Picture
Mr. Willan's Grade 8 Project

ADOPT-AN-ELEMENT



RESOURCES

BOOKS:   
  • Use the books on the trolley.  You can search for other print resources by going to the library software at http://library.vsb.bc.ca and select "Vancouver Technical Secondary". 
  • Log in at the upper left using your student number and password. 
  • Select the "Catalog" tab and specify Vancouver Technical Secondary to search for additional books in our library. 
  • Remember to look for keywords, websites and other possible book resources in the books on the trolley.  
  •  A Works Cited list / Bibliography from a book can be a great source of additional resources.


DATABASES:  Accessible from the Home tab once logged into the library software (  http://library.vsb.bc.ca ).
Helpful databases may include:​
  • EBSCO
  • ​SCIENCE IN CONTEXT
  • WORLD BOOK ONLINE
Use keywords found in books and other resources to help with your searches.  Remember, databases may have links to other helpful resources on your topic.
​


USEFUL WEBSITES:  Below is a list of websites you may find helpful.  ​Remember, a good website may have links to other resources on your topic.  If you discover any other great websites during your research, let us know and we may be able to post them here.  ​​


​
Under the HOME tab of this website, go to "Library Links" and use the "Website Evaluation and Searching Tips" section , to help you determine if you can rely on an unknown website. 

​WORKS  CITED
There are several possible MLA8 citation generators for your Works Cited list, such as,  easybib.com , BibMe , Citation Machine or the World Book Citation Builder. Select Manual Entry mode when using a citation generator as this will also teach you how to read a citation.
  • format your page using Times New Roman 12, double-spacing, hanging indents and alphabetical order














​
​
​


​


​

​Mr. Willan's Projects
Science 10  Chemistry is in your Life Inquiry

​STEPS OF INQUIRY

BCTLA’s Framework for Inquiry

Connect and Wonder
  • Activate prior knowledge specific to a topic 
  • Ask questions related to a topic
  • Identify an issue worthy of investigation
  • Respond to new ideas using a variety of strategies and tools
  • Predict and hypothesize 
  • Ask focus questions related to aspects of the topic or issue
  • Ask a question that will generate meaningful inquiry and that is interesting and worth answering 


Investigate 
  • Evaluate resources and information critically for perspective, purpose, currency, authority, relevance, coverage, and quality
  • Check for reliability and credibility of a source
  • Understand the differences between various tools and resources for searching, and use each appropriately
  • Prioritize resources by usefulness
  • Use different kinds of resources to expand and verify information
  • Interpret information from graphic representations, statistics, and media sources develop graphic organizers to record and organize information
  • Use information responsibly
  • Report sources in a Works Cited format
(See page 9 of the Inquiry Framework...tools to use.)


Construct
  • Identify supporting details and understand how they are used to support a point of view or thesis write a précis; write a clear thesis statement  (Click here for a sample of a Precis, despite a few grammatical errors)
  • Develop a working plan or outline that supports the main idea and organizes the subtopics or supporting details logically
  • Adapt an inquiry plan to own learning style
  • Find and use newly available online tools
  • Use a variety of note-taking strategies to develop paragraphs in own words
  • Consider and select an appropriate product for presentation
Express

Reflect
​
​

Citation Information

Remember to complete a Works Cited Page for all the books and websites you used to complete your project.  
Click on the following link entitled, "Steps on completing a Works Cited Page."   



​Articles with General Information  



  • SPACER

Narrowing your focus:  Topics and Websites
Please begin your research with World Book Online. This is a good general starting point with images, maps, statistics and external related links.  There is also a built-in citation generator to assist you with your Works Cited page.

Articles with General Information
What is Chemistry?
What has chemistry ever done for you?
Examples of Chemistry in your life
The Hidden Chemistry in Everyday Life
Chemicals in our life Science News
Royal Society of Chemistry
Greenpeace

Aboriginal World Views and  Perspectives in the Classroom
​​

Picture
Food
​


Forensics
Glass

Medical Advances
Paint
Resource Extraction and Processing (Mining, Fracking, Oil)
Smartphones ​
Synthetic Compounds (Plastics, asphalt, concrete or clothing)​
Transportation
Water Treatment

Science 8--Water Cycle Project:  Follow a Water Drop

Picture

Science 9 Astronomy Assignment

Use the general astronomy links on the library's Science Resources page, the World Book Online, and the books on the trolley.

The websites below will be useful for specific topics:

How Astronomers Use the Light SpectrumOptical & Radio Telescopes (Their Forms and Functions)Constellations & GalaxiesMass Matters--High and Low Mass StarsThe Sun (Furnace Properties)Asteroids, Meteors and CometsDistances, Time, and the Size of the UniverseSpace Technology (Robotics--Satellites, Probes & Rovers)Space TransportAboriginal Knowledge of Astronomy

Science 10--Human Impact on Ecosystems Project

Picture
Mangroves, Papua New Guinea. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. Photographer: Natalieragan

TOOLS:


Use CITATION MAKER to create your works cited list.

RESOURCES:


DATABASES:
Go to Van Tech Library's Databases page and log into the following databases
  • Global Issues in Context  (For a long list of topics, click on the "Environment" category on the home page.  You can also search for the articles on specific topics, e.g. DEFORESTATION.   Another useful strategy is to search for more general topics such as AGRICULTURE or FORESTS and use the sidebars to find information on environmental impacts.)
  • EBSCOHost (Database of magazine and newspaper articles.)
                Look here for examples of human impact on the B.C. environment.  Some possible searches:
                                           "environmental degradation" "british columbia"
                                           "environmental protection" "british columbia"
                                             pollut* "british columbia"
                                            mining environment* "british columbia"
                                           "endangered species" "british columbia"
                                           "climate change" "british columbia"
               Also look for broader articles using searches such as the following:
                                           "ecosystem health"
                                           "endangered ecosystems"
                                           biodiversity threat*
                                           "enviromental degradation"
                                           "ecological disturbances"
                                           "environmental degradation"
                                           "conservation and wildlife"
                                            "biodiversity conservation"
                                            habitat loss
                                            wetlands
                                           "boreal forest*"
​               Find articles on particular species using the following types of searches:
                                           "grizzly bear*" "british columbia" (endanger* or threat* or conservation)
                                            elephant* africa* (endanger* or threat* or conservation)​
USEFUL WEB SITES:AGRICULTUREDRIVINGTOURISMFISHINGFORESTRYMINING & ENERGY