Name Date

LA Periods Teacher

Liberty Science Center Research Project

Would you like to climb through an obstacle course suspended 35 feet above the ground, create a six-foot tall bubble, attend a lightning show, or attempt to escape from an outdoor

maze? You’re in luck! The seventh grade will take a field trip to Liberty Science Center, one of the most interactive and fun places to learn about science.

To help you prepare for your trip, you are going to complete a research project on a scientific topic. Information is below!

Your Task:

You are a tour guide working at Liberty Science Center. Choose a topic currently represented at the center by an exhibit. Research and become an expert on the topic. Create a presentation teaching visitors the importance of this topic. Your presentation should have a technology product that is engaging, interesting, and educational! You will also create a souvenir related to your exhibit to sell in the

gift shop!

Technology Options

Google Slides

Prezi

Windows Movie Maker Emaze

Research Project Checklist Directions: Use the checklist below to keep track of your progress on the research project. Resources to help you are available at our Google classroom website, www.momslibrary.com, www. lsc.org, and lindabury.weebly.com.

Step 1: After learning about the exhibits at Liberty Science Center, choose which focus question you want to research. Have backups ready in case your first choice is taken.

Liberty Science Center Exhibit: _________________________________________________________ My focus question: _______________________________________________________________________

Step 2: Begin researching the scientific topic your exhibit is based on. Use the research notes outline as you work. Then complete the presentation outline and works cited page. You will need to complete ALL of these: Research notes Presentation outline A typed Works Cited page

Step 3: Select and create a technology product. Your options are below.

Google Slides OR Prezi.com OR

Windows Moviemaker OR Emaze

Step 4: Design a souvenir that could be sold at the gift shop!

My souvenir is ___________________________________________________________________________

Name Date

LA Periods Teacher

Liberty Science Center Focus Questions

Eat and Be Eaten

Eat and Be Eaten is filled with real animals that have adapted in amazing ways to survive in the wild. Some hide in plain sight while others turn themselves into toxic treats. Many of these creatures have unique behaviors that keep them from being captured or help them to escape.

Focus Questions:

______ How do animals use disguises to survive in their natural habitat?

______ How do animals use chemicals to survive in their natural habitat?

______ How do animals use behavior to survive in their natural habitat?

______ How do animals use weapons to survive in their natural habitat?

Infection

Connection

At Infection Connection, you’ll see how the choices we make every day–as individuals and a society–contribute to the spread of infectious diseases. (Did you wash your hands before eating?) You’ll explore the connections between humans and microbes and emerging diseases, and discover how science develops tools and technologies to prevent and treat infections. You can even conduct free microbiology and epidemiology experiments in our hands-on laboratory.

Focus Questions:

______ How do diseases spread?

______ What role does our immune system have in keeping us healthy?

______ How are microbes necessary for our health?

______ Why are vaccines and antibiotics essential for the health of the community?

Communication

We communicate to share information. Early humans left evocative drawings on cave walls. Today we can reach around the world with the tap of a button. Communication investigates all the ways we express ourselves: written, spoken, gestural, symbolic, electronic, digital and more, from totem poles to texts.

Focus Questions:

______ How does the sense of sight work?

______ How does the sense of hearing work?

______ How have writing tools developed and changed throughout the centuries?

______ How do human beings learn to speak?

______ How has communication changed over time?

Nano

At Nano you can imagine and discover a world you can’t see! Hands-on exhibits present the basics of nanoscience and engineering, introduce some real world applications, and explore the societal and ethical implications of this new technology. Discover tiny solutions for big problems, exciting technologies inspired by nature, and different perspectives on nanotechnology.

Focus Questions:

______ How can nature inspire nanotechnology?

______ How can tiny technologies help us solve big problems?

______ What applications does nanotech have in our lives?

Energy Quest

How will we power our futures? How can we balance our ever-growing energy needs with environmental impacts? Energy Quest examines the five major sources of Earth’s energy in search of the answers. Learn how we explore and harness these energy sources at activity-filled, hands-on stations. Join the exploration and experiment as a geologist, oceanographer, chemical and nuclear engineer, and more.

Focus Questions:

______ How can we conserve energy?

______ How can we harness the power of _____________ energy for use in our lives?

(options below)

__ Surface (wind, solar, hydro)

___ Bio-Stored (oil, coal, natural gas, bio-mass)

___ Nuclear (fission, fusion)

___ Ocean (waves, tidal, ocean-thermal

___ Geo-Thermal (hydro-thermal, hot dry rock, magma)

Skyscraper!

Skyscrapers are one of the ultimate expressions of human engineering. Explore the planning, design, engineering and technology of these amazing structures and their effect on human culture, the environment and even local weather patterns. Whether you’re bravely walking a steel girder high above the exhibition floor, facing down jet-powered hurricane force winds to test a building design, or taking a quiet moment to reflect on stories about the World Trade Center, you’ll leave Skyscraper! with a new appreciation and understanding of the skyline that surrounds us and the people that made it happen.

Focus Questions: ______ How can engineers build skyscrapers that are environmentally friendly?

______ How do engineers design skyscrapers to withstand the forces of nature?

Our Hudson

Home

Overlooking the vast river and Liberty State Park, Our Hudson Home explores our complex relationship with this distinct and special ecosystem. Through hands-on experiences and unique underwater environments, you’ll discover how our use of the river can be successfully balanced with environmental preservation efforts and smart technologies that will ensure this unique natural resource continues to thrive…

Focus Questions: ______ Why are the wetlands important to biodiversity?

______ How can we protect our wetlands?

Honey Bees

An observation hive indoors and two field hives on the deck outside let you watch bees coming in and out of the hive, workers converting nectar into honey and storing it in the honeycomb cells, the queen laying eggs, and larvae growing and maturing. You can even see beekeepers harvesting honey at certain times.

Focus Questions:

______ How are honeybees important to our ecosystems?

______ How is a honeybee colony organized?

______ What threats do honeybee colonies face?

Name Date

LA Periods Teacher

Research Notes

Topic Research Focus

Source Research Notes (quotes, facts)

#1

Author: Title: Organization:

#2

Author: Title: Organization:

#3

Author: Title:

Organization:

#4

Author: Title:

Organization:

#5

Author: Title:

Organization:

Name Date

LA Periods Teacher

Research Notes

Topic Research Focus

Source Research Notes (quotes, facts)

#1

Author: Title: Organization:

Facts:

How I’ll use these facts:

#2

Author: Title: Organization:

Facts:

How I’ll use these facts:

#3

Author: Title:

Organization:

Facts:

How I’ll use these facts:

#4

Author: Title:

Organization:

Facts:

How I’ll use these facts:

Name Date

LA Periods Teacher

Works Cited Planning

BOOK

MLA: Last, First M. Book. City Published: Publisher, Year Published. Print. EXAMPLE: Carley, Michael J. 1939: The Alliance That Never Was and the Coming of World War II. Chicago: Dee, 1999. Print.

WEBSITE

MLA: Last, First M. “Website Article.” Website. Publisher, Day Month Year. Web. Day Month Year. EXAMPLE: Satalkar, Bhakti. “Water Aerobics." Buzzle.com. Buzzle.com, 15 July 2010. Web. 16 July 2010.

ONLINE DATABASE

MLA: Last, First M. “Article.” Journal Volume.Issue (Year): Pages. Database. Web. Day Month Year. EXAMPLE: Ahn, Hyunchul, and Kyoung-jae Kim. "Using Genetic Algorithms to Optimize Nearest Neighbors for Data Mining." Annals of Operations Research 263.1 (2008): 5-18. Academic Search Premier. Web. 25 Sept. 2008.

MY SOURCES

#1 Book

Website

Online Database

#2 Book

Website

Online Database

#3 Book

Website

Online Database

#4 Book

Website

Online Database

#5 Book

Website

Online Database

Eat and Be Eaten is filled with real animals that have adapted in amazing ways to survive in

the wild. Some hide in plain sight while others turn themselves into toxic treats. Many of

these creatures have unique behaviors that keep them from being captured or help them to

escape.

How do animals use disguises to survive in their natural habitat?

How do animals use chemicals to survive in their natural habitat?

How do animals use behavior to survive in their natural habitat?

How do animals use weapons to survive in their natural habitat?

At Infection Connection, you’ll see how the choices we make every day–as individuals and a

society–contribute to the spread of infectious diseases. (Did you wash your hands before

eating?) You’ll explore the connections between humans and microbes and emerging

diseases, and discover how science develops tools and technologies to prevent and treat

infections. You can even conduct free microbiology and epidemiology experiments in our

hands-on laboratory.

How do diseases spread?

What role does our immune system have in keeping us healthy?

How are microbes necessary for our health?

Why are vaccines and antibiotics essential for the health of the community?

We communicate to share information. Early humans left evocative drawings on cave walls.

Today we can reach around the world with the tap of a button. Communication investigates

all the ways we express ourselves: written, spoken, gestural, symbolic, electronic, digital and

more, from totem poles to texts.

How does the sense of sight work?

How does the sense of hearing work?

How have writing tools developed and changed throughout the centuries?

How do human beings learn to speak?

How has communication changed over time?

At Nano you can imagine and discover a world you can’t see! Hands-on exhibits present the

basics of nanoscience and engineering, introduce some real world applications, and explore

the societal and ethical implications of this new technology. Discover tiny solutions for big

problems, exciting technologies inspired by nature, and different perspectives on

nanotechnology.

How can nature inspire nanotechnology?

How can tiny technologies help us solve big problems?

What applications does nanotech have in our lives?

How will we power our futures? How can we balance our ever-growing energy needs with

environmental impacts? Energy Quest examines the five major sources of Earth’s energy in

search of the answers. Learn how we explore and harness these energy sources at activity-

filled, hands-on stations. Join the exploration and experiment as a geologist, oceanographer,

chemical and nuclear engineer, and more.

How can we conserve energy?

How can we harness the power of _____________ energy for use in our lives? (options below)

Surface (wind, solar, hydro)

Bio-Stored (oil, coal, natural gas, bio-mass)

Nuclear (fission, fusion)

Ocean (waves, tidal, ocean-thermal

Geo-Thermal (hydro-thermal, hot dry rock, magma)

Skyscrapers are one of the ultimate expressions of human engineering. Explore the planning, design,

engineering and technology of these amazing structures and their effect on human culture, the

environment and even local weather patterns. Whether you’re bravely walking a steel girder high

above the exhibition floor, facing down jet-powered hurricane force winds to test a building design, or

taking a quiet moment to reflect on stories about the World Trade Center, you’ll leave Skyscraper! with

a new appreciation and understanding of the skyline that surrounds us and the people that made it

happen.

How can engineers build skyscrapers that are environmentally friendly?

How do engineers design skyscrapers to withstand the forces of nature?

Overlooking the vast river and Liberty State Park, Our Hudson Home explores our complex relationship

with this distinct and special ecosystem. Through hands-on experiences and unique underwater

environments, you’ll discover how our use of the river can be successfully balanced with environmental

preservation efforts and smart technologies that will ensure this unique natural resource continues to

thrive…

Why are the wetlands important to biodiversity?

How can we protect our wetlands?

An observation hive indoors and two field hives on the deck outside let you watch bees

coming in and out of the hive, workers converting nectar into honey and storing it in the

honeycomb cells, the queen laying eggs, and larvae growing and maturing. You can even see

beekeepers harvesting honey at certain times.

How are honeybees important to our ecosystems?

How is a honeybee colony organized?

Name Date

LA Periods Teacher

Presentation Outline

Topic Research Focus

Hook Ideas for Graphics

Main Point #1:

What is it? Ideas for Graphics

Main Point #2:

Why does it matter?/How does it affect us? Ideas for Graphics

Main Point #3:

Fascinating fact to expand their knowledge. Ideas for Graphics

Main Point #4:

Fascinating fact to expand their knowledge. Ideas for Graphics

Clincher/Concluding Statement Ideas for Graphics

Research Rubric Grade 7 Name:___________________________________

Expert Wow!

Practitioner You made it!

Apprentice Almost there…

Novice You’re on Your Way…

Content Knowledge (Facts and Ideas)

__Research is clearly focused on one topic. __Contains extensive facts that support the research questions.

__ Research is focused on one topic. __Contains adequate facts that mostly support the research questions.

__ Research topic is unfocused and vague. __ Contains some facts that somewhat support the research questions.

__ Research lacks a clear topic. __ Contains few facts __ Contains details that do not support the research topic.

Organization and

Conventions

__ Writing is clearly organized to create impact __ Sophisticated transitions. __ No mistakes in capitalization, punctuation, grammar, or spelling.

__ Writing is organized. __ Effective transitions. __ Few mistakes in capitalization, punctuation, grammar, or spelling.

__ Writing is somewhat organized. __ Weak transitions. __ Some mistakes in capitalization, punctuation, grammar, or spelling.

__ Writing is not organized. __ Missing transitions. __ Many mistakes in capitalization, punctuation, grammar, and/or spelling that interfere with meaning.

Pre-writing __ Effectively used pre-writing organizers to record information.

__ Used pre-writing organizers to record information.

__ Partially used pre-writing organizers to record information.

__ Ineffectively used pre-writing organizers to record information.

Sources __ Many relevant and reliable sources were cited.

__Sufficient relevant and reliable sources were cited.

__ Some relevant and reliable sources were cited.

__ Few relevant and reliable sources were cited.

Technology __ Student independently utilized technology to effectively communicate ideas. __Tech engages audience throughout entire presentation.

__ Student independently utilized technology to communicate ideas. __Tech engages audience for most of the presentation.

__ Student demonstrates some understanding of how to use technology to communicate ideas. __Tech engages audience for parts of presentation.

__ Student lacks understanding of how to use the technology to communicate ideas. __Tech rarely engages audience.

Presenting Information

__ Presented all information in a clear, organized way. __ Spoke clearly with appropriate expression; effective eye-contact. ___ Can answer most questions asked by the audience.

__ Presented most of the information in a clear, organized way. __ Spoke clearly with some expression; good eye-contact. __ Answered some questions asked by the audience.

__ Presented information in a disorganized way; difficult to understand some of the time. __ Spoke softly with little expression; fair eye-contact. __ Answered few questions asked by the audience.

__ Presented information that was poorly organized; overall, very difficult to understand. __ Presenter was unclear with no expression; little to no eye-contact. __ Unable to answer questions asked by the audience.