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)
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 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.
To restore nature’s services in resource challenged communities, through a collaborative resource development, implementation, and stewardship process.
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
Click Here for Printable Version
Your public service announcement will be in the form of a video, poster, pamphlet, or flyer. Your goal is to get the word out, create a buzz, get people interested, and form a movement. Real world examples below range from posters to videos, historic to modern, and common sense to controversial.
Examples:
Warning-Explicit Language in the Song and Graphic Content-Harm to Animals
Requirements:
Catches peoples attention
Informative and educational related to the problem, solution, data
Clearly conveys your message
Your research paper needs to be 5+ pages and needs to include the following sections:
Title Page
Table of Contents
Position
History of the Problem
How did it develop?
How was it discovered?
What have other parties done to help solve this issue?
What are the relevant laws or treaties?
Causes of the problem
Consequences of the problem
Present
Future (5,10,25,50 years in the future)
Proposed solution(s) to the problem
Action Steps
The position of those who oppose you
Rebuttal to opposing position
Tables, Charts, Graphs, Pictures, Diagrams, and Maps
Works Cited Page
Requirements:
12 point font
Normal 1" margins
Double-spaced
Quantitative data from outside source
Quantitative data from research (your group)
>Two graphs
>One map
>Two images/photos
>15 Sources; No more that 10 Web Sources
Your webpage serves as the centerpiece of your project. This is where everything is published, linked, and packaged. It also serves as a way to get the word out for your events, get people involved, and serves as a networking opportunity. It will also be the place where Mr. Stephens goes to evaluate your work. Google sites are recommended because it is free and requires no code.
Requirements
GIS data using Google Maps or Google Earth. See example here.
Slogan clearly posted.
Logo clearly posted.
Public service announcement posted.
Research paper posted.
Documentation of entire project with a focus on your action. Ex-photo journal
Your action is the centerpiece of this final project, but it is also the most difficult. The goal of your action is to move the world closer to a sustainable solution. Be creative, be inspired, be inspiring, and make a difference.
Sample ideas:
Create a lesson plan and teach students about the issue and its solutions
Create an online petition
Organize a demonstration or public rally
Protest using non-violent civil disobedience
Volunteer with an organization
Change your own behavior
Speak at a public comment hearing or city hall meeting
Organize a boycott
Plan an event
Organize a letter writing campaign
Pressure a producer to adopt sustainable practices
This assignment is worth 10% of your overall grade.