6.+Teacher's+Page

__** Illinois Standards: **__ **11.A.3g** Report and display the process and results of a scientific investigation. **11.A.5e** Report, display and defend the results of investigations to audiences that may include professionals and technical experts. **13.B.4c** Analyze ways that resource manage­ment and technology can be used to accommo­date population trends.
 * 13.B.3f ** Apply classroom-developed criteria to determine the effects of policies on local science and technology issues (e.g., energy consump­tion, landfills, water quality).

__** Target Learners and Unit Schedule: **__

This activity has been developed for high students students in 9-12 grade. It is suitable in biology, physical science, earth science, chemistry, and geology courses. It is appropriate in a environmental unit at the end of a course when students have already built a solid foundation in content, literacy, and technology skills. This webquest is intended to be completed in a 7-9 day period, although adjustments may be suitable based upon students' needs. Approximately 5-6 days of class time will be devoted to group work and/or research. Students will be expected to meet outside of class. All students may participate equally in this activity including learners with exceptionalities, such as, but not limited to, students with an Individualized Education Plan, limited-English-proficient, or disabled students. Below is a suggested unit plan.

The teacher may want to provide hardcopy handouts for the students in order to hold students reliable in participation, assess group progress & save time:
 * __ Teacher Notes: __**
 * Landfill background check questions
 * Guiding questions per role
 * Research Organizational Charts
 * Rubrics

This activity was designed with the assumption that all students would have access to a computer in the classroom. If this is not possible, the instructor may need to schedule library or computer lab times for the students to complete research. If the instructor wishes for this activity to take less class time, then students may complete more research at home. This is only possible if most students have access to a computer at home. This activity also assumes that students has access to a class/ school online account (example: Blackboard) where teachers and students can communicate and attach documents. If the school does not have an online account, the teacher may want to print off all documents including Prezi slides for assessment.

The student page describes each step of the process, but teacher reinforcement may be necessary. At the end of the week, each team of students will present their Prezi to the class and email it to teacher for evaluation according to the rubric. A team of upperclassmen and/or science faculty will play the role as the EPA board; they will vote on which team has the most creative and data-supported solution to the town's landfill.