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Great Minds of Science

Web Quest

 

 

Introduction

In the world of physics, many men and women have made contributions that have provided advancements in the realm of science and a higher quality of life for all people in general.  Find out more about one of these great minds of science.

 

Task

You will type a 4- to 7-page research report describing the life and accomplishments of one person who has contributed to the advancement of science.  You will also make an oral presentation of this information.  Primary work for this research project will be done out of class.

 

Process

  1. Choose the name of a major world scientist to research.

  2. Use the Big 6 research method or the Scientific Method to help in this project.

  3. Brainstorm (write down) a list of questions you need to answer about your chosen physicist in order to write your paper.

  4. Brainstorm (write down) a list of all possible sources where you could find these answers.

  5. Brainstorm (write down) a list of keywords to use in searching indexes, table of contents, OPAC, and the Internet.

  6. In the library, look for these sources:

--in the reference section in regular and science encyclopedias

--in the nonfiction science section

--in the biography section                                                                    

--on the OPAC 

  1. On the internet, use these suggested web sites:

Thomson Gale Database under Reference on the IHS Library Web page (ask for

password) and search this database: Junior Reference Collection and choose Person Search.

Eric Weisstein’s World of Scientific Biography

Women in Science Biographies

Biographies: The Scientists

Catalog of the Scientific Community

Biography.com

PBS: People and Discoveries

Great Scientists  

OR try one of these online encyclopedias or the Biographical Dictionary on:

 IHS Library web page

  1. Read the information and make notes of answers to questions you previously wrote.

  2. Using at least 4 sources (no more than 2 from the Internet), organize your report to make sure you include information about the person’s childhood and/or life; his/her contribution to physics; and something special, unique, or extraordinary about this person.

  3. Prepare and present an oral presentation on your topic from your notes.

  4. Type the report in 4-7 pages, double-spaced, Times Roman, 14 point, using regular margins.

  5. Type a works cited page (not included in the 4-7 research pages) at the end of the report citing all the sources you used to write your paper.  Use NoodleTools to help with your works cited.  Under Free Tools, click on NoodleBib MLA Starter.  (Contact the librarian for instructions to register if not previously registered)

  6. Submit a self evaluation on how well you think you did on this report.  Include:

--What did I do that was really well done?

--How could I improve next time?

--What sources were the most useful?

--What sources did I need to do a better job that I didn’t have this time?

 

Evaluation

You will receive 1 major test grade and 4 daily grades for this project.  The major test grade will be for the final report.  The 4 daily grades will be for 1) choosing the scientist, 2) questions to answer about the scientist, 3) 3 of 4 sources chosen by date given, and 4) oral presentation. 

Deadlines:

October 4—scientist’s name due

October 11—3 sources due

October 20—presentation of scientist with a typed outline due

October 25—completed research paper due (20 points off if late; no papers accepted after Oct. 26)

 

Conclusion

At the end of this project you will become an expert on one of the major physicists in the world and better understand his/her contributions to science.

 

Credits

Galileo photo courtesy of Great Scientists.

 

revised 22 September 2005