Getting Started:

• A video message from the instructor

Here is some information to get you started on the Class Presentations in Chemistry 221. Class Presentations provide us with an opportunity to write a quality scientific paper on a specific element and present in front of a group. To get started:

• Start out by picking - and reserving - an element from the periodic table for your Class Presentation. Each student must pick their own individual element for the presentation report, and I recommend you do this step as early as possible. You can see which elements are still available (and taken) by using this link.
• Next, research your element. Find out everything that you can about your element using the resources available in our textbook, on the Internet, in the MHCC library, etc. Be sure to find two peer reviewed scientific articles published in the last tean years or so for your presentation which are related to your topic; get a copy of the articles (at least the abstract), as you will be submitting them with your final paper. If you have not seen an example of a scientific paper (with an abstract before), see this example.
• You will need to write a paper for your Class Presentation topic. The paper must be a minimum of five full pages of text with reasonable margins and font sizes.
• You will need to give a five minute or less presentation of your Class Presentation topic to your lab section. Visuals (PowerPoint slides, posters, etc.) are encouraged but not required.
• Roughly two weeks before the Class Presentation deadline, a rough draft of your paper will be due in recitation. Complete a rough draft of your paper and submit it including this form.
• On the day of the Class Presentations, submit the final Class Presentation paper at the time of the presentations. A Class Presentation Reviewer Guide will be submitted at the end of the presentations (which will be completed while the other speakers are presenting.)

Good luck with your Class Presentation! As always, let me know if you have any questions. Peace, --- Michael

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  Class Presentation Resources

• The Class Presentations Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document
• Video Class Presentation Examples from previous Chemistry 221 classes
• A Periodic Table of Available Elements showing which elements are still available (and taken)
• Email the instructor directly to reserve your class presentation element
• The Class Presentations Rough Draft Paper handout to use when turning in the rough draft of your paper.
• The Class Presentations Grading Rubric
• The Citation Guide to format your citations for your final Class Presentation paper.
• The MHCC Library has a wonderful Chemistry Subject Guide with links to Academic Search Premier and related resources to find peer reviewed scientific articles
• The Class Presentation Reviewer Guide
• An example of a peer reviewed scientific paper (with abstract) which shows what you should look for when looking for your own research papers.
• A fictitious example of a Class Presentation Paper on Phlogiston; please note that this paper is just an example, it contains only 2 of the necessary five pages of writing, and almost all of it is made up (and cynical! lol)
• The Class Presentation "Last Minute" Checklist to make sure your paper and presentation are ready on the day of Class Presentations.

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