Scientist Spotlight Overview

To-Do Date: Feb 22 at 9:30am

Overview

This semester you will have 2-3 scientist spotlight assignments spread throughout the class. These assignments are a chance to learn about real world research and work related to the topics we're learning in class.   Reading about science in practice can help you learn how professional scientists investigate the natural world, and how the scientific community functions. Reading about professional scientists may also illuminate a path to a science career, de-mystify aspects of the research process, answer questions, or spark new questions.

 I will provide profiles of scientists working in that area of research. The list will include scientists from the past, as well as scientist in different stages of their careers.  Each scientist profile will have a picture and a set of links you can click on to learn about their personal lives, professional work, and academic/career journeys.  Read or watch any of the resources linked that you like. You do not need to use all of them - choose what interests you most.  Feel free to search additional information if you wish to. 

You will choose one scientist to learn more about.  After exploring the provided resources, you will write a 350 word or more reflection with your responses to what you read/listened to/watched. You can reflect in any way you want. Some suggestions if you need ideas to get started: 

  • What was most interesting or most confusing about what you read?
  • What did you learn about the research area your chosen scientist studies?
  • What did you learn about the types of people who do science?
  • What new questions do you have after reading about this scientist?
  • How did learning about this scientist make you feel about science? 

Rubric

Criteria:

  • Demonstrates that you have read/watched/listened to at least two of the resources provided about one of the scientists
  • Is at least 350 words
  • Contains your own thoughts or reactions, not just factual information about the scientist

Grading:

  • 12 points - thorough and thoughtful reflection, includes all three criteria for success
  • 10 points - nearly there.  Nearly contains all three criteria, but somewhat lacking in one of the three 
  • 8 points - reflection is missing one criterion for success
  • 5 points - reflection is missing two criteria for success