Possible Topics for Papers/Talks

Searching for topics and references

Do
- Take advantage of previous relevant work experiences.
- Seek out many sources.
- Start early; see warning about last minute work.
- Use sentence outline to organize each talk or papers.
- Initiate discussion with instructors in person. For Wilkins, Trisch Longbrake (292-2778, email) will make appointments to fit your schedule. For Barrett,contact him before/after class, phone (292-8065) or email Bring your draft sentence outline and references to any meeting.
Don't
- Use only a single source; see warning about single sources.
- Use a textbook as source; find original sources.
- Wait until the last minute.
- Be limited to list below.

Science papers suggestions
Note: only one person per topic; use sentence outline.

These topics are the same as for the talks, but the audiences are different:

paper -- non-technical peers

7/20 minute talk -- classmates in 596

For all three papers (see policy below) you must produce a sentence outline before writing and discuss it with instructors.

Further, the first draft of all papers will be refereed by your class colleagues (and course instructors) to guide your revision of each paper.

Searching for a topic

For short talk, consider a recent scientific idea or discovery as springboard for limiting talk topic. Generally the more concrete and experimental, the better.

For medium paper and talk, the topic must contain both an idea that can be explained to a non-technical audience and enough hard, new science to be interesting to physics majors.

For non-technical audience, imagine a parent, a high-school friend or a (sports) teammate. Such a person should be willing to read a few pages you have written. At the same time, you want them to find something to carry away. The ideal reaction would be

"Wow! I'd heard of the topic, but never thought it could be so simply explained. Thanks."

For your classmates, you want to convey an intriguing, new-to-them idea so clearly, they instinctively ask questions about either the science or a possible application.

Possible sources

From Science, What we don't know: 125 top question
In a more lighthearted vein: NY Times Annual Year in Ideas:

2003 2004 2005
2006, e.g., ambient walkman, boomerang drone, gyroball, robot fielder,
2007 e.g., Airborne wind turbine, best way to deflect an asteroid, electric hockey skate, lightning farms, self-righting object
2008; e.g., biomechanical energy harvester, Brickley engine, Gallons per mile & Gas that's always less than $3 a gallon, Goalkeeper science(?), Smart grids, upside-down demolition,

Here are some recent new "physics ideas" in the last few years

Alternately, looking at what now counts as a great discovery over a longer time span might stimulate you with respect to recent ideas.

Important inventions in last 2000 years.
20th century top engineering achievements
Best idea in a 1000 years.
Top 10 Advances in Materials Science (Material Today, Jan-Feb 2008)
(Note: avoid damaged pdf version.)

At the same time, keep in mind that man has trouble adjusting and using new ideas and technology.

Long -- public policy -- paper suggestions

Policy paper advocates, attacks or defends some specific policy or point of view that leads to an action (or argues against such action) using science-based arguments. The audience of the paper is your classmates. The technical level is that of the talks.

One person per topic
Note: Produce a sentence outline before writing and discuss it with instructors.

Here are some broad areas. Online references are helpful. But don't forget books in the library or any college/university library in the State. While interlibrary loans come quickly (few days), you still should start early gathering references.

Misconduct/fraud in science. See Online Ethics Center for Engineering and Science for references. Under list of its topics is Research Misconduct. Also useful is C K Gunsalus's 1997 CHE article and her full publication list
Nuclear energy for power, radioactive waste storage/reprocessing. There are so many sources. If you have any trouble, consult either instructor who can help you.
Global warming and sudden climate changes. A good place to start NOAA National Climate Data Center that, besides data, has up-to-date articles on climate. See. e.g., NOAA Paleoclimatology.
Alternate energy resources. Again a vast topic on which instructors can help.
Genetic modification. First, you have to limit yourself to smaller topic: plants, stem cells, cloning, ... and then search. A reference librarian can be very helpful. Probably should not undertake if you know very little biology. Be alert to searching outside US as most research is occurring there, except for plants.
Future of science and technology. Since you have your life ahead of you, what do you see as interesting directions? Is the structure of knowledge going to change profoundly -- from strong disciplines to constantly evolving interdisciplinary areas: bioinformatics, nano/bio-technology -- or to efforts so large they can be done only internationally. Is there a place for the single scientist, engineer or inventor? This is so broad that more than one topic can be found in it. The instructors will prevent collisions if you talk to them.
The effect of technology on our "freedom" of actiion. The list is endless -- just ask me. But one we will be hearing more of has to do with restrictions on use of car phones by drivers (or in moving cars at all). A recent NYT article Dismissing the Risks of a Deadly Habit tells how far we have come and how far we have to go. [N.B. This article is copyrighted by MYTimes. Its only purpose here is to get you started looking up source material for anything to write and speak on.]
What else? The above list is not exclusive. Instead it is aimed at topics that might not come to your mind immediately. Any subject on which a policy can be formulated and which involves science/technology is possible. Check with instructors as you are considering topics.
Your comments and suggestions are appreciated.
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Possible Topics for Papers/Talks
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[Saturday, 07-Nov-2009 23:41:40 EST]

Edited by: wilkins@mps.ohio-state.edu on Sunday, 19-Jul-2009 18:27:05 EDT