Assignment:
Choose a specific science-related topic that has recently been in the news (in the last few years, at least). You will research it and then write a paper about the scientific and societal aspects critical to your topic. Discuss the physics, chemistry, biology, and geology relevant to the topic and connect that science to how it affects and/or is affected by people.
In order to keep people from picking the same topic, COVID-19/Coronavirus is not permitted as a topic for this paper. If you turn in a paper on COVID-19, you will receive an F.
The paper will contain the following:
1. Title page:
a. Title (a creative one, not just "Paper on topic X"
b. Name
c. Date
d. Course number
2. Format
a. 4 to 5 double spaced pages of text (images do not count)
b. Times New Roman font
c. 12pt size
d. 1-inch margins
e. Page numbers on every page
3. Works cited for every reference you use. It doesn't matter if you use APA or MLA format, but each reference should be correct and consistent (all MLA, etc.)
4. Two relevant images, either made by you or used with citation.
a. Society related image (impact, etc.)
b. Science related image
Content that your text should include
1. Basic information about the topic
a. History
i. Discovery (when/how did it first come onto our radar?)
ii. Changes in its impact over the years (have we taken steps to combat it, or has it gotten worse?)
iii. Geographic changes
iv. Major scientific breakthroughs over the years
b. Current impacts
c. Future plans
i. What research is being done?
ii. What needs to happen to solve or mitigate the issue?
2. Highlights from three of the four major science sections (physics, chemistry, biology, and geology). There should be a minimum of two points related to each.
3. Controversy related to your topic. What do the groups opposed to tackling the issue say? Are there controversies about the root cause? How important is it? Economic/environmental tension?
4. Your position on the issue. How important is it to you? How does it impact your community?