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2000-2001
2001-2002
* The Power of the Exponent
* A Treasure Lost
* Breathless
* Evolution: The Only Constant is Change
* Enzyme Activity and Computer Modeling
* Earth Fissures
* Aerobic Metabolism
* The Science of Survival
* Tailpipe Emissions
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science module gallery...
This is our collection of the classroom/lab interdisciplinary science modules designed, developed, and piloted by Maricopa Community College science faculty participating in the Systemic Reform In Science (SyRIS) project. See also our module search tool.
2001-2002 SyRIS Science Module Collection
The Power of the Exponent
Chandler-Gilbert Community College
(Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Computers)
To better comprehend the complex concept of exponents, a case study is set up with a professor dying from food poisoning. Biology students study the exponential growth of bacteria; math students and physics students use Newton's Law of Cooling to explore the concept of exponents. Math students also explore this concept through application problems such as a rumor mill.
A Treasure Lost: Was the Site Viable for a Copper Mine?
Estrella Mountain Community College
(Chemistry, Geology, Environmental Biology)
This Problem-Based Learning (PBL) module requires students to use information from geology to learn about different copper containing minerals as well as about the use of topographic and geologic maps as applied to copper mining. Chemistry students analyze the "ore" samples to determine the amount of copper present, while environmental biology students share information on the environmental impacts of copper mining and look at a specific site to determine the type of impacts that could be expected. All three components are required in a "capstone" paper/project.
Breathless - A Respiratory Disease Outbreak
GateWay Community College
(Biology, Mathematics, and Industrial Technology)
The module centers on a serious respiratory disease contracted by passengers during a commercial airplane flight. Biology students are given information relating to the symptoms of the illness, but need to rely on the expertise of the industrial facilities students to find the source of the disease-causing organism, which leads to the identification of the organism that caused the disease. In turn, identification requires the facilities students to diagnose and correct the problem with the airliner's air conditioning system. Math students provide both the biology and facilities students with the appropriate mathematical tools and instruments needed in their investigations.
Evolution: The Only Constant is Change
Glendale Community College
(Biology, Chemistry, and Geology)
Evolutionary change is explored through the synthesis of scientific evidence from many disciplines (e.g., historical geology - fossil record; chemistry/physics - radioisotope dating; biology - genetic basis of variation and natural selection). By taking an interdisciplinary approach, students develop a more complete understanding of the empirical evidence in support of the theory of evolution. The activities for this module (hands-on simulation activities and case studies) require students to practice multiple learning skills such as writing, oral communication, collaborative learning, mathematics and computer technology skills.
Enzyme Activity and Computer Modeling
Glendale Community College
(Biology, Chemistry, and Programming Technology)
While enzyme activity is a biology topic, understanding the reaction dynamics is a chemistry topic. This module is intended to replace current "lecture" and laboratory activities on enzyme structure and function in introductory biology courses and reaction kinetics and catalysts in introductory chemistry courses. The module has identified a set of core concepts common to biology and chemistry. Programming students use a predetermined set of parameters to create a computer model of the enzyme activity that the biology and chemistry students use in their study of this topic. The experiences leave students with a better understanding of these relatively abstract concepts and can extend these ideas to other related science topics.
Earth Fissures: Arizona's Crack Problem
Mesa Community College
(Biology, Geology, Chemistry, and Engineering)
Traditionally, geologic features such as earth fissures are studied only in geology classes. However, understanding how the environment interacts with both living and non-living things is central to all fields of science. Using a real-world, field-based problem ("The State has a piece of land in which they are trying to decide how to disposition the land"), the module identifies a set of core concepts common to biology, chemistry, engineering, and geology courses. Students are divided into teams. Each team consists of two students from each of the four disciplines working together. They must integrate their field work with their individual classroom experiences to better understand each of the four disciplines and how they relate, using this knowledge to solve a geological fissure problem. During the field exercise, instructors from all four different disciplines act as resources.
Aerobic Metabolism
Paradise Valley Community College
(Biology, Chemistry, Exercise Physiology)
Students often struggle with the concepts of metabolism as they relate to biology, chemistry, and exercise physiology. This module assists students in developing a clearer understanding of the theory behind aerobic metabolism (presented during classroom periods). Each student participates in a cardiovascular fitness test and collects data from one of three possible protocols (treadmill, bicycle, and field test). The activities assist students in making "real-life" connections to classroom instruction as students are expected to draw conclusions from the graphs generated by the activity. They also are expected to differentiate between direct versus indirect measurement in science. Following the laboratory exercise, students present their findings according to the worksheets provided.
The Science of Survival: Temperature and Biological Adaptation
Scottsdale Community College
(Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics)
In this module, students begin to understand the factors that allow organisms to thrive in various climates by addressing such topics as cooling rate versus surface area, water management by plants and insects, and metabolism rates. In small groups, students examine the principles of heat transfer, observe the mathematical relationships between size and cooling rate, and investigate the chemical composition of surface layers exposed to temperature fluctuations. In addition to the emphasis on temperature, the module also addresses how size, metabolism, and surface properties influence an organism's water management. A poster presentation concludes the module.
Tailpipe Emissions: A Study in Cause/Effect Relationships
South Mountain Community College
(Geology, Chemistry, Engineering, Physics, and Biology)
Tailpipe emissions are an inevitable consequence of our mobile society that relies on internal combustion engines for transportation. This module is designed to explore the compounds produced by combustion engines and their resulting consequences. The module examines the exploration and drilling for oil (geology), how oil is refined into gasoline (chemistry), how engines burn gasoline to generate movement (engineering & physics), what are the by-products produced from the burning of gasoline through tailpipe emissions (chemistry), how do these byproducts affect human health (health science), vegetation (biology), and the environment (environmental science). Students examine how our dependence on internal combustion engines affects the environment and why.
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