Environmental Studies Unit Project

Overview

In a group of 3-5 students, you will research an environmental service organization in our community. A list of potential organizations and contact information is provided below. Student groups must commit 5 or more hours of service to their chosen organization and document their experience in pictures and in journal writes. Following the service experience, students will reflect on and present their learning in a PowerPoint presentation.

Important Dates

Th/F May 19/20 Introduction to Unit Project

Th/F May 26/27 Research Assignment #1 (Make contact with service organization)

Mon June 6 Research Assignment #2

Wed June 8 Service Experience Completed (5 hours minimum)

Mon June 13 PowerPoint Presentation Due (bring CD or disk to class)

June 14 to 17 Class Presentations

M/Tu June 20/21 Final Exam

Suggested Organization and Contact Information

Note: Only one group per organization in each class period. Student groups are welcome to choose service organizations that are not on this listed WITH TEACHER APPROVAL.

Seattle Parks and Recreation http://www.seattle.gov/parks/volunteers/workparty.htm

Volunteers for Outdoor Washington http://www.trailvolunteers.org/who.html

EarthShare of Washington http://www.esw.org/help/

People for Puget Sound http://www.pugetsound.org/index/calendar

Seattle Works http://www.seattleworks.org/

YMCA Earth Service Corps jjtorvik@seattleschools.org (email for information)

EarthCorps http://www.earthcorps.org/volunteer.php

Seattle Tilth http://www.seattletilth.org/

P-Patch Community Gardens http://www.cityofseattle.net/neighborhoods/ppatch/

Thornton Creek Alliance http://www.scn.org/earth/tca/

Sustainable Seattle http://www.sustainableseattle.org/

Adopt-a-Stream http://www.streamkeeper.org/

Full Circle Farm (Carnation, WA) http://www.fullcirclefarm.com/

Clean Cities Coalition http://www.pugetsoundcleancities.org/

Alternative Fuelwerks (biodiesel) http://www.fuelwerks.com/co-op.htm

Seattle Audubon Society http://www.seattleaudubon.org/who-we-are.cfm?id=118

Duwamish River Coalition http://www.duwamishcleanup.org/who.html

Washington Toxics Coalition http://www.watoxics.org/pages/root.aspx

Puget Soundkeeper Alliance http://www.pugetsoundkeeper.org/

Important: When you call or email, be sure to let the organization know that your group is volunteering as part of a class project. Let them know that you are looking for a short-term service opportunity that can be completed in 5 hours.

Description of Each Assignment

Research Assignment #1

Use the Internet to find contact information and/or volunteer opportunities for your chosen organization, then contact them to set up a service experience that can be completed before Wednesday, June 8.

In your logbook, write the name of the person that you contacted and a brief description of your group’s project including the date, location, and activities. This assignment must be signed off by a parent and/or guardian to make them aware of your plans.

Research Assignment #2

Use the Internet, interviews, and/or print sources to find out more about your organization. Write answers to the following questions in your logbook. You should write at least 2 full pages. Writing should be of the highest quality.

A. Describe the organization. When and why did they get started? How many employees and volunteers do they have? Where does their budget come from?

B. What activities has this organization been involved with? Highlight at least 3 major accomplishments.

C. What challenges has this organization encountered? How have they overcome these challenges? Highlight at least 2 major challenges.

PowerPoint Presentation

Your 15-20 minute presentation will document your experience as a volunteer. All group members should be involved with the creation and presentation of your project. Your PowerPoint should be of the highest possible quality with clear text and thoughtfully chosen pictures and clip art. Text should be large and clear enough to be read from the back of the room. Minimize distractions (sound effects and transitions) and rehearse before presenting to the class.

Please include the following sections:

A. Title Slide and Names of Group Members—1 slide

B. Background information about the organization (as described in Research Assignment #2)—3 slides

C. Written description of the service your group provided—3 slides

D. Digital pictures of your service experience—10 slides

E. Group reflections and responses to these questions—4 slides:

a. How did this activity help the environment and society?

b. How did your organization and service project connect to the concepts presented in class during this unit?

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