Honors Chemistry and Honors Physics

There are a wide variety of sources from which you, as honors level science students, can choose summer reading assignments.  These may be available from bookstores, online, news stands and/or at your local libraries.  The MRHS library may also be able to help you.

Choose two articles related to your course from the New York Times Science Section found in Tuesdays’ editions.  One must be from July and one from August.  You should also write an original reflection on two additional journal articles concerning an aspect of science.  These are to be from professional journals of your choosing.  One must be from a July issue and the second from an August issue.  Examples of such journals include Discovery, Scientific American and Popular Mechanics.  You must include a copy of the newspaper article itself and the journal article with your typed assignment.

You must type your reflections on each with a critique.  Each must be a minimum of 2 full page (to the top of the 3rd page) in 12-point font, Arial or Times New Roman, double-spaced and in MLA format.  Your reflection is not simply a summary of the general content.  Express your thoughts and feelings about the content.  What made it a good read or a difficult one?  Is it appropriate for an honors level course?  Does it fit into the realm of your particular course as your understand it?  Is it also suited for other courses besides yours?  Which one(s) and why?  These few questions should get you started on the reflection, but you can go further in your writing.

Each reflection is worth 50 points toward a marking period grade.  The four assignments must be completed and handed in on the first day of classes, September 9, 2009.

Honors Biology

There are a wide variety of sources from which you, as honors level science students, can choose summer reading assignments.  These may be available from bookstores, online, news stands and/or at your local libraries.  The MRHS library may also be able to help you.

Choose two articles related to your course from the New York Times Science Section found in Tuesdays’ editions.  One must be from July and one from August.  You should also write an original reflection on two additional journal articles concerning an aspect of science.  These are to be from professional journals of your choosing.  One must be from a July issue and the second from an August issue.  Examples of such journals include Discovery, Scientific American and Popular Mechanics.  You must include a copy of the newspaper article itself and the journal article with your typed assignment.

You must type your reflections on each with a critique.  Each must be a minimum of 1 full page (to the top of the 2nd page) in 12-point font, Arial or Times New Roman, double-spaced and in MLA format.  Your reflection is not simply a summary of the general content.  Express your thoughts and feelings about the content.  What made it a good read or a difficult one?  Is it appropriate for an honors level course?  Does it fit into the realm of your particular course as your understand it?  Is it also suited for other courses besides yours?  Which one(s) and why?  These few questions should get you started on the reflection, but you can go further in your writing.

Each reflection is worth 50 points toward a marking period grade.  The four assignments must be completed and handed in on the first day of classes, September 9, 2009.