Intro

You and your group are going to pick an issue related to environmental science for which you are going to make a difference. Your goal is to create a comprehensive campaign that promotes your cause and encourages others to take action. There are many ways that you can do this, but it is VERY important for you to pick a topic that your group is truly passionate about. However, do not choose overly done topics that could easily be completed by an elementary school student.

Once you have chosen a topic it is time to get to work on the basic requirements. You are responsible for researching your topic, creating a slogan or motto, designing a logo, producing a public service announcement, composing a research paper, designing a webpage, taking action to address your issue, and documenting your project. The project is worth 10% of your overall grade.

Sample Topics

Topics that need addressing in environmental science are wide ranging and can suit nearly anyone's interest. Since APES involved so many disciplines you can choose a topic related to anything from economics (cap and trade) to physics (energy) to biology (population dynamics) to chemistry (water pollution) to geology (global climate change) to mathematics (LD50). When choosing a topic it is key that you choose something that is of great interest to all group members. Other things worth your consideration are thinking about what you can do to help your cause and thinking about what data you can collect around the issue. Local issues tend to be more engaging and are more easily influenced.

This list can provide you with some examples of ideas and includes a few local and global issues, but is not exhaustive:

• • Reducing overpopulation of Homo Sapien Sapien

  • Revitalization of local rivers and/or streams

  • Reducing local overconsumption

  • Contributions from local power plants to global climate change

  • Conservation of habitat in migration corridors

  • Landscaping with native plants

  • Sustainable commuting to school

  • Reduction of paper usage at school

  • Plastic bag bans

  • Freshwater conservation

  • Expansion of local wilderness areas

  • Ewaste

  • Reducing indoor air pollution

  • Make up your own! (this is the best one)

Name, Slogan or Motto, and Mission

Your group needs to come up with a cool name for your group and a slogan or motto that provides a teaser on the goals of your project. This should be catchy and informative. After hearing it people should be curious to learn more about your group and your ideas. Acronyms are catchy and can be very creative. For example:

• • Cyclists Inciting Change thru Live Exchange, aka CICLE.

  • "Center for Biological Diversity: Because Life is Good"

  • "The Nature Conservancy-Protecting Nature Preserving Life"

  • "Surfrider Foundation-Protecting Beaches for Over 20 Years".

The mission your group comes up with should convey the goal of your project in one to three sentences. Examples are included below:

• • Natural Resource Defense Council

    • • The Natural Resources Defense Council's purpose is to safeguard the Earth: its people, its plants and animals and the natural systems on which all life depends.

  • Environmental Defense Fund

    • • Environmental Defense Fund is dedicated to protecting the environmental rights of all people, including future generations. Among these rights are access to clean air and water, healthy and nourishing food, and flourishing ecosystems.

  • NorthEast Trees

    • • To restore nature’s services in resource challenged communities, through a collaborative resource development, implementation, and stewardship process.

Logo

Your group needs to come up with a logo that similarly conveys the goals of your project and provide an appealing image that people can associate with. You should create an original logo, although it can be a spin off or modification of an existing logo. Some examples are below