Web Links
Click on the chapter that interests you for a menu of related websites.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Unit 1: Chemistry at Work and Home
Chapter 1: Chemistry Around Us
Section 1.1 Bonding, page 7
One of the solvents used in the dry-cleaning industry is perchloroethylene.
What other solvents are used to remove stains? Are these solvents polar
or non-polar? Should you dry clean clothing made of microfibre materials?
Why or why not?
Dry
Cleaning?What Is It?
The Michigan Institute of Laundering & Drycleaning gives a clear
overview of the dry-cleaning process, and mentions some of the solvents
used.
How
Dry Cleaning Works
This “How Stuff Works” page gives an excellent outline of
the dry-cleaning process. Select “Industry Trends” from
the menu on the right, to find out about an alternative to perc.
Textile
Care Technology Spectra and Care Labeling Issues
Scroll down to II, A, 1. Non-aqueous Textile Cleaning, for some hints
on the polar nature of dry-cleaning solvents.
SCOTTeVEST
Clothing Comparison Chart
This is part of an on-line catalogue. Click on the “+” signs
on the “Fabric” line, to find out what the clothing is made
of, and how it should be laundered.
Skea
2002-2003 Fabric Information
Many of Skea’s fabrics contain microfibre. Read the care instructions
and see if you can detect a pattern.
Beautiful
British Columbia Magazine?Adult Clothing
The jackets advertised here are made from a blend that includes microfibre.
The care instructions are provided.
Integral
Designs Sleeping Bags
This manufacturer gives lots of information of what their sleeping bags
are made of, and how they should be cleaned. Look under “Caring
For Your Primaloft Bag.”
Section 1.3 Job Link: Plastics Processing Machine Operator,
page 20
Find four careers related to that of a plastics processing machine
operator.
Job
Futures: Machine Operators and Related Workers in Chemical, Plastic,
and Rubber Processing
Whether it’s manufacturing pharmaceuticals or extruding rubber
hoses, there are many opportunities for machine operators.
Job
Futures: Machine Operators and Related Workers in Textile Processing
From making synthetic fibres, through the knitting or weaving and dyeing
processes, to the final inspection of the fabric, workers in the textile
processing industry are likely to be handling a lot of polymers.
TVO
CareerMatters: Rubber Processing Machine Operators
If you want to make products from plant sap, this could be the job for
you.
CareerDoWell:
Plastics Industry
This career site gives an overview of the plastics industry and the
types of jobs that are associated with the industry.
Workopolis
Job Search
Type “plastics” into the keyword box and click on “Search”
to find out what jobs are available in this field today.
Chapter 2: Applying Chemistry
Section 2.3 Getting Rid of Dirt, page 50
Besides the saponification of fats and oils to make soap, there is
another soap-making process. It involves the neutralization of fatty
acids with a base. Find out how this process works. Create a table comparing
and contrasting the two methods of soap making.
Cranberry
Lane Soap Making Instructions
Cranberry Lane is a company that sells kits for making soap at home.
Their website gives rather lengthy instructions on the process.
The
Soap and Detergent Association: Soap Chemistry
Colourful diagrams help explain how fatty acid molecules are neutralized
with either sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide to make neat soap.
Environmental
Chemistry: Soaps and Detergents
Scroll down to “III. Synthesis A. Soaps” for chemical diagrams
of the two methods of soap making: hydrolysis of fatty esters and hydrolysis
of fatty acids.
Chapter 3: Sound Production
Section 3.3 Job Link: Interview with a Sound Technician, page
96
Find out what materials would be required to build a recording studio
in the basement of a house.
Acoustics
First: Materials to Control Sound and Eliminate Noise
This commercial US site describes the various materials (and their properties)
that would be useful inside a home recording studio.
Building
Your Cottage Recording Studio
The word “cottage” is used here in the same way as it is
in “cottage industry,” so don’t worry if you don’t
have a cottage! Although this author recommends using a garage, rather
than a basement, for a home recording studio, many of his suggestions
would be suitable for either.
Practical
Guidelines for Building a Sound Studio
Bear in mind that this site is owned by a manufacturer of acoustic materials,
so the advice may not always be unbiased. You may also have to do a
lot of reading to extract the information you want. Nevertheless, by
clicking on the various pages along the top, you will find some good
suggestions.
Studio
SOS
This entertaining article focusses on modifying a home recording studio
in Turkey, using no money but lots of Turkish rugs, some soft drink
bottles, and a couple of cats!
Chapter 4: Communication Using Waves
Section 4.3: Job Link: Hospital Telecommunications, page 125
Wireless technology has become increasingly common. What is the difference
between a cell phone and a satellite phone? Create a data table comparing
the two types of phones. Include any relevant diagrams or pictures.
HowStuffWorks.com:
How Cell Phones Work
This excellent site describes what a cellular phone, or cell phone,
is and how it works. Find out about cells, roaming, microprocessors,
and digital. You can even see a photograph of a cell-phone tower designed
to look like a tree?sort of! The most relevant pages on this site are:
The Cell Approach; From Cell to Cell; Cell Phones and CBs; Inside a
Cell Phone; Along Comes Digital; and Cell-Phone Towers.
eBuyGuru.com:
Operations of the mobile phone and the cellular network
This fairly short article briefly describes what mobile or cell phones
are, and how they work.
The
World at our Fingertips
This web page?part of a Canadian/Tamil website?provides a fairly good
overview of the technology involved in using satellites for communication.
ON
Magazine: A Cell Phone that can Talk to Satellites
This informal review of a satellite was written by a reporter in the
heart of New York. He explains why, in his circumstances, a cell phone
would be a better choice than a satellite phone.
Geostationary
(and Other) Orbits
Scroll down to the heading “GEO System for Personal Communication,”
nearly half-way through the page. There you can find out about the type
of satellite orbit that is most useful for personal satellite phone
communications.
Globalstar
Canada: Frequently Asked Questions
Globalstar is a company that sells satellite phones and services. Their
website answers many questions about satellite phones, including “Do
satellite phones work just like cell phones?”
Unit 3: Medical Technology
Chapter 5: Medical Technology and Genetic Disorders
Section 5.2 Genetics and Human Health, page 156
Find out more about Klinefelter syndrome. What are the symptoms of
this disorder? How is it detected? Is there a treatment?
Living
with Klinefelter Syndrome
Stefan tells his story of growing up with KS, but not knowing about
his condition until he was 25 years old.
I’m
Not Fat, I’m Deformed: Klinefelter’s Syndrome and Me
David’s story is remarkably similar to Stefan’s. Their interest
in computers, as well as the similarities in their learning styles,
is quite striking. David’s report of his late diagnosis is startling
considering, as he points out, that this is quite a common disorder.
What
is XXY?
This Canadian site gives brief factual information on what it means
to have an extra X chromosome, and points out that not all boys with
the extra chromosome will develop all (or any) of the symptoms of Klinefelter’s
syndrom.
American
Association of Klinefelter Syndrome Information and Support
This brochure, produced by AAKSIS, gives some general information about
Klinefelter, or XXY, syndrome.
Klinefelter’s
Syndrome Association: Physical Characteristics
This British site gives no-nonsense information on the visible signs
that a boy may have KS, and what treatments are available.
Section 5.3 Biotechnology, page 159
Find out more about how cloning is being used to help bring back the
numbers of endangered species.
Cloning:
Bringing Back Endangered Species
This article, first published in Applied Genetics News in October, 2000,
is very positive about the possibility of implanting fertilized eggs
from an endangered species into a domestic animal, and having them develop
normally. There is even a suggestion that scientists might be able to
bring back extinct species, if they have the necessary genetic material.
Cloning
Endangered Species
This highly emotional article on The Primate Care Site is strongly in
favour of cloning as a way to preserve species that appear to be heading
towards extinction.
Stopping
Extinction: Cloning Endangered Species May Be Viable
Both sides of the argument?for and against cloning endangered species?are
given in this ABC News article.
Cloning
Endangered Species
Here is a less positive view from the University of New South Wales
in Australia, giving reasons why cloning may not be the answer to the
extinction problem.
Mammoth
Hopes Rest on Icy DNA
If we can clone endangered species, will it be possible to clone extinct
species? Japanese scientists are attempting to locate some undamaged
mammoth cells and breed a herd of mammoths.
DNA
Banks Urged to Save Species
If we are going to clone animals of the verge of extinction, we are
going to need samples of their DNA?and preferably samples from several
individuals. This BBC News article quotes both scientists who are in
favour of this proposal and those who have reservations.
Section 5.3 Biotechnology, page 164
DNA evidence has been used to free some Canadians who were wrongfully
convicted of murder. Who were these individuals? Find out how DNA fingerprinting
helps the courts to convict the right person. Prepare a point-form summary
of your findings.
CBC
News Backgrounder: Wrongly Convicted
The CBC presents a short article, naming just a few of the people who
have been wrongly convicted of murder in Canada.
CBC
News Backgrounder: Crime, Punishment & DNA
When is DNA evidence useful and when is it not, in the courtroom? How
has it helped Milgaard, Morin, and Sophonow? Could DNA analysis be useful
in other circumstances? These questions and more are answered in the
CBC’s article.
Parties
Make Arresting Proposals for DNA
The author of this article, Jonathan Kimmelman, is a Research Associate
at the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives in Manitoba. He brings
his expertise to the challenging issue of how much the courts should
rely on DNA evidence.
Globeandmail.com:
DNA Database Leads to Arrest in 1991 Attack
There seemed to be no reason to link a criminal, convicted of attacks
in Brampton, to an assault in Toronto in 1991?until his DNA was matched
to the scene of the crime. This article promotes the need for a national
database of criminals’ DNA.
Chapter 6: Medical Advances
Section 6.1: Types of Diagnostic Technology, page 173
Some tools that were developed for medical purposes are also used in
other workplaces. For example, airport personnel scan passengers’
luggage using devices based on technology similar to that of X-ray radiation
and CAT scans. Find out how these machines work.
HowStuffWorks:
How Airport Security Works
Scroll down to the photograph of the X-ray machine for carry-on luggage,
and read all about how the machine works. The diagrams will help you
understand the physics of this useful piece of airport security equipment.
Einstein’s
Legacy: X-Rays
Here you will find everything you wanted to know about X-rays and Computed
Axial Tomography (CAT) scans, clearly explained and illustrated. To
go to related pages, click on “Electromagnetic Radation”
and “CAT Scans” at the bottom of the page.
Airport
International: Advances in X-Ray Security
Have you ever seen an X-ray picture of a truck? This site introduces
the idea of using huge X-ray machines that can scan large crates, freight
containers, and even entire trucks.
CT
Scanners
Clear text and diagrams explain how computer tomography (CT) scanners
are used to look for individual objects inside a suspicious bag. They
are slower than X-ray scanners, but more thorough.
Section 6.2: Technology for Medical Treatment, page 176
Diabetes affects the body’s ability to process glucose, a sugar
found in blood. Many diabetics have to monitor their blood sugar levels
several times a day. How can diabetics monitor their blood sugar levels?
Things
You Should Know About Type 1 Diabetes
The Canadian Diabetes Association’s website provides lots of information
about diabetes. If you scroll down to the heading “Keeping Your
Blood Sugar on the Level,” you will be able to read about testing
your glucose levels.
Diabetes
Treatment: Regulating High Blood Sugar
This website is run be NCE Health Care Sites. Read the paragraph under
the heading “Keeping Informed: Monitoring Blood Glucose Levels.”
Juvenile
Diabetes Foundation Canada: Monitoring Your Blood Sugar
This brochure, written for young people with diabetes, discusses several
ways in which blood sugar levels can be checked.
On-line
Diabetes Resources Part 14: Blood Glucose Meters
This site links to many manufacturers’ sites, so you can compare
many different kinds of blood sugar monitoring devices.
OneTouch
Meters
This commercial site advertises its line of blood glucose meters for
diabetics.
New
Technologies Take the Ouch Out of Blood Sugar Checks
While the “traditional” method of testing blood sugar levels
has been to obtain a drop of blood from a finger, there are now various
technologies that can monitor glucose levels with less pain.
Section 6.3: Spare Parts, page 188
Some deaf activists say that cochlear implants threaten deaf culture.
What do you think about this issue? Find out more about the debate over
cochlear implants and deaf culture.
Articles
by Roger Carver
Roger Carver is an advocate for deaf culture and has very strong views
on whether children should be “forced” to understand speech
and to speak themselves. He has written many articles. The two most
relevant to your research topic are “Deaf Culture or Deaf Experience?”
and “Informed Choices.”
About
the Cochlear Implant
The Lippy Group for Ear, Nose and Throat is a medical company that performs
surgeries, including cochlear implants. As you might expect, their website
has a rather “pro-implant” bias.
Cochlear
Implants and Deaf Culture
This short piece tries to give both sides of the issue by looking at
two different individual situations. However, it does appear to favour
the use of cochlear implants.
Section 6.3: Spare Parts, page 192
Find out more about what procedures of plastic surgery are available,
how they are performed, and what risks are involved.
Reshape
Your Future FAQ
This is an information/advertising site run by an organization that
does cosmetic plastic surgery. Of course, they tend to promote their
business, but they also outline some of the concerns.
Plastic
Surgery Information Service
This site, although it promotes reconstructive and cosmetic plastic
surgery, gives lots of useful information on the various procedures.
Click on one of the four options near the bottom of the page to find
out about specific surgeries.
Time
Asia: Nip and Tuck
Time magazine’s feature on the booming cosmetic plastic surgery
industry in Asia might make you think twice before visiting one of the
hundreds of clinics catering to this trade.
Facial
Plastic Surgery: The Face to Face Outreach Programs
Plastic surgery isn’t always about vanity. There are many people
who, because of birth defects, illness, or accident, have facial deformities
that make it hard for them to function in the outside world. Several
groups of plastic surgeons and nurses volunteer their time to help these
people. This website describes just one of these groups.
Unit 4: Gardening, Horticulture, Landscaping, and Forestry
Chapter 7: Plants
Section 7.2: Plant Growth, page 218
In addition to light, water, temperature, and nutrients, seed producers
also have to provide conditions to ensure that flowers are pollinated
(pollen transferred from one flower to another). If pollination does
not occur, seeds do not form. How do seed producers encourage flower
pollination?
Honey
Bees Key to Hybrid Canola Seed Production
This short article tells the story of one beekeeper who has turned his
focus from honey production to crop pollination.
Ginseng
Production in Ontario
This Ontario Ministry of Agriculture document tells you all you need
to know about growing ginseng. You will find the most relevant information
under the heading “The Plant.”
Vegetable
Seed Production: Tomato
This entire article, produced by the Department of Horticulture and
Crop Science at Ohio State University, is about growing tomatoes for
their seeds. The section about pollination is under the subheading “Reproductive.”
Red
Clover Seed Production
The Alberta Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development’s
document is very clearly written. You will find the section entitled
“Pollination” to be the most relevant to your research.
Inbreeding
Depression and Hybrid Vigor
Sometimes it is important for a seed producer to make sure that the
pollen comes from a different plant?not the plant that will produce
the seeds. To do this, part of the flower must be removed before it
can self-pollinate. This article (part of a lecture series called “Genetics
for Seed Savers”) clearly explains the technique for pollinating
a flower by hand.
Chapter 8: Working with Nature
Section 8.1: Gardens Provide Habitats, page 232
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada provides an electronic map of Canada’s
plant hardiness zones. Which hardiness zone do you line in?
Plant
Hardiness Zones Map
This is the official map of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Click
on your area for an enlarged view.
Plant
Hardiness Zones
This large map, on the site of the Canadian Forestry Service, takes
a while to load so be patient!
Section 8.1: Gardens Provide Habitats, page 236
Organic gardens are gardens in which no human-made chemical products
are used. Find the costs and benefits of organic gardening.
What
is Organic Gardening?
Scroll down to “Part Two?How It Is Done.” This “question
and answer” format addresses many of the questions that “traditional”
gardeners have about organic gardening.
Organic
Landscape Alliance
Written for owners of landscaping companies that look after people’s
gardens, this Toronto-based website gives many reasons why it is better
to “go organic”.
Organic
Gardening in the Backyard
This site, published by the University of Nebraska, makes it clear that
organic gardening requires a bit more thought than gardening with chemicals.
There are some useful hints on how to reduce pests, cut down on watering,
and produce healthy plants.
Organic
Gardening Pros and Cons
More a “how to” guide than a debate over the merits and
drawbacks of organic gardening, this article gives practical advice
on how to grow plants without pesticides and fertilizers.
Pros
and Cons of Spraying
One gardener asks a specific question about controlling black spot on
her roses. The answers that she gets on this forum site give a range
of opinions about using, or not using, chemicals.
Perennial
Pesticide Debate Springs to Life
This article truly tries to give both sides of the argument.
Section 8.1: Gardens Provide Habitats, page 238
Horticulture (growing plants for flowers) is a growing field in more
than one sense. Horticulturalists are expected to be in demand for some
time to come. Find out what kinds of work are available in your area.
What qualifications are needed? Would you like to work in horticulture?
Why or why not?
Horticulturist
Kris Nicolaison works at a plant nursery in British Columbia. This short
profile explains how she started her job, what she likes about it, and
some of the drawbacks.
NOC
8254 Nursery and Greenhouse Operators and Managers
Ontario Job Futures 2000 has information on hundreds of different careers.
This page tells you what it takes to operate or manage a flower-growing
operation, including the main duties, necessary education, employment
prospects, and average annual income.
NOC
8432 Nursery and Greenhouse Workers
This is a page on the federal government’s Human Resources Development
Canada website, classifying and describing many different types of jobs.
This page clearly explains the work environment, duties, and employment
requirements for working in a nursery or a greenhouse.
Agricultural
Labour Pool
This is a resource for people looking for work in the agriculture industry.
Click on the green “Job Seekers” panel to see if there are
any jobs in nurseries or horticulture.
Section 8.3: Forestry?Managing the Ultimate Garden
In 1999, 352 000 people across Canada were directly employed by the
forestry industry. What kinds of work are available in this industry?
What companies in your province offer employment in the forestry industry?
NOC
8241 Logging Machinery Operators
This is the job that most people think about when they think of forestry
in Canada in the twenty-first century. The Human Resources Development
Canada (HRDC) page outlines what to expect if you decide to enter this
career. Click on “Classification Structure 8” at the bottom
of the page to also find information on 8421 Chainsaw and Skidder Operators,
and 8422 Silviculture and Forestry Workers.
The
Treeplanting Web Page
If you really want to know what it’s like to work as a summer
treeplanter in Canada, this is where you’ll find out. This site
was set up by an experienced treeplanter, and has contributions from
lots of other people who have done similar work. There is plenty of
no-nonsense advice from the experts.
Forestry
Careers and Employment
This website offers mostly high-level jobs, giving you an idea of the
variety of careers available in the forest industry. There is also a
page for treeplanters: click on “Silviculture Contractors”
on the lefts-hand side for a list of companies that hire people to plant
trees.
Workopolis?Science
Workopolis is a huge job-search website where you can search for a job
in just about any sector you choose. Are there any jobs posted under
“Forestry” today? If not, try clicking “Keyword search”
and, in the Job Category box, select “Forestry” and click
“Search.”
Canada’s
Forest Network: Products
Here is a list of just some of the categories of products associated
with Canada’s forests. Click on any of the options to see which
companies are involved in these products.
Unit 5: Alternative Environments
Chapter 9: Life on Earth
Section 9.1: An Environment to Support Life, page 270
Find information on careers related to animal care.
NOC
6483 Animal Care Workers and Groomers
Once again the HRDC site has information on this popular job category.
Here you can find the main duties and the employment requirements. If
you are interested in any of the jobs listed under “Classified
Elsewhere,” enter the four-digit job code into the Quick Search
box on the left. Try 3231 for Veterinary and Animal Health Technologists
and Technicians, or 8253 for Farmer Supervisors and Specialized Livestock
Workers.
JobSearch
Monster.ca
This is another large Canadian job search site. To find out if there
are any jobs in your area involving animal care, select your province
or region in the Location box, and type “animal” in the
Keyword Search box, then click “Search Jobs.”
Occupational
Outlook Handbook: Animal Care and Service Workers
This U.S. site gives lots of information on what it involved in a career
with animals.
Veterinary
Technician
Seneca College runs a two-year course for people who want to train to
be veterinary technicians. This page outlines the qualifications you
have to have to get into the program, and the classes you will take
once you are admitted.
Part-time
Animal Care Turns to Career Choice
This little article, in a local U.S. newspaper, tells how offering the
right service at the right time can help a new business to take off.
Section 9.2: Systems to Sustain Life, page 281
Terraforming means making the environment of another planet similar
to that of Earth. This is one possible way of constructing alternative
life-sustaining environments. Find out more about terraforming. In groups,
discuss whether terraforming is a good idea.
Terraforming
Venus
Here is an informal discussion forum, among people who feel very strongly,
about the rights and wrongs of terraforming another planet.
The
Quest to Terraform Mars
This scientific paper presents some of the very practical notions that
are currently under consideration in the hope of turning the idea of
terraforming Mars into a reality.
Essay
on Terraforming
The author of this article has really done his homework on whether or
not humans could live on any of the planets or moons in our solar system.
He comes to the conclusion that only one is suitable for human habitation,
and we’re already on it!
Planetary
Biology: Ecopoeisis
Ecopoeisis is slightly different from terraforming in that, although
it involves the manipulation of the surface and atmosphere of another
planet or moon to make it able to sustain life, the resulting ecosystem
may not resemble anything existing on Earth. This article discusses
modifying Mars until it can support a balanced ecosystem.
Astrobiology
Web: Terraforming
This site links you to many others, all on the topic of turning hostile
environments into friendly ones. The Artistic Speculation section, with
artists’ illustrations, is particularly interesting.
Chapter 10: New Worlds
Section 10.1: Alternative Environments on Earth, page 301
Find careers related to that of a refrigeration and air-conditioning
technician.
Refrigeration
and Air Conditioning Mechanic
Part of the Canadian Career Consortium site, this page starts with a
quote describing why a working mechanic likes this particular trade.
Try the links to the Trades and Construction Home Page.
NOC
7332 Electric Appliance Servicers and Repairers
The Ontario Job Futures site outlines this career choice, including
which industries employ most electric appliance servicers and repairers
in Ontario.
NOC
7241 Electricians
The HRDC site describes this career. To find related jobs, go to the
bottom of the page and click on “Classification Structure –
7.” This leads you to many other trades and careers.
Job
Bank
To find out if there are jobs for refrigeration and air-conditioning
technicians (or any other job you are interested in), select your province
from this job-search website. Type in the title of the job you are interested
in, and select your area of the province. Are any employers looking
to hire?
Section 10.1: Alternative Environments on Earth, page 303
The Montreal Biodome is a Canadian-built, life-sustaining alternative
environment where visitors can experience ecosystems from different
parts of the world, all under one roof. What are the systems that maintain
the environments of the Montreal Biodome? What are the inputs and outputs
of this alternative environment? Present your findings as a poster or
web page.
Biodôme
de Montréal
The official website of the Montreal Biodome has lots of useful information.
Click on each of the options on the left, to get the details
