Chemistry 30S GASES IN THE ATMOSPHERE Greenhouse Gas Emissions in - - PDF document

Chemistry 30S GASES IN THE ATMOSPHERE Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Canada Project Written Portion (~2 pages, single-spaced) /20 Before you will be able to create a meaningful presentation for your classmates, you will need to research your topic, thoroughly. Understand aspects like the historical background, the technicalities, and the social and political attitudes surrounding your topic. While it is perfectly acceptable and normal to have your own opinion regarding an issue, it is crucial that you incorporate a scientific perspective into your work and writing. Consider scientific research, climate statistics, and other data, and sample a broad range of studies and articles to inform your own thoughts on the issue. In your written piece, you should identify your thesis. What is the question you want to answer? What grabbed your attention most as you continued your research? What is the point you are trying to argue? The more specific you are, the better. Depending on the scope of your project, your written portion may look more like a persuasive essay, or, if you have conducted some sort of experiment or study, it may look more like a lab report. Either way, be sure to make your thesis (or hypothesis, purpose, etc.) clear and concise, and provide evidence and research to support or explain what you have focused on (If you conducted your own study, this will be the evidence you have obtained, as well as prior research from reputable sources). There is, of course, lots of space for personal reflection and expression of opinion in this written portion, however, remember to support your own beliefs with evidence. Here are some topics you could research to begin narrowing your focus:

• 1. How your topic contributes to climate change
• Break it down; what are sub-categories within your topic?
• Specifically, where and how are greenhouse gases being released?
• 2. The history of your topic
• How has this developed and changed over time? How has technological development,

population change, or societal changes altered emissions? Has it intensified or been minimized?

• 3. How much your specific area of research contributes to national greenhouse gas emissions
• 4. If there are any other consequences of this topic area, unrelated to climate change
• What are they? Is anything being done about these issues?
• 5. Nationally, what can be done to deal with this problem, and what benefits and consequences would

result from this action (economic, political, social, cultural, etc.)

• Subsequently, what is being done to deal with this problem? Is Canada doing anything?
• 6. Locally, what can be done to deal with this problem

Chemistry 30S GASES IN THE ATMOSPHERE Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Canada Project

• How can we, individually, change our lives to fix this issue?
• 7. If there are any politically-, economically-, or socially-charged issues surrounding your area of

research

• 8. Can this connect with an issue on a local level? Is anything happening in

Westgate/Winnipeg/Manitoba that relates to this? Is there something you could study, locally, regarding this? Worth 65% of your total project mark. Includes quality of research, level of content, development of points, style of writing, organization of points, and grammar and mechanics. Point form is acceptable, as long as your points are developed enough to convey meaning. Full Marks Description Mark Quality of Research 5/5: Scientific and other references are from reputable and unbiased sources, and come from a broad range of areas. Sources are referenced throughout written work. 5 4 3 2 1 Development of Points 5/5: Main points well developed with high quality and quantity of

• support. Reveals a high degree of critical thinking.

5 4 3 2 1 Organization of Points 5/5: Writing shows high degree of attention to scientific evidence, logic, and reasoning of points. The unified writing style stirs thought in the reader and clearly leads them to the conclusion of the piece. 5 4 3 2 1 Style of Writing, Spelling and Grammar 3/3: Writing shows outstanding style. Tone is used effectively, and there is creative use of sentence structure and coordination. Writing is free of distracting spelling, punctuation, and grammatical errors. 3 2 1 References 2/2: Referencing and in-text citations follow the proper APA format. 2 1 References You must reference at least three reputable sources. Include a bibliography of all sources, referenced in APA format, including in-text citations. Refer to the following websites for information on accurate APA formatting, including in-text citations: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/1/ https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/02/ Presentation (and Creation/Investigation/Experimentation?) Portion – Your Choice! /10 This is a space for you to provide your fellow classmates with a meaningful and helpful message about your area of research and how it relates to climate change. This does not have to be an oral presentation – there are many options! Create something, design an experiential experiment, investigate something around you, research and write, etc. Discuss with me to fine-tune your presentation format. Some options include:

• Create pieces of artwork (paint, sketch, sculpt… performance art?) that reflect your research,

and/or your supported opinions surrounding the issue. Prepare a short reflection (1-2 min) to share with the class that describes your artwork and research in brief detail.

• Write a series of poems, or a song about your research, including a few key ideas from what you

focused on.

• Create a labeled and annotated diagram depicting how your topic affects the environment. Include

important information from your research, including how these issues can be minimized, nationally and locally.

Chemistry 30S GASES IN THE ATMOSPHERE Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Canada Project

• Create an advertising campaign that promotes environmentally-conscious behaviour, regarding

your topic. Use two different advertising methods (TV, radio, posters, in-app ads, etc.)

• Prepare 3-5 questions and record an interview with 3 individuals (friends, parents, teachers, etc.) to

determine their knowledge of your topic, and how it contributes to climate change. Summarize a few key points from your research, and inform them how they can make a difference in their individual lives.

• Create a poster that highlights the key aspects of your research. Use colour, imagery, and textual

style to create a dynamic poster. Prepare a short reflection (2-3 min) that describes your research in brief detail.

• Engage in a semi-formal debate with another group that has taken an opposite stance from you.
• Change the way you live (in an environmentally-conscious way) for 5 days or a week, and share

about your experience.

• Write and mail a letter to a local/provincial/federal politician regarding your topic. Read a portion of
• r summarize your letter to the class.
• Write a persuasive/research paper (lengthen your written portion and provide an informal and

brief oral presentation on your paper) Worth 30% of your total project mark. As this portion is quite vague and can be tailored, your mark will be less concretely determined. Includes level of effort, impact of presentation, quality of final “product”, and format and style. Potential Topics

• 1. Transportation
• 2. Sources of electricity in Canada – coal, natural gas, other
• 3. Agriculture
• 4. Animal agriculture
• 5. Oil, pipelines
• 6. Waste, Recycling, Compost
• 7. Buildings – LED lighting, insulation, heating
• 8. Climate change and ecosystems
• 9. Water quality and climate change
• 10. Human health and climate change
• 11. Alternative energy
• 12. Politics of climate change action
• 13. The immediate effects of climate change
• 14. Global action – Paris Climate Accord