During the past few years, a great deal of publicity has been given to global warming and the Greenhouse Effect. What causes these phenomena and what other implications do they have on our environment and our health? You are going to take on the role of newspaper reporter. You will investigate the pollutants that are causing the Greenhouse Effect and determine if these pollutants have an affect on our health.

1. You are to prepare a news article on air pollution for a local newspaper in the Bronx . You will need to include the following:

• What are the types of pollutants which are being placed in the atmosphere in the Bronx?
• What is causing this pollution?
• What are the major dangers of these pollutants.? Include, dangers to the environment and to personal health.
• What are some signs of pollution in our air?
• What is being done to protect citizens of this problem?
• What are some better solutions to the problem?

2. Using Claris Works prepare a slide shoe summarizing your findings.

You will work in groups of four . Each will have a specific job

1. One person is to define the problem and gather evidence on air pollution.

http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/TIPS/select.html

http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/TIPS/gather.html

2. One person is to find the causes of pollution in our environment

http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/TIPS/identify.html

3. One person is to find out what is presently being done to clean up the air.

http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/TIPS/existing.html

4. One person is to gather pictures and graphs to support the other members’ findings

Use the links found under resources

5. Together develop a better solution to this problem.

http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/TIPS/bestsol.html

6. You will use the internet links to gather information necessary for the task at hand

1. http://www.epa.gov/oar/oaqps/air_risc/3_90_023.html
2. http://www.lungusa.org/air/envmajairpro.html
3. http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/vehsafe.htm
4. http://www.scorecard.org/community/index.tclip_code=10455
5. http://www.ci.nyc.ny.us/html/doh/html/public/press98/mr126-98.html
6. Encarta Encyclopedia
7. http://www.transalt.org
8. http://www.nsc.org/ehc/mobile/airpollu.htm

• more than 11 slides
• more than 5 graphics(sketches, graphs ,and pictures included)
• 3 or more interesting facts
• Written news article which answers all five questions

• 9-10 slides
• 4 graphics
• 1 or 2 interesting facts on pollution and its causes
• written news article with 4 questions answered

• 7-8slides
• 3 graphics
• basic information
• written news article with three questions partially answered

• less than 6 slides
• 2 graphics
• basic description of problem
• written news article that has less than 3 questions answered

The following standards in Middle School science will be met by completing this assignment :

• S1a Demonstrates understanding of properties and changes of properties in matter
• S4 Scientific connections and applications
• S5 a,c,d,e Scientific thinking
• S6b Records and stores data using a variety of formats
• S7 a,b,d Scientific communication
• S8b Demonstrates scientific competence by completing field work