Blog Post Due Sunday 4/7 @ midnight

Over the past few weeks we have learned about the Keystone XL pipeline and completed an activity where we extracted bitumen (a type of crude oil) from sand.

Reflect on this learning experience...

What did you learn and what did you find interesting?

Take a position on whether or not the Keystone XL pipeline should be built between Canada's tar sands and the Gulf of Mexico in the U.S.

Provide at least three reasons for your position and evidence to support your reasons.

Blog Post due Tuesday 4/2 @ midnight

Reflect on everything that you have learned about hydrofracking over the past few weeks.  Answer the following questions in paragraph form.

How has what you learned about hydrofracking changed over time.  Think about what you knew about hydrofracking before we began studying about this topic in comparison to what you know now.

What is your current position on hydrofracking...

• Do you think it should be allowed in NY state?
• What reasons do you have for your position?

How did the film Gasland influence your position on hydrofracking?

• Do you think differently about hydrofracking after viewing the film?  Why or why not?

Optional Blog Post due 3/11 @ midnight

Find a current science issue that's happening in the news right now.

Report on what the issue is, why it's important, things you find interesting, how it impacts your life/community.

Here's a link to get you started.

Hydrofracking Initial Position - Due 2/10 @ midnight

This week we have learned about how natural gas was made and what we use it for in our daily lives.  We have also learned about a relatively new technique called horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing that is capable of accessing previously difficult to reach natural gas deposits in shale rock thousands of feet below the surface.  Finally, we began to take a look at the risks and benefits of drilling for natural gas by hydrofracking in NY state.

Based on your understanding of the hydrofracking write down in your blog post whether or not you are for against drilling for natural gas in NY state.

Be sure to support your position with evidence and analysis (argue why your viewpoint/opinion is correct)

Also, explain why you disagree with the opposing viewpoint (argue why the other viewpoint/opinion is incorrect - this argument should also be supported by evidence and analysis). 

New Year's Environmental Resolution due 1/1/13 @ midnight

One of our essential questions for the year is...

How do my actions impact my community, family, and city?

Reflect on this question.  Use the following questions as a guide.

1. Have your actions changed because of things you have learned in environmental science?
1. Why or why not?  Provide examples
2. Do you live a sustainable life?  
1. Why or why not?
3. What is one New Year's resolution you want to make that is related to the environment?
1. Explain your choice.

Congratulations Class of 2013!

• No blog due this weekend. 
• Annotations due Monday in order to participate in socratic circle.  
• Wastewater treatment quiz Weds.

Blog Post Due Sunday 12/10

NYC Tap is where it's at!

This week almost everyone presented their tap water campaign projects. (Check out this Prezi and this one, this website, this rap, this glog) Now that they have been completed reflect on the learning, planning, and creation process.

I am interested in knowing your thoughts about this project and if/how it helped you learn.

You may choose to reflect (in paragraph form) on some or all of the following questions...

DEP makin' that fo sho.

Use the questions below as a guide, not a script.

• How did this project help you understand the safety of our drinking water in NYC?
• How did/do you think the project will influence your personal actions in the future?  
• Will you make any changes in your actions? 
• Why/why not?
• Do you think you have a better understanding of where NYC's drinking water comes from and the bottled water industry after completing this project?  
• Why or why not?
• How does this project compare to others that you have completed in school?  
• What did you like about it?
• What could make it better?
• Would you be interested in doing something similar in the future?
• Which types of projects did you think were the most engaging when to presented (prezi, glog, video, rap, etc)?
• Explain your response
• Are there any other thoughts you want to share about the project or NYC's drinking water related to you, your family, or community?