The Project

What is the point of this project?

All you have to do is think of your favorite thing in the whole world (or something you are very interested in) and fill in the blank for The Chemistry of _____. There is (almost) nothing that is off limits so feel free to let your imagination wander (ex. The Chemistry of Running, The Chemistry of Saliva, The Chemistry of Hair Dye, The Chemistry of "Little Tree" Air Fresheners). Throughout the year you will add information to your The Chemistry of ... document as you learn more about general chemistry. In the end, you will present your final report and will make a video for the whole world to learn about your topic. For a good example of what your final webpage and a final project will look like, click on the "... Themes" button at the top of this page and check out a few of the videos. Soon, that will be you on the other side of the screen, teaching us all about The Chemistry of (something) !!!!

*All dates are subject to change as needed. Follow this page closely for changing due dates.

INSTRUCTIONS

Step 1: Brainstorming

    • Brainstorm possible themes. You will need to choose one today, but if you decide to change it later you may do so, but you will have to go back and redo any sections you have completed so they match your new theme.
      • Look through past projects by clicking "... Themes" at the top of this page. You may NOT choose a theme that has already been done in past years. Also, you may NOT choose a theme that somebody has chosen for this year.
      • Securing your theme (follow these instructions to make sure you are the first to chose your theme)
      • Click here to open a spreadsheet
        • Add your class period, name, and chosen theme
          • You may not change/erase other people's themes and you may NOT choose the same theme as another person. First come, first served!

Step 2: Starting your rough draft

    • Create a new D2 Document by signing into your D2 Google account.
    • Title the Document, "The Chemistry of ... DRAFT" but fill in the ... portion with your theme. (ex. The Chemistry of Saliva DRAFT)
    • Once created, click "Share" in the upper right hand corner
      • Share the document with your instructor
        • Mr. Beals - bealsc@billingsschools.org
      • Change the settings to "can edit" so I can help you work on your document
    • Did you change your settings to "can edit"? If not, do so now, or you won't receive a grade.

Step 3: Researching your Topic

**DO NOT COPY/PASTE ANY INFORMATION, PICTURES, VIDEOS OR MUSIC FROM THE INTERNET!**

**YOU MUST CREATE EVERYTHING FOR THIS PROJECT!**

**ANY FORM OF PLAGIARISM OR COPY/PASTING OR DOWNLOADING AND USING WITHOUT PERMISSION WILL RESULT IN A ZERO AND A TRIP TO THE DEAN**

  • Create a section in your D2 report DRAFT with a heading titled "Resources and Research".
    • This is where you will keep all of the resources you collect while researching your topic.
    • Copy/paste the url (page address) for every website and webpage you use in your research (it is OK to copy/paste the website address)
      • Include a DETAILED description of all important information you found at that website below the url. (make bulleted lists)
    • You will continue to add resources to this section throughout the entire project.
    • **Keep detailed records of all your resources and the information you get from each because you will need these later when you create your final report in your works cited section**
      • Minimum requirement - 6 different, reputable resources
        • Cannot list Google as a source; Wikipedia is OK in most cases.
  • Create a section in your D2 report DRAFT with a heading titled "Background Research"
    • You will include any "other" information we need to know about your topic to help us understand your report - this provides background knowledge for an outside viewer.
    • Background Research - possible things to include
      • What is it? Learn everything about it.
      • What is it made of? Does it have a food label?
      • What chemicals are in it? What
      • What are the chemical reactions involved or needed?
      • List all of the components of your topic (everything it is made of [ex. sucrose, lactose, polyvinyl-chloride, etc])
        • If you chose a topic that has multiple parts then you might need to make separate sections for each part (example: The Chemistry of Skateboards: make headings under "The Composition of Skateboards" for each of the 'parts' of the skateboard: Board; Trucks; Wheels; etc? Under each heading include the composition of each 'part').

Step 4: The Composition

  • Create a section in your rough DRAFT titled "The Composition of ... (fill in your topic)"
  • Determine the main components in your topic
    • Record them in this section, a bulleted list is fine.
    • Include the chemical composition of the components if needed using the subscript button (ex. C2H5OH)
    • If you do MORE research, copy and paste the url (web address) of every site you get information from into your "Resources" section.

Step 5: Main Chemicals, Components and Compounds:

  • Create a section in your rough DRAFT titled "Main Chemicals, Components and Compounds ... (fill in your ...)"
  • For this section we will focus on two main components and/or ingredients of your ...
    • Research the two main components in great detail so that you can TEACH us about these components.
        • Focus on the following for this portion of your report (for each component):
          • How
          • What
          • When
          • Why
          • Where

Step 6: Chemistry's Role

    • Create a section with the heading Chemistry's Role:
      • How are the two main components of your ... made? Are they naturally occurring? Are they created in a lab? If so, how do they create them.
      • Is the final product of your ... man-made? If so, how does chemistry play a role in creating/building it?
      • START THINKING ABOUT HOW YOU ARE GOING TO CREATE A SHORT VIDEO THAT EXPLAINS "The Chemistry of (your) ..."!!!

Step 7: About the Author

    • Write a short bio about yourself in third person:
          • ex. Joe Schmoe is a senior at Billings Senior High School. He enjoys learning about how chemistry plays a role in daily life and will attend Montana State University next year explore his interests in science. He is on the Honor Roll, Dean's List and has lettered in Band, Football and Rocket Science and is a 3 time AA State Champion Foosball Player.
  • Picture of you and your ...
    • Email a high quality picture of you and your ... saved in the following manner
      • Period# YourName.jpg
      • Email the picture to Mr. Beals: bealsc@billingsschools.org

Step 8: Final Report

  • Start a new D2 Document titled: "Period 1 LastName - The Chemistry of Fireworks FINAL"
  • Your document should have the same format as what is shown below. You may copy the format into your new D2 doc and fill in the blanks with your information.

Below is the **OFFICIAL** template for your D2 document (your document MUST be in this same format).

START A NEW DOCUMENT TITLED "Period 1-LastName-The Chemistry of Fireworks FINAL"

Title

Introduction

Include the following in paragraph form:

    • Explain your ...
    • Explain why you chose your ...
    • How is your life affected by your ...

Composition of ...

See step 4 above for instructions

Main Chemicals, Compounds, or Components:

See step 4A above

List the two main chemical, component or compounds based on your research.

    • Write out the formula name, molecular formula, etc (if applicable) for each of the two main "ingredients"
    • Explain what this compound/chemical/component is (See step 4 above).

Chemistry's Role

See step 5 above

This SECTION CONTAINS THE MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR THIS PROJECT! REMEMBER - THIS IS THE CHEMISTRY OF ... - BE SURE THAT YOU EXPLAIN THE CHEMISTRY OF YOUR ...

Background Research

In this section you will research the 'science' involved in or relating to your ...

How is it made? Where is it made? How does it work? Etc.

Resources

Include ALL resources you use throughout this project (and I mean ALL of them). So, if you are researching what the molecular composition of "Little Tree Air Fresheners" and you find some information that may be useful to your project, copy the url and paste it into this section; also write a brief description of the source and what information was useful on the page.

For example:

About the Author

1. Picture of you and your ... (don't forget this!)

2. Write a short bio about yourself in third person:

    • ex. Joe Schmoe is a senior at Billings Senior High School. He enjoys learning about how chemistry plays a role in daily life and will attend Montana State University next year explore his interests in science. He is on the Honor Roll, Dean's List and has lettered in Band, Football and Rocket Science and is a 3 time AA State Champion Foosball Player.

-Step 8: Making your Video

  • Create an outline of what you would like to have in your video
  • Write a script and/or a storyboard for your video
  • Video length? 30 seconds minimum, 5 minutes maximum (Over 5 minutes? It better be amazing! Otherwise edit it down to less than 5 minutes!)
  • The video should be informative and creative. It should explain HOW chemistry is involved in your ...
    • BE SURE TO EXPLAIN/SHOW HOW CHEMISTRY IS INVOLVED!!!
  • Check at the top of this page for the DUE date.
    • Video MUST be in digital form so that Mr. Beals can upload it to YouTube. (This includes sharing it via Google Docs or Air Drop or bringing it in on a flash drive)
    • Plan ahead & save time for tech glitches & just-in-cases! ***If you don't know what you're doing with video creation & editing, talk to Miss K today!!!***
  • IMPORTANT VIDEO INFO: Your video must be in "final draft" form on the due date. This means you have to save your work as a video, not as a MovieMaker or iMovie project. (Acceptable file types for YouTube: MOV, MP4, WMV, AVI)

MovieMaker & iMovie instructions:

Save MovieMaker files in one of two ways:

          • 1: Save Movie "for high-definition display" to save on a USB drive
          • 2: Save Movie "burn a DVD" to burn a DVD

iMovie instructions:

  • Export the video to Quicktime to finalize

MISS K'S RESOURCES FOR VIDEOS:

Sound & Audio:

Sound Recording Options:

          • http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
            • You'll have to download this...it's available for PC & Mac...there is a learning curve & exporting can be a bit tricky, so if you are going to use Audacity, plan ahead!
          • Sound Recorder options already on computers (Windows 7--and maybe earlier versions?--have Sound Recorder as an option in Accessories)
          • On your phones, there is an option for voice recording, too.
            • If you're using iMovie, start with Garage Band & then upload :)

Citing Your Work:

Extra Credit on video?

+5: Include the following

  • Creatively show your audience the url for the website: www.ChemistryIsLife.com and briefly explain they can visit that site to learn more about your ...

+5: Include the following

  • Creatively and inconspicuously include the BealsScience logo somewhere in your video (think like "Where's Waldo" but with the logo!).