Webquest
Water Pollution
Science, Grade 7

Elana Grayson
Webquest
12/10/09
 Overview and Background for CRT

This Webquest focuses on the causes and effects of ocean water pollution and encourages
students to come up with their own solutions that can both prevent pollution and filter out
pollution that already exists. It is intended to be a science research project for seventh
grade students that teaches them not only how to conduct Internet research, but also to
take in information and use it to create original concepts.

The main content standard that drives this Webquest is:

Science Standard 4 Intermediate

Key Idea 7—Human decisions and activities have a profound impact on the
physical and living environment.

While this is a science Webquest, there is a social studies standard that also applies:

Social Studies Standard 3 Key Idea 1 Intermediate

Performance Indicators—Investigate why people and places are located where
they are located and what patterns can be perceived in these locations.
Describe the relationships between people and environments and the connections
between people and places.

There are also information literacy standards that apply:

Technology Standard
1-Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative
products and processes using technology.

Information Literacy
Standard 3 The student who is information literate uses information accurately and
creatively.
-Organizes information for practical application
-Applies information in critical thinking and problem solving

AASL
2.1.3 Use strategies to draw conclusions from information and apply knowledge to
curricular areas, real- world situations, and further investigations.
2.3.1 Connect understanding to the real world.
 Student Introduction

Water Pollution

What are the causes and effects of ocean water pollution and what can you do to
help?

For basic background information on water pollution see the following website before
beginning research: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_pollution

Also, you must understand the ideas behind the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Check out http://www.epa.gov/epahome/aboutepa.htm
 Task

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has invited a group of environmentalists

from around the country to a conference on ocean water pollution. You will be expected
to give a Powerpoint presentation at the conference about what problems you are facing
in your region that are causing water pollution as well as the effects that have resulted
from water pollution. Let the EPA know how water pollution is affecting the lives of
people from your area. Also, you will be expected to give at least one suggestion for a
way to either stop the pollution or reverse damage that has already been done. The EPA
may choose one solution to submit for funding!

You will be broken up into groups representing one of four regions of the U.S.:
Northeast, Southeast, Northwest, and Southwest. Two members of your group will
research the causes of ocean water pollution in your area and the other two will focus on
the effects. After this first step is completed, you will trade partners and two of you will
research and then formulate your own solutions for preventing water pollution, while the
other two work on filtering out the pollution that already exists. Be sure to take
information you find and incorporate it into your own ideas. Do not just use the solutions
you find on the Internet.
 Process

Prior Knowledge Mapping

Before beginning your research, you will complete an assignment as a class where you
will create a map with what you already know about water pollution and what you think
you need to find out to complete the Webquest.

NoodleTools/Note Cards/Creating a Bibliography

You will be expected to take notes during your research as well as keep track of
bibliographic information for all sources. To make this task easier, the Library Media
Specialist will teach you how to use NoodleTools: http://www.noodletools.com/. After
creating a NoodleTools account you will be able to use both the note card and
bibliography features in order to keep your research organized.

General Research for Everyone

Explore the following websites that supply general ocean water pollution information:

Government Resources
US EPA Water Science and Technology for Kids
US EPA Water Quality Standards
US EPA Diseases Associated With Sewage

Water Pollution Articles

About.com World Water Day: A Billion People Worldwide Lack Safe Drinking Water
Environmental Health Perspectives Environews by Topic: Water Pollution
NY Times Article on Water Pollution
Ocean & Water Pollution Business Solutions
Water Pollution Threatens U.S. Beach Swimmers
Nutrient Pollution Chokes Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems

Solutions
Signals of Spring

Regional Research
Northeast
What are the causes of ocean water pollution in your region?
NY Times Interactive Water Pollution Map
New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission
NYC Dept. of Environmental Protection
Waste Water in Long Island Sound

What are the effects of ocean water pollution in your region?

NY Times Interactive Water Pollution Map
New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission
NYC Dept. of Environmental Protection
Waste Water in Long Island Sound
What can you do to prevent or filter ocean water pollution?
Northeast States Reduce Mercury in the Environment
Clean Ocean Action: Be the Solution to Ocean Pollution
NYC Dept. of Environmental Protection

Southeast
What are the causes of ocean water pollution in your region?
NY Times Interactive Water Pollution Map
Florida Water and Pollution Control Operators Association
Water Pollution and the Florida Keys

What are the effects of ocean water pollution in your region?

NY Times Interactive Water Pollution Map
Southeast Coastal Ocean Observing Regional Association
Water Pollution and the Florida Keys

What can you do to prevent or filter ocean water pollution?

Florida Dept of Environmental Protection Water Plan
Southeast Coastal Ocean Observing Regional Association
Unhealthy Water Pollution in Coastal Oceans

Northwest
What are the causes of ocean water pollution in your region?
San Francisco Chronicle Power Plant Has No Plans To Stop Killing Fish
NY Times Interactive Water Pollution Map
20th Anniversary of Exxon Valdez
Youtube-Exxon Valdez News Clip

What are the effects of ocean water pollution in your region?

San Francisco Chronicle Power Plant Has No Plans To Stop Killing Fish
Ocean Dead Zones off the Pacific Northwest
20th Anniversary of Exxon Valdez
Youtube-Exxon Valdez News Clip

What can you do to prevent or filter ocean water pollution?

City of Bremerton, WA Water Pollution Facts
Alaska Dept of Enivronmental Conservation Division of Water
Save Alaska's Oceans

Southwest
What are the causes of ocean water pollution in your region?
Heal the Bay
NY Times Interactive Water Pollution Map
Thank You Ocean
What are the effects of ocean water pollution in your region?
The Cost of Pollution at Southern California Beaches
Heal the Bay
Thank You Ocean

What can you do to prevent or filter ocean water pollution?

City of Oceanside Clean Water Program
Thank You Ocean
Heal the Bay
UC Helps Nurseries in Southern California Stop Polluting Waterways

Powerpoint
The Library Media Specialist will conduct a lesson on creating a Powerpoint slide. For
further information see: Powerpoint in the Classroom
 Evaluation

Powerpoint Presentation