Mrs. Dunbar

Jane Addams High School

INTRODUCTION

The City of New York has received thousands of letters from community members about the excessive noise in their area. Some people have complained of health problems that they have endured due to the noise pollution. The police departments have also reported that they are receiving numerous calls of complaint, and arrests have been made due to physical fights that have been brought on by the noise created by others. You and your group have been selected by the Environmental Protection Agency to aid in reducing the noise pollution problem in New York City.

TASK

Your group will research the problem of noise pollution using the PPA worksheets and the websites provided below. You will write a two page paper based on your research and create a poster which you will present to the class.

PROCESS

Step 1 You will be assigned to a group.

Step 2 Summarize your research on the problem and solutions to noise pollution using the 6 PPA worksheets as well as the website that are listed.

1. Define the Problem

2. Gather the Evidence

3. Identify the Causes

4. Evaluate a Policy

5. Develop Your Own Policy

6. Select the Best Policy

Step 3- Write a one 2 page report (typed double spaced/handwritten single space) using the research that you have gathered.

Step 4- Your group will create a poster that can be used as a billboard, or as advertisement for a bus or train that can be posted throughout New York City to encourage the residents to reduce noise pollution.

Step 5- Your group will present your poster in the form of a public announcement or advertisement.

Resources

Use the following websites to help you with your research.

Policies

The Council on the Environment of NYC - How noise hurts!!!

Cause and Effects

Levels of Noise and Vibration (db)

Graphs on the locations of noise pollution

Graphs

Surveys

Evaluation

Your work will be evaluated based on the rubrics below.

Making A Poster : Noise Pollution
CATEGORY	4	3	2	1
Title	Title can be read from 6 ft. away and is quite creative.	Title can be read from 6 ft. away and describes content well.	Title can be read from 4 ft. away and describes the content well.	The title is too small and/or does not describe the content of the poster well.
Graphics – Relevance	All graphics are related to the topic and make it easier to understand. All borrowed graphics have a source citation.	All graphics are related to the topic and most make it easier to understand. All borrowed graphics have a source citation.	All graphics relate to the topic. Most borrowed graphics have a source citation.	Graphics do not relate to the topic OR several borrowed graphics do not have a source citation.
Attractiveness	The poster is exceptionally attractive in terms of design, layout, and neatness.	The poster is attractive in terms of design, layout and neatness.	The poster is acceptably attractive though it may be a bit messy.	The poster is distractingly messy or very poorly designed. It is not attractive.
Mechanics	Capitalization and punctuation are correct throughout the poster.	There is 1 error in capitalization or punctuation.	There are 2 errors in capitalization or punctuation.	There are more than 2 errors in capitalization or punctuation.
Grammar	There are no grammatical mistakes on the poster.	There is 1 grammatical mistake on the poster.	There are 2 grammatical mistakes on the poster.	There are more than 2 grammatical mistakes on the poster.
Knowledge Gained	Student can accurately answer all questions related to facts in the poster and processes used to create the poster.	Student can accurately answer most questions related to facts in the poster and processes used to create the poster.	Student can accurately answer about 75% of questions related to facts in the poster and processes used to create the poster.	Student appears to have insufficient knowledge about the facts or processes used in the poster.
Research Report : Noise Pollution (PPA)
CATEGORY	4	3	2	1
Organization	Information is very organized with well-constructed paragraphs and subheadings.	Information is organized with well-constructed paragraphs.	Information is organized, but paragraphs are not well-constructed.	The information appears to be disorganized. 8)
Quality of Information	Information clearly relates to the main topic. It includes several supporting details and/or examples.	Information clearly relates to the main topic. It provides 1-2 supporting details and/or examples.	Information clearly relates to the main topic. No details and/or examples are given.	Information has little or nothing to do with the main topic.
Public Policy	All six steps of the PPA are thoroughly addressed and all worksheets correctly completed.	All six steps of the PPA are addressed, most worksheets correctly completed.	All steps of the PPA are addressed, but worksheets could be improved on.	Incomplete worksheets
Internet Use	Successfully uses suggested internet links to find information and navigates within these sites easily without assistance.	Usually able to use suggested internet links to find information and navigates within these sites easily without assistance.	Occasionally able to use suggested internet links to find information and navigates within these sites easily without assistance.	Needs assistance or supervision to use suggested internet links and/or to navigate within these sites.

Standards

English

o E1c: Read and comprehend informational materials.

o E2a: Produce a report if information.

o E4b: Analyze and subsequently revise work to improve its clarity and effectiveness.

Science

o S5e: Identifies problems; proposes and implements solutions; and evaluates the accuracy, design, and outcomes of investigations.

o S5f: Works individually and in teams to collect and share information and ideas.

o S6d: Acquires information from multiple sources.

o S7e: Communicates in a form suited to the purpose and the audience.

Conclusion

It is important for everyone to know how public policies are made and how they affect our lives. Upon completion of this web quest you will know how to research a problem, evaluate policies, create your own public policy, and write a report that will inform the public of the affects of noise pollution. You should have also learned how to back up your information with facts from your research. Your creative poster on noise pollution will be used for public awareness. Finally, at the end of this web quest and at the completion of the tasks you should understand how science and public policies work together.