Class: AP Environmental Science
Grades: 9-12
Standards: APES I-C Global water resource and use.
II-D Natural ecosystem change and threats to biodiversity.
VI-B Impacts of pollution on the Environment and Human Health.
Summary: This activity involves all three language objectives: reading, listening, writing, and speaking. Students will read a local newspaper article from The Huntersville Herald about pollution in Lake Norman and Mountain Island Lake. Student will read the article and answer questions related to the article. Then students will debate whether the city should invest in proper equipment to monitor the pollution levels in Lake Norman. After this, the students will write a “Letter to the editor” either in support of or against the monetary investment using taxpayer funds.
Time: 1 90 minute block with the Letter to the Editor for homework or the article as a pre assignment.
Part I: Article and Questions
Article “Study reveals contamination of fish in Lake Norman” by Andrew Batten Huntersville Herald December 4-10, 2009. Click here for the article.
Questions
The first paragraph describes what is going on in Lake Norman and Mountain Island Lake. What is the name of this phenomenon?
The second paragraph describes a certain chemical being found in fish. This chemical has been known to cause cancer. What is another name for a cancer-causing agent?
The article references the Clean Water Act. Summarize this legislation. What was the predecessor to the Clean Water Act?
What are PCB’s? Describe the effect of PCB’s on human health. When were PCB’s banned?
Which heavy metal is mentioned in the article? Describe the effect of this heavy metal on the body.
How did the heavy metals and toxins get into the water?
Do you think $20,000 in taxpayer dollars is worth the investment to monitor the levels in Lake Norman? Why or why not?
Part II: Debate
You and your classmates are members of the Mecklenburg (OR Lincoln, Iredell, Catawba) County Commissioners. A request has been made for $20,000 to buy a vessel and equipment to monitor water quality on Lake Norman. There will be two teams, one affirmative (in favor of giving the money) and one negative (against giving the money). Your teacher will assign you a position. Remember: you must make a legitimate argument, whether you personally agree with the position you have been assigned or not. Each team will have 5 members with a speaking part. The speaking parts are Opening Statements, Response, Rebuttal 1, Rebuttal 2, and Closing argument.
Teacher instructions: Divide the students into two teams. The two teams will choose 5 people to be speakers. The rest of the team will assist with preparation and can give notes and tips to the speakers. Here is a description of the speakers:
Opening Statement: This student will state the position of the team and the reasons for their position. They will be given two minutes.
Response: This student will respond to the opening statement on the opposing team. Two minutes
Rebuttal 1: This student will respond to the statements given by the opposing team. Two minutes.
Rebuttal 2: This student will respond to statements given by the opposing team. Two minutes
Closing Statement: This student will give the final arguments, restating their reasons and making a ‘plea to the audience’ for their position. Three minutes.
Audience: The rest of the students will be the audience. Their job is to listen to the arguments of the two teams and then pose thought provoking questions to the team.
A sample rubric has been included for the debate.
Part III: Letter to the editor
Now that the students have participated in the debate, they can decide on their final position. Students will write a letter to the editor, stating their position on whether the funds should be granted. Be sure to state reasons for your argument respectfully and factually.