AICE Environmental Management Coursework Topic Idea and Proposal

AICE Environmental Management Coursework: Topic Idea and Proposal

Topic Ideas (also see list on my website) • Invasives v natives - are native populations decreasing in areas where invasives are increasing. Some kids who like fishing or diving can do this. Or use estuary for plants. Effects of urbanization • Native populations (one girl counted Mangrove crabs at Birch Park compared to more urbanized stretches of estuary that should have them) • Do "no wake" zones really protect manatees? Needs online data about death #s and visits to no wake zones to see if boats really slow down. • Water quality - measure nitrates, phosphates, turbidity, algal growth in waterways closest to development as opposed to more pristine (usually a park) • Air quality- measure particulates near roads, construction sites v parks, etc. • Can backyards become wildlife friendly (do birdhouses really improve the # of bird visits, butterfly plants, etc? )

Resource management effects of educating people about (usually need volunteers and / or surveys) • Water saving tips (measure consumption before and after implementing tips) • Energy saving tips • Environmentally friendly purchasing (grocery shopping, clothes shopping - label reading or purchase of "vintage" clothing) • Driving habits that reduce fuel consumption Pollution • Organic v inorganic fertilizer • Biological controls - can lady bugs reduce pests to an acceptable level? Will spraying oil on the leaves of plants reduce caterpillars? • Do biodegradable packages really do so? • Effects of noise pollution on health (heart rate) or learning • Does acid precipitation increase the leaching of nutrients? • Can earthworms replace fertilizer? (check levels of nitrates or phosphates in soil over time)

Proposal Form • Center number: US 145 • Syllabus number: 8291 • June 2019 • Typed (word) No PDF • Title (shows a relationship) • Aim or purpose (why are you doing this, relate to a bigger environmental issue) • How are you collecting your data and analyzing it (outline of how you plan to do the experiment and what you are measuring- metric) • Bibliography (references, where did you get your info from, APA format) • Relate your project to a bigger environmental issue • Controlled experiment • Do not use I, we, me • Do background research so you understand your topic • Use the metric system for all measurements • Reread your work, get someone else to read it so it makes sense to them • Be careful with Grammar and spelling.

Deadlines for Course Work Proposals See website: Class Resources, AICE, for example of proposal, blank forms and list of course work ideas. Assignment White Days (1 -4) Blue Days (5 -8) Coarse Work Title (sign up) 9/17/18 9/18/18 Background Research (3 9/24/18 summaries from 3 sources) 9/25/18 Draft of Proposal (printed out or hand written) 10/2/18 10/3/18 Final Proposal (typed and emailed to me) 10/24/18 10/25/18

Coursework Write Up • Typed use 12 pt font, headings and subheadings Things to improve on • Scientific names must also be given for species (two part name: genus and species), ex Felis catus • Your hypothesis should contain IV and DV (how are you measuring this? ) • You can list your materials, goes before procudure • Procedure should be clear (include all measurements in metric) • Table (IV always on the left) • Must have a graph • Must include pics (can put them at the back as an appendix) • Conclusion- you must talk about your data (quote numbers), reference other works to support your findings. Talk about errors. Relate to environmental management concepts and sustainability. • Bibliography (references, where did you get your info from, APA format) Things to improve on: • Do not use I, we, me, experimenter, researcher etc • Relate your background research to your topic, you have to show your understanding, your knowledge. • Relate your project to a bigger environmental issue in background research and in the conclusion. Give specific examples. • Reread your work, get someone else to read it so it makes sense to them • Grammar/spelling • NO cut and paste. Get to the point and be clear

Analysis 1. Which plant grew the tallest, what conclusion can be made from this? 2. How many plants grew to be over 15 cm? 3. Which plant grew the tallest in the first week? 4. After 4 weeks how many cms did the plant under the red light grow? 5. How long did it take for the plant under white light to grow 13 cm? 6. Can you predict how tall the plant under blue light will be by week 7?