Introduction

The Mayors of Woodstown and Pilesgrove Township are facing a crisis. People are starting to complain. Trees are dying, wells need to be dug deeper because of ground water pollution and black soot blows through open windows.

With the cold winter season just ahead, the mayors must decide what to do about the icy roads. People complain if the roads are too slick. They say that they are afraid to drive on them. If they don't drive, they won't be able to get to work to earn money to support their families or pay taxes. The schools would close because it would be too dangerous for the buses to be on the roads. This might make our schools decline and then people wouldn't want to move into our towns.

Even if there is a mild winter, spring brings more problems. With the great number of farms in the area, there is plenty of fertilizer used for crops. Since farming plays such a large role in the economy, farmers need to be productive. They employ lots of people and pay their fair share of taxes too.

What should the mayors do?

You will be working with a group of classmates who will be representing one of the following points of view.
1. Farmers
2. Naturalists
3. Citizens Group
4. Chemical companies
5. Parents Group

Your group will determine what you think the best solution to the problem is. You will try to persuade the Mayors to follow your suggestions. You will do this with an oral presentation at the town council meeting.

• Each person in your group must speak at some time.
• The presentation must be at least 2 minutes.
• Each person in the group must turn in a note card with the notes for his/her part of the speech.
• Your group should have a visual to help make your point. This can be a picture, poster, overhead diagram, brochure, etc.

Your presentation must contain the following:
1. Who you represent.
2. What you want the mayors to do.
3. The name of at least one of the pollutants.
4. What the pollutant does that is harmful to the environment.
5. How the pollutant is made and  how it gets into the environment.
6. At least 1 of the following depending on your group:

i. Is there anything we can do to stop this pollutant from harming our environment: if yes, why, if not, why not?
ii. Is what the pollutant does worth the risk to the environment: why or why not?
iii. Any alternatives to the present practices that you can suggest.

• First you'll be assigned to a group of 4 students.
• Then your team will need to research road salt, acid rain and/or fertilizer.
• Next decide on your position.
• Finally, prepare your presentation.

Resources:

   Road Salt 

         Acid Rain  

Organizer

You will be graded on whether or not you answer all of the questions in the WebQuest, your visual and how it relates to your speech and whether everyone in your group talks. Remember you must have a note card; however this is not to be read, it is just for notes. You should have an idea of what you want to say before getting up in front of the class. You will be given time to  practice. Your group will be graded for your presentation using the rubric below.
 

As you may have found out, there are no easy answers when considering what is best for people and the environment. A number of very well-meaning citizens may have very different points of view.

The mayors have a great deal of information to consider.  Road salts and fertilizers can be useful yet they definitely are pollutants. Our society must weigh the usefulness against the drawbacks. Maybe this assignment will inspire one of you to discover or invent alternatives that aren't harmful.

Earth graphic
Media Builder's Animation Factory
Fertilizer
PHOTOMICROGRAPHS by Stefan Eberhard
Acid rain
GEMS
Road salt
Water Sampling Sites
 
 
 

Thanks to Mrs. Jennifer Battaglia for her original project which became this WebQuest.