Description
1. Our bodies use many different forms of energy; including thermal, mechanical, electrical, and chemical. Can we harness this energy and use it for medical advances? Read this article about how the body could power implantable devices. What are your initial thoughts about this idea? What energy process do you feel would work best and why? What are potential drawbacks and concerns with this idea?
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Question A Review the noise exposure limits in the workplace for the United States under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Do you feel these standards are adequate to protect employees? Why, or why not? Hearing protection may require availability, but not necessarily use. Is this an adequate standard? Question B It seems that everything is online these days, however there may be limits. After reviewing the information in Chapter 7 about our eye function, discuss your views about online eye exams. Would you receive prescription glasses or contacts from an online eye test? What are the benefits and risks of this type of test? |
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3. Question A
Laser use is becoming more common within our daily lives. From medical use to development with weapons, their use is fairly common in the news. Find a recent article about the use of lasers in our lives. Choose an article that has not been posted by another classmate. Do you agree with this use? What are the pros and cons of this use?
Question B
Do you think nuclear power is a productive idea, or a danger to the environment? Try to find as much information as possible to support the opposing viewpoint (i.e., if you think nuclear power is dangerous, find all relevant scientific publications that suggests its relative safety, and vice versa).
4. Question A
New plastics are being created from corn and soybeans and these plastics break down when exposed to air and water. In what ways will the environment benefit from these biodegradable plastics? Should our government mandate the use of materials that biodegrade once their useful life is over? Why or why not?
Question B
With the use of science, we are designing, developing and manufacturing of new materials for our use. Research a newly developed material, and discuss the properties and use of this material. What are the pros and cons of this product?
5. Question A
Why do we have daylight savings time? Do you feel we should continue to change our times? Explain the pros and cons.
Question B
In the United States, the space program continues to change. Is continued space exploration still a worthy investment of U.S. resources? Why or why not? Which areas of space exploration are best to invest in or make cuts to NASA’s budget? Should space travel be privatized where it could become profitable and not founded solely on the government budget?
6. Question A
Why is there so much discussion about climate change and global warming? Do you feel that humans are to blame? Is this a natural phenomenon? Explain your views.
Question B
Who says we cant change the weather? Cloud seeding is a method used to enhance the clouds ability to produce precipitation. Does this really work? What are the pros and cons of this activity?
7. Question A
Review and reflect on what you have learned over the past 8 weeks. Identify and discuss what the most practical and easily applied lesson you learned was. Also, discuss which lesson was the hardest for you to grasp? Why?
Question B
Investigate the controversy over the environmental impacts of fracking (hydraulic fracturing) as a way of producing natural gas. Why is this such a controversial activity? What are the benefits and risks?
