An Acid Rain WebQuest

An Internet Research Project

Introduction

It's killing lakes, wiping out forests, destroying habitats, dissolving away beautiful statues, releasing harmful metals into our drinking water, and it's falling from the sky. Acid Rain. Just what is it? Where is it coming from? What can we do to stop it? Is it too late? In this project you will examine a number of Internet sites that will help you understand this problem of Acid Rain.

Task

Your final project is to create a PowerPoint presentation with at least three slides for each of the following: a.) causes of Acid Rain, b.) effects of Acid Rain, c.) solutions to Acid Rain. In addition, your presentation must include at least two computer-generated maps that show the hot spots that contribute to Acid Rain and the areas that are being most affected by this form of pollution. Support the information on your slides with illustrations of the effects of Acid Rain. Include your references on a final slide of the presentation. Visit Internet Citations if you need help with Internet references.

Process and Resources

Acid Rain Facts

The EPA and Acid Rain

Jake's Attic and Acid Rain

 

Teacher Tips

Keep in mind the three parts of this project: the causes, the effects, the solutions. As you read and gather information you might want to organize that information under these three headings. Be sure to record all your references as you go along. Don't wait until later and try to go back and find this information.

Evaluation

Overall Presentation (25 pnts.)

Presentation is interesting, colorful, well-organized

Causes (15 pnts.)

At least three slides dedicated to causes; information comes from at least two different sources; includes appropriate chemical equations

Effects (15 pnts.)

At least three slides dedicated to effects; information comes from at least two different sources; effects are supported by interesting illustrations

Solutions (15 pnts.)

At least three slides dedicated to solutions; information comes from at least two different sources; solutions include at least three things an 8th grade student can do

Maps (10 pnts.)

Colorful, computer-generated; illustrate concepts related to causes, effects and/or solutions to acid rain

Illustrations (10 pnts.)

Interesting; thought provoking; appropriate citations included

References (10 pnts.)

A separate slide for references; follows appropriate guidelines

Conclusion

Acid Rain is a silent, but deadly killer. A lot of it is caused by pollution that might come from a different state or even a different country, which makes it difficult to manage. But it must be managed and it must be stopped before its damaging effects become irreversible!!