Science Homework Help

Week 4 Discussion

The Discussions are not simply statements of opinion. They are intended to allow you to expand upon and apply the principles discussed in your textbook, the lectures, and/or other research you conduct. Each week a question will be posed for your consideration. Before answering, you should review the chapters covered during this week and the lectures.

It is strongly encouraged that your initial post be posted by 11:59 PM ET on Thursday. It should be at least 250 words. This MUST be in your own words. Do NOT copy and paste from the Internet. You MAY use quotes from a source, but those quotes will NOT count towards your 250 word count requirement. Please do not plagiarize. If you use a quote, you MUST put quotation marks around it AND you MUST cite the source at the end of your post. It is NOT simply enough to put a source at the end. You should also include at least one reference in your post. Do NOT use Wikipedia or Yahoo! Answers as a source.

1. Take a look at the World POPClock  where you can compare the ever changing world population with years gone by. The current world population is over 7 billion people. Do you believe that the U.S. should be concerned about overpopulation and that immediate action is warranted, or do you believe that the risks of overpopulation have been grossly overstated? What about other parts of the world? List at least one source from your research.
2. Review this website. Research the Internet about the different ecosystems. For your first post, write a description about the particular ecosystem that you live in. What is the ecosystem? What is the climate like? What type of vegetation is there? What is the temperature like? Etc? Your answers should reflect your own observations about your surroundings as well as those found on websites. List at least one source from your research.
3. Everything we do on this planet leaves a mark.  An ecological footprint is the degree of human impact on our ecosystems.  Americans are at the top of the list for their detrimental footprints on our ever increasing fragile planet.  Take the quiz on the following website: Ecological Footprint Quiz.  Share with the class your results.  How does your personal footprint compare to others in America or others around the world?  Do you personally do things which should help to lessen your footprint?  Have you within recent years changed your habits or actions to help the planet?  Do you think that global warming and destruction of our planet is really severe or do you think it is all public hype?  Are the Earth’s forests disappearing?  Does it matter if they are?  Is there any hope for our planet?  What are your suggestions or concerns? List at least one source from your research.

Week 4 Assignment: Human-caused Environmental Issues – Website Recommendation Blog

Part 1: Initial Blog Post on a Human-caused Environmental Issue

After completing this week’s reading assignment (Chapters 30, 31 & 32), select a human-caused environmental issue (for example, climate change, species extinction, etc.) and research it further. Find a reliable, useful website that discusses the human impacts to the environment caused by this issue.  No duplicate websites are permitted. [NOTE: Neither open resources nor open blogs can be used as sources of information; see ‘Researching Information’ within the class for more information on appropriate credible/reliable sources of information].

This is not an opinion assignment; therefore information presented about the Human-caused Environmental Issue must be supported by reliable academic resources (facts supported by research). 

[Not citing a specific reliable academic/scientific resource is an automatic 10 point deduction]. 

Share the website with the class by writing a full paragraph summary (150 words minimum) of what you have learned or have found particularly helpful when reviewing the website. Do not copy and paste directly from the website. This blog should be written in your own words.   Any content and paraphrased information from the resource (URL) must be properly cited per APA including the specific URL (website) you are recommending. The initial blog post must be directly posted in the classroom; please do not upload a Word document only.

The initial blog post is strongly suggested to be posted by 11:59 p.m. ET Thursday of Week 4.

Part 2: Response Blog Post

Peruse some of the Blog entries made by your fellow classmates. Choose at least one that you found useful and comment on how the website helped you with your understanding. The comment should be 100 words minimum.

For Part 2 – posting the Blog Response Post to a fellow classmate, click the “Week 4 Assignment – Website Recommendation Blog” to enter the assignment. The screen will refresh and on the right side will be a black bar with “Blog details” on it and below that will be your name and a down arrow. Click the arrow and all the people who have posted blog posts will be listed. Read through the post by selecting the fellow student’s name and the screen will refresh – scroll to bottom and on the bottom left will be the student’s blog post. When ready to respond, click “Comment” at the end of the blog post and then a space will open below the blog post you are responding to. When done with the response blog post, click “Add”. Then the response blog post is posted.