Chemistry

Chapter 20 (7.5 points)

Research Study of Radon Gas

in the Cedar Valley

This is a long-term research project, scheduled to be completed by March 6^th. The project is worth a maximum of 7.5 points and will be part of your chapter 20 score. The chapter 20 score totals are as follows: Quiz = 4.0, Responsibility = 2.0, Chapter written work = 2.5, radon research project = 7.5 points. Your tasks are outlined below.

Part I: Informational brochure on radon (3.3 points)

Conduct research using the internet to find information about radon. Present your information in the form of an informational brochure. This brochure should be designed to be helpful to residents of the Cedar Valley. Below is a list of the minimum information you should include in your brochure. These items are in no particular order. It is your job to develop a logical way in which to present the information to readers. Remember, you are writing the brochure so the average citizen of this area will want to read it and so they will understand it!

· Explain the science of radon exposure. Be sure to include an explanation of the type of radioactive particles involved and what specific effects they have on the body.

· What is the "acceptable" level of radon in air?

· How often is indoor radon a problem in Iowa?

· How does radon get into a building?

· Can the radon level in a building's air be predicted based on factors such as location, year home was built, and structure and condition of the home?

· Where can I get more information about radon issues?

· How does Iowa compare to other states in terms of radon danger?

· Why should I test my home for radon?

· Who can test a building for radon?

· What kinds of test devices are used?

· Where in the home should testing be done?

· What is a "picocurie" (pCi)?

· If a test result is less than 4 pCi/L, what should be done next?

· If an initial short-term test results in 4pCi/L or higher, what should be done next?

Part II: Magazine Article (4.2 points)

BEGIN BY ANALYZING THE DATA:

You have received a printed copy of the radon data from the Cedar Valley homes tested. This same data is also on the chemistry webpage in a format that you may copy and use for making graphs. Following the instructions given in class, open the excel file and calculate the average radon level of the homes tested. Then analyze the data for these three variables:

· Year the home was built: What is the average radon levels found in homes older than 1950? In homes built between 1950 and 1990? In homes built between 1991 and present?

· Presence of cracks in basement: What is the average radon levels found in homes with floor cracks? What is the average radon levels found in homes with wall cracks?

· Basement depth: What is the average radon level of homes with deep basements compared to homes with shallow basements (less than 5 feet)?

If you do not have access to excel at home, you may use the mobile lab computers in science to complete the analysis. Reorganize the data in a way that will allow you to prepare and print data tables in which you present the average data for EACH of the three variables. Then use excel to make a graph for EACH variable. Both the data tables and the graphs must be included in your newspaper article.

WRITE A MAGAZINE ARTICLE:

The purpose of this article is to provide you with a forum in which to present your data to the public. Writing the article will strengthen your writing skills and your data analysis skills.

Write a magazine article that explains what we did, what we found, and how this can help residents of the Cedar Valley. As part of your article, include the average radon levels of all of the homes tested. Also include the three data tables and graphs summarizing the data on the three variables explored. Make a conclusion about any relationships you discover between the variables and the radon levels. You might want to look at a magazine such as Time or Newsweek on another subject to get an idea of a good format.

Be sure to look at the grading rubric to make certain you are including all of the requirements.

Radon Informational Brochure

3.3 points

Name:

Category	Score	Comments
Colorful/Creative (0.4)
Organization (0.4)
Adequate/accurate information included
* What is radon? (0.5)
* Science of radon exposure (0.5)
* How radon enters building (0.2)
* How to detect it (0.2)
* IA/Cedar Valley info included (0.4)
* What are high levels? (0.2)
* How to fix it (0.3)
* Where to get more information (0.2)
Total (3.3 points)

Grading Rubric for Radon Magazine Article

4.2 points possible

Part 1:

Introduction

· General overview is provided of how and where the data was collected.

· Basic information about radon is included: brief overview of the science of radon, the dangers of radon, how it gets in the home, how it is measured, what are high levels, and how to fix it.

· Importance of finding radon levels in your home and fixing high levels is effectively communicated.

· General overview of how and where the data was collected is missing 1-2 key pieces of info.

· Basic information about radon is included, but 2-3 of the following are not included: brief overview of the science of radon, the dangers of radon, how it gets in the home, how it is measured, what are high levels, and how to fix it.

· Importance of finding radon levels in your home is communicated but the importance of fixing high levels is not effectively communicated.

· General overview is provided of how and where the data was collected.

· Basic information about radon is included, but four or more of the following are not included: brief overview of the science of radon, the dangers of radon, how it gets in the home, how it is measured, what are high levels and how to fix it.

· There is no mention of the importance of finding radon levels in your home and fixing them..

Part 2: Presentation of data

· Average radon value and sample size is included for the entire data set.

· One data table and graph are included for each variable.

· All parts of the data tables and graphs are clearly labeled.

· Data was correctly analyzed.

· Average radon value is included.

· Only 2 of the required 3 tables and graphs are included.

· All tables and graphs are included, but the labeling is poor or they are incorrectly constructed.

· Average radon value is not included.

· One or fewer data tables and graphs are included.

· Labeling of the table and/or graph is poor or graphs are incorrectly constructed.

Part 3:

Conclusions

· Discussion as to whether or not it is possible to predict radon levels based on our 3 variables.

· Reader is told where to get additional information.

· There is a discussion of the predictive ability of the data, but one or more of the conclusions is inconsistent with the data.

· Reader is told where to get additional information, but the sources are not the best.

· There is no discussion of the predictive power of our data.

· Not information is provided on where to seek additional radon information.

Writing

· Article is interesting & engaging.

· Article is organized in a logical sequence.

· Catchy title

· Correct spelling, punctuation & grammar

· Work neatly presented & visually interesting & easy to read.

· Article is interesting and engaging.

· Some sequencing is confusing to the reader.

· Title is descriptive, but not creative

· 2-3 errors in spelling, grammar or punctuation.

· Work neatly presented & visually easy to read.

· Article is dull.

· Organization is lacking, leaving reader confused.

· Paper has no title.

· 5 or more errors in spelling, grammar or punctuation.

· Work visually confusing &/or is hard to read.

Total score: (Scores will be adjusted to fit the 4.2 points possible for this assignment): ____________________