Physics Phenomena Project

The Physics Of ____________ Phenomena
Objective: The student is to investigate the physics of a phenomena, create a poster explaining his/her findings and then present their findings to the class.
Procedure:
1. Choose a topic to investigate. Choose a hobby or some other thing that interests you that we have not yet covered in class or did not go into great enough detail to satisfy your curiousity. For example, if you are interested in hunting, the topic of ballistics or projectile motion may be appropriate. If you are a thrill seeking type person, skydiving may be a better match.
2. Research the topic in depth and detail to find the required information listed below. Also, find other information not listed, but of interest to you.
a. Terminology – Key terms and their definitions in relation to your topic.
b. Physics behind the phenomenon. Be sure to explain this in common language.
c. Other, real life examples besides your topic. Where else does this occur / become important and relevant / Affect the real world.
d. Other important facts / information relating to your topic that I have not specifically listed here.
e. Why did you choose this topic. Explain.
3. Organize the information into a logical format.
4. Create a poster to represent the information you found. Be sure to include everythin I have listed as well as other important facts. Follow the format given on the rubric. Be neat and creative.
5. Prepare a short outline to use as aguide for your presentation. Include the main points of your presentation. You are welcome to use the poster as a visual aid.
Important Things to remember.
1. Poster (100 points – Daily Work)
a. Content (40 pts) – Subject is clearly evident. Strong Coverage of the subject with a balance of the facts of the topic.
b. Design (40 pts) – Composition of the poster is well done. Color use is appropriate and effective. Elelments of the poster are unified and work together. Poster is readable from a distance and attractive when viewed up close. (You may not simply cut and paste materials from a website! The only thing you may print from a website are pictures. If you do not want to hand letter your poster, you may type and then paste your typed work onto the poster.)
c. Visual Appel (20 pts) – Lettering is well done and neat. Attention to detail is evident. Pictures and wording has been applied with care and is very neat.
d. A quick note on your poster – this is an excerpt from an “expert” on what posters should and should not contain
“I do not know what your topic is, but if there is anything you
could say both in words and in diagrams, choose diagrams. Another thing:
provide a complete summary of what you are trying to get across in one
paragraph, and direct your viewer's attention to that paragraph. Do not use a single "buzz word" in your summary paragraph (I guess I should really be saying "abstract", rather than "summary") that you do not clarify there. Do not make your viewer wade through the whole poster to figure out whether EPR means electron paramagnetic resonance or Einstein-Podolski-Rosen. Use a few different fonts or type sizes, but do not get crazy, and do not use a zillion colors. Choose a neutral, rather than an eye-catching, shade for the background. Use large type and be succinct. Explain a small number of things well, and do not try to mention
everything.”
2. Presentation (35 points – Assessment)
a. Information (15 pts) – Accurately given and presented
b. Verbal ability (5 pts) – You speak in a clear voice and loudly enough to be heard.. You give the people a chance to listen to your material and consider it.
c. Organization (15 pts) – Presentation flows and has a definite point. Your presentation is well organized and you have an outline to guide you.. Be sure to hand in your outline with the poster.
3. Time on Task (40 points – Daily)
a. You use the time given well. You do not need to be encouraged to work.
b. You clean up your mess and put materials away in their proper places.
4. Resources
a. I would suggest you use the following internet resources as a starting point.
i. “Ask a scientist archive – physics” on yahoo
ii. In a search engine, such as Ask.com, type “ physics of ___________”
iii. (Physics of sports – you may want to narrow this one down a bit.
Physics of ____________ Project
Name : _______________________
Grading Rubric
Item Superior

A Above average
B Average

C Below Average
D Failing

F
Poster (100 points – Daily Work)
Content
(40 pts) Subject is clearly evident. (20) 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Strong Coverage of the subject with a balance of the facts of the topic. (20) 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Design
(40 pts) – Composition of the poster is well done. (15) 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Color use is appropriate and effective. (15) 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Elelments of the poster are unified and work together. (5) 5 4 3 2 1 0
Poster is readable from a distance and attractive when viewed up close. (5) 5 4 3 2 1 0
Visual Appel (20 pts) – Lettering is well done and neat. (10) 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Attention to detail is evident. (5) 5 4 3 2 1 0
Pictures and wording has been applied with care and is very neat. (5) 5 0
Presentation (35 points – Assessment)
Information (15 pts) – Accurately given and presented (15) 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Verbal ability (5 pts) – You speak in a clear voice and loudly enough to be heard.. (3) 3 0
You give the people a chance to listen to your material and consider it. (2) 2 0
Organization (15 pts) – Presentation flows and has a definite point. (5) 5 4 3 2 1 0
Your presentation is well organized and you have an outline to guide you.. (5) 5 4 3 2 1 0
You hand in your outline with the poster. (5) 5 0
Time on Task (40 points – Daily)
Day 1 – Tuesday / Wednesday Work all Day (5) 5 4 3 2 1 0
Clean up own mess (5) 5 4 3 2 1 0
Day 2 - Thursday Work all Day (5) 5 4 3 2 1 0
Clean up own mess (5) 5 4 3 2 1 0
Day 3 - Friday Work all Day (5) 5 4 3 2 1 0
Clean up own mess (5) 5 4 3 2 1 0
Day 4 - Tuesday Work all Day (5) 5 4 3 2 1 0
Clean up own mess (5) 5 4 3 2 1 0