Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Online source 1


“Specific Page Title or Article Title”
"Study the effect of pollution on an ecosystem"
Primary Contributor to the Website (if given) (author, editor, producer, etc)

N/A
Title of the Entire Website (not www. )
World Wildlife Foundation Global
Publisher or Sponsoring Organization of the website (if given)
World Wildlife Foundation
Date Page was Last Revised

N/A
Date You Read It

January 31, 2012
<URL address> (ALL of it)

http://wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/teacher_resources/project_ideas/pollution/



FIVE FACTS FROM THE SOURCE (Embedded):

The article brings to attention the fact that "It is important to know how a simple act like introducing sewage water or toxic waste into a lake can threaten several life species and plants in the area" which is important because many people believe small things won't have any impact, when actually they do. 
The article reveals important contributing factors by stating "Pollutants like oil, detergents, nitrogen and phosphate from fertilizers and lead can have a tremendous impact on the ecosystem, especially if the water gets polluted" bringing up the fact that polluted water is one of the worst effects pollution has on ecosystems.
The article goes on to provide an example by saying, "In a lake, for example, it [pollution] can wreak havoc on the ecological balance by stimulating plant growth and causing the death of fish due to suffocation resulting from lack of oxygen" providing a real life situation that pollution could potentially cause anywhere.
The article continues by saying "The oxygen cycle will stop, and the polluted water will also affect the animals dependant on the lake water," bringing up the seriousness of the effects of the pollution, as it affects all the animals dependent in the ecosystem such as a lake.



Summary of Source (Three-Four Sentences of the Who, What, Where, Why, and How in your own words. NO OPINION): 

World Wildlife Foundation summarizes years of research and study on pollution into a brief description of the effects of pollution on ecosystems. The articles goes on to describe how to study the effects of pollution on the ecosystems.
Credibility of Source: 
Author or Site: Who is the author? What training have they had? If there is no author, examine the site. What is the purpose of the site? Who funds the site? 

The WWF is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to protect wildlife that are becoming endangered because of what humans are doing to the planet as well as natural causes.
Attachment: Does the author or site have anything to gain from writing this, or is it simply informative? For example, is it a cigarette business posting an article about the benefit of cigarettes, or is it a scientific community unaffiliated with the cigarette business? 

The site has no personal gain from the article, it is purely informative and in no way benefits the organization itself. 

Bias: Do you detect a bias (a favoring of either side) in the author's writing? 

There is no bias in the article, it provides facts based on the effects of pollution on ecosystems.
References: Does the author cite references in the writing? If so, do these add or take away from the credibility? 


The article includes four resources which can be used for further reading on the subject.


Use of Source: How will you use this source in your project? 

I plan to use this source as a reference in my project, supporting my opinion and providing evidence to support my claim of the harmful effects pollution has on the ecosystem.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Senior Project Proposal


Proposed Topic in the form of an  Essential Question:
Is pollution damaging the ecosystem, specifically in the oceans, and is the potential damage getting the attention that is required to prevent permanent change to the planet?

Rationale for Choice
What about this topic appeals to you? Why did you choose it?
This topic is one that everyone can relate too, because it affects everyone in society. I chose this topic because I believe that the planet is being irreversibly changed by the pollution that the population is causing, and this dilemma is not receiving adequate attention in order to slow or stop the destruction of the planet's natural resources and ecosystems.
What do you already know about this subject?
Many species are being hurt and are diminishing or even going extinct due to human behavior. Society's actions are affecting everything that lives on the planet with us, and pollution is even changing the planet's climate.
What are you hoping to learn about the subject?
I hope to learn the root causes behind the build up of pollution in the environment and their specific effects. By learning this, I hope to find ways to slow and counteract the destruction of nature in order to protect our environment.
What are you most interested in regarding the topic?
I am interested in how we are affecting nature and the environment. Not only that, but more specifically how our society is hurting animals and other life on the planet and how to prevent it.                                                                                                                                                
What potential risks or challenges do you foresee for your project?
There are many aspects to look at when researching the effects of pollution on the environment which means I will have to do a lot of research to gain a thorough understanding of the planet. Also, around the world different societies are affecting the environment in different ways, which will bring differences which I will have to take into account.