Category: Environmental Science

Culminating Project – Greenhouse Effect Lab
The scientific method is the gold st

Culminating Project – Greenhouse Effect Lab
The scientific method is the gold standard for exploring our natural world. It consists of systematic observation, measurement, and experience, followed by formulation, testing, and finally, a hypothesis. It’s the process that scientists use to understand everything from animal behavior to the forces that shape our planet—including climate change and the Greenhouse Effect.
Using the scientific method, scientists have shown that humans are extremely likely the dominant cause of today’s climate change. The theory dates back to the late 1800s, but in the mid 1900’s, scientists began collecting massive amounts of data, including CO2 levels in the atmosphere, to show significant evidence that this Greenhouse gas leads to climate change.
Please watch this video for a brief overview: What is the Greenhouse Effect?
In this Greenhouse Effect Lab, you will simulate the effect on various gasses in the atmosphere, then answer the following questions utilizing the Scientific Method surrounding your own “hypothesis”.
The Scientific Method
The scientific method’s steps – Video Providing Overview
The exact steps of the scientific method can vary by discipline, but since we have only one Earth (and no “test” Earth), climate scientists follow a few general guidelines to better understand carbon dioxide levels, sea level rise, global temperature, and more.
The Scientific Method Guidelines:
Form a hypothesis (a statement that an experiment can test)
Make observations (conduct experiments and gather data)
Analyze and interpret the data
Draw conclusions
Publish results that can be validated with further experiments (rinse and repeat)
As you can see, the scientific method is repetitive, meaning that climate scientists are constantly making new discoveries about the world based on the building blocks of scientific knowledge.
Directions for Culminating Project:
Your goal is to understand the following concepts and make a “hypothesis” surrounding one or both concepts listed below, then use the scientific method to determine the results according to the results from the online integrative lab.
Lab Link: https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/cheerpj/greenhouse/latest/greenhouse.html
Concept 1: Increase the number of glass layers. What happens to the temperature of the thermometer? Why?
Concept 2: Try the “Photon Absorption” tab at the top of the simulation. Observe the molecules carefully when they absorb photons (particles of light). What happens?
Remember that most solar lights are in the visible spectrum, but when the light is absorbed and re-emitted from the Earth, it is in infrared light, which is invisible.
This is an energy absorption by light. Most visible light (typical sun’s light) is not absorbed by molecules in the air. The molecules interact strongly with infrared light. When a molecule absorbs a light particle (photon), the molecule vibrates, which increases its kinetic energy. Keep in mind that energy cannot be destroyed, but it just changes its form.
Explanation: Light consists of various colors. Some are visible, and most are not visible. When the sunlight comes to the Earth, the light passes through the air without any interaction so that the sunlight energy comes to the surface of the ground. The ground re-emits its energy mostly in infrared light (invisible), which interacts strongly with air molecules such as CO2, and CH4. Once the light interacts with the air, some of the light goes back to the ground. So the ground absorbs the light again, which increases the temperature of the Earth’s surface. If the air contains a lot of CO2 or CH4 (mostly by pollution), we will have very hot days causing “Global Warming”.
Essay Layout: You will need to cite at least three credible references and explain how you came up with the idea and how you tested it in detail:
What observation led you to come up with your experiment? Provide sufficient background information and introduce the topic.
What is your hypothesis being tested? State it clearly, and remember that a hypothesis is a testable statement. (Make sure you understand what a hypothesis is before forming one).
Explain your scientific experiment, the process, the materials, and the steps you will take to ensure your data begins and remains accurate throughout the experiment.
What other variables might need to be accounted for when testing your hypothesis?
Is there another or better way to test your hypothesis? Might you consider testing your same hypothesis under different parameters to validate your results further?
PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR RESEARCH AND STATISTICAL DATA – CITE YOUR SOURCES WITHIN THE TEXT.
Final Submission Details:
Your lab report must be written in APA format, including a cover page, introduction, subtopics, conclusion, and a separate reference page.
Please submit as a single file (MS-Word or PDF) and include answers to the questions surrounding the Greenhouse Lab Effect utilizing the Scientific Method.
Please be sure to cite all references within the text, as well as on your Reference page.
Project Reminders:
You may find credible resources on Google Scholar, any news journal, .net, or .org site. Please refrain from Wikipedia, .com, or blog sites, as this information may not always be accurate. These articles have not been peer-reviewed for accuracy.
Your essay will need to include a cover page with a title (does not count towards the 2+ pages), be a minimum of 2 pages in length (12-pt font and double-spaced) and include a final Reference page that also does not count towards your 2+ pages. Please use APA formatting, especially when citing references, and I recommend Grammarly.com to help you proofread along the way.
Please check out Tutor.com/TAMUC for a complimentary account and “Essay Drop-Off Review.” Also, check out the TAMU-C Writing Center for more information on APA style formatting, as well as a resource for you before submitting your final essay: TAMU-C Writing Center
Please CITE YOUR SOURCES WITHIN YOUR ESSAY when using direct quotes, statistics, or facts. Use no more than two direct quotations in your essay; all other information should be paraphrased in your own words. Always spell-check and use correct grammar. Grammarly.com is a great free resource to help with this!
This essay is linked to Turnitin and will be checked for plagiarism. Your essay will need to be in your own paraphrased words.
This assignment will count toward 20% of your total weighted average for your final grade.

Write at least two original paragraphs, with a minimum of 5–7 robust sentences e

Write at least two original paragraphs, with a minimum of 5–7 robust sentences each, focused on the following:
Define your chosen term in your own words.
Explain, using specific examples, how the term relates to environmental science.
Discuss, using specific examples, how the term impacts multiple species of living beings, including humans, as well as the physical environment.
Support your ideas with the textbook and at least one additional source. Use APA Style as outlined in the Writing Center’s APA: Citing Within Your PaperLinks to an external site..

Use the footprint tool from the website What Is Your Ecological Footprint?Links

Use the footprint tool from the website What Is Your Ecological Footprint?Links to an external site. to calculate your ecological footprint. At every opportunity, please select the “add details to improve accuracy” option. At the end of the footprint activity, make a note of how many Earths would be required if everyone lived like you. Then click on “see details” to obtain the following information:
Your ecological footprint, in global hectares (a hectare is about 2.5 acres).
Your top three consumption categories.
Finally, research on the footprint website some ways you might reduce your footprint, identifying a few specific ones that you might put into practice throughout the course.
Part B: Household Carbon Emissions Footprint
Next, use the Carbon Footprint CalculatorLinks to an external site. to calculate your household carbon emissions footprint. After answering all the questions,
Make a note of your carbon emissions footprint in pounds. Is it above or below the U.S. average household carbon footprint?
Explore specific actions suggested by the website that you might take to reduce your footprint. Which of them might be practical to undertake in the next five weeks?
Part C: Water Footprint
Finally, use the Water Footprint CalculatorLinks to an external site. to calculate your daily water footprint. After answering all the questions,
Make a note of your gallons-per-day water footprint.
Record the top three contributors to it.
Scroll on the page to access a series of “Tips” buttons you can click on for advice on reducing your footprint. Again, note some specific ideas you see that might be practical to implement over the next five weeks.
In your initial post of at least 200 words,
Copy and paste your completed Environmental Footprint Table into your post.
Examine the numerical results of your three footprint calculations by answering the following questions:
What did you learn that surprised you about your consumption habits?
What lifestyle changes could you make that would reduce one or more of the three footprints? Propose a minimum of five. These do not have to be the ones you use in the course-long project; over the course of the discussion, you may choose other ones based on classmates’ recommendations. You will be recording your final choices for lifestyle changes in your journal at the end of the week.
For each lifestyle change, which footprint are you trying to lower? Discuss potential obstacles to making those changes, and then suggest ways you might overcome those obstacles.

There are three steps to prepare for this assignment:
Step 1:
Identify your ecor

There are three steps to prepare for this assignment:
Step 1:
Identify your ecoregion.
Ecoregions are large areas containing multiple ecosystems. Using the Level III ecoregions mapLinks to an external site., locate your local ecoregion  by color or number. If you are currently overseas, choose an ecoregion that you have lived in or visited previously. If you live in an ecoregion that was once dominated by the longleaf pine, consider selecting an adjacent ecoregion instead.
Step 2:
Research your ecoregion.
Using the Omernik Level Three Ecoregions of the USLinks to an external site. page, locate your ecoregion in the alphabetical list partway down the page; click More to reveal more of the list.
Click on the name of your ecoregion to access descriptive information about it. Take some notes (see the bullet points explaining what to include in your essay for ideas for your notes). This is only a starting point. You will want to do additional internet research about that ecoregion and locate other credible sources or search in the holdings of the UAGC Library. 
Step 3:
Locate information online about an ongoing ecosystem restoration project within your ecoregion.
Find a project using an internet search engine; you might search by ecoregion name, or by other geographic label such as a nearby city, river, forest, and so on.
Consider the following about your project:
Who owns the land or is leading the restoration work? What is involved? What is the anticipated outcome of the project? Where exactly is the site? (If possible, include a locator map in your paper.) When will the restoration likely be completed? Why is the restoration being done? How is the project being carried out? Finally, is there a way that residents of the area can help? If so, how?
Write
Now, you are ready to write a paper about ecosystem restoration where you live. In your essay,
Describe your ecoregion and its characteristics. Be sure to address the following:
What is the name of your ecoregion, and why does it have that name?
Where is the ecoregion located?
What is or are the major ecosystem type(s) within that ecoregion?
What is the topography of the ecoregion? Flat? Rolling hills? Mountainous?
What are the major land uses in the ecoregion? Is most of it forested? Farmed? Paved over?
How much of the ecoregion is undisturbed habitat?
What are a few of the important native species in the ecoregion?
Discuss the environmental damage to your ecoregion.
Are any threatened or endangered species present in your ecoregion? If so, identify a couple of them and discuss why they have become threatened or endangered.
What are the major threats to the ecological health of the ecoregion (e.g., urban sprawl, clearing for agriculture, water pollution, etc.)? Provide specific examples of how these threats have impacted your ecoregion. For example, you might mention how a city in your ecoregion has nearly doubled in size due to sprawl and population growth in the last decade. Or you might note how a common water pollution issue in your ecoregion is fertilizer runoff from corn and soybean production.
Summarize the restoration project you found; in your summary, be sure to cover these questions:
Who (what organizations, government entities, etc.) is overseeing the project?
Where is the project taking place?
What does the project entail?
Detail the restoration process goal.
How is the project being carried out? (What are the major steps involved?)
When will the project be completed?
Does the project accept community volunteers? If so, how can the volunteers help?
You will submit two documents to Waypoint. One should be your completed Lab Worksheet and the other should be your Local Ecosystem Restoration essay. Together these two documents are worth 5% of your class grade.
The Restoration Ecology Laboratory Follow-up assignment,
must be 2 to 4 double-spaced pages in length (not including title and references pages) and formatted according to APA StyleLinks to an external site. as outlined in the Writing Center’s APA Formatting for Microsoft WordLinks to an external site.
must include a separate title page with the following in title case:
Space should appear between the title and the rest of the information on the title page.
student’s name
name of institution (The University of Arizona Global Campus)
course name and number
instructor’s name
due date
must utilize academic voice.
Refer to the Academic VoiceLinks to an external site. resource for additional guidance.
must include an introduction and conclusion paragraph.
Your introduction paragraph needs to end with a clear thesis statement that indicates the purpose of your paper.
For assistance on writing Introductions & ConclusionsLinks to an external site. and Writing a Thesis StatementLinks to an external site., refer to the Writing Center resources.
must use at least 1 scholarly source, one credible source, and the course text, for three sources.
The Scholarly, Peer-Reviewed, and Other Credible SourcesLinks to an external site. table offers additional guidance on appropriate source types. If you have questions about whether a specific source is appropriate for this assignment, please contact your instructor. Your instructor has the final say about the appropriateness of a specific source.
To assist you in completing the research required for this assignment, review this Quick and Easy Library ResearchLinks to an external site. tutorial, which introduces the University of Arizona Global Campus Library and the research process, and provides some library search tips.
must document any information used from sources in APA Style as outlined in the Writing Center’s APA: Citing Within Your PaperLinks to an external site.
must include a separate references page that is formatted according to APA Style as outlined in the Writing Center.
Refer to the APA: Formatting Your References ListLinks to an external site. resource in the Writing Center for specifications.

Find an Objective or Leading Health Indicator from the Healthy People 2030 list

Find an Objective or Leading Health Indicator from the Healthy People 2030 list that relates to your essay.  
Think about how this objective could help inform your solution essay and describe that relationship to your discussion group.  Why is the objective important? Does the solution you are considering for your essay contribute to this objective?  How would you measure it? 

For a chance to win the scholarship, write a 500-word essay on any of the follow

For a chance to win the scholarship, write a 500-word essay on any of the following topics:
The Role of Bees in Ecosystems and Agriculture
*Please take note that each essay will be submitted through AI-writing detection software. Any essays found to be AI-generated will be disqualified. 
Below I have a doc with some information over florida bees that was AI generated

https://www.pbs.org/video/the-power-of-big-oil-part-one-denial-redxh6/
watch th

https://www.pbs.org/video/the-power-of-big-oil-part-one-denial-redxh6/
watch this video and give a review. 12 points double spaced 2 pages.

What are the most significant ways in which environmental science affects human

What are the most significant ways in which environmental science affects human life style and well-being?

Instructions
Your assignment is to write a 2 page essay (double spaced, 12 pt.)

Instructions
Your assignment is to write a 2 page essay (double spaced, 12 pt.) using supportive material whereby you present background information, viewpoints, and a recommendation regarding the resolution of a current environmental issue.  This paper should include the socio and/or political sides of the issue, not just report scientific information.  Current environmental issues can be found using web resources; particularly helpful ones include the BBC Green Room (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/sci_tech/green_room/default.stm), CNN (http://edition.cnn.com/SPECIALS/environment/), and Discovery Channel News (https://www.discovery.com/science). 
Please note – you are not summarizing an article that you find on one of those pages – you are describing an environmental issue and a potential solution. Those articles often talk about new solutions to issues.
Cannot be a topic about climate change or stormwater issues.  You will need to research information on your topic, but I don’t expect these to necessarily be primary literature (online resources, textbooks, etc. are potential sources).  Be sure you evaluate your resources critically and cite material from your sources.  Use MLA or APA citation style.
The general format for the resolution paper will be as follows:
Paragraph 1 – brief description of the topic – why is this of concern or interest?
Paragraph 2 – what is the general consensus and evidence from the scientific/political community?
Paragraph 3 – what is the contradictory evidence or viewpoint?  (On the other hand…)
Paragraph 4 – synthesis discussion, with your well supported recommendation or “resolution”.   Conclude with a sentence that summarizes the topic and your conclusion.
Include atleast one reference. Paper must be plagiarism free and no AI generated information. Please include plagiarism report.

What are the most significant ways in which environmental science affects human

What are the most significant ways in which environmental science affects human life style and well-being?