Biology Course Culminating Blog Assignment!!

Industry
and Society Culminating Task

Many of the products required by modern society are produced by
industries through the application of science and technology. While many
benefits result from these products, the by-products produced in the processes
may cause environmental problems. The control of these problems involves an
understanding of science and technology balanced by the needs of our society.
The purpose of this task is to provide you with opportunities to
consider your responsibilities as citizens in a technological society, to
acquire some of the scientific and technological knowledge that you will need in
order to make informed decisions, and to understand the role played by a
particular chemical industry as it supplies products to satisfy the demands of
society.
Many different chemical industries or products can be studied
effectively to fulfill the objectives of this task. It is intended that you
achieve the objectives of this task by selecting, in consultation with the
teacher, a particular industry or product for study.

The two possible topics are:
Topic 1 - An Industry
1. The selection of a local industry is preferable. Areas to be investigated and reported on area
listed below.
2. Reason for the process.
3. History of the process.
4. General reactions involved in manufacture.
5. Technology (equipment, materials, engineering design). Factors considered in location of industry (sources and transportation of raw materials, energy requirements, human resources, environmental problems, market accessibility, waste disposal, economic considerations).
6. Effects on local area (environmental and social).

Ideas of types of industries:
Cosmetic Industry
Waste Treatment
Agriculture (organic, monoculture)
Pharmaceuticals
Fertility / Infertility (in Humans!)
Biotechnologies (ex. dialysis machine)
Fertilizers or Pesticides
Food Stuffs - soft drinks, etc.

Topic 2 - A Product
The selection of one product or type of product with wide usage is preferable.

Areas to be investigated on are listed below.
1. Reasons for use of product (history).
2. Biological reactions or effects involved in use.
3. Benefits (technological, economic).
4. Disadvantages (resources, pollution, safety, side effects).
5. Social responsibility of manufacturer.
6. Supervision of use of manufacture (quality control, availability to public, dangers).

Ideas of types of chemicals:
Pheromones
Pollution Control (plant/enzymes)
Pesticides/herbicides/insecticides
Organ Donation
Enzymatic foods/pharmaceuticals
“Green” plastics
Hormone Replacement Therapy
Medicines
Vaccines

Evaluation of Project

1. The report is to be posted as an editorial blog.
2. The blog can be on either topic one or two.
3. Since this is an editorial on a topic in biology, where possible, try to use as
   much of the language of biology as possible, ex. Biological structure names,
   biological reactions and processes, organ systems, proper binomial naming,
   ecosystem/ food webs, etc.
4. There must be at least one picture and one hyperlink to more information. (For
   those of you that are scared… I will help you!)
5. Include a Reference section in proper APA format with in-text citations in the body of
   the editorial..
6. **Do not use technical words without explaining what they mean. **If you are copying material from a resource book, use quotation marks and in-text
   citation. The best editorials are those written in your own words to invoke thought and
   reflection in others.
7. If somebody has given you help with information and explanations, acknowledge
   them.
8. **Keep a log of time spent and hand this in before the Christmas Break.
   Ex. November 3 - 21/2 hours searching for material in the library.
9. The editorial blog must “go live” by Dec. 22^nd 2007. Make it public
   for others to comment!!