[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/iscibookprojectdn.jpg” caption=”iSci students Darren Fernandez and Julianne Bagg helped write the book History of the Earth: An Integrated and Historical Perspective as part of their class work. “]Many science students expect to read books rather than write them, but this year, some
students got to do both.

Second year students in the Integrated Science Program (iSci) demonstrated just how
much they had learned throughout the year by co-writing and self-publishing the book
History of the Earth: An Integrated and Historical Perspective.

The assignment was the final project for the program's History of the Earth module, in
which students studied thermodynamics, quantum mechanics, neuroscience,
biochemistry, ecology and the history of the earth through field trips, interactive
seminars, labs and the completion of six major projects.

“iSci teaches science the same way scientists learn science: start with an unsolved
problem, research other scientific concepts, connect them to derive new concepts and,
hopefully, solve the problem,” said student Darren Fernandez. “In iSci, learning and
understanding concepts are woven into the projects and seminars.”

Each student researched a topic and composed four pages for the book: three pages
documenting the history of the topic and one page exploring a modern perspective.
Student committees took responsibility for each aspect of publication, from image
selection to chapter organization.

“They had total freedom as to what topic they chose,” said Carolyn Eyles, a professor in
the iSci program. “The students organized the whole project.”

iSci student Julianne Bagg said she values that level of independence.

“It's up to you to make sure everything works,” she said. “It's a good example of how the
program is different.”

She's proud that her class worked together to produce a polished and professional
history book – they even sent copies to science Dean John Capone and McMaster
President Patrick Deane. But for classmate Fernandez, the book is as much a testament
to the efforts of the class as it is to the design of the program.

“When we're given creative freedom, we definitely do our best work,” he said.

For his section, Fernandez researched and wrote about abiogenesis, the study of how
biological life forms from inorganic, or mineral-based, matter. He was so inspired by
the concept that he found a summer job on campus doing research in that area.

Next year, Bagg, Fernandez and their classmates will be the first group of iSci students
to take the third-year course. Eyles and her team have consulted extensively with
students on the content and composition of it.

“The students are very involved in designing their program,” she said. “They respond
well to being given room to follow their own ideas.”

The History of the Earth project will be assigned to next year's class, but Eyles expects
that those students will create a completely different product.

“They'll choose a unique set of topics to research and make it their own.”
For more information on History of the Earth: an Integrated and Historical Perspective
and the iSci program, contact the iSci office.