Ecology WebQuest
Interdisciplinary Project
Beth Levin
blevin@johndeweyhighschool.org
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of an interdisciplinary approach to learning Ecology is to explore issues affecting the environment and work on solutions, while engaging you in projects where you learn about conservation, create calls to action, work with others, and solve environmental issues in your communities. The interdisciplinary approach to learning allows you to study one subject from multiple perspectives. It will enable you to think outside the box and challenge your preconceived notions by exploring ideas and concepts in more than one way.
You will approach your research project as a Public Policy Analyst. The purpose of the PPA is to help you to better understand social problems in your school or community.
Let’s review The 6 Steps of the Public Policy Analyst.
Click the link below to watch the video.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QuTr3kdWpPN2wuAXUaRkhn4Wt2DSe_oB/view?usp=sharing
TASK
Ecology Research Project Instructions
Project description:
1. You will be a Problem
Policy Analyst. Your research must be designed so that you will be collecting
quantitative and qualitative data to answer a scientific question. You will be
answering the research questions on the Google docs found on this document.
Your presentation will follow the same format as the introductory lesson we did
on Zebra Mussels.
PPA- How to become a Public Policy Analyst
2. This is a group project: you will be working in a group of roughly 4 students.
No group may have more than four people!
3.Requirements:
- 30 points – Answering questions on Google doc
Based on online research,
your group will generate an interesting question to answer based on the topic
that one member of your group picked from the hat, 
or that your group chooses and is approved by the teacher. The documents will be turned in during class. Each required document will be turned in per group.
Day 1- Defining the Social Problem and Gathering the Evidence
Day 2- Identifying the causes of the problem and Evaluate an existing policy
Day 3- Develop Solutions and Selecting the Best Solution (Feasibility vs. Effectiveness)
Each google document will be graded out of 5 points. The rubric is provided below.
When answering the questions, write scientific explanations. Use evidence from texts, videos, and secondary data sources, along with sound scientific reasoning and logic, to support your claim. You may include pictures, graphs, and/or tables as evidence in your scientific explanation.
B. 30 points – Presentation:
Your group will create a Google slides presentation (you can make a copy of the Zebra Mussels presentation to use as a template if you are having difficulty in creating your own) .
Findings should be presented in a clear and concise manner. In your presentation you should clearly introduce your research question, present empirical research that speaks to your question, and analyze and summarize your findings. Additionally, you will need to discuss the application of your findings, that is, you will discuss the relationship between theory and practice.
Groups are required to use PowerPoint/Google slides for their final presentation. However, other forms of media may additionally be used (i.e., videos, overheads, audiotapes, handouts). Each presentation should take about 15 minutes and each member in the group is required to participate in the presentation. After the presentation, there will be a 5-minute question and answer period.
Remember, the more engaging and informative the better! In addition to your presentation, you should provide the class with a handout of your presentation. Your classmates should be able to use your handout to study for an exam question on your presentation. If you need photocopies made for class handouts or overheads, please get the materials to me during the class before your presentation date
A detailed grading rubric has been provided below for you.
C. 10 points - Group participation:
You will have the opportunity to grade each of the other members of your group on their participation during your project. All members in the group are required to participate in the research, writing, and presenting. Peer reviews are an evaluation of what each group member contributed to the group project. Evaluate your group members (including yourself) in terms of how much effort and cooperation they put into the task and any other criteria you feel are important. Please assign each group member a grade in the Peer review Google form. Do not simply inflate everyone’s grade, doing so undermines the importance of this element of the project and will result in your final peer evaluation grade being lowered. Your peer review grade will come from how others perceive you and also from your approach to the evaluation of others.
Scores from all group members will be averaged and given as a percentage of 10 points.
Peer Review Google Form:
https://forms.gle/Nu2LRVSbLj9yi2rU8
D. 10 points- Math project- Statistics
You are to choose from 2 of the math standards below. Interpret the numerical data you collected in your WebQuest on a poster board. This part of your project will be presented in your math class.
Descriptive Statistics
|
CCS Standards: Interpreting Categorical & Quantitative Data |
Long-Term Target(s) |
|
S.ID.1. Represent data with plots on the real number line (dot plots, histograms, and box plots) |
● I can represent data with dot plots, histograms, and box plots (box and whisker). ● I can use the graphing calculator to find quartiles |
|
S.ID.2. Use statistics to compare the center (median, mean) and spread of two or more different data sets. |
● I can compare the center (mean and median) of two or more data sets. ● I can use the graphing calculator to find the mean and median |
|
S.ID.5. Summarize categorical data for two categories in two-way frequency tables. Interpret relative frequencies in the context of the data Recognize possible associations and trends in the data. |
● I can summarize, represent, and interpret categorical and quantitative data based on two variables (independent and dependent). Summarize means: ● I can create a two-way frequency table. ● I can recognize possible associations and trends in the data. |
|
S.ID.6. Represent data on two quantitative variables on a scatter plot, and describe how the variables are related. a. Fit a function to the data; use functions fitted to data to solve problems in the context of the data. Use given functions or choose a function suggested by the context. Emphasize linear and exponential models. b. Informally assess the fit of a function by plotting and analyzing residuals. c. Fit a linear function for a scatter plot that suggests a linear association. |
Represent means: ● I can show two variable data on a scatter plot. ● I can describe the relationship between the variables. ● I can identify a function of best fit for the data set. ● I can assess the fit of a function to a data set. |
|
S.ID.9. Distinguish between correlation and causation |
I can describe the difference between correlation and causation. |
E. 20 points- ELA
Research paper 
For this part of your assignment, you will write a 3-page research paper based on the scientific research you did on your chosen topic as a PPA. Your ELA teacher will be providing you with specific details and instructions
1. Climate change
Climate change is the global rise in temperature and alterations in weather patterns as a result of human emissions and greenhouse gasses. Since climate change affects everyone and focuses on the changes in the environment, this is a great topic for research. You can conduct research on the causes and effects of climate change or research prevention methods for corporations and individuals.
https://climate.nasa.gov/effects/
https://www.noaa.gov/education/resource-collections/climate/climate-change-impacts
https://www.un.org/en/global-issues/climate-change
https://www.statista.com/topics/1148/global-climate-change/#topicHeader__wrapper
2. Population control
Urban ecology studies how ecological processes occur in cities and other densely populated areas. This topic may include achieving sustainability, reducing pollution and managing the Earth's population. As cities continue to grow, this is an emerging topic for environmentalists. It's important to study how organisms interact in urban ecosystems in order to design cohabitation methods for all future life on Earth.
https://www.state.gov/other-policy-issues/population/
http://www.jlgh.org/Past-Issues/Volume-12-Issue-2/Population-Control.aspx
3. Fire ecology
Fire ecology is a study of wildfires and how they affect the environment. If you choose this topic for environmental research, you can study the causes of wildfires, how to prevent and manage them and their effects on the environment. If you choose to research fire ecology, you may focus on three primary topics: fuel, oxygen and heat.
https://www.esa.org/esa/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/fireecology.pdf
https://www.nps.gov/articles/learning-about-fire-ecology-basics.htm
https://www.nature.com/scitable/knowledge/library/the-ecology-of-fire-13259892/
4. Endangered species
Endangered species are plants and animals that are becoming extinct. For environmental research, you can teach others about what these species are and how to protect them. Research may also include how human activity affects other species or how losing these species could be detrimental to their environments.
https://www.fws.gov/program/endangered-species
https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/endangered-species/
5. Deforestation
Deforestation is the mass loss of trees for production or land development. It can have many negative effects on ecosystems, and with environmental research, you can make others more aware of these causes and effects. Topic questions to answer in your research may include regions where deforestation has the most impact, how to repair environments where deforestation occurs and how to conserve forests. It may be helpful to discuss the benefits of forests and trees to people and animals.
https://www.livescience.com/27692-deforestation.html
https://www.britannica.com/science/deforestation
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/deforestation
6. Ozone repair
Damage to the ozone contributes to climate change, so this is an interesting topic for environmental research. In your research, you can explore the options for repairing or reducing the damage to the ozone layer. This is the upper atmospheric layer over the Earth, which becomes damaged from satellites and space travel. As a topic for environmental research, you can discuss possibilities for future space travel and launching satellites or develop solutions for how to manage the effects of having a damaged ozone.
https://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2020nasa-data-aids-ozone-hole-s-journey-to-recovery/
https://www.britannica.com/story/is-the-ozone-layer-finally-healing-itself
7. Water management
Water management is a study of how to manage water resources, including the oceans, lakes and groundwater. Environmental research on water management may include developing ways to optimize the use of this resource, since it's vital for all life forms. In your research, you may study how to make water clean and reusable for drinking, how to manage and distribute bodies of water or how to best use water in each of its cycles.
https://www.epa.gov/greeningepa/water-management-plans-and-best-practices-epa
https://ecology.wa.gov/About-us/Who-we-are/Our-Programs/Water-Resources
Google forms for PPA Project
- Defining the Social Problem
https://forms.gle/SSD3J2B6CQfHesbdA
- Gathering the Evidence
https://forms.gle/EUoZdL3ZTCUmd38Q6
3. Identifying the causes of the problem
https://forms.gle/ZL3By1ANjNRdUsoa7
- Evaluate an existing policy
https://forms.gle/KCmEFABcWNj77juG7
5. Developing public policy solutions
https://forms.gle/d6dKHJ4YLyA8WuHo7
6. Selecting the best public policy solution
https://forms.gle/jGc3xEVUR2RmRfSw7
PROCESS/RESOURCES
You will be assigned your group members by your teacher.
Based on online research, your group will generate an interesting question to answer based on one of the topics above mentioned that you picked from the hat, or that you choose and is approved by the teacher
All members must be involved in doing and reading the research. In addition, each member of the group will get/choose a specific role
Roles
● Facilitator: Responsible for getting the group started, keeping it on task, and involving all members.
● Recorder: Responsible for typing the research answers into the Google doc
● Presenter: Responsible for presenting research project for the class.
● Technologist: Learns any new technologies required, assists other members using the technology, ensures the final product is in correct format and available for sharing.
EVALUATION
5-point Rubric for Google Form Responses
30-point Rubric for Presentation
CONCLUSION
Congratulations!! You took the challenge of becoming a Public Policy Analyst into your own hands and you made a difference for mankind. You have learned about different ecological problems and created policies to deal with the issues. At the conclusion of each group’s research and presentation you have a better understanding of the natural world and our part in preserving it for the future. I hope this journey has opened your eyes and mind, to realize that we have the power to make a difference and to change things for the better in our world.
You never know…
You might have found your life’s calling as a PPA or environmentalist. Here are some links below if you would like to research those careers.
https://research.com/careers/public-policy-careers
https://www.environmentalscience.org/careers
STANDARDS
Research to Build and Present Knowledge:
Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question) or solve a problem; narrow or broaden the inquiry when appropriate; synthesize multiple sources on the subject, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.
Gather relevant information from multiple authoritative print and digital sources, using advanced searches effectively; assess the usefulness of each source in answering the research question; integrate information into the text selectively to maintain the flow of ideas, avoiding plagiarism and following a standard format for citation.