[Knight Templar]

Here's the deal: I have a project in my Chemistry class about Nuclear Sweetness (Bombs, Power, Radiation, etc.) Out of the topics, I've chosen "Did America really need to fear the Soviet Union's nuclear might?" as one I want. Bassically that means I'm doing my project on the Cold War, and whether it was "serious" or not.

As for my assignment:
"You assignment is to explore a facet of this topic and draw some conclusions about its use and/or ramifications on our planet. Is it worth the risk? Go into this with an open mind, much of what you think may be from someone else's bias or propoganda. What you find could suprise you."

With the 'essential question' I am looking to answer in the whole presentation: IS the benefity worth the risk?

Down to the details I need in the project:
1. Support answer with facts, not opinions. Bibliography.
2. Project may be in form of a newspaper, letters to a colleague or government agency, or whatever form you chose to use. Be creative and pick a medium that is best suited to you.
3. Written work must be accompanied by visuals that portray and help explain the topic you have chosen.
4. Visials need to be included in written component.
5. Presentation of Topic: Present your topic to the class. The presentation may take the form of a formal presentation or may follow a format of your choice. The goal is to convince the class of your point of view based on the facts you uncovered. You will be evaluated on how well you defend your position.
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So, I chose the Cold War because that seemed the most 'fun'. My only problem is, I'm not quite sure what to do with my project, or even what to do for it. Obviously, I'd say America did need to fear the USSR's nuclear arsenal, and I can go into detail about the Cold War and what was so scary about it, how it effected the world, etc. But since this is a chemistry class, not a history one, I need to get into some detail about nuclear weaponry available I'd imagine. So then I'm thinking that maybe a more 'statistical analysis' approach to the various nuclear capabilities of each side and how they could basically screw over parts of the world would be a better idea then a general look at the cold war.

But then, I need a medium to convey this on...

My best idea so far, is a 'dossier' style analysis of nuclear capabilities, perhaps supplemented with power point presentation of some sort, and a nice big colourful poster. Problem is, the project is more of a presentation, so I guess my powerpoint and poster would have to be just as strong as my dossier, and I could have that circulate the class while I talk. I could more or less put the contents of the dossier onto powerpoint as well, so people are essentially getting the same info, just that the dossier would be the fancy version for the teacher and for show, while the presentation is to get the info to the class. Downside to that is I have less diversity in my product which could lead to a reduction of grade.

Which leads me to another thing- I need the grade. Badly. I'll leave it at that. Less than an A isn't doable for me.

Did I mention that I need to have this done by Friday? Well, Friday if I want an extra 20 points (worth a homework assignment bassically). But if I can't get it done by then reasonably well, then it's due Monday with no extra 20 points.
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So any ideas/suggestions/rants/cookies?

[Thorn]

I dont think we would have had the Cuban Missile Crisis if they didnt fear them.

[Rictor]

Look up the Tzar Bomba, the largest nuke in existance. The Soviets even had to reduce the power, since in its original design it was to powerful to be of any use.

For your dossier and powerpoint, I propose you do a slick visual presentation that looks like an actual dossier, complete with "typewriter looking" font (Courier should do nicely) and big red stamp that says "classified" in Russian. For me, that was always the funnest part of such projects, making it look really cool so as to blow the other people and their default Powerpoint blue background out of the water. You could even black out certain words, to make it look really cool.

[DragonClaw]

NOT FOR CHILDREN:

Spoiler:

Have a russian pr0n pic with the chick sayin "I fear no nuclear missiles!" and about 50 nuclear warheads rammed up her coochie...  Not exactly a good grade, but I would give money to see a class reaction to that

Now, for real, you picked a horrible topic.

You could always try and do something about how Russia's nuclear arsenal could have handed America their ass, and vice-versa(basic geothermal changes to the environment, mass death, etc), though that hasn't much to do with chemistry

[Rictor]

here are some useful linkies

http://www.nuclearfiles.org/kinuclearweapons/anwindex.html
http://www.cold-war.info/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mutual_assured_destruction
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_weapon

[Knight Templar]

Thorn: Yep. I'll be sure to include that.

Rictor: Yeah, deffinitely gotta go for a classy look. Making it seem of the era and all. I'm thinking I could make the Powerpoint more.. 'dramatic' with some nice Cold War-ish music (Red Alert anyone?) but would have to keep it quite enough to not drown out my own voice...

DC: Well, nobody else picked the topic, I've already done a project on the Manhattan Project earlier this year, and the Cold War is fun. () Not to mention, we're studying the Cold War somewhat in my History class as well, so I *might* be able to turn this in as extra credit for that class.. a copy of the dossier at least.
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So yeah, I'm thinking then I should keep the dossier highly technical in terms of statistics and facts that would apply to chemistry (and also worldly statistics, such as predicted effects/damage/casualties of a war, etc.) and have the Powerpoint do a bit of this, but more of the dramatic historical side of things, like how fear of the Soviet Arsenal on the US part afflicted the rest of the world.
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Ric: Thanks.

[Falcon]

It would have been horrible if it ever progressed further I could imaging both powers flinging missles at each other which in effect cause massive devastation.   *Takes a stroll in a radiated park hey look mom a mutated pigeon! *    Russia would definately win against America in a nuclear fight.

[Knight Templar]

Well I think the idea is that both sides would be so ****ed beyond recognition by the time any exchange ended, there would be no winner.

[DragonClaw]

Originally posted by Falcon
Russia would definately win against America in a nuclear fight.

I really hope you're smoking something. No one would win. Even countries not involved would get devastated, economically if not physically.

[Falcon]

Thats some good weed

[Reez]

if you know how to do flash comics, you can make one at the end. Just make sure you do a little LSD before you make it, so you get the creative juices flowing

[Knight Templar]

I don't, but I thought about it. You know, something like those "End of the world" or middle east games or whatever.

That would require... effort, though. At least, much more than I can give, considering I'd have to learn how to draw and use flash.

[Reez]

there's a load of em on the net, if you take the time to look. i remember seeing one a few months back that was awesome. And flash isn't really difficult... it's actually paint if you use MX flash player, which im sure you can get off suprnova.

[Knight Templar]

Could I learn how to use it reaspnably well within two hours?

[Singh]

I could help, if I had the time

Seriously though; one point you can raise is the long-term ramifications of the Cold-war. Their are several of these: Vietnam, Korea, Iraq, India-Pakistan-China, etc.

You can also show how the cold war was totally useless by quoting the example of the Berlin Wall. It was created not to keep westeners out; but rather to pen the east berliners IN. The fighting and stand-offs did nothing towards the end; the fall of the soviet empire came not from outside, but from within, as the economy fell and people suffered.....

[Reez]

most likely... but designing a good one would probably take you at least an hour to 2.5, depending on how long you want it.

[Rictor]

cha-ching

http://www.nrdc.org/nuclear/nudb/datainx.asp

I don't want to spam, so I'll just update this post as I find more useful stuff.

edit: and also, this http://www.atomicarchive.com/Effects/index.shtml

edit 2: and this: http://www.brook.edu/FP/PROJECTS/NUCWCOST/WEAPONS.HTM
check the "Charts" section, about midway down the page, as the rest of the website seems to be focused on policy and not science.

edit3: and this http://www.atomicarchive.com/almanacmenu.shtml

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ok, I'll stop now, since I fear that I may be overwhelming you with sources, and thus not really helping at all.

[Knight Templar]

Ahh, I remember comming across that site when I did my Manhattan Project dealie.

Statistics rock.

Excellence.

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[q]Originally posted by Rictor
ok, I'll stop now, since I fear that I may be overwhelming you with sources, and thus not really helping at all.[/q]

Not at all. The wealth of info is great, although I should have enough for now. Thanks

[Lightspeed]

Originally posted by Reez
if you know how to do flash comics, you can make one at the end. Just make sure you do a little LSD before you make it, so you get the creative juices flowing

LSD makes you go LightSpeeD, hmm?

[Knight Templar]

Yeaaaaahh...

Anyway, we'll leave the spamming of my topic to me for now.