Eighth Grade Research Project- Climate Change



Eighth Grade Research Project- Climate Change

"Humanity is facing a challenge unlike any we’ve ever had to confront. We are in an unprecedented period of change."

-David Sazuki, Canadian Scientist/ Environmental Activist

“Ignoring climate change will be the most costly of all possible choices, for us and our children.”

-Peter Ewins, Arctic Zoologist

“There is still time to avoid the worst impacts of climate change, if we take strong action now. “

-Sir Nicholas Stern, British Economist and Academic



Introduction

Climate change is perhaps the largest challenge facing humanity today. An overwhelming number of scientific investigations have demonstrated that Earth’s climate is changing, and it is doing so rapidly and primarily because of human activity. Even a modest increase in temperature can have a devastating impact on Earth’s ecosystems and our societies. An increase in average global temperature is just one result of climate change. Even more alarming and significant are the effects that a slight increase in temperature may have on the other systems of our planet. Coral reef bleaching, melting glaciers and sea ice, sea level rise, water shortages, severe droughts, species extinction, and an increase in weather related disasters are significant and alarming effects of just a minor increase in average global temperature.

While the problems we face due to climate change are overwhelming, there are actions that we can take on the individual level, the community level and even country and global levels that can help us reverse or lessen the effects of climate change. In many cases, these actions will require significant changes in our lifestyles, but the cost of inaction greatly outweighs the cost and sacrifices of change.

Written Project

Using the background you have gained from the documentary we viewed in class (Before the Flood) and the climate change articles discussed in class, choose three topics that relate to the overall topic of climate change and write a research based informative essay showing how the three topics relate to climate change. Your essay should specifically define the problem, describe why it is a problem in detail, discuss the root causes of the problem, and propose potential solutions to the problem. Each part of your essay needs to contain sufficient support in the form of quotes, statistics and facts that you have gathered from your research.

Potential research topics for this project include:

Sea Level Rise

Glacial Melting

Arctic Sea Ice Melt

Weather changes/ Storm intensity

Species Migration

Animal Extinction

Water Scarcity

Agricultural Impacts

Drought

Snow Loss

Ocean Acidity

Coral Reefs Loss

These are just some ideas for topics, and you may, while brainstorming or doing research, decide to make your topic even more specific. Once you have chosen your topic, begin researching it thoroughly. Your goal is to find at least three credible sources on your topic.

Once you have found these sources, your job is to read them carefully so you have a firm understanding of the information in the texts. Be sure to read for the areas you need to address in the essay, so be sure to look for:

1. Choose 3 from the above list to illustrate climate change

2. Descriptions of why each is a problem

3. Root causes of each problem

4. Potential solutions to each problem

After gathering your research in these areas, begin drafting an informative essay that contains the above information as well as an introduction and conclusion.

Essay Guidelines:

Your essay should adhere to the following guidelines:

• Be at least 5 paragraphs typed, double spaced, 12 pt. font, Times New Roman

• Contain an introduction with a specific thesis statement and a thoughtful conclusion

• Contain at least 3 body paragraphs that define and describe each problem, the root causes of the problem as well as solutions to each problem chosen

• Use quotes, statistics, examples from research to support your claims

• Cite the evidence (quoted or paraphrased)

• Write a bibliography that lists all sources and is attached to the final copy of the essay

Assessment: Climate Change Informational Essay

Science Rubric Checklist

|Yes |No |Criteria |

| | |Did you include a strong THESIS clearly describing climate change? (Intro paragraph) |

| | |Did Body Paragraph 1 describe one problem and its causes and solutions? |

| | |Did Body Paragraph 2 describe a second problem and its causes and solutions? |

| | |Did Body Paragraph 3 describe a third problem and its causes and solutions? |

| | |Does your evidence come from 3 or more RELIABLE sources? |

English/Language Arts Rubric Checklist

|Yes |No |Criteria |

| | |Does your thesis statement preview the structure of your paper? |

| | |Did you introduce each source in the body of your paper? (Title and author of the source) |

| | |Did you cite the source of each piece of evidence (in text citation, with author and page number or website) whether a direct |

| | |quote or paraphrase? |

| | |Did you explain how the evidence supports your claim? |

| | |Do you have a correctly formatted bibliography? |

Climate Change Informational Essay Graphic Organizer

|Paragraph 1: Introduction | |

| | |

|Define Climate Change | |

|Explain the overall cause of Climate Change | |

|Briefly discuss why it is a problem | |

| | |

|Thesis Statement | |

|Choose three Climate Change topics to discuss | |

Remember strong transitions

|Paragraph 2: Body Paragraph 1 | |

| | |

|Define the chosen problem | |

|Explain the root causes of the problem | |

|Discuss possible solutions for the problem | |

| | |

|Use quotes, statistics, examples from research to support | |

| | |

|Paragraph 3: Body Paragraph 2 | |

| | |

|Define the chosen problem | |

|Explain the root causes of the problem | |

|Discuss possible solutions for the problem | |

| | |

|Use quotes, statistics, examples from research to support | |

| | |

|Paragraph 4: Body Paragraph 3 | |

| | |

|Define the chosen problem | |

|Explain the root causes of the problem | |

|Discuss possible solutions for the problem | |

| | |

|Use quotes, statistics, examples from research to support | |

| | |

|Paragraph 5: Conclusion | |

| | |

|Restate thesis statement, | |

|Recap the three chosen problems | |

|Overall conclusion statement | |

| | |

| | |

Remember, a Bibliography is also required – must cite sources

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