Mr.

Howe
Marine Ecology

Name: ______________________________ Date: ________________________ Block: _____

The Choose Your Own Adventure Pollution Project
(Senior Project Eligible)
Objective: As our ocean pollution discussions come to an end, students will demonstrate their knowledge of
the topic through the completion of the Choose Your Own Adventure Pollution Project.
Products: Students are required to complete a selection of assignments so that their total possible points tallies
to one hundred (100) points. Each assignment will be assessed individually, and the combined scores of the
different assignments will be used to represent the students grade.
Assignment List:
Twenty-five (25) Point Assignments:

Complete three (3) Current Event Reviews pertaining to ocean pollution

Create a scrapbook detailing six (6) oil spill cleanup techniques
Create a timeline showing ten (10) major global oil spills
Develop an academic lesson for an elementary school pertaining to ocean pollution
Interview a member of the Marine Sciences community focusing on ocean pollution

Fifty (50) Point Assignments

Collaborate in groups of 3 4 to develop an ocean pollution presentation with an activity
Write a 3 5 page ocean pollution research paper
Create an Infographics poster about a particular type of pollution in our ocean
Seventy-five (75) Point Assignment
Enter the Our Oceans, Our Plastic ocean awareness student contest
http://www.fromthebowseat.org/contest.php
Due Date: ___________________________________

*** DO NOT USE WIKIPEDIA AS A CITED RESOURCE***

Scoring:

Points
Earned

Assignment Selected

Total Points

Points
Possible

100

Mr. Howe
Marine Ecology

Complete Three (3) Current Event Reviews Pertaining To Ocean Pollution

Twenty-five (25) Point Assignments
Description:

Bibliographical Information

The bibliographical information has been

provided to properly identify the article.
Students Favorite Quote

Per Article
2

The student has identified their favorite quote

from the article, as well as, provided a reason why
they selected the particular quote.

Per Article

Paragraph Summary of the Article

The student has summarized the article in a single

paragraph.
Four (4) Major Points from the Article

Per Article
2

The student has listed the four major points of the

article. Each point is at least one (1) complete
sentence.

Per Article

One (1) Reason Why the Article was of Interest

to the Student

The student has provided at least one (1) example

why the article was of interest to them.

Per Article

One (1) Article from a Printed Source

At least one of the articles was from a printed
source such as a magazine, newspaper, etc.

Article 3

Points
Possible

Article 2

Category

Article 1

Complete three (3) current event reviews pertaining to ocean pollution, with one of them
being from a printed source.
Rubric:

Mr. Howe
Marine Ecology

Create A Scrapbook Detailing Six (6) Oil Spill Cleanup Techniques

Twenty-five (25) Point Assignments
Description:
Students will create a visual, and descriptive, scrapbook detailing six (6) oil spill cleanup
techniques
Rubric:

Points
Earned

Category
Six (6) Oil Spill Clean-up Techniques
The student has identified six (6) oil spill clean-up techniques.
Description of each Clean-up Technique
The student has provided a detailed description of each of the
identified clean-up techniques. The description should include
what the technique is, or how it is used, as well as, any advantages
or disadvantages to its application.

Points
Possible

3
12
(2 per
Technique)

Images of each Clean-up Technique

The student has included a hand drawn colored, or, a computer
generated image of each of the identified clean-up techniques.

Aesthetics
The students final product is complete showing that thought, time
and effort were given in its completion.

Works Cited
All sources are accurately documented following MLA format.
Helpful Link:

https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/

Total Points

25

Mr. Howe
Marine Ecology

Create A Timeline Showing Ten (10) Major Global Oil Spills

Twenty-five (25) Point Assignments
Description:
Students will create a timeline showing ten (10) major global oil spills in chronological order.
Rubric:

Points
Earned

Category

Points
Possible

Ten (10) Major Global Oil Spills

The student has identified ten (10) major global oil spills with their
date of occurrence, and has placed them in chronological order on
their timeline.

Description of each Major Global Oil Spill

The student has provided a short summative description of each of
the major global oil spills. The description should include where
the spill took place, how did the disaster occur and how much oil
entered the environment.

10

Images for Three (3) of the Major Global Oil Spills

The student has included an image for three (3) of the identified
major global oil spills on their timeline. The image should be hand
drawn and colored, or computer generated.

OPINION: Which Major Global Oil Spill was the Worst?

The student has provided a section on their timeline to respond to
the following question:
Environmentally, or economically speaking, which major global
oil spill was the worst? Defend your response.

The response should be at least five (5) sentences in length and

cite at least two different facts in its defense.
Aesthetics
The students final product is complete showing that thought, time
and effort were given in its completion.

Works Cited
All sources are accurately documented following MLA format.
Helpful Link:

https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/

Total Points

25

Mr. Howe
Marine Ecology

Develop An Academic Lesson For An Elementary School Pertaining To Ocean

Pollution
Twenty-five (25) Point Assignments
Description:
Students will develop a ten (10) minute lesson that could be given to an elementary class
pertaining to ocean pollution.
Rubric:

Points
Earned

Category

Points
Possible

Lesson Plan
The student has completed a written lesson plan detailing their
proposed agenda for their ten (10) minute lesson.

Visual
The student has prepared a visual to accompany the instructional
portion of their lesson. The visual could be a PowerPoint, poster,
interpretive dance, etc. The visual will be assessed on its function
within the lesson, information and aesthetics.

Activity
The student has developed an activity that relates to their lesson
and does a great job to assess the comprehension of the class after
the lesson is taught.

Appropriate Lesson for an Elementary School Classroom

The student has developed a lesson that is age appropriate for an
elementary school classroom.

Works Cited
All sources are accurately documented following MLA format.
Helpful Link:

https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/

Total Points

25

Mr. Howe
Marine Ecology

Interview A Member Of The Marine Sciences Community Focusing On Ocean Pollution

Twenty-five (25) Point Assignments
Description:
Students will interview a member of the marine sciences community focusing their discussion on ocean
pollution.
Rubric:

Points
Earned

Category

Points
Possible

The Marine Science Community

The student has selected an interviewee that is a member of the
marine science community, or has expertise in marine pollution.
The interviewee should be pre-approved by the students teacher
prior to the interview being conducted.

Teacher Approval: _____________________________________

(Teacher Signature)
Interview Question List
The student has prepared a list of at least ten (10) questions that
they are going to ask during the interview. The questions should
focus on areas such as the expertise of the interviewee, general
ocean pollution or ocean pollution activism. The question list
should be pre-approved by the students teacher prior to the
interview being conducted.

Teacher Approval: _____________________________________

(Teacher Signature)
Proof
The student has provided proof that the interview was conducted.
Acceptable proof includes the recorded interview, a picture of the
student with the interviewee or a signed note by the interviewee
assuring that the interview was conducted.

An Interview Transcript
The student has a written transcript of the interview detailing the
interviewees responses.

Interview Reflection
The student has a typed, 1 2 page reflection piece in response to
the interview. The reflection piece should summarize the
interview, as well as, include the students reactions to what was
said.

Total Points

10
25

Mr. Howe
Marine Ecology

Develop An Awareness Campaign That Could Be Implemented To Educate

Society About Ocean Pollution
Fifty (50) Point Assignments
Description:
Students have identified that ocean pollution is a real threat to our oceans and will
develop an awareness campaign to educate society.
Rubric:

Category

Points Earned

Points
Possible

The Proposal
Abstract: The student has included a paragraph introduction
that summarizes their entire proposed awareness campaign.

The Problem: The student has included a paragraph detailing

the problem that they wish to change through the completion
of their awareness campaign. What was observed that called
for action?

What If: The student has included a paragraph detailing what

could happen to our oceans if the observed problem was
allowed to continue without any human intervention.

Audience: The student has included a paragraph explaining

the target audience for their awareness campaign.

Campaign Details: The student has included 1 2 pages

detailing their proposed awareness campaign. Topics of
discussion would include, but are not limited to the following
ideas:
When would the campaign be conducted? How would the
campaign be conducted? How would the campaign be funded
if funding is needed? Is there any legislation that would aid
or inhibit the awareness campaign? Etc.
Outcome: The student has included a paragraph explaining
the best outcome that could result from the campaign.

10

5
Continued

Mr. Howe
Marine Ecology

Develop An Awareness Campaign That Could Be Implemented To Educate

Society About Ocean Pollution
Fifty (50) Point Assignments
Rubric: continued

Category

Points Earned

Points
Possible

Awareness Flyer
The student has developed an original awareness flyer
specific to their awareness campaign. The flyer should
convey the message of the entire awareness campaign. The
flyer should be hand drawn and colored, or computer
generated, and should be different then the flyer created for
class.

10

Petition
The student has created a petition that fifty (50) supporters
could sign after they are made aware of the challenges that
face our oceans. The petition should include a paragraph
detailing the awareness campaign so that supporters know
what they are signing.

Implementation of Awareness Campaign

If the student implements their awareness campaign, and
receives fifty (50) signatures in support of their message,
extra credit will be awarded.

Total Points

(+5 if
implemented)

50

Mr. Howe
Marine Ecology

Write A 3 5 Page Ocean Pollution Research Paper

Fifty (50) Point Assignments
Description:
Students will choose a topic of interest to them with regards to ocean pollution and
compose an essay. The topic must be pre-approved by the students teacher, and the essay will
be a minimum of three (3) full pages and maximum of five (5) full pages.
Describe Your Selected Topic:
______________________________________________________________________________
Teacher Signature showing Pre-approval:
__________________________________________
Rubric:

Category

Topic
Pre-approval

Topic was preapproved by the

teacher.

Topic was not

pre-approved by
the teacher.

Category

Topic
Originality

Topic is original
and is not
restating a
previous class
discussion.

Topic is not
original and is
simply restating a
previous class
discussion.

Category

20

Quality of
Information

Information
clearly relates to
the main topic. It
includes
supporting details
and/or examples.

16

12

Information
Information
relates to the main relates to the main
topic. It provides
topic. No details
supporting details and/or examples
and/or examples.
are given.

8
Information has
little or nothing to
do with the main
topic.

Continued

Mr. Howe
Marine Ecology

Write A 3 5 Page Ocean Pollution Research Paper

Fifty (50) Point Assignments
Rubric: continued

Category

Organization

Information is
very organized
with wellconstructed
paragraphs.

Length

Essay is a
minimum of three
(3) full, typed,
double spaced, 12
pt. Times New
Roman pages.

Category

In-Text
Citations

All information is
accurately cited
following MLA
format.

Information is not
accurately cited
following MLA
format.

Works Cited

All sources are

accurately
documented
following MLA
format.

Information is
organized with
well-constructed
paragraphs.
Essay is two and
a half (2.5),
typed, double
spaced, 12 pt.
Times New
Roman pages.

Information is
The information
organized, but
appears to be
paragraphs are not disorganized.
well-constructed.
Essay is two (2)
full, typed, double
spaced, 12 pt.
Times New
Roman pages.

Helpful Link:
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/
owl/resource/747/01/

Essay is less than

two (2) full,
typed, double
spaced, 12 pt.
Times New
Roman pages.

Sources are not

accurately
documented
following MLA
format.

Mr. Howe
Marine Ecology

Enter The Our Oceans, Our Plastic Ocean Awareness Student Contest
Seventy-five (75) Point Assignment
Description:
This is an interdisciplinary contest that weaves together ocean awareness, creativity, and advocacy.
Advocacy means taking a stand for something you believe in. It requires problem-solving skills, creativity,
communication skills, assertiveness, and most of all, knowing when to call the world to action.
Submit a work of art, a poem, a written work, or a film about plastic pollution in the ocean. Look for
connections between science, creativity, environmental advocacy, and your personal interpretation of theme
Our Oceans, Our Plastic. Remember, there are no right or wrong ways to advocate, but give your piece a unique
and powerful voice.
~ From the Bow Seat
http://www.fromthebowseat.org/contest.php
Rubric:

Points
Earned

Category

Points
Possible

Student-Teacher Conference
The student and teacher have discussed the students thought
process with regards to the contest requirements. After a brief
discussion, and all parties are made aware of the requirements, a
new DUE DATE will be assigned, and the teacher will approve the
student to proceed with their research.

New Due Date: _____________________

Teacher Approval: _____________________________________
(Teacher Signature)
Academic Understanding and Comprehension
The student has demonstrated a level of understanding and
comprehension of the content through the completion of their
contest submission.

15

Category Requirements
The student has fulfilled all of the requirements for submission to
the Our Oceans, Our Plastic ocean awareness student contest.

50

Entry Submission
The student has successfully submitted their entry into the Our
Oceans, Our Plastic ocean awareness student contest.

Total Points

5
75

Mr. Howe
Marine Ecology

Create an Original Infographics Poster that Educates about Ocean Pollution

Fifty (50) Point Assignments
Description:
Students will create an informative poster that presents qualitative and quantitative information about a
specific type of ocean pollution or pollution problem
Rubric:

Points
Earned

Category

Points
Possible

Topic & Title

The student has identified and described a specific type of ocean
pollution or pollution problem. Student has given a title that is
descriptive and informative

Visual
The student has prepared a poster with a clear central focus. The
images/illustrations/graphics and the information work together.
The poster is colorful and interesting. The poster contains multiple
supporting images/illustrations/graphics.

15

Information
The student has presented both qualitative and quantitative
information about the problem. The information is accurate and
supported by valid resources. The poster presents at least 10 items
of printed/textual information. The information is direct and clear.

15

Creativity and Presentation

Although informed and inspired by other marine infographics, the
poster is original and creative. The poster is visually appealing and
demonstrates dedicated efforts in its creation (neatness & art does
count)

10

Works Cited
All sources are accurately documented following MLA format.
Helpful Link:

https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/

Total Points

50