Environmental Concerns

WebquestIntroduction Task Resources

Process EvaluationPresentation Guidelines

Works Cited

Introduction Task Resources Process EvaluationPresentation GuidelinesWorks Cited

IntroductionYou will:

– Choose a relevant environmental topicIf you are not excited and enthralled by your topic, you should choose a different one.

– Gather information about the subject– Become an expert on the subject– Create a presentation for class

• Your research should center on an inquiry (question) that is meaningful and interesting to you. Through research, you will answer your inquiry in the form of a research project.

• Your inquiry must be a reflection of higher-order thinking. (In other words, it can’t be answered by a simple “yes” or “no.”) A poorly designed question will lead to a poorly created research project. Here are some guidelines for you to follow:

– To develop a good question, formulate with words such as: • compare • contrast• infer• synthesize • analyze

• What kind of topics do you choose?– Any topics that affect the environment– Choose a topic that you can find lots of information about– Pick something that interests YOU!

Introduction Task Resources Process EvaluationPresentation GuidelinesWorks Cited

Task• THE INTRODUCTION

– In the introduction you need to inform the audience of the topic of your project. Example: acid rain. You need to introduce, but not tell everything about the issues surrounding acid rain. You need to share your concerns about acid rain and the environment.

• HISTORICAL INFORMATION– This portion needs to offer your audience a history of the problem. Consider addressing the following:

• Who discovered your topic was a concern?• Where was it discovered?• When was it discovered?

• THE SCIENCE OF THE CONCERN– In this portion you need to address the scientific causes of your topic. Example again: acid rain.

Explain how acid rain is formed, what makes it happen.

• THE IMPACT OF YOUR TOPIC ON THE ENVIRONMENT– In this portion you need to explain how your topic hurts the environment. Example again: acid rain.

Explain what acid rain does to water quality. Include specific examples of areas of the world hurt by this issue.

• SOLUTIONS OF THE CONCERN– What are people doing to try to stop or help the issue? Have any laws been written? Have any rules

been imposed upon factories? Are community groups volunteering time to clean up trashy highways? Is there any hope at all that things will get better?

• THE CONCLUSION– The conclusion is a place where you can inform us about the future or tie the concern back to

Minnesota and yourself. You can share about what this environmental issue means to you and your life.

Introduction Task Resources Process EvaluationPresentation GuidelinesWorks Cited

Resources• The following resources may be helpful in researching your project.

– Chevron

– U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

– Environmental Concern

– Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

– Fishing Hurts

– Wind Energy Development

– Discovery Channel

– National Geographic

– United States Government

– Google your topic

Introduction Task Resources Process EvaluationPresentation GuidelinesWorks Cited

Process

• Make a list of everything you need to know about your topic.

• Use this list as a checklist while you create your project.

• Please note that each section will vary in terms of how many supporting ideas and details you have.

I. IntroductionA.

1.2.

II. Historical InformationA.B.C.

III. The Science of the ConcernA.B.C.

IV. The Impact of your Topic on the EnvironmentA.B.C.

V. Solutions of the ConcernA.B.

VI. ConclusionA.B.

Introduction Task Resources Process EvaluationPresentation GuidelinesWorks Cited

Presentation Guidelines• The format is up to you but it must have audio/visual

components and be 3-5 minutes per member of your group.• You may simply read a report to the class (boring...) or you can

– Prepare a slide show for the computer…– Perform a skit, write a book, create a music video…– Make a poster to talk about and share with the class…– Come up with something unique and new!

• Information – – Information is accurate and complete

• Appearance – – Text is typed and appropriately sized– Well organized– Images are in color

• Spelling – – Be sure to have your project information proofread

• Resources – – Make sure your sources are credible– Site your sources using the proper format

Introduction Task Resources Process EvaluationPresentation GuidelinesWorks Cited

Evaluation• Content – (50 points)

– Detailed, specific information given– Good understanding of topic is

evident– Models/Visual included– Sources sited properly

• at least 3 different types of media– Books, Internet, Journals

• Organization – (25 points)– Follows an obvious, clear line of

thought (clear beginning, organized body, clear closure)

– Includes question/answer session (speaker responds well to questions)

– Includes all six research areas

• Impact on Audience – (20 Points)– Enthusiasm for topic is evident– Interestingly and/or creatively

presented

• Presentation – (25 points)– Clear, loud voice with good

enunciation– Stays on topic– Information is not read directly

Total Points Possible = 120** Adjustments to the requirements can be made depending on presentation

format **

Introduction Task Resources Process EvaluationPresentation GuidelinesWorks Cited

• PRINT SOURCES– Book by One Author

• Carlton, Charles. Bigotry and Blood. Chicago, IL: Nelson-Hall, 1997.– Book by Two or More Authors

• Neilands, J.B. and G.H. Orians. Harvest of Death. London: Collier-Macmillan Ltd., 1972.– Signed Magazine Article

• Smith, Joe. “Magic Johnson: AIDS Victim.” Newsweek. 16 Feb. 1992: 61-74.– Unsigned Magazine Article

• “The Home PC Makes Waves Overseas.” Business Week. 9 Oct. 1995: 146.– Unsigned News Story

• “Aiding the Arts” The Milwaukee Sentinel. 15 Jan. 1988: 14.– Signed Newspaper Article

• Warschaw, Tessa Albert. “Breaking the Shackles.” Milwaukee Journal. 21 April 1985. 24.– Encyclopedia

• “Tides.” Encyclopedia Britannica. 22 (1992): 193-205.– Dictionary

• “Ozone.” Webster’s Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary. Springfield, MA: G. & C. Merriam Co. 1990: 366.– Letter

• Jones, Paul. “letter to the author,” 03 December 2001.

• ELECTRONIC SOURCES– Encyclopedia

• “Frisbee.” Academic American Encyclopedia (Electronic Version). 1992. Grolier, Inc. Danbury CT.– Online

• “The War of the Worlds.” Internet. 5 Feb. 1995. gopher.micro.umn.edu.– E-mail

• Johnson, Edward. “e-mail to the author,” 11 January 2001.

• PERSONAL INTERVIEW– Last name, First name. Title of position, employer, date of interview.

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first line within that entry. Do not number your entries.