Webquest: Freshman Honors Biology
Dr. Brauerman (SB44@aol.com)
Bronx High School of Science
Introduction:
Man has a greater effect on the environment than any other species. The reason for this can be attributed both to our intelligence and our ability to use tools. Our intelligence has allowed us develop technology so we can manipulate our environment. Using this technology, we can now produce more food, genetically engineer crops and offer these crops at reduced cost to our populations. With advances in medicine we have decreased infant mortality, increased the life expectancy and eradicated many deadly diseases. The result of these advances however has been a drastic rise in the population resulting in even greater effects on the environment. Many of these effects result in increasing pollution of the air, water and soil.
Task:
You are a member of Congress and you are concerned about the quality of the air, water and soil. Working in groups of four you will use the Public Policy Analyst to:
Process:
Resources:
Air pollution Acid rain
http://www.epa.gov/airnow/ http://capita.wustl.edu/CAPITA/
http://www.epa.gov/oar/ http://www.epa.gov/airmarkets/usca/
http://www.4cleanair.org/ http://www.epa.gov/airmarkets/emissions/
http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/asthma/brochures/airpollution.htm
http://capita.wustl.edu/CAPITA/
Global warming
http://www.epa.gov/globalwarming/
http://www4.nationalacademies.org/onpi/webextra.nsf/web/climate?OpenDocument
Ozone hole
http://www.epa.gov/docs/ozone/science/hole/holehome.html
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast08sep_1.htm
Water pollution
http://www.wessex.ac.uk/conferences/2001/wp01/
http://www.umich.edu/~gs265/society/waterpollution.htm
http://www.soton.ac.uk/~engenvir/environment/water/water.html
http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/33/1251.html
http://www.brighton73.freeserve.co.uk/tomsplace/scientific/msc-thesis/mst-revi.htm
http://www.stemnet.nf.ca/CITE/water.htm
http://www.epa.gov/ebtpages/wwaterpollution.html
Eutrophication
www.agnr.umd.edu/users/agron/nutrient/Factshee/Phosphorus/
Eutrop.html
www.epa.gov/maia/html/eutroph.html
www.sciam.com/1197issue/1197infocus.html
Soil pollution
http://www.nortechgsi.com/environmental-monitoring-instrumentation.html http://es.epa.gov/ncerqa_abstracts/centers/hsrc/metals/metals.html
http://www.vyh.fi/eng/orginfo/publica/ber/monogr/berm14.htm
http://www.cnn.com/2000/NATURE/08/15/gas.microbes.enn/
http://members.aol.com/planetwise/soil.htm
Evaluation: PROPOSED
RESEARCH PAPER - Grading Form
Your research paper/power point presentation should
include the following elements:
Introduction:
1. Presentation
of the general biological concept underlying your research
problem
and the significant classical work done in the field (5
pts)
2. A
review of the literature described in your own words with citations
incorporated
into the body of Introduction (15
pts)
3. A
linking of the two previous sections should lead up to the specific
problem
concerning Congress (5
pts)
Task:
This includes the evidence
that the problem exists and proposed legislation to correct the problem.
1. Substantial
evidence to support that the problem is a real concern (5 pts)
2. Cause
of the problem and the effects of the problem on the environment
or
some other aspect that is causing public concern.
a. Scientific
data must be presented in this section
b. Evaluation
of the data must be included (15pts)
Discussion:
This is a discussion of existing plans to
alleviate the problem and your proposed legislation to stop or correct the
problem.
1. Include results of the existing plans (5
pts)
2. Feasibility of your proposed legislation (5 pts)
3. Design some experiment to test the
effectiveness of your proposed (10
pts)
legislation
Bibliography:
This section should contain a complete listing of
all materials used in your research, organized in a standard bibliographic
form. A URL is not an acceptable reference. (5 pts)
Organization:
Your packet should include the following materials
submitted in a timely manner:
1. 3 primary sources and abstracts in your own
words (5 pts)
2.
5 secondary sources and abstracts in
your own words (5
pts)
3. Outline (5
pts)
4. Synthesis
(Written introduction) (5
pts)
5. Abstract (5
pts)
LETTER
GRADE_______ POINT
TOTAL
Conclusion:
At the completion of this project students will be able to present the supporting evidence for pollution as a far-reaching problem involving more than local governments and societies. Additionally, through research and the analyzing of data students will be able to suggest legislation to prevent or alleviate further damage to the environment.
Standards:
1: Students will use mathematical analysis and
scientific inquiry, to pose new questions and develop solutions.
2: Students will access, generate, and process information
using appropriate technologies.
3: Students will become mathematically confident by
communicating and reasoning mathematically, by
applying mathematics in real-world settings.
4: Students
will understand and apply biological concepts, principles, and theories
pertaining to the living
environment.
6: Students
will understand the relationships and common themes that connect mathematics,
science, and
technology and apply the themes to these and other areas of learning.
7: Students will apply the knowledge and thinking skills of mathematics, science, and technology to address real-life problems and make informed decisions.