Project+Instructions

=**Eighth Grade Environmental Science**= =**Group Wiki Project:**= =__**Investigating Recyclables, before & after, and their Environmental Impact**__=

Curriculum Standards being Addressed:
1) Explore how the outcome of new technologies can impact human and non-human communities. 2) Present research on current technologies that contribute to improvements in our daily lives.

Recycling and the Environment:
Recycling refers to the process of collecting used materials that are generally considered as waste and reprocessing them. The used materials are sorted and processed to be used as raw materials for the production of new products. The process of recycling includes using the core elements of an old product as raw material to manufacture new goods. Some of the most common items that are recycled are plastic, glass, paper, batteries, and aluminum. The importance of recycling can be observed in countless ways in the environment.

What are Wikis?
The term “wiki” comes from the Hawaiian word for “fast”. Wiki technology creates a webpage that anyone with access to it can modify quickly and very easily. A wiki is in essence a webpage with an edit button, where anyone can edit anything anytime they want. A wiki allows you to collaborate with others online easily and you have the ability to make wikis public or password-protected. Users can add pages or documents to a wiki and edit them and you can view changes made by different users or move back to previous versions. To use a wiki you need Internet access and you also may need a password and login, depending on the security settings of the wiki you want to access. There are many free and inexpensive wikis, such as Wikispaces.

Project Overview:
Students will work in groups of four to investigate two recyclables, aluminum and glass, and their impact on the environment. Students will be held responsible for conducting research, creating an experimental design, setting up a wiki, and editing wikis of two other groups.


 * I) Research**

a) must use at least 4 resources b) sources must be cited in the document c) sources must be cited following the document in a works cited list


 * II) Experimental Design**

//a) Must Include:// 1) how the material is initially made 2) recycling process of material 3) outcomes of recycling instead of throwing out 4) impact recycling has on the environment


 * III) Group Wikis**

//a) Creating a Wiki// 1) Create your group wiki using wikispaces.com. Click on wiki creation instructions for more details. 2) Post a link to your group wiki on the class blog once you have created it.

//b) Technology Integration// 1) must include 2 or more graphics 2) must include a video or diagram 3) must include at least 1 link to another site (Ex. video, article, etc.)

//c) Editing Wikis// 1) must make edits to wikispaces that belong to two other groups 2) links to classmate’s wikispaces can be found on the class blog

Project Checklist:
_ Posted wikispace link on class blog _ Used at least 4 resources _ Included 2+ graphics _ Included a video or diagram _ Included a working link to another site _ Edited two of peer’s wikispaces

Project Deadlines:
(1) Complete group wiki and post link on class blog by Friday October 15th (2) Edit wikispaces belonging to two other groups by Friday October 22nd

Scoring Rubric:
_ 5 pts Collaborative, group effort Several participants have contributed to the wikispace and each person brings their individual strengths and contributes to the group project.

_ 5 pts Organization A table of contents is used, and headings and bulleted lists are used appropriately.

_ 10 pts Appealing to the eye Graphics are used to add to the message, are not distracting, and are used where needed to further explain a topic.

_ 10 pts Hyperlink to an outside source A hyperlink is used, and works, to give readers additional information about the investigation.

_ 10 pts Additional visual tools are used The use of a video or diagram is used effectively.

_ 10 pts Resources are properly cited The wikispace summarizes information but does not copy it, sources are appropriately cited in the document and following the document in a works cited list.

_ 10 pts Spelling and Grammar

_ 20 pts Deadlines met

_ 20 pts Assignment criteria met

**TOTAL POINTS out of 100 pts**

 * _ / 100**