RESOURCES- “How Can I Make The Planet A Better Place” Project
MN State Standard: Students will describe how humans influence the
environment and in turn are influenced by it.
MYP Unit Question: How are we responsible for the earth's resources?
MYP Area of Interaction: Community & Service
Task:
Human beings have always used and conserved resources. You will create an
ACTION PLAN to implement within your sphere (own room, home, neighborhood,
classroom, school) of influence that will conserve/ protect/ raise awareness about
a resource issue.
Step 1: Working in groups (or individually if absent) you will brainstorm resource
problems and existing programs that address resource issues. This information
will help you come up with ideas for Step 3 (possibly in class activity).
Step 2: You will research environmental resource issues and programs that
already exist in the areas of: Water, Soil, Forests, Energy, Agriculture, Fish, Air,
Wildlife, Minerals, Waste.
Start with the websites below for your research. On a separate sheet of
paper:
1) Choose 4 of the 12 topics below to research. Pick ones that may interest you!
2) List each topic (ie…Water Conservation, Vermiculture)
3) Write down 3 details/pieces of information from that website about the topic
(this info will be helpful in coming up with a topic for your project).
Resources:
Water Conservation :
http://www.wateruseitwisely.com/100-ways-to-conserve/index.php
Vermiculture – Worm composting
http://www.cityfarmer.org/wormcomp61.html
Wood from the Hood:
http://www.woodfromthehood.com/
Conserve Energy:
http://www.ecomall.com/greenshopping/20things.htm
How are schools are going green:
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10312/1101565-298.stm
Minnesota Smart Fish Guide : (PDF Document-download & open)
Type in the following phrase in search engine box: MN Smart fish guide
Air Pollution:
http://www.english-online.at/environment/air-pollution/air-pollution-and-smog.htm
Natural Resources Defense Council
http://www.nrdc.org/
Billion Tree Campaign:
http://greenbeltmovement.org/w.php?id=13
http://greenbeltmovement.org/w.php?id=114
Dresses Made of Garbage:
http://photos.momlogic.com/galleries/recycled_prom_dresses
SCRAP-Reusable Art Supplies:
http://www.scrap-sf.org/
Solar Backpacks:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=103230940
Step 3: After completing steps 1 & 2, you are now to narrow your focus to one
environmental resource issue (ie.-water, soil, forests) to create your project on.
1) Choose your one topic and find at least 4 additional sources (ie.-websites,
books, magazine articles, newspaper articles) to research.
2) Take some notes (details/facts) that will be useful in choosing your action plan
on your resource issue.
3) After your notes are complete, brainstorm a list of possible action plans (plans
of action-do not have to put into action now) for your resource issue and circle the
ONE idea that you are considering for your project (ie..Promoting cell phone
recycling, food conservation, water conservation, etc..)
Step 4: You will produce a brochure that describes the environmental issue and
your action plan.
A) Your brochure needs a slogan and an icon ( ie… “Don’t Trash Your Phone”)
B) The brochure needs to explain the issue and have a 3-5 bullet point ACTION
PLAN that is easy to understand and explains how it will help to solve an
environmental issue in your community
C) Justification Paper- you will write a 5-paragraph justification paper explaining
the environmental issue, your ACTION PLAN and why your plan will be effective,
and how you can apply your research/ action plan to other situations. (ie…my cell
phone recycling plan could also be applied to I-pods/mp3 players and computers)
Requirements : You will turn in the following :
o Research notes taken in the computer lab / library
o A printed or emailed copy of your justification paper
o Your brochure
o One copy of the bibliography, completed in Chicago style (4 sources +
site/s above in Step 2 if using for brochure)
Chicago Style Citation Format:
Book: Author’s Last Name, First Name. Title of Book. Publishing Location: Publishing
Company, Publication Year.
Website: Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Topic on Website.” Title of Website. Date
Written- day month year. <Website
Address> (Date Accessed- day month year).
Rubric/Grading: This project is worth 50 points.
MYP Assessment Criterion: C: Skills and B: Concepts
Criterion C: Skills
Achievement Descriptor
Level
0
The student does not reach a standard described by any of the
(0-14pts = N)
descriptors given below.
The student can select and use some relevant information. The
student displays minimal analytical skills. The student attempts to
carry out investigations, demonstrating few skills.
The student selects and uses mostly relevant information. The
student’s work lacks required depth in analysis. The student
3-4
(17pts = D+ to demonstrates basic investigation skills. (Rationale for the Action Plan
C-)
was unsupported).
The student selects and uses relevant information. Work shows
satisfactory evidence analysis. The student demonstrates adequate
5-6
(18-20pts = C to investigation skills. (Rationale for the Action Plan was adequate).
B-)
The student selects and uses a range of relevant information. Work
shows a good level of critical analysis. The student demonstrates
7-8
(21-22pts = B to effective investigation skills. (Rationale for the Action Plan was
A-)
supported).
The student selects and uses a wide range of relevant information.
Work shows a high level of critical analysis. The student
9-10
(23-25pts = A to demonstrates sophisticated investigation skills. (Rationale and
A+)
justification for the ACTION PLAN was well supported).
1-2
(15-16pts = D)
C Total =
______ /25pts
Criterion B: Concepts
Achievement
Level
0
(0-14pts = N)
Descriptor
The student does not reach a standard described by any of the
descriptors below.
Application of concept is inappropriate. The student may
1-2
(15-16pts = D) demonstrate some conceptual awareness and understanding by
recognizing basic connections to the subject matter.
3-4
(17pts = D+ to
C- )
5-6
(18-20pts = C
to B-)
7-8
(21-22pts = B
to A-)
9-10
(23-25 pts=A
to A+)
B Total =
Application of concepts is not always appropriate. The student
demonstrates conceptual awareness and understanding by
describing basic connections to the subject matter.
Application of concepts is appropriate but superficial. The student
demonstrates conceptual awareness and understanding by describing
connections to the subject matter. The student attempts to apply
concepts to other situations but is not always successful.
Application of concepts is appropriate and shows depth. The student
demonstrates conceptual awareness and understanding by explaining
connections to the subject matter. The student applies concepts to
other situations.
Application of concepts is appropriate and sophisticated. The student
demonstrates conceptual awareness and understanding by explaining
in detail connections to the subject matter. The student applies
concepts effectively to other situations.
______ /25 pts
Total Score= ______ /50pts
Possible Time Table to Keep Students On-Track (formative check-ins):
DAY 1
DAY 2
DAY 3
DAY 4
DAY 5
• Introduce
Project
• Start taking
notes on
environmental
issues and
existing
programs
•Finish research
and notes on
environmental
issues & existing
programs
•Start thinking
about your
ACTION PLAN
- Begin ACTION
PLAN (notes on
4 sources)
• Begin ACTION
PLAN (notes on
4 sources)
•Decide how you
will explain the
environmental
issue and your
ACTION PLAN
in the brochure
• Begin
brainstorming
Brochure design
• Make final
decisions about
the design of your
ACTION PLAN &
brochure
*Start creating
brochure
• Begin your
justification paper
•Make sure your
research is cited
properly
•Review the
requirements &
rubric to make
sure you are not
missing anything
(have a
friend/family
member give you
feedback about
your brochure)