1. Man and the Environment Web Quest By EllenMae Johnson

2. Essential Question What is the influence of mankind’s activities upon the world’s environment ?

3. Curriculum Correlation Standard 2 Objective 3: Analyze human influence on the capacity of an environment to sustain living things

4. Task One During this web quest activity you will be researching the different ways that the activities of mankind are influencing the environment. Each student will be assigned to a group that will make a power point presentation about environmental issues

5. Task Two The second task is individual. Each student is to write a two page report about one environmental issue that is interesting to them.

6. First Step Each student needs to go to the following site: http:// environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment In the right hand corner is a list of enviromental issues. Each student should pick at least four of them and explore the information there. Make sure to click on the video icon on the left side. There are short, excellent video clips about a myriad of issues.

7. Second step After exploring the previous site, the student should explore the following sites which give some opposing ideas of mankind causing global warming and other environmental problems. http://www.globalwarminghoax.com/news.php http://www.edf.org/page.cfm?tagID=1011

8. Third Step Now meet with your group and compare notes and ideas. Decide which issues your group wants to include in their PowerPoint presentation. No more than 15 slides should be used. All sides of the issues should be represented in your presentation. It should be informational and nonbiased. The following slide shows the rubric for the presentation.

9. Presentation Essay SuperiorAdequateMinimalInadequate Content (50 points) The slides provide a variety of content, facts, and examples appropriate to the subject. It is easy to see the connection to the big idea of human influence on environment. The slides focus primarily on relevant information with some facts and examples appropriate to the subject. The connection to the big idea of human influence on environment is there. The slides include some irrelevant content. There are few examples and facts given. The connection to the big idea of human influence on environment is hard to understand. The slides have very little information relevant to subject. There is no apparent connection to the big idea of human influence on environment. Organization (30 points) The message is overtly organization. The slides help the viewer understand the sequence and relationships of ideas by using organizational aides as headings and bullets and transitions. There is a final, complete summary. The message is organized. The viewer has no difficulty understanding the sequence and relationships of ideas. There is a final summary. The organization of the message is mixed up and random. The viewer must make some assumptions about the sequence and relationship of ideas. There is no final summary. The message is so disorganized the viewer cannot understand most of it. Creativity (20 Points) Very original presentation of material; captures the audience’s attention Some originality apparent; good variety and blending of media options Little or no variation; material presented with little originality or interpretation Repetitive with little or no variety; insufficient use of media options Delivery (20 points) The speaker delivers the message in a confident, poised fashion. The volume and rate varies to add emphasis and interest; Pronunciation and enunciation are very clear. The volume is not too low or too loud and the rate is not too fast or too slow. The pronunciation and enunciation are clear. The volume is too low or too loud and the rate is too fast or too slow. The pronunciation and enunciation are unclear. The volume is so low and the rate is so fast that you cannot understand most of the message. The pronunciation and enunciation are very clear.

10. Step Four The final task is for each student to write a two page report about which issue they think is one of the most important environmental concern facing the world today. In this report you will presenting your opinion and then support it with facts found from the internet sites. The rubric for the report is found on the following slide.

11. Report rubric ExcellentFair Needs Improvement Science Content (50 points) Accurate; Connected to the big idea of human influence on the environment Mostly accurate; Connections to the big idea are not clear Inaccurate; Not connected to the big idea of human influence on the environment Organization and presentation (30 points) Main idea are clearly presented; Ideas are presented in an appropriate order; Ideas are supported by information and logic; Conclusions are based upon evidence presented Main ideas are presented to some extent; Ideas are not presented in an order that adds clarity; Some ideas are supported by information and logic; Conclusions do not follow from ideas presented No main idea presented; Ideas are presented in an order that distracts from clear communication; Ideas are not supported by information and are illogical. Inappropriate conclusions are presented Use of Science Language (10 points) Consistent use of appropriate science language and terminology Partial use of appropriate science language and terminology Inaccurate use of science language and terminology Information Sources (10 points) Multiple sources; Wide range of resource types; Reliable sources; Current sources Two or more sources; two types of resources; some reliable sources; Some current sources; One source (often personal knowledge or text only); Narrow range of resources; Unreliable sources; out of date sources

12. Concluding Summary Environmental issues are extremely complex. Solutions are difficult to implement because of expense and societal consequences. New technology brings new issues. It is hard for groups to come to consensus on possible solutions. We all need to be informed and involved with protecting the earth.