Name:__________________________                                   Date: ______________

 

Science in the News

 

This assignment will give you the chance to teach your peers about a new scientific issue that is facing the world today.  You may not realize it, but science is in the news every day.  In fact, many newspapers have whole sections dedicated to science and technology.

Your job will be to locate a relevant and current (less than a year old) article that is approximately one page long, and report on it to your classmates. 

The article must be on one of the following issues, which we will be exploring in depth during the year:

 

a)  The impact of technology on the environment  (eg. Global warming, pollution, etc.)

b)  An article that explores technology used to help conserve energy, or encourages the use of such technology (eg. Incandescent bulbs, insulation)

c)   A natural event that has affected peoples lives (eg. A hurricane, tsunami, mudslide)

 

When you find the article, you will cut it out or print it from the internet and include it in your report along with the following:

 

1)  Title of Article

2)  Source of Article.  Remember to find a reputable source!

3)  Date of Article

4)  Science Topic

5)  Summary of Article.  This should be ½ page, double spaced.

 

In addition, you will include the answers to the following questions in your assignment:

 

1)  Who cares?  What information does the article contain that is important to us?

2)  Come up with two follow-up questions from the article that could be used for further study.   

 

Arrange your article and summary information in a neat and artistic manner.

The presentations will be every Friday during the year.  You will be able to select your presentation date. 

 

 

My Presentation Date:  _______________________________________

Science in the News

 

Curriculum Expectations:

7s18   investigate the impact of the use of technology on the environment (e.g., the “greenhouse effect”; redirection of water flow for human needs; use of pesticides);

 

7s78  identify and describe steps that can be taken to conserve energy (e.g., using insulation) and the reasons for doing so (e.g., rising fuel costs);

 

7s129 describe how humans are affected by natural events and how technology has helped humans adapt to these events

 

 

Criteria

 

Article is relevant, has been selected from a reputable source, is less than one year old, and is approximately a page long.	1         2         3         4
Summary includes all relevant information and is approximately ½ page long.	1         2         3         4
All relevant information is included.	1         2         3         4
Questions are answered completely and show knowledge and insight into topic.	1         2         3         4
Overall neatness.	1         2         3         4

 

Overall Level: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8s25     describe ways in which research about cells has brought about improvements in human health and nutrition (e.g., development of medicines, immunization procedures, and diets based on the needs of organs such as the heart)

 

8s139   Grade 8           Science and Technology         Earth and Space Systems        Relating Science and Technology to the World Outside the School        – evaluate human use of water and the economic and environmental effects of that use (e.g., filtration plants, tourism, industrial applications, control of water flow);

 

8s146   Grade 8           Science and Technology         Earth and Space Systems        Relating Science and Technology to the World Outside the School        – identify ways in which humans have tried to contain damage caused by water (e.g., flood control, dune vegetation, coastline reconfiguration);