There are two forms that Exploration will take on during this course: (1) guided exploration and (2) small group exploration/research. (1) The guided Exploration Unit involves specific opportunities during the unit which allow you to Explore the content discussed up to that point in the unit. The unit itself will consist of class discussions of content and homework that has been assigned. (2) The small group Exploration Unit is designed so that the students are given more choices as to the specific activities they may choose as part of their experiencing the content.

At the end of each Unit you will put together all of the activities that you participated in, whether in class or out of class. You are required to completely finish and provide a Final Product for one activity during the Unit. Here are the details for the Final Product:

Final Product Guidelines

Mini-labs - Short activities which allow you to investigate specific phenomena. The Final Product of a mini-lab should include: (1) a brief overview of the mini-lab's purpose and procedure, (2) data/observations/sketches, (3) analysis/questions (if any), and (4) a short conclusion of the results of the activity.


Class/video demonstrations - The Final Product of a class/video demonstration should include: (1) diagrams/sketches of what you observed, (2) analysis/questions (if any) , and (3) a summary and explanation of the phenomena observed.

Current Science, Technology, Society (STS) Article - You may find and turn in an article that relates the Unit to you and your interests. The Final Product of a current Science, Technology, Society (STS) Article should be accompanied by (1) a summary which will provide some of the pertinent details as well as a quick grasp of the article and (2) your opinion of/response to the article. (1) and (2) should be no less than one page worth total. These articles can come from newspapers, magazines, journals, or similar sources on the internet. They must be dated after January 1, 2005. No encyclopedia entries or textbook like internet sites, this must be an article similar to a current event article you would use in Social Studies. Be sure to include a copy of the article as well as a bibliographic entry for the article.

Internet scavenger Hunt - This is an interactive type of project where you ask questions and provide some internet sites where the information can be found. The Final Product of an internet scavenger Hunt should include: (1) links to 3 internet sites. Your should provide a brief overview of the site along with the address. For example:

http://www.teters.com/centrifugal/zone47/underwhere.html
A page about the difficulties of underwater basketweaving as discovered by Mr. Teters during his formative years.
(2)  7+ questions which can be answered through each link. These questions should show relationships to the Unit content. The questions should not be about trivialities. You should list each site's questions with the site's address. In other words, do not list all the sites then all the questions, it makes it more busy work than learning. (3) An answer page.


Topic research - If you have a question about how or why something works or does what it does, find the answer. Your teacher may be able to tell you, but you will probably actually learn about your question if you research it yourself. This is not a full blown research project, just an exploration. The Final Product of a topic research should include: (1) the question, (2) bibliographic entries for three supporting sources, (3) properly cited supporting statements from each source, and (4) the answer as you understand it.

Ask me - Have some questions about some of the content? You may need to discuss some of this content with your teacher, go ahead that's my job. If it turns out to be a lengthy and detailed discussion exploratory proportions, write it up. The Final Product should include: (1) the topic and (2) a conclusion of the content in question.

You tell me - Have any ideas of your own? Present your ideas to your teacher. If your teacher approves, then do it.

Cover Sheet (5 points) - click here for the template you must use. If authentication is requested press "Esc".
Final Product (50 points) - choose the one activity you wish to be graded and make sure it meets the guidelines listed above.

Other Explorations (10 points each) - this includes complete and incomplete activities done in class or on your own.