A WebQuest for 8th Grade SCIENCE
Designed by
CAROL MOORE
Carol_Moore@catawba.k12.nc.us

Introduction | Task |Resources|Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits | 

Introduction
 

Starvation, overcrowding, poor health, human rights, and ethics are all issues YOU will have to be dealing with in your life-time.  As more people continue to populate this limited space called earth, many decisions will have to be made.  You will evaluate our county's population, our nation's population and finally, the world's population and growth.

Throughout this WebQuest you will be required to gather regional, national, and international statistics dealing with population growth and trends. These statistics will be analyzed through the use of  calculations and graphs.You will culminate your findings by producing a propaganda poster for population control and one poster for parent's rights to choose family size.
 
 

http://www.earthtimes.org/dec/populationinidanparliamentsettodec6_99.htm
India's governmental population policy.

http://www.earthtimes.org/nov/populationdeclineinpopulationnov17_99.htm
International support for population issues.

http://www.earthtimes.org/nov/populationintegratingfamilyplanningnov2_99.htm
Family planning in Bangladesh.

http://www.facingthefuture.org/http://www.facingthefuture.org/
Great resources for activities.

http://www.nwf.org/international/pop/factsh.html
Population's effect on water, habitat, etc.

http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/index.html
This site will allow you to find detailed population information about individual countries.

http://www.aecf.org/kidscount/kc1999/defs.htm
Students and locate state population statistics, graphs, rankings, etc.

http://www.census.gov/population/www/estimates/popest.html
National, state, and county statistics are available.

http://library.thinkquest.org/2111

http://www.dayof6billion.org/home.htmhttp://www.teacherfiles.com/clip_icons.htm
Site provides quiz, graphs, and maps of international statistics. 
 
 

Print a copy of the Catawba County Census Tract and calculate the tract's population density for 1990 and projections  for 2010.

Using internet sources, answer the following questions:
 

1. Which states experienced the greatest % change between 1990-1999?
2. Which 5 states have the largest estimated black population in 1998? Hispanic? White?
3. Graph North Carolina's estimated population from 1900-1990.
4. Which states show a loss of population in the last 10 years?
5. In industrialized nations, what is the % of women who now uses contraceptives?
6. How many countries show a scarcity of food production in 1961? 1995? 2025?
7. Which nations are producing the greatest amounts of carbon dioxide?
8. Are there more boys or girls enrolled in primary school world-wide? Why?

As a class, you will compare the countries' population statistics.  Print a copy of the countries table and complete by viewing all the teams' charts.  Using graph paper, make bar graphs comparing country's population density and GDP per capita.

Students are using the each group's chart of information to create graphs.

Your team will  create a propaganda poster (test grade):

• Bisect your poster. 
• On one-half--your group is acting as the government  who is trying to decrease population growth.  On the other half--a group is propagating parent's right for family size.
• At least one side must include:
• affects on quality of life
• environmental issues
• math/statistical data
• Dramatic presentation/Creativity is required to catch the attention of your poster's audience.

Describe to the learners how their performance will be evaluated. Specify whether there will be a common grade for group work vs. individual grades.
 
 

	Beginning 1	Developing 2	Accomplished 3	Exemplary 4	Score
Complete Catawba County Census Tract	Student did not complete table 50 pts.	Student completed table with less than 50% accuracy 70 pts	Student completed table but with less than 100% accuracy 85 pts	Student completed table with 100% accuracy 100 pts	100 isolated points
Internet Scavenger Hunt	Students were often not on task in lab and did not answer 50% of questions 50pts	Students located and answered less than 50% of questions but were on task in lab 70pts	Students located and answer over 50% of questions accurately 85 pts	Student located and answered all questions with 100% accuracy 100pts	100% isolated points
Population/life-styles Worksheet and Chart	Teacher had to interact with group to begin task and to remain on task. 50 pts..	Teacher had to work with group on several occasions and redirect their activities more than once. 70 pts.	Teacher had to work with group to help them cooperate and remain on task 85 pts	Students cooperated well in groups and were on task daily  100 pts	100 isolated pts.
Comparison graphs of countries.	Student began graphs but did not complete half  the required tasks 50 pts	Student   completed only half of the required graphs and lists 70 pts	Student completed all graphs and lists but graphs were lacking organization and clarity 85 pts	Student completed all graphs and lists that were understandable and readable 100 pts.	100 isolated pts.
Propaganda Poster	Students did not complete poster or it was missing 3 or more requirements 50%	Students completed the poster but lacked 2 or more of the requirements 70%	Students worked in cooperatively in groups  and produced a poster that met requirements but lacked creativity and persuasiveness 85 %	Students worked cooperatively in groups and produced a creative, persuasive poster 100%	200 pts

Sources:
http://www.overpopulation.net/
http://coe.west.asu.edu/students/stennille/ST3/desertwq.htm
http://www.teacherfiles.com/clip_icons.htm