Mrs. Dunbar

Jane Addams High School

INTRODUCTION

The City of New York has received thousands of letters from community members about the excessive poor air quality in their area. Some people have complained of health problems that they have endured due to the air pollution. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has also reported that they are receiving numerous calls of complaint about the dead birds, smog, and increased cases of Asthma patients due to the high levels of pollutants in the Hunts Point (Bronx) area. You and your group have been selected by the Environmental Protection Agency to aid in reducing the air pollution problem in New York City.

TASK

Your group will research the problem of air pollution using the PPA worksheets and the websites provided below. You will create a 5-6 slide power point based on your research. Your group must also present your power point 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- Create a 5-6 slide Power Point Presentation. Your presentation must include the following:

· The name of a pollutant along with a description.

· The primary source of that pollutant.

· The effects of this pollutant on organisms.

· A news article or case with a description of the pollutant and how it is gets into the air.

· Information on how humans can protect themselves from this pollutant and what people can do in order to reduce this pollutant.

· Your power point presentation must have at least 3 pictures.

Step 4- Your group will present your power point to the class.

Resources

Use the following websites to help you with your research.

Acid Rain

Carbon Monoxide 1

Carbon Monoxide 2

Carbon Monoxide 3

Carbon Monoxide 4

Carbon Dioxide News 1

Nitrogen Oxides 1

Particle Matter

Sulfur Dioxide News

Evaluation

Your work will be evaluated based on the rubrics below.

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.
Power Point slide	The student produced 6 slides with 3 or more pictures.	The student produced 5 slides with 3 pictures.	The student produced 4 slides with less than 3 pictures.	The student produces less than three slides with less than 2 pictures.
Grammar	There are no grammatical mistakes on the power point.	There is 1 grammatical mistake on the power point.	There are 2 grammatical mistakes on the power point.	There are more than 2 grammatical mistakes on the power point.
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 of 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 create a power point presentation that will inform the public on the affects of air pollution. You should have also learned how to back up your information with facts from your research. Your creative power point 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.