The innovation engine for new materials

Vorakarn Chanyavanich

Vorakarn Chanyavanich

School: 

San Marcos High School

Grade Level: 

High School

Teaching Position: 

Physics

Supervisor: 

Jim Allen
Kevin Plaxco

Department: 

Physics
Chemistry

Research Project Year: 

2002

Research Project Title: 

Measurement of TeraHertz Circular Dichroism

Research Project Description: 

Measure the THz CD signatures of biopolymers to assess feasibility of TeraHertz Circular Dichroism spectroscopy as a life detection strategy. Why do we use TeraHertz radiation?
THz spectral features are a universal property of folded polymers > 500 atoms. It is a frequency at which biological, chiral molecules exhibit strong CD.
The experimental objectives were to design and construct a TeraHertz circular dichroism (THz CD) spectrometer and then measure the THz CD signal in a macroscopic system of compression springs.

Research Project Attachments: 

Curriculum Project Year: 

2003

Curriculum Project Title: 

A framework for teaching Science as inquiry

Curriculum Project Description: 

The aim of the project is the development of a framework for creating inquiry-based web-portal projects to facilitate student research. The aim is to have students explore and communicate HOW DO WE KNOW about the subject matter, in this case the chosen context is astrobiology, and to highlight the interdisciplinary nature of science (biology, chemistry, physics, engineering). Using compelling and context-rich images, students will be motivated to develop and conduct an inquiry project to address the question of HOW DO WE KNOW the context of a body of knowledge. Students will learn to develop a web-portal and learn how to utilize it to as a framework for the motivation, organization, and communication of their individually directed inquiry and investigations.

Curriculum Project Attachments: 

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