There are many important scientific issues in the world today!  Read the newspaper, watch the evening news, listen to a politician or visit a news website and you will undoubtedly hear or see something relating to science.  Many of these issues concern the environment or advances in biotechnology.  Most likely the issue being discussed will have some impact on you now or in your future.  You should be aware of and try to understand as many of these issues as possible so that you can make educated decisions as you approach your voting future.  What you know and decide will impact many of those around you!

ASSIGNMENT: 

Three or four times each quarter you will be required to write about a current national or local scientific issue.  Sometimes Mrs. True will choose the article and give a copy to each student. Other times students will obtain an article from a newspaper or magazine, (or newspaper or TV station news website).  IT MUST BE CURRENTLY IN THE NEWS, AND DATED WITHIN TWO WEEKS OF THE ASSIGNMENT DUE DATE.  Due dates will be given in advance.

REQUIREMENTS:

q       Make sure you choose an article that involves a scientific issue, and has enough length and detail to write a detailed one-page analysis.  Pick an issue you find interesting.

q       All work must be done neatly and completely, in full sentences.  Word Process on a computer using 12 font and single spacing for the text.

q       Head the paper in the usual way in the top right hand corner with your name, the date, your class period and the assignment number.  The central heading should include your source name, the title of the article, the section and page numbers and the date.

q       Write three headed paragraphs (4-8 sentences each) to cover each of the following: 

1. WHAT IS THE ISSUE?  Give a good overall summary of the article content. Answer the questions what? when? who? where? and why? Try to put the main issue in a nut shell in the first few sentences. Include in this paragraph, the people, companies or institutions, their names and role. Include the places/location, and if it is an environmental issue describe the physical environment being effected.
2. IMPACT/SOLUTIONS What is the impact of the issue (past, present and future)?  When appropriate, describe any solutions given in the article.
3. EDITORIAL / COMMENTARY / OPINIONS. How can you, your community, the government, help resolve the issue?  I want to hear “your voice” in this paragraph.

q       Staple the complete article (or a copy) to the back of your assignment.

See format for your document below.

                                                                                                   Name

                                                                                                   Date

                                                                                                   Period

                                                                                                   Assign. #

Name of the Source

Title of the article

Section / Page #

Date

What is the Issue?

Impact? / Solutions?

Editorial / Commentary / Opinions.

Must be a Scientific Issue.

Quotes OK. Plagiarism Not

remember to attach the article or a xerox copy

word process.  12 font.  4-8 sentence paragraphs.

save these assignments and articles for your portfolio.