Assigned Feb. 6th

Assigned today, Feb. 6th

Today in class we discussed a project the students will put together and present to the rest of the class. For this week, students will pick a topic. I am looking for an email from each student with a topic or with a request for help. The topic guidelines are that it must be a biology topic or biology related topic that is of interest to the student and preferably one that raises ethical or moral questions or is topical (discussed in the media). The students will need to find at least 3 sources (for this week, they should read what is in their books and search for one other source. In general, I would like the students to check our the science topics in the paper, or in NPR transcripts, (don't forget about science Friday), etc. I would like to hear from everyone by Wednesday, even if it is just a request for help or a question. The final presentation can take many forms: the classic poster board, a play, video, power point presentation, models or demonstrations and should last for about 10 minutes. Students may change topics if they find something else of interest.
Below is a combined list of possible topics. Please note that you aren't required to use this list. This is just what we talked about and brainstormed about today in class:
Cloning
Biofuels
Stem cell research
Genetically modified foods
Lyme disease (what has happened to deer and tick populations so that we hear about so many infections?)
overuse of antibiotics
immunization
Climate change or global warming
steroid abuse
Drug Use--Prescription medications
childhood prescriptions
diet drugs
overmedication of the elderly
drug "fads" over time
Addiction
Gene patents
Genetic counseling and surrounding issues
RNAi (interference)
Retroviruses
genetic engineering
In-breeding of companion animals and farm animals
Plant monocultures (especially plants for food)
Invasive species
Evolution
Smoking