Human Impact on the Environment Project: Research an Issue in YOUR Town or City

Get this human impact on the environment project at a discount in our Human Impact on Ecosystems Activity Bundle!

In this research project, students will:

• Learn more about a problem within a local ecosystem
• Discover what solutions have already been tried (if any)
• Suggest a solution to the ecological issue
• Use the teacher’s choice of a website tool to create a presentation

This student handout includes:

• Detailed introduction and instructions
• 10 Suggested research topics that are universal to many ecosystems (chemical contamination, invasive species, watershed pollution, etc)
• “Research Organizer” to help students organize their information and focus their thinking
• Student-friendly grading rubric

Teachers will appreciate this project because the instructions and expectations are simple and straightforward. The rubric is uncomplicated. And, the included graphic organizer makes it easy for a wide range of students to organize what they are learning as they perform their research.

While the problems listed are applicable to any area, it’s always great if a teacher adds a few very specific local problems to the list. This is not necessary, however, and the project can easily be assigned “as is” no matter where you live.

NGSS Standards:

• This human impact on the environment project helps to support MS-LS2-5, MS-ESS3-3, Hs-ESS3-4, or HS-LS2-7.
• NGSS Science & Engineering Practice: Constructing explanations and designing solutions
• NGSS Science & Engineering Practice: Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information
• Check out more resources in the ecology section of our shop!