THE ENVIRONMENTAL SYMPOSIUM

Susan Cappetta
Lisa Castro

Introduction | Task | Resources | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion

Introduction

We are fast approaching the 21st Century and the Earth is in trouble! You are part of very important team that will research a current environmental problem. It is your responsibility to research the issue thoroughly, identify the key problem, brainstorm solutions, and present your findings to the rest of the committee.

The Task

During these few days you will research, analyze and present solutions to the class via a PowerPoint Presentation, a HyperStudio Project, a Web Page, or another idea that needs to be ok'd by the Environmental Committee. In preparation for this final presentation you will:

• Use the software Inspiration to brainstorm what you already know about your topic.

• Create a folder in the 8th grade folder on the server with your team's initials. You will keep your digital work in this folder including graphics and text. You will also use a paper folder for other work.

• Evaluate a web site link provided for you.

• Search, evaluate and use other Internet sites.

• Use at least two sources that are not from the Internet such as books, magazines, periodicals, CDs, videos, etc.

• Gather, analyze and synthesize the information.

• Brainstorm solutions to these problems and present them to the class.

Resources

Each group will start with one link. When you click on the following hyperlinks your group will be sent to your starting point. Good luck and have fun evaluating these sites before you use them.

1. Where does your site come from? Check out the domain name.
2. Who is the author? What do you know about the author?
3. Is there a bias to the information? How can you tell?
4. How reliable is the source?
5. Is the information readable and accurate?
6. How would you rate this site on a scale from 1 to 10?

The Acid Rain site includes key background information about the topic.

The Rainforest Site Explore the source of this site carefully. Spend time searching all of the different pages within the site.

The Endangered Species site of links includes different sites to go to about specific endangered species.

The Water Pollution sites called "Ocean Pollution" details the specific problems of ocean pollution which include oil pollution, toxic waste, and ocean dumping.

The Global Warming site emphasizes the history of global warming on earth, problems on earth caused by global warming, and ways consumers can help the situation.

The Deforestation Site is New Forests Project.  It is a people to people direct program to reduce deforestation.  It provides training and material to start reforestation projects.   What aspect of your research does this site help you with?

The Air Pollution The Urban Air Pollution Homepage is intended to provide information on air pollution research that has been or is being carried out in a graduate school in London.

The Process

You will spend five days before Thanksgiving working on this project during your regular academic classes. You will be with your groups throughout these days and will be expected to participate as if your were working for an Environmental Company in the real world. Cooperation and teamwork are as important as productivity and production. Most importantly we expect this to be fun and different. We want you to enjoy this exciting way to learn!

1. First you'll be assigned to a team of 4 students...
2. You will also be assigned a topic....
3. You will begin to accomplish your tasks outlined in the task section of this site.

It is very important that you narrow your topic after you have done some initial research. The guide sheet for narrowing your topic is located in The Library Research Progression.

Evaluation

You will receive an effort grade based on two rubrics. The first is a cooperation rubric and the second is a multi-media rubric. The links to the different rubrics is here.

Conclusion

During these five days you will spend time in a real world configuration working and cooperating with your teammates to solve world problems. You may not know it, but this is how many people work. Colleges are also requiring more and more of their students to participate in team projects where they are presented with a problem they must solve. We hope you've enjoyed these days with each other.

Last updated July 22, 1998

Based on a template from The Webquest Page.