Sustainability Project 2016
An exploration of a sustainable World!
Welcome to the 21st century, our society is highly scientific and technological. Most working
adults are either working in a scientific field or use scientific information and technologies developed
through science to enhance their occupation. But much of society is still exploiting resources with
little long-term approaches towards the future. Shortsighted development practices and unplanned
results or consequences of our actions are becoming apparent. Scientific data shows we are putting a
great strain on our atmosphere, oceans and land surfaces. The purpose of this study is to explore from
a scientific viewpoint one of these potential problems and applying the power of human ingenuity to
provide possible solutions to these problems to make a more sustainable world.
“The world will not evolve past its current state of crisis by
using the same thinking that created the situation.”
-Albert Einstein
1. Choose a topic related to an area, which has a sustainability issue.
Be sure it is one in which you are interested but it must involve some scientific, math or
technological aspect to research. See page 3. You must get approval for your topic.
2. Research information about the sustainability issue.
Possible good research sources include:
a. Letters of inquiry to professional organizations and businesses
b. Interviewing a person or people involved with the issue
HINT: Often proven to be a most effective way to obtain current, interesting
information.
c. The Internet
d. Local library to research media ask a librarian for help: internet, CD ROM,
pamphlets or files, magazines, videos, books, and encyclopedias
NOTE: Information should be recent and dated within the last 5 years.
Minimum requirement of 3 outside sources, all sources must be properly listed in your
bibliography. (People in your house do not count as outside interview sources but you are
welcome to interview them for general information)
 Use as many Internet sources as you want but they must be reliable. Ask an adult such
as your parent, librarian or teacher to verify the reliability of a particular site.
3. Requirements Part 1 - The Content:
Prepare a 5-8 minute oral report. Be creative such as pretending as if you were applying for a job
or presenting to a high-level committee. Make sure there is a visual for all areas.
Presentation content will be graded on the following seven areas:
1) An introduction giving an overview of your chosen issue and commenting on the difficulties of
achieving sustainability involving your issue.
2) Describe how science, math and/or technology concepts are involved in your issue both leading
up to it, helping to gather data about it and possibly solving problems/issues.
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3) Discuss in detail various possible practical solutions in regards to your issue. Practical means a
solution that could be implemented within the foreseeable future.
4) Discuss some of the difficulties in implementing your suggested solutions discussed in area #3.
5) Discuss which solution you personally recommend and why you recommend it. To support
your position include a possible outcome or outcomes if your solution is not adopted.
6) What do you consider the actual prospects in the future for your solutions, which solution is
likely to be adopted or if none of them then what is the most likely course of action that you
think will take place and why do you think it might happen?
7) Include a conclusion that summarizes your project. Consider mentioning your interview (not
required) if interesting.
4. Requirements Part 2 - The Visuals and Presentation:
Presentation Grade will be also evaluated on the visual effort/quality of workmanship and the qualities
such as:
1. Enthusiasm, make it into an exciting presentation, first impressions are important, so work on
your enthusiasm, voice and eye contact with the audience.
2. Effective organization of the presentation, the flow of ideas and the detail/quality of the
information.
3. Speaking clearly with effective emphasis (no pure reading), with few pauses and fidgeting
(movement without a purpose).
4. Note sheets or cards are clear, neat and include appropriately detailed bibliographical
information and student name
5. Show visuals that capture some of the excitement, problems and/or possibilities of your
sustainability issue.
6. Visuals are of high quality, are detailed and show excellent effort, quality of workmanship
and creativity.
7. Well thought out arguments for particular positions or ideas and practical solutions.
8. Special effects: such as a display, pictures, diagrams or charts, role-playing, "tools" of the
trade, etc.
5. Remember to turn in the following at the appropriate time:
 Turn in Note Sheets or Cards clearly marked with each area 1-7 and include separate
bibliography (make as many sheets/cards as needed)
 A letter requesting an interview may be stamped or turned in at some point
 Interview questions in preparation before the interview
 Your score sheets and rubric critiquing other projects
 Presentation including visuals and clear information
 A bibliography sheet or cards
6. Practice, Practice and more Practice
This can be accomplished by talking to your-self in front of a mirror, in the shower, or other quiet
times. Try recording your presentation so you can hear yourself and also present it to someone else: a
friend, parent or other relative.
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Sustainability Project Possibilities
Plastics use, waste
Solid waste management
Reusing tires and other car parts
Minimalistic or reusable packaging
Paper recycling and reduction of use
Computer equipment waste
Recycling buildings
Water
Household gray-water systems
Industrial water usage
Groundwater over usage vs. recharge
Water reduction of use systems
Business water usage
Golf courses
Drinking water and pollution
Plastic water bottles
Land
Farmland preservation
Soil Preservation
Home and Business Buildings
Building site selection and orientation
Lighting, industrial, home etc
Building materials/construction
Heating/Cooling (Insulation)
Landscape impacts
Air quality
Appliances
Sustainable Grazing
Sustainable Mining
Sustainable farming
Wetland/Marshland preservation
Sustainable Forestry/Lumber
Desertification reduction
Oceans
Transportation
Over-fishing
Non-point source pollution
Mineral extraction
Oil extraction
Coral reefs
Fish farms
Automobile (Compare to gas)
biodiesel, hybrid, fuel cell, solar, electric
Train-long distance: Passenger, maglev
Airline (construction components, fuel)
Freight: Train, Truck, And Ship
Energy
Food Production (also see Land and Ocean)
Home reduction, alternatives
Business reduction, alternatives
Solar divide into types
Large scale Electrical, Home
electrical, water heating systems
Wind divide into types
Large commercial, small scale/home
Biomass divide into types
Biofuels, Wood and Wood waste,
Landfill gas and garbage
Non-transportation Fuel Cell
Fossil Fuels divide into types
Coal, Oil, Diesel, Natural Gas
Nuclear
Fusion, Fission
Tidal electrical
Geothermal
Hydroelectric large scale
Hog farms large vs. small scale
Chicken Farms large vs. small
Organic versus non-organic
Radiated vs. other food preservation
techniques
Effect on Soil of different crops
Integrated Pest Management vs Spray
Soil Conservation and tilling
Irrigation systems and efficiency
Many other possibilities, but they must be
approved
Waste Management
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