Grade 6 and 7: Weeks of May 23rd to June 3rd

ENVIRONMENT PROJECT

We will complete a project on pathogens, or disease causing microbes. There will be seven elements to this project:

1. Notes: due May 26th (10 marks)
2. Research: one print out, magazine, or book due May 24th (5 marks)
3. Bibliography: due May 26th (5 marks)
4. Written research paper: May 27th (20 marks)
5. A power point (regular power point, or Prexis) or poster on Glogster: May 27th (10 marks)
6. Presentations: May 31st and June 1st (10 marks)
7. Participation: 10 marks

There will be time in Science class and Technology class to complete work, but students will need to bring in one piece of research to Science class. Any work that is not completed in class must be completed at home. Students will present in partner groups, may do the power point or poster together, and may help each other as needed. However, notes, research paper, bibliography, and research must be done individually and each student will receive an individual mark for his/her efforts.

The research project will consist of the following paragraphs:

1. Introduction: introductory statement, define the environmental problem, and what you will discuss in your essay.

2. Causes: what caused the environmental problem; or why people have chosen to use this type of energy over other renewable sources.

3. Effects: what effects does this problem have on humans, the atmosphere, animals, plants, etc.

4. Solutions: describe various solutions, practicality, costs, and challenges to their implementation.

5. Case study: choose a place in the world that has experienced this problem on a more severe level. You may use the teacher’s suggestion or choose your own.

Suggested case studies:
• Nuclear energy: Chernobyl or Japanese power plants 2011 earthquake
• E waste: Guiyu, China
• Overpopulation: one child policy, China or India or Indonesia
• Air pollution (fossil fuels): coal burning plants in North Carolina or Linfen, China
• Water pollution and shortages: aquifer Mexico City, cholera, or bilharzias
• Climate change: rainforest, landfills or prominent scientists for/against climate change
• Deforestation and endangered species: Amazon rainforest or highlight an endangered species
• Toxic waste: Love Canal, NY or Bhopal, India
• Oil spill: Exxon Valdez spill or Gulf of Mexico
• Garbage: garbage and recycling in North Carolina
6. Conclusion: summarize your conclusions and give the reader your most important points.