MODEL PROJECT 0:

Objects in a Bag

 

Model Building Instructions: This exercise will be explained to you in class on the day of the project. No preparation is required.

 

Questions for Discussion (on Tues Sept 1st)

 

  1. Are any of the models you built correct representations of the objects in the bag? To what degree?
  2. Can a model be perfect? (this is a purposefully vague question. Define your terms and take a stab at answering)
  3. If a model is not perfect, can it still be useful? Why or why not?
  4. Is this exercise a good analogy to scientific work? Discuss ways in which you think it is and ways in which it is not.  
  5. What is the point of this exercise within the context of a nanoscience course?
  6. If you had to rebuild one of your models from memory a week from now, do you think you would be as successful if you had just seen a picture of your model (not built it)?  Why or why not?

 

 

 

Write-up(Due Sept 6th)

Provide brief answers to the following questions. Be succinct. A few sentences should be sufficient but feel free to explore ideas that interest you and pose questions within your write-up.

 

  1. How did you communicate with your partners about the structure of the object?
  2. Were the models redone after discussion with other groups?
  3. Did you use what you would call “creativity” in solving your model problem?
  4. How do you think this process compares to actual scientific work? 

 

  1. Take a look at the Power Point Presentation of all of the DNA models/pictures (available on the projects page under MPO). Write down brief answers to the questions we discussed in class.

a) Which Model/Picture is “best” and why do you think so?

 

b) Describe what “best” means in this case or use some other word that you think is more appropriate.

 

c) Which Model/Picture do you think is different than the rest? Describe in what way you think it is different.

 

Additional Assigned Problem: NanoCalculation # 1.

Estimate the number of atoms in a human body.

How does this compare to the current estimate for number of stars in the universe?