| Date | Topic or Problem | Readings |
| 2/8/00 | Problem 1: the Bouncing Ball Problem, energy chains | Trefil and Hazen, chapters 3 and 5 |
| 2/10/00 | Begin problem 2: the Fossil Tracks Problem | Trefil and Hazen, chapter 2 |
| 2/15/00 | Continue problem 2: the Fossil
Tracks Problem; speed-time
and distance-time graphs
ConcepTest #1 |
|
| 2/17/00 | Finish problem 2. Introduce Problem 3 (the Jen Henry Problem) | |
| 2/22/00 | Continuation of problem 3;
discussion of learning issues
Forming permanent groups |
|
| 2/24/00-3/2/00 | Unscheduled mid-semester break due to instructor's head injury | |
| 3/7/00 | Review of speed-time and distance-time graphs; wrap up problem 3 | |
| 3/9/00 | Problem 4: the Wendy Layton Problem | |
| 3/14/00 | First Hour Exam during the regular class time |
| Date | Topic | Relevant Readings |
| 3/16/00 | Big Electricity Problem; Batteries and Bulbs activity | Trefil and Hazen chapter 5 R.W. Wood (in reserve room) |
| 3/21/00 | Learning issues from the Big Electricity Problem: Volts, Amps, and Watts | |
| 3/23/00 | Magnetism and electricity: Motors | |
| 3/27 - 3/31 | Spring Break - no classes | |
| 4/4/00 | Finish magnetism. What is technology? Applications of Electricity: Computers and Communications. Evaluation of others in your group - part 1. | Peter Drucker, "Beyond the Information Revolution" (from the Copy Maven Supplemental Reader); Trefil and Hazen p. 16, pp. 249-253 |
| 4/5/00 | Begin your lunar log, if you are making observations of the moon. | See the lunar log web page. |
| 4/6/00 | What Is Science? An Activity | Trefil and Hazen, chapter 1 |
| 4/11/00 | Evaluation of groups due in big class. The future of computing. Technology, your future, and our future | David Landes, "How Did We Get Here? Where are We Going?" (From the Copy Maven Supplemental Reader); The future of computing (on the website) |
Associated laboratories - labs 4, 5, and 6.
Associated discussion sections - 4/5 to 4/10 and 3/16 to 3/20.
| 4/13/00 | Classifying elements: the Periodic Table. If you are observing the moon, the preliminary lunar log is due in the big class today. | Trefil and Hazen ch 7 (only pp. 163-166 and 179-183 are really important) |
| 4/18/00 | Finish periodic table; oobleck
and the states of matter
.. |
Trefil and Hazen ch 9 (pp. 213-216) |
| 4/20/00 | Combustion | Trefil and Hazen chs 9 (pp. 204-212 is most important) |
| 4/25/00 | The Nature of Science and the Nature of Chemistry: Data, Patterns, and Explanations |
Associated discussion sections: 4/12 to 4/17.
Associated laboratory: 4/10-4/14 ("Who Robbed the Bank?")
The exam on 4/27 will be on the material associated with driving questions 2 and 3. The questions will emphasize the major points brought out in class, and for driving question 2 these are learning issues which you raised in connection with the Big Electricity Problem. There is a web page which can give you some hints on how to perform well on this exam.
| 5/2/00 | The development of nylon | Hounshell and Smith |
| Not done this year | Recycling |
This driving question really was not done extensively this year. There were considerable discussions of technology connected with other content areas, especially electricity (see driving question 2).
Work on this question included considerable work not done in the big class:
The lunar log, done either as an internet assignment or (as most of you did) as a long term activity starting on April 5. For more information, see the lunar log web page.
Processing the lunar log, done in discussion sections starting on May 3. See the web page for discussion section.
The planet walk, done in discussion sections starting on May 10. See the web page for discussion section.
| Date | Topic | Readings |
| 5/4/00 | Where is the Earth in Space? Powers of Ten Video | Trefil and Hazen, ch 2 (pp. 27-35) |
| 5/16/00 | Putting Together the results of discussion sections: lunar log, planet walk, and time-line | Optional: Trefil and Hazen, 397-410 |
| Date | Topic | Readings |
| 5/4/00 | Using the SETI Institute Web Page to construct a KWL Inventory: What do you need to know in order to understand the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (or SETI)? | Go to the SETI Institute science web site, and bring in one paragraph of information about the relevant learning issue for discussion in your group. Learning issues will be identified on May 2 and assignments will be made then. The SETI web site, one of the best-designed sites I've seen, is at http://www.seti.org/science/Welcome.html |
| 5/9/00 | Lab Final Exam in Large Class | This isn't relevant to SETI but I have to list it somewhere... |
| 5/11/00 | Where is life in the Universe? Planets and Stars; Structured Controversy on UFO's | Hazen and Trefil 371-393 (chapter
16) and 323-341 (chapter 14)
Optional: Sagan and Klass from Copy Maven Course Packet |
| 5/16/00 | Has there been time enough for the Universe to evolve to create extraterrestrial intelligence? (YES!) Science, religion, and the problem of cosmic time scales | Hazen and Trefil ch 15. |
The final exam is scheduled for Thursday, May 25, at 8 AM in Sharp Lab 130. Note that this is not our regular classroom.
There is a review session on Wednesday, May 24, in Kirkbride 204, from 2-3 PM. The hotline is also open on the evening of May 24. To assist you in your exam review, you can also check the exam review page.
Peter Brancazio, "Muscle Chemistry," from Brancazio, Sportscience, (Simon and Schuster, 1984).
V. Cobb, "Suspensions, Colloids, and Emulsions," from Chemistry Experiments You Can Eat, Harper and Row, 1972.
David A. Hounshell and John Kenly Smith, jr., "The Nylon Drama," from American Heritage Invention and Technology, Fall 1988, pages 40-52; also a chapter in their book, Science and the Corporate Strategy: DuPont R+D 1902-1980 (Cambridge University Press, 1988).
Robert W. Wood, "Understanding the Basics," from The All Thumbs Guide to Home Wiring, Blue Ridge Summit, PA: TAB Books division of McGraw-Hill, 1992.