Discussion Board

Within the Discussion Board area, write 300–500 words that respond to the following questions with your research. This will be the foundation for future discussions by your classmates. To maximize your learning, select peers who researched articles or topics different from the one you researched. Be substantive and clear, and use examples to reinforce your ideas.

Science in the News

Now that you have been learning about science, you may have noticed news articles or online videos on various scientific topics. Science is all around you.

Select a news article on a scientific discovery or achievement. This could be the discovery of a new planet or star, a new medical treatment, new findings concerning climate change, or countless other possibilities. If you are not sure where to find a news article, try looking on the Web page for your favorite news source, or use a search engine to look for a specific topic of interest. After selecting a news article and reading it carefully, complete the following:

• Provide a brief summary of the article.
• What interested you about the topic?
• Do you agree or support the discovery or activity presented in your article? Why or why not?
• Did the author provide references and supporting facts in this article, or were you expected to just accept the findings without support?
• When reading about science, how important do you feel sources and references are in accepting the findings that are presented?

Discussion Board

Within the Discussion Board area, write 300–500 words that respond to the following questions with your research. This will be the foundation for future discussions by your classmates. To maximize your learning, select peers who researched articles or topics different from the one you researched. Be substantive and clear, and use examples to reinforce your ideas.

Science in the News

Now that you have been learning about science, you may have noticed news articles or online videos on various scientific topics. Science is all around you.

Select a news article on a scientific discovery or achievement. This could be the discovery of a new planet or star, a new medical treatment, new findings concerning climate change, or countless other possibilities. If you are not sure where to find a news article, try looking on the Web page for your favorite news source, or use a search engine to look for a specific topic of interest. After selecting a news article and reading it carefully, complete the following:

• Provide a brief summary of the article.
• What interested you about the topic?
• Do you agree or support the discovery or activity presented in your article? Why or why not?
• Did the author provide references and supporting facts in this article, or were you expected to just accept the findings without support?
• When reading about science, how important do you feel sources and references are in accepting the findings that are presented?

Discussion Board

Chemicals of Concern in the Environment

As scientists and engineers work to produce products that make people’s lives easier and safer, there is the possibility that these new products could have negative consequences on individuals and the environment. Select 1 of the chemicals listed below, and discuss its role in improving lives as well as the potential unintended consequences that it may have. Be substantive and clear, and use examples to reinforce your ideas.

Chemicals of Concern (Select 1)

• Regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):
  • Brominated flame retardants: These are added to plastics and fabrics to make them more flame-resistant.
  • Cadmium: This is an element that is known as a heavy metal. It is used in batteries, paints, and plastics.
• Regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA):
  • Phthalates: These are chemicals that are added to plastics to make them more flexible.
  • Bisphenol-A (BPA): This is a chemical that is added to plastics to harden them while keeping them light.

Discuss the following for this assignment:

• What role does the chemical you selected play in the modern world?
• What are some possible detrimental health effects that are associated with this chemical?
• Explain the position of the FDA or EPA regarding your selected chemical. What is the position of your state government regarding your selected chemical?
• Do you feel that your chemical should be more tightly regulated in the United States? Why or why not?
• Would label requirements be enough? Explain why or why not

Unit 4 – Individual Project

For this assignment, you will use what you have learned throughout this unit to complete this worksheet. Reply to all of the questions, and then submit the completed worksheet to be graded.