Evaluation:  The overall grade will be based on the following requirements.  40% of your grade will be based on individual performance, and 60% will be on your group as a whole.

	Beginning 1	Developing 2	Accomplished 3	Exemplary 4	Score
Group Participation 20%	Did not work well with group members.  Did not complete individual's share of research, map, or presentation.	Worked well with group members.  Did not complete individual's share of two of the stated objectives.	Worked well with group members.  Did not complete individual's share of one of the stated objectives..	Worked very well with group members.  Completed individual's share of all of the stated objectives.
Identification of problem found in NC river. 20%	Did not identify correct problem associated with their river.	Identified correct problem associated with their river, but did not offer possible causes, effects, or solutions.	Identified correct problem associated with their river and offered vague possible causes, effects, and solutions.	Identified correct problem associated with their river and offered specific possible causes, effects, and solutions.
Map 20%	Map did not provide surrounding water sources, towns, possible sources of pollution, and showed no creativity.	Map had labels of some surrounding water sources, towns, and possible sources, but showed no creativity.	Map had labels of all surrounding water sources, towns, and possible sources, but showed no creativity.	Map had labels of all surrounding water sources, towns, and possible sources, and showed creativity.
Presentation 20%	Presentation was not supported with sufficient data, did not hold the audience's attention, and students were not confident in their knowledge of the topic.	Presentation was supported by sufficient data, but did not hold the attention of the audience, and students were not confident in their knowledge of the topic.	Presentation was supported by sufficient data and held the attention of the audience, but students were not confident in their knowledge of the topic.	Presentation was supported by sufficient data, held the attention of the audience, and students were confident in their knowledge of the topic.
Overall Content Knowledge 20%	Student showed no knowledge of the content.	Student showed little knowledge of the content, but not enough to sufficiently help the group.	Student showed moderate knowledge of the content and were able to help their group.	Student showed excellent knowledge of the content and were able to help their group.

Conclusion

When you finish this assignment, you will be able to recognize potential problems associated with water pollution.  You will have learned about the different types of river pollution in North Carolina, its effects, and some ways to prevent or clean it up.  Hopefully, you will be able to take your new found knowledge and apply it.  Maybe one day YOU can make a difference.

"The ultimate test of a moral society is the kind of world that it leaves to its children"
                                                                               -Dietrick Bonhoeffer

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can save the world.  Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."
                                                                                -Margaret Mead

 Back to the Top
 

Credits & References

Hogwatch:  Environment Impacts of Hog Factories in North Carolina
United States Geological Survey:  The Water Quality Portion of this web page is very helpful.
50 Most Polluted Rivers in the United States
Dissolved Oxygen:  General Information and Effects
The "Bad Bug Book":  A list of pathogenic organisms, including those that can be found in contaminated water sources.
Chloride Ions:  The importance of measuring chloride ions in water.
Water Acidity:  How some bodies of water contain lower than normal pH.
EPA:  The Environmental Protection Agency homepage
NCDENR:  The North Carolina Division of Water Quality.
 

 Back to the Top