Assignment #4: Final Paper & Presentation

In this final step, you will submit your paper and give a presentation on your selected scientific topic.
Paper:

Length and Format
- 5 – 6 pages long (not including title or reference pages)
- Types, double-faced with a 12 point font and 1 inch margins on all sides
- Include in-text citations and a reference pages using APA style
Required Sources
- You must use at least 6 sources in your paper:
  - 4 peer-reviewed sources
  - 2 popular press sources
- All sources must be:
  - Relevant to your concept
  - Connected to points in your paper
  - Listed on your references page
Required Rhetorical Styles
- Definition– explaining your concept clearly
- Decription– showing what it is like or how it works
- Illustration– giving concrete examples or scenarios
Prompt
- You will focus on one scientific concept
- Your paper should:
  - Define the concept
  - Describe how it works or how it is understood in science
  - Illustrate the concept with examples, applications, or scenarios
  - Explain why this concept matters now, especially in recent research, technology, or everyday life
- Your audience should be for an educated general reader who does not necessarily know much science
- Be sure to use clear, accessible language and define any important technical terms

Presentation:

You will present your research to the class using presentation software. The presentation is an opportunity to teach your classmates about your concept in a clear and engaging way.

Length and Format:
- 7 – 9 minutes in length
- You must use PowerPoint, Google Slides, or similar software
- Include a reference slide listing the sources for the presentation
Structure:
- Introduction:
  - State your scientific concept
  - Give a short, simple definition in your own words
  - 30 seconds length
- Overview:
  - Explain the concept in more detail, building on your simple definition
  - Clarify any important terms in language your classmates can understand
  - You may use visuals (charts, diagrams, images) to help explain
  - 2 to 3 minutes in length
- Application Example:
  - Show how your concept is used in current research or technology
  - Explain how it affects people now or could affect them in the near future
  - Your example can be real or hypothetical
  - 4 to 5 minutes
  - NOTE: You may want to include your Popular Press Sources in this section. Here are some resources:
- Conclusion
  - Summarize your main points
  - End with a clear message. Consider:
    - Why should your audience care about this concept?
    - How could it change or influence people’s lives, technology, or society?
  - 30 seconds to 1 minute in length