Dates:

DATE TBD

Timeline:

3-6 class periods

Rationale:

By gathering the data, assembling it into a meaningful visual format, constructing computer models, interpreting the data and publicizing their findings, students will have a better understanding of how research can effectively inform and change the way we live, work and learn. This project provides authentic contexts for students to use real data and information in order to design educational outreach campaigns. Student generated materials may be used for FEI for their outreach purposes and will become part of a videoconference-symposium in celebration of “Earth Day.”

Objectives:

• Students will investigate the essential question “What can we do to help combat global warming and climate change?”
• Students will design an outreach project that educate their peers, schools, parents and communities
• Students will prepare presentations about their outreach project to share during the “Global Warming: What can we do to help?” Symposium.

 PA Standards:

Academic Standards for Reading , Writing, Listening, Speaking

1.4.5/8.B – Write multi-paragraph informational pieces

• Include cause and effect
• Develop a problem and solutions when appropriate to the topic
• Use relevant graphics
• User primary and secondary sources

1.4.5/8.C – Write persuasive pieces

1.6.5/8.C – Speak using skills appropriate to formal speech situations

1.6.5/8.E – Participate in small and large group discussions and presentation

1.6.5/8.F – Use media for learning purposes (create multimedia)

Steps:

• Brainstorm: As a class, reflect on the question: “What can we do to help combat global warming and climate change?”
• Choose ONE of the topics/ideas that surface during your brainstorming session.
• Develop an educational campaign based on your students’ selected topics. Educational campaigns could include: persuasive letters, websites, videotaped public service announcements, assemblies, skits, etc. This project is purposefully left open-ended. All forms of educational outreach are fair game! If you need help developing your project, please have the lead teacher contact Tom Becker at FEI (FEIBecker@aol.com) or Heather Weisse at MAGPI (hweisse@magpi.net).
• Email a short paragraph about your educational campaign to Heather at hweisse@magpi.net by April 11, 2007
• Create a presentation about your educational campaign (either what you have done, are doing or plan to do) to present as part of the symposium. Presentations should be creative! Use multimedia, skits, dramatizations, songs, etc. More guidelines will be made available after the initial teacher’s meeting.
• Be ready to present at the Global Warming Symposium!