Learners develop an understanding of various types of actions that might be taken in support of the answer they formulated to the STS focusing question. A tentative action plan is composed and the pros and cons associated with each action examined from a number of perspectives. Learners decide which action(s) they are willing to take as individuals and/or as members of a group, implement those actions, evaluate the results and report on those to the class.

Title: Identifying Actions

Overview & Outcomes:

In the terminal Investigation section, Investigations Lesson 15, students stated and defended an answer to the STS questions presented in Foundations/Awareness Lesson 11: Is global atmospheric change (including enhanced greenhouse effect, ozone layer depletion and ground level ozone pollution) a threat? The ultimate goal of STS education is to help citizens develop the knowledge, skills and willingness to take responsible actions based upon informed decisions toward the resolution of STS issues. In this, the first lesson in the Actions section of the unit, students brainstorm lists of actions that could be taken toward the resolution of GAC-actions they could take to reduce the formation of greenhouse gases as well as prevent ozone layer depletion and pollution. The composite list of possible actions which is generated is added to Actions Lesson 2, when students examine the information received from outside agencies in response to requests sent out in Foundations/Awareness Lesson 11.

This lesson helps learners:

• know the sources of the four major greenhouse gases.
• list actions that could be taken to decrease the production of each greenhouse gas as well as prevent depletion of the ozone layer.

The concept map shows model relationships among concepts Actions Lessons 1 through 6 seek to develop.

Background Notes for Teacher:

Helping students develop the knowledge, skills and willingness to take actions toward the resolution of STS issues is the primary goal of the STS issue investigation and action strategy that underlies this unit. We realize that the "sources" listed under CFCs will be duplicated under Stratospheric Ozone Layer column. The authors feel that this duplication is necessary to reinforce the connections.

Additional Teacher Reference.

Needed Materials:

For each group of students.

1. 1 piece of newsprint paper or transparency
2. 1 marker
3. Handout: Atmospheric Gases: Sources and Actions

Preparation:

Instructional Procedures: (1 Day, 40 minutes)

1. Divide students into cooperative learning groups.

2. Distribute handout Atmospheric Gases: Sources and Actions.

3. Have each group generate a list of sources for each greenhouse gas as well as those that reduce the stratospheric ozone layer.

4. Ask each group to generate a list of actions they could take as an individual or as a member of a group to decrease the production of each greenhouse gas or prevent depletion of the ozone layer, placing them in the respective section. Require them to talk about the justification(s) for each action.

5. Have each group share their "Sources and Actions" with classmates.

6. Prepare classroom list of actions from reports by group spokespersons. Ask for justifications from spokesperson or other group member. This list will be reproduced as a handout for use by the students in Actions Lesson 2.

Assessment/Portfolio Items:

Have students generate multiple-choice (or other) test items that assess an understanding of "sources and actions" as reviewed and developed by this lesson.

   Carbon         CFCs        Methane        Nitrous     Ground Level  Stratospheric 
  Dioxide                       (CH4)         Oxide         Ozone                    
    (CO2)                                     (N2O)          (O3)        Ozone(03)   
                                                                           Layer     

   Sources       Sources       Sources       Sources       Sources      Depleted By  

                                                                                     
                                                                                     
                                                                                     
                                                                                     
                                                                                     
                                                                                     
                                                                                     
                                                                                     
                                                                                     
                                                                                     
                                                                                     
                                                                                     

   Actions       Actions       Actions       Actions       Actions      Actions to   
  to Reduce     to Reduce     to Reduce     to Reduce     to Reduce       Prevent    
                                                                         Depletion   

                                                                                     
                                                                                     
                                                                                     
                                                                                     
                                                                                     
                                                                                     
                                                                                     
                                                                                     
                                                                                     
                                                                                     
                                                                                     
                                                                                     
                                                                                     
                                                                                     
                                                                                     
                                                                                     
                                                                                     

Click Here to go to Action Lesson 2: What's In the Mail