Plan the Perfect Science Adventure Assignment

Env. Sci. Name: ___________________________________

Howell-Kubler Pd: ________ Date: ____________________

Plan the Perfect Science Adventure

Purpose: Demonstrate your understanding of environmental factors impacting natural ecosystem function and human activities impacting environments.  Propose a field trip that would investigate a unique location in the world. Choose one of the listed locations, describe it and highlight aspects that would make it a good sight for an environmental science adventure.

Introduction: Ms. Whisnand is planning a weeklong trip to Belize in summer 2018 for Franklin students. You can check out the details here: https://www.explorica.com/my-account/my-tours/tourcenter.aspx?tourCenterCode=Whisnand-3535

Propose a dream field trip location and itinerary for Environmental Science students. We are dreaming big, so give yourself a whole week, two if you need it.

1. Choose a place: one per person.  No duplicates. You may suggest your own if you like, but you must get it approved by the teacher first.  Sign-up with the teacher. If you use a location that is not approved in advance, you may be asked to start over and/or lose a lot of points.

2. Research you place. NO WIKIPEDIA! You need to have at least three sources, with complete citations.  Remember, the library has a citation making tool at the library’s website: https://franklintoolbox.wordpress.com/cc/for-everyone/research-tools/ or Google “oslis citation maker”.  

WIKIPEDIA is not allowed!  You need to use sources that are edited before you use them, rather than after.

At least one of your sources should be a government or non-profit group’s site.  Avoid websites aimed at tourist business (only one of these, maximum).

Remember, images get citations too. If you get more than one image from a website, you only have to reference it once.

3. Include:
1. Maps
1. First map showing where the region is on a big scale (where in the world?)
2. Second map showing region with each site you are planning to visit marked
2. Climate:  paragraph describing the climate, especially during time of year you plan to visit.
1. Temperature, rainfall/precipitation, usual seasonal patterns
2. General advice for travelers regarding clothing and gear to bring
1. Rain gear?  Hats?  Sunscreen?
2. Hiking boots?  Cultural or local customs to consider?
3. Ecosystems of the area.  
1. Two to four.  For example: Portland area would include temperate rainforests, large rivers and urban landscapes,
2. Add to your general description of the ecosystems:
1. Illustrate & describe 4 characteristic plants for each ecosystem (things a visiting student should find). (If you are describing 3 or more ecosystems, you only have to cover 3 plants.)
2. Illustrate & describe 4 characteristic animals for each ecosystem (things a visiting student should watch out for). (If you are describing 3 or more ecosystems, you only have to cover 3 plants.)
3. Show a typical foodweb for each of those ecosystems.
4. Environmental issues: How is this region being affected and changed by human influence?
1. List at least 1 location for students to investigate local environmental issues.
1. What is the human activity and impact?
2. What is being done to address this issue?  
1. Local groups or government projects?
2. What are the goals for fixing it?  Is it working?
2. Include 2 illustrations and captions.
5. Cultural event or location of regional significance
1. List at least 1 culturally significant event or location for students to experience.
1. What is the event and its cultural significance to the area?
2. What will the students do there?  Will they need special clothing or gear?
2. Include 2 illustrations and captions.
4. Present your idea for a perfect science adventure
1. Google doc or slide show
1. Include everything listed above.
2. Complete reference page at the end, properly formatted (use Citation Maker, or equivalent tool).
3. Neatness, writing, spelling, punctuation, grammar, etc. COUNT!
2. Share with teacher at ahowell@apps4pps.net
1. Subject heading: “perfect science adventure, Lastname, Firstname, period x”
2. DUE May 15.
3. Worth 50 project points. (Counts roughly like a test in your final course grade.)