Stepping lightly through Nature (Junior)

Link to Teacher's Guide / by Ron Mastine

Introduction

Everyday we do something important for our future.

We work, we study, we exercise, we recycle; all important steps for our future. One concern you may have heard about is your carbon footprint.

A carbon footprint is a measure of the impact our lives have on the environment in terms of emitting carbon and other greenhouse gases.

Carbon is emitted by the vehicles we use, the manufacture of products we consume, cigarette smoke of course, but also by energy generators to keep us warm or provide electricity, etc.

You will begin your investigation by looking into the concept. How deep is your footprint? How is it suggested that you make a difference? Are you taking appropriate measures to preserve the environment? Should you pay to help offset (correct) your carbon footprint? How much of a difference can you really make?

Task

In this quest, you will answer several questions about your life and how you live related to your carbon footprint. The answers you give will be used to calculate your foot print.

Your task is then to create a list of steps and actions you could do to minimize or offset your carbon footprint in a short report.

Process:
 leading to a Product that responds to the Task

1. Visit the Zerofootprint Kids calculator site and answer carefully each question individually.
2. Take time to make sure you understand the questions – use strategies: look up in your notes, a book or on the Internet or ask a classmate.
3. Take notes to help you remember some of the important questions. (another strategy)
4. Keep a copy of your results and the averages for Canada and one other country you choose for your report.

The site:

http://www.zerofootprintkids.com/kids_home.aspx

for more information, visit

How Carbon Footprints Work http://science.howstuffworks.com/carbon-footprint.htm

Create a short report of important ways you and your friends could help to minimize your carbon footprints and

a poster that reminds people what they can do to help that you present to the class!

Conclusion

Can you think of other ways to improve your life and that of the ones around you? Discuss and make a list in small groups.

Evaluation

Project Rubric

Criteria Level	Insufficient	Acceptable (60 – 75)	Well-done (76 – 95)	Excellent (95-100)
Uses strategies to better understand when necessary	Absence of or near absence of…	Evidence of some…	Several elements in support of …	Thorough, insightful, complete, …Autonomous
Participation in discussion
Presentation was understandable (pronunciation, intonation, …				… native-like
Report involved a series of pertinent items
Poster was self-explanatory and delivered an appropriate message(s).