Science Homework
Part 1 due Monday, January 9th
Part 2 due Monday January 24th
Part 3 due On Your Block Day January 26th
Drilling in a Wildlife Refuge - Total points for project - 100
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service which administers Alaska’s Arctic
National Wildlife Refuge, states that its primary purpose is “to protect the
wildlife and habitats of this area for the benefit of people now and in the
future”. The refuges costal plain is the calving ground for the porcupine
caribou herd, the most important land based denning area for the entire
Beumont Sea polar bear population, home for 350 reintroduced musk oxen,
and an important habitat for more than 180 bird species. Environmentalist
claim that oil drilling on the refuge would bring pollution and disrupt the
lives of the animals that use the coastal plain. Oil industry executives say
that they would drill on only 8 percent of the refuge. The refuge is a 1.5
million acre coastal plain. The oil revenues would benefit the state and
federal governments and more than 250,000 jobs would be created. They say
that oil drilling would reduce the amount of foreign oil the U.S. would have
to import for our car based economy.
Part 1 - due Monday January 9th - 30 points
Research this issue via the internet and the library. Form an opinion in favor
of the environmentalist or the oil industry executives. Then write an
approximately one page paper that states your opinion and gives at least 3-5
supporting statements or examples to back up your opinion.
Part 2 - due Monday January 24th – 30 points
Based on your opinion paper I will assign role playing characters for a
community debate. I will assign you a “role” to play. You will research the
issue based upon the role you are assigned. Write a fact sheet with at least 6
statements to support an argument based on your character.
Part 3 – In Class debate held on your block day January 26th, or 27th – 40
points.
Bring your fact sheet, and be prepared to debate. There will be in class time
to meet with your debate group and form a strategic plan for the debate.