in response to jessica banville's blog

Jess,
Your blog is really informative on the negative effects of the over usage of pesticides. Are there any positive effects other than profit? What is your stance on the pesticide dilemma? If we reduce the amount of pesticides the effect is beneficial for the environment and human health, however crop growth can be drastically reduced, meaning loss of profit for farmers and related industries. Farming, is a way of life for many, the success of their crops effect the well-being of their families. Don’t you believe this should be taken into account ? I personally believe too much of something is never good. But in this case, more then crops are effected, people’s livelihoods may be potentially jeopardized. Can you suggest a few greener options(other than reduction or removal of the chemical) that will keep the environmentalists and the farmers amoung us happy ?

Kelsey

Reading Assignment - Due January 7th, 2008!!!!!

This assignment is the last part of the hydrocarbon unit we started last week. It will need to be completed over the holiday break. There will be a comprehensive test on Wednesday January 9th. We will then start our final unit of Gases... This should leave us a few days for review of the first few units before our exam on January 26th... The end is near... remain focused and have a good holiday...

Ms F

Industry and Society Culminating Task

Industry and Society
Culminating Task

Many of the products required by modern society are produced by chemical
industries through the application of science and technology. While many
benefits result from these products, the by-products produced in the chemical
processes may cause environmental problems. The control of these problems
involves an understanding of science and technology balanced by the needs of our
society.

The purpose of this task is to provide you with opportunities to consider your
responsibilities as citizens in a technological society, to acquire some of the
scientific and technological knowledge that you will need in order to make
informed decisions, and to understand the role played by a particular chemical
industry as it supplies products to satisfy the demands of society.

Many different chemical industries or products can be studied effectively to fulfill
the objectives of this task. It is intended that you achieve the objectives of
this task by selecting, in consultation with the teacher, a particular industry
or product for study.

The two possible topics are:

Topic 1 - A
Chemistry Industry

The selection of a local industry is preferable. Areas to be investigated and reported on area listed
below.

1. Reason for the process.

2. History of the process.

3. Chemical reactions involved in manufacture.

4. Technology (equipment, materials, engineering design).

5. Factors considered in location of industry (sources and
transportation of raw materials, energy requirements, human resources,
environmental problems, market accessibility, waste disposal, economic
considerations).

6. Effects on local area (environmental and social).

Ideas of types of industries:

Petroleum Fertilizer Pulp and Paper Plastics Electroplating Man-Made Fibre Detergent

Ceramics and Glass Heavy Chemical Brewing Paint Dye Pharmaceutical Food Stuffs - soft drinks, etc.

Topic 2 - A Chemical Product

The selection of one product or type of product with wide usage is preferable. Areas to be investigated on are listed below.

1. Reasons for use of product (history).

2. Chemical reactions involved in use.

3. Benefits (technological, economic).

4. Disadvantages (resources, pollution, safety, side effects).

5. Social responsibility of manufacturer.

6. Supervision of use of manufacture (quality control, availability to
public, dangers).

Ideas of types of chemicals:

Petroleum products Marine paints Fertilizers Synthetic fibers Plastic packaging

Herbicides Preservatives Insecticides Pharmaceutical products Medicine

Evaluation of Project

1. The report is to be posted as an editorial blog


2. The blog can be on either topic one or two.


3. Since this is an editorial on a topic in chemistry, where possible, try to use as much of the
   language of chemistry as possible, ie; formulae, equations, structure
   diagrams, Lewis diagrams, etc.


4. There must be at least one picture and one hyperlink to more information. (For those of you that are scared… I will help you!)


5. Include a Reference section in proper APA format with in-text citations in the body of the
   editorial..


6. **Do not use technical words without explaining what they mean.


7. **If you are copying material from a resource book, use quotation marks and in-text citation.
   


8. The best editorials are those written in your own words to envoke thought and reflection in others.


9. If somebody has given you help with information and explanations, acknowledge them.


10. Keep a log of time spent and hand this in before the Christmas Break.


11. Ex. November 3 - 2 1/2 hours searching for material in the library.


12. The editorial blog must “go live” by Dec. 22^nd 2007. Make it public for others to
    comment!!

And then there was a Chemistry Blog...

... and indeed it was overwhelming and a wee bit scary. In today's day and age we all must embrace the technological desires of the times. As you go forth and learn, you may need further technolgoical skills such as blogging, posting, web publishing, PowerPoint, and what a great idea to begin now in Grade 11... It will eliminate the need for paper based Culminating Tasks, and the time required to present your ideas to our class. You will be required to create your own blog, post to others and respond to posts you have recieved. In essence, you will live and breathe chemistry in a way that is digestable and socially responsible.