Ozone--- TEACHER NOTESOVERVIEW

Students will investigate ozone. Using the Internet students will research and prepare a journalistic website demonstrating their applied understanding of ozone properties, ozone layers in the atmosphere, ozone holes and legislation surrounding the issue.
PREREQUISITE KNOWLEDGE:
Ability to navigate the Internet; use a word processor and web authoring software.
TEACHER PREP TIME: minimal
Review websites in Resources. If necessary, become familiar with the web authoring software that students will be using. Prepare a lesson on using web-authoring software if new to students.
DELIVERABLES: Students will produce a website.
EVALUATION / GRADING:
Questions in Steps /130 Website /70 Total Points available 200
Running short on time?
Have students create their websites in teams, or divide pages across the class and produce the website collectively.
Want to take this another step?
Have students explore and explain the chemical reactions surrounding ozone - UV absorption and pollution reactions for example.
Only one computer in the classroom?
Supplement Internet resources with books and magazines in the classroom for research. Have students prepare their websites in teams.
Teacher Tips:
Investigate grants for projects such as this in your area. Possible funding areas include
1. Student web products / projects
2. Environment / conservation

As the chief journalist for CNN's environmental website, you are responsible for researching and reporting on environmental issues.

"Under the current CFC phase out schedules, global UV levels are predicted to peak around the turn of the century...The recovery to pre-ozone depletion levels is expected to take place gradually over the next 50 years"

- UNEP Scientific Assessment, 1994

Your next piece is on the ozone. What is it? Where is it?

Find the controversy to spice up your piece.

Your website deadline is in three weeks.

A computer with Internet access, word processor,web authoring softwareand draw / paint software.
Use the links below to answer the questions in Steps and to prepare your website.
This list is a starting place, feel free to search the Internet for other related information.

OzonAction Programme

Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer

Stratospheric Ozone and Human Health

Socioeconomic Data and Applications Center: Environmental Effects of Ozone Depletion
(Very long and detailed but contains an enormous amount of information)

United Nations Environment Programme

How Ozone Pollution Works

Ozone: Good up High, Bad Nearby

Part 1: The history behind the Ozone hole

Ozone Crisis: Greenpeace
(great information, quotes and statistics)


Using the websites in Resources (and others that you find), research answers to the following questions.

1. What is the Ozone?

2. What is the role of stratospheric ozone?

3. What is the troposphere?

4. What are the major causes of ozone depletion? What compounds are primarily responsible and where do they come from?

5. Where, when, and to what degree has the ozone been depleted?

6. What are the effects of ozone depletion on plants and humans?

7. What was the Montreal Protocol?

8. Describe how ozone can be good (helpful) and bad (harmful).

Remember to document the source of your information.
Last Name, First Name of Author (if known). "Title of work/article/page." Title of Complete Document (if applicable). Date last modified. URL (date visited).


Using the research from Steps, prepare your informative website.

As a journalist, you need to ask the right questions.

Find and explore the controversy surrounding ozone, show different points of view.

Here are some intriguing questions to get you started.
1. Is the amount of ozone depletion proven to be significant enough to warrant government regulations of CFC's?

2. Will the additional amount of UV exposure be significant to humans and plants?

3. Was the Montreal Protocol a success? Explain.

4. What can be done to decrease ozone depletion? Can damage be reversed?

5. Ozone is good and bad. Explain.

TIP: Include images on your website.

Consider navigation and layout carefully to help viewers access your information easily.

Total Points available 200

Questions in Steps /130

Website content and layout /70

Checklist
Website
/10 / Information on various aspects of ozone present
/10 / Provides overview of ozone, ozone layers and related issues
/5 / Links are all active
/5 / Navigation isintuitive
/10 / Content enhancing images are present
/10 / Application of understanding evident
/20 / Journalism leading questions answered

Notes:


Discuss the controversial issues surrounding ozone in your class.

Post your final project on your school website (with permission).

Share your new understanding of the ozone with people that you know.

1