Acid Rain

 

Carrie Skermont

Notre Dame Jr./Sr. High

cskermont@syrdiocese.org

 

 

 

 

Introduction

Your class has been selected by a group of environmental activists to find out more about the problem of acid rain in New York State.  They are very concerned about the habitat destruction that it is causing.  By researching and informing the group about the problem of acid rain you will be helping them to then go forward with developing and proposing new public policies.

 

 

Task

Your task is to create a PowerPoint presentation about the problem of acid rain in New York State.  Your PowerPoint should explain the various causes and effects of acid rain.  You also need to explain and analyze the existing public policies that are intended to reduce the amount of acid rain in New York State. 

 

 

 

Process/Resources

As part of your research for the project you will need to complete the following Public Policy Analyst worksheets:

1. Define the problem

Explanation:  https://flippedtips.com/plegal/tips/select.html

Worksheet:  https://flippedtips.com/plegal/tips/worksheet1.doc

2. Gather evidence

Explanation:  https://flippedtips.com/plegal/tips/gather.html

Worksheet:  https://flippedtips.com/plegal/tips/worksheet2.doc

3. Identify causes

Explanation:  https://flippedtips.com/plegal/tips/identify.html

Worksheet:  https://flippedtips.com/plegal/tips/worksheet3.doc

4. Evaluate a policy

Explanation: https://flippedtips.com/plegal/tips/existing.html

Worksheet:  https://flippedtips.com/plegal/tips/worksheet4.doc

 

The following websites can be used to gather information on acid rain in NY:

http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/283.html

http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/8418.html

http://water.usgs.gov/edu/acidrain.html

http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2009/3075/pdf/fs2009-3075.pdf

http://www.epa.gov/air/caa/peg/acidrain.html

http://www.epa.gov/acidrain/

 

When you finish your research and worksheets you will be creating a PowerPoint presentation that could be used to present your findings to the group of activists.  Your PowerPoint should be a minimum of 10 slides.  You should include pictures and/or diagrams that help convey your message.  You may also include a short video clip. 

 

 

Evaluation

Element

Exemplary

Proficient

Partially Proficient

Unsatisfactory

Points

PPA Worksheets

3 points

 

Worksheets complete with well thought out and detailed answers

2 points

 

Worksheets complete with all basic information provided

1 point

 

Worksheets mostly complete but some information is missing

0 points

 

Worksheets incomplete

____/3

Contents of PowerPoint

3 points

 

The content is written clearly and concisely with a logical progression of ideas and supporting information.

2 points

 

The content is written with a logical progression of ideas and supporting information.

1 point

 

The content is vague in conveying a point of view and does not create a strong sense of purpose.

0 points

 

The content lacks a clear point of view and logical sequence of information.

____/3

Attractiveness of PowerPoint

3 points

 

Four or more relevant graphics or video clips.  Text font/size easy to read. 

2 points

 

Two to three relevant graphics or video clips.  Text font/size readable.

1 point

 

Only one relevant graphic or video clip.  Text font/size readable

0 points

 

No relevant graphics or video.  Text size/font difficult to read. 

____/3

Writing Mechanics in PowerPoint

3 points

 

The text is written with no errors in grammar, capitalization, punctuation, and spelling.

2 points

 

The text is clearly written with little or no editing required for grammar, punctuation, and spelling.

1 point

 

Spelling, punctuation, and grammar errors distract or impair readability.

(3 or more errors)

 

0 points

 

Errors in spelling, capitalization, punctuation, usage and grammar repeatedly distract the reader and major editing and revision is required.

(more than 5 errors)

 

____/3

 

 

Conclusion

The environmental activist group is very grateful for all of your hard work.  They are going to use your research to develop new policies or changes to the current policies that impact the amount of acid rain.  Then they can bring these ideas to our representatives in government.  Hopefully your hard work will lead to improvements in public policies and a positive impact on the environment. 

 

 

Standards

Math, Science, and Technology Learning Standards:

Standard 2: Students will access, generate, process, and transfer information using appropriate technologies.

Standard 4: Students will understand and apply scientific concepts, principles, and theories pertaining to the physical setting and living environment and recognize the historical development of ideas in science.

Standard 5: Students will apply technological knowledge and skills to design, construct, use, and evaluate products and systems to satisfy human and environmental needs.

Standard 7: Students will apply the knowledge and thinking skills of mathematics, science, and technology to address real-life problems and make informed decisions.

 

ELA Common Core Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-8.2
Determine the central ideas or conclusions of a text; provide an accurate summary of the text distinct from prior knowledge or opinions.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-8.7
Integrate quantitative or technical information expressed in words in a text with a version of that information expressed visually (e.g., in a flowchart, diagram, model, graph, or table).

 

Citations

Rubric: 

https://www2.uwstout.edu/content/profdev/rubrics/pptrubric.html

Math, Science, and Technology Learning Standards:  http://www.p12.nysed.gov/ciai/mst/pub/mststa1_2.pdf