Links:
WHAT’S YOUR ISSUE?
OBJECTIVE:
Students research a local or national environmental issue.
Students will create a one page information piece on their issue.
Students will submit their information piece as well as a letter to a local or national political representative.
PRIOR LEARNING:
No prior learning is necessary.
MATERIALS:
Computer with internet access.
Computer with Word program.
Secondary Biology textbook.
Envelopes and stamps (unless students would like to submit their work to the representative electronically through their official website.)
WEBSITES/SUGGESTIONS:
http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW_by_State.shtml
http://www.dreamagic.com/congress/ny.html
http://www.earthdayny.org/newyorklinks.html
Suggest topics for students to delve into such as ozone depletion, greenhouse gasses, bycatch, landfill leeching, invasive species, alternative energy, etc….
(There may be relevant local issues as well that can be addressed.)
ROLES IN LESSON:
STUDENT:
Research the what, how, why, and where of an issue.
Develop information piece.
Submit drafts.
Verify that the issue has not already been addressed b the politician they selected.
Complete a letter and send to the political representative.
TEACHER:
Create check points for students to have portions of work completed.
Collect and review drafts.
WRAP UP:
Students hand in final informational piece and letter to teacher.
Students submit work to their chosen representative (via snail mail or electronically).
Teacher creates class binder of student work.
ASSESSMENT:
What Is Your Issue Rubric.
NEW YORK STATE STANDARDS:
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.
Key Idea 7:
Human decisions and activities have had a profound impact on the physical and living environment.
Major Understandings
7.2a Human activities that degrade ecosystems result in a loss of diversity of the living and nonliving environment. For example, the influence of humans on other organisms occurs through land use and pollution. Land use decreases the space and resources available to other species, and pollution changes the chemical composition of air, soil, and water.
7.2b When humans alter ecosystems either by adding or removing specific organisms, serious consequences may result. For example, planting large expanses of one crop reduces the biodiversity of the area.
7.2c Industrialization brings an increased demand for and use of energy and other resources including fossil and nuclear fuels. This usage can have positive and negative effects on humans and ecosystems.
Major Understandings
7.3a Societies must decide on proposals which involve the introduction of new technologies.
Individuals need to make decisions which will assess risks, costs, benefits, and trade-offs.
7.3b The decisions of one generation both provide and limit the range of possibilities open to the next generation.
PRENTICE HALL REVIEW BOOK TOPIC:
Topic 7- Human Impact on Ecosystems
EXTENSIONS/IDEAS:
Check out Congressional Quarterly on-line
Check out NYPIRG on-line