A description of the historical context and overview of how we got to where we are today.
- - A detailed description of the underlying biology behind the topic
- o Shouldrelyscientificliterature(yourtextbook,peer-reviewedscientificliterature,or government and academic sources)o Anyrelatedtermsandconceptsshouldbeexplicitlydefinedanddescribed o Tablesandfiguresshouldbeincludedandinformative
o Pictureoforganism(s)andorplaces - - Overview of the social context that integrates the biology with the social aspects
- - If the issue is controversial you must present a discussion both sides from a diplomatic (unbiased)standpoint.
o Youmaydiscussyourownopinion(youdonothaveto)butthediscussionmaynotvilifyonepoint-of-view but rather should seek to find common ground and possible solutions - - Critically evaluate the issue and makes recommendations for the future:o Makerecommendationsaboutpossiblesolutionsandhowsomeonecanhelp o Provideresourcesforpeopletogetinvolvedwiththeissue
o Includecommentsondifficultiesandpitfalls - - Reflection on the project, what surprised you? What did you learn? What did you find challenging?
- - References- at least six (MLA, APA, or any other professional format)
- - Outreach Project Presentations will be submitted to D2L
- - Presentations should be about 10 minutes longIndividual Reflection SummaryThe report is your chance to synthesize your understanding and thoughts about the issue. It should be no more than 2-3 pages 1 1?2 spaced, 12-point font with 1in margins.
Your reflection summary should include: - - Summary of the project: the historical and social context, biology, and future recommendations (with justification).
- - Reflection on how the project went.
- - If the issue is controversial, reflection on how you dealt with that and attempted to remainobjective.
- - Reflection about what you learned and still would like to know about the subject
- Research proposal
Outreach Project & Presentation Individual Reflection SummaryPotential current events topicsResearch project grading breakdownTotal:10 pts 60 pts 30 pts 100 ptsThe key is to find a topic that you are interested in and is relevant to your life. You do not have to focus on Minnesota, but any place that resonates with you. - Waste and recycling at Normandale, in MN, in the US and/or globally
- Agricultural and human diseases (H1N1, H1N5, risks, research, prevention, policy?)
- Waterways: rivers and lakes (management, pollution, concerns, policies, future directions)
- Mining in MN or location of your choice (consumption, environmental impacts, new technologies)
- Energy in MN or location of your choice (fossil fuels vs. renewable)
- Invasive species in MN or location of your choice (environmental impacts, legislation and policy,future concerns?)
- Biological control of invasive species (Emerald Ash borer, purple loosestrife, cane toads, etc. Why,successes, failures, considerations, policy future directions?)
- Bee decline (where, why, should we be alarmed?)
- Wolves in MN or location of your choice: endangered species? Management practices (MN wolfhunt, population dynamics and management, policy, development, environmental and socialimplications)
- Climate change in MN or location of your choice
- Urban heat islands and human population growth
- Food-borne disease (past and present? Evolution? CAFOs? How safe is our food supply?)
- Lyme disease (emerging disease? Risk in MN? Spread? Treatment?)
- Dietary choice (nutrition, metabolism, production, environmental impacts, global perspectives)
- GMOs-biotechnology in medicine (research, access, advances for society, costs?)
- GMOs-biotechnology in agriculture (history, research, access, social and environmental impacts?)
- Farming practices (organic vs. conventional vs. sustainable? Research? Policy? Society?)
- Evolution of antibiotic resistance
- Nuclear energy in MN and beyond (methods, benefits, concerns, history, environmental impacts-Fukushima Disaster)
- Global deforestation (past, present, climate change implications, policy, drivers, etc.)