Loss of Biodiversity in NYS

Loss of Biodiversity in NYS

Ms. Orque Claro

JHS 52

Introduction

Biodiversity is important because humans have always depended on the Earth’s biodiversity for food, shelter and warmth and medicines. The loss of biodiversity is a significant issue for scientists and policy-makers. Species are becoming extinct at the fastest rate known in geological history caused by various human activities.

You are a member of a team of ecologists who are asked to assess the Biodiversity loss in New York State. You will investigate and identify the causes of this problem, evaluate the effectiveness of the existing policies, and design a policy that you think will best address the problem and consequently sustain biodiversity.

Task

Your are responsible to complete a PowerPoint presentation reflecting the steps of the Public Policy Analysis in finding better solutions to address biodiversity loss in New York State.

Process

You may work alone or with a partner in completing your project.

Use the steps of the Public Policy Analysis

Step 1: Define the problem. Complete worksheet 1 below.

Worksheet 1

Step 2: Gather evidence. Complete worksheet 2 below.

Worksheet 2

Step 3: Identify causes and compete worksheet 3 below.

Worksheet 3

Step 4: Evaluate a policy and complete worksheet 4 below.

Worksheet 4

Step 5: Develop solutions and select best solution. Complete worksheets 5 and 6 below.

Worksheet 5

Worksheet 6

Step 6: Review and assess PowerPoint presentation using checklist/rubric.

Resources:

· http://library.thinkquest.org/08aug/00473/whatisit.html

· http://www.globalissues.org/article/170/why-is-biodiversity-important-who-cares

· http://www.admwebstudios.co.uk/Biodiversity1.htm

· http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/279.html

· http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/01/business/global/01green.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

· http://www.nysm.nysed.gov/bri/biodiversity/losses.html

· http://blogs.ei.columbia.edu/2011/04/30/what-you-can-do-to-protect-biodiversity/

Evaluation and Conclusion

(Rubrics and Rubistar, Kathy Schrock)

Title of Presentation: _____________________________________________________

CATEGORY	Excellent-4	Good-3	Satisfactory-2	Needs Improvement-1
Content - Accuracy	All content throughout the presentation is accurate. There are no factual errors.	Most of the content is accurate but there is one piece of information that seems inaccurate.	The content is generally accurate, but one piece of information is clearly inaccurate.	Content confusing or contains more than one factual error.
Sequencing of Information	Information is organized in a clear, logical way. It is easy to anticipate the next slide.	Most information is organized in a clear, logical way. One slide or piece of information seems out of place.	Some information is logically sequenced. An occasional slide or piece of information seems out of place.	There is no clear plan for the organization of information.
Use of Graphics	All graphics are attractive (size and colors) and support the topic of the presentation.	A few graphics are not attractive but all support the topic of the presentation.	All graphics are attractive but a few do not support the topic of the presentation.	Several graphics are unattractive AND detract from the content of the presentation.
Text - Font Choice & Formatting	Font formats (color, bold, italic) have been carefully planned to enhance readability and content.	Font formats have been carefully planned to enhance readability.	Font formatting has been carefully planned to complement the content. It may be a little hard to read.	Font formatting makes it very difficult to read the material.
Spelling and Grammar	Presentation has no misspellings or grammatical errors.	Presentation has 1-2 misspellings, but no grammatical errors.	Presentation has 1-2 grammatical errors but no misspellings.	Presentation has more than 2 grammatical and/or spelling errors.

Conclusion:

Completing this project will give you a better understanding of the interdependence of man and the environment and how human activities affect biodiversity or how significant it is to sustain biodiversity. Following the steps of the public policy analysis will also help you gain better understanding on how to find solutions to this social problem.

Standards:

NYS Science Standard 7: Interdisciplinary Problem Solving

Key Idea 2: Solving interdisciplinary problems involves a variety of skills and strategies, including effective work habits; gathering and processing information; generating and analyzing ideas; realizing ideas; making connections among the common themes of mathematics, science, and technology; and presenting results.

2.1 Students participate in an extended, culminating mathematics, science, and technology project. The project would require students to:

· Gathering and Processing Information: Accessing information from printed media, electronic data bases, and community resources and using the information to develop a definition of the problem and to research possible solutions.

· Generating and Analyzing Ideas: Developing ideas for proposed solutions, investigating ideas, collecting data, and showing relationships and patterns in the data.

· Common Themes: Observing examples of common unifying themes, applying them to the problem, and using them to better understand the dimensions of the problem.

· Realizing Ideas: Constructing components or models, arriving at a solution, and evaluating the result.

· Presenting Results: Using a variety of media to present the solution and to communicate the results.

NYS Science Standard 4: The Living Environment

Key Idea 7: Human decisions and activities have had a profound impact on the physical and living environment.

7.2c Overpopulation by any species impacts the environment due to the increased use

of resources. Human activities can bring about environmental degradation through

resource acquisition, urban growth, land-use decisions, waste disposal, etc