GLOBAL SCIENCE FINAL PROJECT

 Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High School

Mrs. Thomas

mthomas@bhbl.org 

Think about the environmental issues we've discussed in global science this year.  Choose an environmental topic or issue that interests you and then select the best way to go about researching and presenting that topic in a final project. The following formats are offered as suggestions (however, you are open to present another idea to Mrs. Thomas for approval):

- Video Project (2-4 people)

- Powerpoint Presentation  (2-4 people)

- Community Service Project (2-4 people)

- Literature Review & Report (1 person only)

*KEEP IN MIND THAT THIS PROJECT COUNTS AS 20% OF YOUR FINAL COURSE AVERAGE 

Your first steps should be:

Decide on a topic that you or a group is interested in. Present the topic and project format to Mrs. Thomas for approval. 

• Review the Project Timeline.
• Read the Project Rubric. This is the framework by which you will be graded.
• Review the Progress Report Form. You will be required to complete this report at the end of EACH CLASS.

If you have chosen to complete an AUDIO/VISUAL PRESENTATION with a group read the following:

• Organize your group.  Determine your topic and establish a timeline.  What will your role be and how does it relate to the roles of others in your group? How can all group members use their time most efficiently?  What are the skills/strengths of each member of the group?
• You need to make sure you understand the task(s) the group has assigned to you, you need to carry out the task with both skill and effort, and you need to keep your groupmates updated on your progress.  You will be required to post progress reports at the end of every block.     
  
•  Every member of the group is responsible for the work getting accomplished on time.  THE ONLY PERSON THAT CAN ALLOW YOU TO FAIL IS YOU!
  
• Create a great audio/visual presentation.  A good presentation does not just convey information – it facilitates understanding and makes the audience members think.  A good presentation should move the audience emotionally (make us laugh, worry, question, wonder).  

If you have chosen to do a COMMUNITY SERVICE project with a group read the following:

• Organize your group.  Develop a plan and timeline to carry out the project.   Get approval by all of the required individuals and/or groups ASAP. 
• What will your role be and how does it relate to the roles of others in your group? How can all group members use their time most efficiently?  What are the skills/strengths of each member of the group?
• You need to make sure you understand the task(s) the group has assigned to you, you need to carry out the task with both skill and effort, and you need to keep your groupmates updated on your progress.  You will be required to post progress reports at the end of every block.     
  
•  Every member of the group is responsible for the work getting accomplished on time.  THE ONLY PERSON THAT CAN ALLOW YOU TO FAIL IS YOU!
• TAKE ACTION! - you can't just say what you would do - you need to ACTUALLY do it and document yourself (with video, photos, etc...)  Your project should do more than just convey information – it should facilitate understanding and make community members think about environmental issues.  Show that individuals can make a difference.    

If you have chosen to do a LITERATURE REVIEW & REPORT by yourself read the following:

You will choose one of the books from the list provided by Mrs. Thomas.  If you wish to read something else - it MUST FIRST BE APPROVED  by Mrs.Thomas.  Read the entire book and write a 6-7 page paper that follows the format below.

You will be required to post progress reports at the end of every block.     

Introduction: provide basic information about the book and a sense of what your report will be about. It should include:

• Title (underlined)/Author
• Publication Information: Publisher, year, number of pages
• Genre
• A brief introduction to the book and the report.

Body
There are two main sections for this part. The first is an explanation of what the book is about. The second includes your opinions about the book and how successful it is. A good place to start is to explain the author's purpose and/or the main themes of the book. Then you can summarize. Provide a general overview of the author's topic, main points, and argument. What is the thesis? What are the important conclusions? Don't try to summarize each chapter or every angle. Choose the ones that are most significant and interesting to you.
Analysis and Evaluation
In this section you analyze or critique the book. You can write about your own opinions; just be sure that you explain and support them with examples. Some questions you might want to consider:

• What are the author's qualifications to write about the subject?
• Did the author achieve his or her purpose?
• What are the strengths and weaknesss of the book?
• Do you agree with the author's arguments and conclusions?
• What is your overall response to the book? Did you find it interesting, moving, dull?
• Would you recommend this book to others? Why or why not?

Conclusion
Briefly conclude by pulling your thoughts together. You may want to say what impression the book left you with, or emphasize what you want your reader to know about it.

All Papers must be typed in TIMES NEW ROMAN 12PT FONT; Double Spaced; All Margins 1 inch

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