INTRODUCTION:
Our atmosphere contains gases such as carbon dioxide and water vapor which aid in trapping the rising heat from the Earth’s surface and prevents it from escaping into outer space. This trapping of the sun’s energy in the form of heat helps to keep the Earth’s surface relatively warm and is called the greenhouse effect. Thanks to the greenhouse effect the Earth's average surface temperature is about 60F (15C).Without greenhouse gases, the Earths temperature would be 0F (-18C), too cold to sustain life.
Human activities are intensifying the natural greenhouse effect. Every year we release billions of tons of heat-trapping gases into the atmosphere. In doing so, we are setting the stage for a warmer Earth. If we don’t act quickly things will continue to get worse. You and your team of scientists must gather information on the current policies.
Based on your team’s research you must submit public policy recommendations to the president to help protect life on Earth.
TASK:
You work for the Environmental Protection Agency and you
want to find the best solution for this growing problem by focusing on how the
U.S is affected by global warming. This
goal will be accomplished by using the 6-step public policy approach to write a
three page written proposal(including illustrations and evidence) addressing
all the steps in the TIPS PPA analysis and will contain evaluations and
solutions for this problem. You must be clear and convincing—the world depends
on you. Each person has a specific role as outlined
below:
1. Environmentalist – is concerned with environment preservation
2. Scientist – is concerned with the technical and scientific aspect
3. Legislator – is concerned with the cost versus benefit and feasibility of the solution
The information will then be combined to further strengthen your ideas.
PROCESS: 
To assist you in your 3 page report you must also use the Public
Policies Analyst format found on the TIPS website by completing
the following worksheets, #2 (Gathering
evidence), #3 (Identifying the causes), #4 (Evaluate a
policy), #5
(Develop solutions) and #6(Select Best
Solutions). Using the World Wide Web these forms should be submitted as your
group finishes them. Your task is to collect and analyze current solutions from
various sources of this hot issue. You will then propose a solution combining
or creating different ideas.
The format of your paper includes the following:
· coversheet: including: Topic, Title, Name, Class Section, Date, Teacher
·
introduction:
define the social problem (include evidence) and causes
·
body: discuss current policies and tell
how you feel (why you like or dislike)
·
conclusion:
suggest legislation and solutions that will work and explain why
·
bibliography:
a complete listing of all the materials you used in your research
Remember you have a reputation to maintain and you must
support your statements with data and factual evidences. You are required to
follow the steps below:
Here are some guidelines to help you:
Day 1 Research
listed websites that pertains to your field of expertise (using the resources
section from below). Gather evidence: Select 3 or more websites to write a page
on and complete worksheet #2 Gathering evidence of present policies
Day 2 Complete worksheet #3 Identifying causes. Write your introduction.
Day 3 Complete
worksheet #4:
Evaluating Existing Public Policies Evaluating Existing Public Policies
in the
Day 4 Complete
the following two worksheets as a group, be sure to discuss these answer among
yourselves.
Worksheet #5: Developing
Public Policy Solutions
Worksheet #6: Selecting
the Best Public Policy Solution.
Day5 Write a conclusion explaining why your solution should be taken seriously by the president and not just placed on the bottom of the pile.
RESOURCES:
Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) for kids
Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA)-climate
Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA)-action
Environmental Web on Global Warming
The Whitehouse & Global Warming
EVALUATION:
Your paper will be
graded based upon the following rubric:
|
Points |
4 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
Total |
|
Task Completeness |
6 Steps |
5 Steps |
4 Steps |
3 or fewer steps |
|
|
Development &
Organization |
excellent organization & thorough explanations |
very good organization & explanations |
good organization & explanations |
poor organization & explanations |
|
|
Oral Presentation |
All members participate; very clear, loud & understandable |
All members participate; somewhat clear, loud & understandable |
Some members; somewhat clear, loud & understanding |
some members; not clear or understanding |
|
|
Grammar |
writing is in your own words; few grammatical errors |
writing is in your own words; 5-8 grammatical errors |
writing is in your own words; 9-11 grammatical errors |
writing is not in your own words; 11> errors |
|
|
Research |
Gathered information from at least 4 online sources |
Gathered information from at 3 online sources |
Gathered information from at 2 online sources |
Gathered information from at 1 online source |
|
Science 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.
CONCLUSION:
Using technology students will cooperatively be able to:
- Learn the meaning of Global Warming and the greenhouse effect
- Describe the causes of Global Warming
- Identify the consequences of Global Warming
- Evaluate and Analyze Existing Public Policies on Global Warming
- Develop Public Policy Solutions and then select the best solution
English Standard 1
Students
will read, write, listen, and speak for information and understanding.
As listeners and
readers, students will collect data, facts, and ideas,
discover relationships, concepts, and generalizations; and use knowledge
generated from oral, written, and electronically produced texts. As speakers
and writers, they will use oral and written language to acquire, interpret,
apply, and transmit information.