The point is that this is to be an "investigative" paper. You are to deal with scientific controversies or novel findings, including (wherever possible) consideration of personal values, politics, and economics reflected by those whose work you read, and then conclude by stating your own opinions as a result of this research. I will not grade on positions you take, but on how well you support them. Pick a topic in which you are interested - because of direct involvement, family connections, or career goals. Topics such as whether or not there should be space exploration are probably too broad, but whether or not the space shuttle should be replaced with a more advanced vehicle would likely be just about right. If you select a technical issue that you would enjoy investigating further, it is more likely that this will be a fun (and educational) assignment.
The format of this paper is different from past years, so be careful in how you seek assistance from those who have done things like this before. As you can see from the attached rubric, the following parts will be required (and should be so labeled using the subheadings in bold):
- Introduction: Introductory statement (one short paragraph describing the topic to be discussed)
- Background: Foundational information (1 page) (noncontroversial facts and history)
• Topic: Description of current scientific inquiry or controversy (1-2 pages) (present your topic and the aspects that led you to this investigation in more detail. Lay out your thesis.)
- Data and findings: (3-4 pages)
o What are the best scientific arguments (try to be balanced)?
o What data seems most valid?
o Are there any nonscientific arguments supporting this position (e.g., ethical or political) which are persuasive?
• Conclusion - (1 page) Where do you find yourself after doing the research why did you find these arguments more persuasive? What further work remains? Is there active work going on right now? What would be the likely impact of additional research?