Name: ______________
Theme: ______________
Topic: ___________________
Interest, Research, Action Project
APES Final PhotoStory Project
In this activity, students will research and analyze an APES topic, and how it applies to a specific situation/location/or example. Then,
students will apply this research and interest to something they could do (organization, volunteering, internship, program of study,
personal choices). They will research the topic, present their findings in a PhotoStory format, and make connections to personal
interest, relevancy, and action.
Directions: Choose a theme below for your PhotoStory. These are themes we have studied throughout the year
and you should have substantial understanding of. Specific concepts are listed under each theme to give you
ideas on directions you can go. Your job is to locate a specific example of one of these concepts that you are
interested in. For example you could look at climate change impacts in Central Texas, conservation of the
rainforest in Costa Rica through biosphere reserves, endocrine disrupting chemicals in water bottles,
development of antibiotic-resistant tuberculosis in Texas, the Mueller development in Austin and smart growth,
or impacts of eutrophication on Louisiana fishing.
Suggestions on How to Pick a Topic:
-Your topic must be approved by the teacher and cannot be a repeat of another student’s idea
-Choose a theme or concept from the list below and search for an example you are interested in
-Choose something that also has an action component – What can YOU do about it
Earth Systems and Resources
- Geologic time scale
-Plate tectonics/earthquakes, volcanism.
-Weather and Climate
- El Nino/La Nina
- Global water use – conservation/use
- groundwater issues
- Soil erosion/conservation
- Soil types and formation
The Living World
- Biological populations/communities
- Interactions among species
- Any terrestrial biome
- Any aquatic biome
-Foodwebs / trophic levels
-Biodiversity
- natural selection and evolution
- Ecosystem services
- Climate Shifts and Species Movement
- Ecological succession
- Nutrient Cycling
Energy Resources and Consumption
-History of energy use – industrial revolution
-Fossil fuel use – coal, oil, natural gas
- Nuclear – fission, safety issues, radioactive wastes
-Hydroelectric power – dams, tidal
- Energy conservation – cars, homes, industrial
- Solar – CSP, flat-plate, photovoltaic
- Biomass/Biofuels
- Geothermal
- Wind
Global Change
- Ozone depletion
- Global Warming – impacts and consequences
- Reducing climate change – laws, treaties, actions
- Loss of biodiversity – habitat loss, pollution
- threatened/endangered species
- Conservation of species
Population
- Population ecology – species strategies, survivorship
- Human population growth rates, demographic transition
- Population size and sustainability
- National policies and differences with human population
-Human hunger
- Any type of infectious disease
Land and Water Use
- Types of agriculture, impacts
- Genetic engineering and food
- Green Revolution
- Sustainable/Local/Organic food
- Controlling pests – chemical vs organic, IPM
- Forestry – national forests, forest fires, old-growth forests
- Urban land development – sprawl and smart growth
- biking and mass transit
- National parks, wilderness areas, wildlife refuges
- Mining – mineral extraction and locations
- Fishing – types, policies, aquaculture
- Global Economics
Pollution
- Air pollution – sources, major pollutants
- Smog
- Acid Deposition
- indoor air pollution
- Noise pollution – sources, effects, control
- Water Pollution – sources, major pollutants
- Water treatment
- Solid waste – trash issues, reduction, reuse
Toxicology and Human Health
- Environmental risk analysis
- Acute and chronic effects of pollutants
- dose-response relationships
- types of hazardous waste/clean-up
- clean-up of hazardous waste
Write a Brief (3-4 Sentences) Summary Explaining Your Topic
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Case Study Format
Case studies in APES provide students with a brief overview of events that impact the people function and live
day to day. They allow students to use “real world” examples to better understand our world and the complex
processes shaping it. Good case studies do the following:
-Tell a story
-Look at timely, on-going issues
-Includes commentary from all parties involved
-It is relevant to the area of study
-It creates a provoking discussion
-It is concise and to the point
Project Parts
A. Choosing a Topic
(5 Points)
-Use the list of themes with specific concepts to locate a topic for your presentations
-Clear the topic by the teacher and write a brief description for it
B. Research Packet
(20 Points)
-Packet must be complete and contain thoughtful responses.
-Keep a list of the resources you have used for your work citied.
C. PhotoStory
(70 Points)
-Students will present their findings through a PhotoStory presentation
-The presentations should include photos/graphics, text, audio recordings, and music.
D. Reflection
(5 Points)
-Students will answer reflection question(s) on the day the projects are due.
Part I: Research Packet
Background
What is happening? (Provide a description of your topic)
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Who/What is involved with this issue? (Provide a list and description of people/ groups/ orgnaiams involved
with your topic)
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Location
Where is the issue occurring? (List the relevant locations affected by this topic)
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Development
What are some important events or time periods? (Describe important events, developments, or time periods
about your topic)
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How has the issue changed over time? (Describe how your topic has changed since it began)
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Impact
What are the serious impacts or concerns with this topic? (Describe the effects of your topic)
Effects on people:
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Effects on the environment:
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Effects on economics:
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Future
How will this issue affect the region in the future? (Describe long term significance of your topic)
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What is being done to prepare for the impact of this topic on the future? (Describe ways people are
preparing to address your topic in the future)
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Other Example(s)
How is this topic similar to another or other places/events/issues we have studied? What similarities do they
share?
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Actions
Now that you have explored this topic, what can YOU do about it? Find an organization that is working on the
problem, a program of study at a university you are enrolled in/might enroll in, a summer internship, etc.
Describe the action item below – include details, a web site, and WHY it is relevant to the problem. Also
discuss what are your personal investments in this topic and what are you willing to do?
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Part II: PhotoStory
-Avoid making overcrowded slides (use more than one slide if necessary to fit in all the info)
-Avoid distracting fonts, backgrounds, or audio. Everything must be visible/ audible.
-Your overall product should be not shorter than 2 minutes and no longer than 5 minutes.
Content 1: Introduction to Topic
-Provide a brief introduction to the topic you have chosen, and choose a graphic to represent your topic
2: Description of Theme
-Describe how your topic matches a theme of the list your were given, and choose a graphic to represent the theme
3: Background
-Describe the background of your topic, and choose a graphic to represent the background
4: Location
-Describe the location of your topic, and choose a graphic to represent the location
5: Development
-Describe the development of your topic, and choose a graphic to represent the development
6: Impact
-Describe the impact of your topic, and choose a graphic to represent the impact
7: Future
-Describe the future of your topic, choose a graphic to represent the impact
8: Overview of Similar Example
-Describe another example of a similar event/issue/place that we studied that is
similar to your topic, and choose a graphic to represent the similar example
9: Action
-Describe the action piece of the project – what did you choose, and why
- What are your personal investments in this topic, what are you willing to do. “big picture” of your topic
-Choose a graphic to represent the “big picture”
10: Work Citied - Finish your PhotoStory with a slide or slides containing your work citied (info AND graphics)