"Biggie Physics Questions" Research & Presentation Project
There have been numerous queries, studies, surveys etc. done on the general population's knowledge of "biggie questions". Many people do not know the answers to these questions or have developed huge misconceptions regarding these topics. Do you know the reason for seasons, what causes the phases of the moon, what color is blood in our veins, how does a cell phone work, why is the sky blue? Don't fret if your answer was no to any or all of these, for you are among a large group of US citizens.
I created this project with numerous objectives in mind.
1. I wanted to continue to develop the student's internet researching skills.
2. This project addresses many of the "big science misconceptions" that Americans have developed. Hopefully, my Shorecrest students will no longer have these misconceptions.
3. The students had to determine if 20 adults knew the answer to their "Biggie Physics Question". They learned how to articulate effectively the purpose of the interview in order to obtain their data.
4. The students had to use Excel to create a graph of their adult responses to their Biggie Physics Question.
5. The students had to create a presentation (powerpoint or website) incorporating their research, graph, and images to answer their Biggie Physics Question.
6. The students presented their Powerpoint or Website using a Smartboard to the class. This improved their public speaking skills as well as taught their peers about their topic.
7. The students continued to develop their technology skills that they will be able to use in their future education and employment.

Scroll down to access the student's Powerpoints or Websites . Please email me with your comments. Thank you, Lisa Peck
Project's Scope and Sequence
Goal: Create an informative website that will be used to teach their peers as well as a global community.
Research internet: The students learned how to discriminate between websites; determining their validity in order to gather research information on their chosen topic.
Type information: They created Word document of an introductory paragraph, paraphrased research information, and a vocabulary list which they emailed to their Shorecrest account as an attachment.
Create a Graph: They created graphs of the adult reponses to their interviews using Excel and learned how to save & insert them into a presentation.

Created a Presentation: They created a Powerpoint or website using Dreamweaver.

1. They learned how to go to a site called Flaming Text to create some cool looking titles and insert them into their presentation.
2. The students learned how to search for images. They were taught how to determine the copyright information regarding the image and emailed the site's creator for permission to use their images.
3. They learned how to add hyperlinks to their Powerpoint or website.
4. The students sent me their presentation via email as an attachment.
Present Website: The students used a Smartboard to present their project to each other, earning a presentation grade.
Peer Assessment: Peer assessment is a valuable skill. As the students are assessing the other projects, they are determining what aspects of the sites they will use in the future and what they will not use. In addition, it teaches the students how to "handle" constructive criticism. The peer assessment grade is minimal and does not affect their overall grade, yet it teaches them how to view each other's work critically.
Revision Phase: After receiving their peer and teacher assessments, the students had a week to "fix" their websites (mostly spelling errors) and resubmit them to me. They earned points for revising their websites.
Class of 2010 Biggie Questions
Some students chose to create a PowerPoint which will be downloaded to your computer when you select it. When the PowerPoints are converted to html webpages, they lose their animations, transitions, and some sounds. Therefore, I suggest viewing them as a PowerPoint instead of a website. Both options will eventually be available for you. Thank you for visiting. Lisa Peck
Meghan A.
Does sound travel faster in water or in air?
Kairy H.
What causes a curve ball?
Tyler S.
How do polarized sunglasses work?
powerpoint
webpage
Christian D.
What are Chinook winds?
video
Blake M.
Why is the sky blue?
Morgan B.
Why is the ozone layer important?
Ciara K.
How do animals see at night?
powerpoint
Megan S.
Does a refrigerator blow cold air on food?
Alistair F.
How do polarized sunglasses work?
Austin O.
Why does the road look wet on a hot day?
Angie C.
Is blood blue in our veins?
Jillian K.
How does a 3D movie work?
powerpoint
Rebecca S.
Why is Europe's climate mild?
Stephanie G.
What causes lightning?
powerpoint
webpage
Natalie S.
Why is the sky blue?
Carley D.
Why is the sky blue?
Thomas K.
What are hydraulics?
Maegan C.
Is blood blue in our veins?
Jesse H.
How does a 3D movie work?
video
Jaki S.
How does a cell phone work?
Andy N.
What causes lightening?
Max M.
What is a sonic boom?
Jasmine C.
What is the periodic table?
Carson K.
Why is the sea blue-green?
Alex K.
What is a sonic boom?
video
Bronwyn G.
What is a Van De Graaf generator?
Lauren D
What causes the phases of the moon?
Victoria D.
Why are the sunsets red?
Brittany T.
Why do your ears pop in an airplane?
Jonathan VG
When one christmas light burns out, why do they all go out?

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