GOAL:

To develop an understanding of the interdependence of all organisms and the need for ving natural resources

Responsible environmental actions are an obligation of all society but start with the individual.

Ecology R3.00 To understand how individuals can influence public processes

3.01 recognize and develop strategies to remediate environmental issues confronting both the state and nation.

I. Select an environmental issue affecting our nation or state.
II. Prepare a letter to the appropriate government officials.

COMPONENT OF SCIENCE: Science in Society

GOAL:

To enable students to demonstrate positive attitudes toward science in solving problems and making personal decisions about issues affecting the individual, society and the environment.

4.6 POLITICS - Basic scientific concepts should be available to all individuals enabling each to make logical decisions for themselves and others.

4.6b - The risks and cost benefits must be carefully considered when developing new technology or curtailing existing technology.

BENCHMARK: Decision-making processes consider the benefits and drawbacks of alternatives and the input of those affected by the decisions.

TIME REQUIRED:

50 minutes

Chalk board or overhead projector and transparency

In past lessons we have discussed how political processes are designed to represent the wishes of society. We have discussed several ways that citizens can make known their wishes to their political representatives. Can you name some of the ways that citizens can make their wishes known? (As the students name methods, write them on the board or on an overhead transparency. They should include voting, support of candidates, demonstrations, lobbying, support of special interest groups, publicizing your views, letters to representatives.) You have named several ways that society can make its wishes known to political candidates.

If you had the opportunity to talk to a politician about an environmental issue, what would you want to say? (Allow time for responses.) Today, you are going to have the opportunity to express your opinion as you write a letter either to one of our political representatives or to the editor of our local paper.

Before writing a letter, you should select a topic for your letter. Think about the many environmental issues which we have discussed in this course. Which of these have caused you to be more concerned about the environment (Allow students to name various topics. You might list these on the chalk board.)

I would like for each of you to select the topic which concerns you most. This will be your topic for your letter. (Allow a few minutes for students to select a topic. You might need to make suggestions. Make sure each student has selected a topic.)

Next you should decide to whom you wish to send this letter. If your topic is of national concern, you might want to write a letter to our members of either the United States House of Representatives or Senate. If your topic is of concern at a state level, you may want to send your letter to our representatives in the state legislature. If your topic is a local problem, you will want to send your letter to our local representatives or you might want to write a letter to the Editor of our local newspaper. Select someone to receive your letter. (Allow time for students to select a recipient.)

(Some classes may need a refresher on how to write a letter, others may not. If your class needs a refresher lesson on letter writing, insert it at this point.)

Before beginning your letter, you should make a short outline of what you want to say in your letter. An outline will help you keep your letter brief and to the point.

Does anyone have a question about your letter or how it should be written? (Allow time for questions.)

You may now begin writing your letters.

(At the end of the class period, you may want to have the students finish the letters for homework. You will want to check the letters before they are mailed.

As citizens we often voice our opinions about what our government is doing: but we rarely take the time to express our opinion to those about whom we are complaining. It is not possible for each individual to talk face to face with our elected officials; but you have learned today one way you can make yourself heard. What effect would you expect your letters to have an the legislators who receive them? (Allow for responses.) Why do you think politicians will pay more attention if he gets several letters in regard to the same topic? (Allow for responses.) While one letter may or may not have some effect on its recipient, if that person received several letters about the same problem he will probably feel there is a reason to check into the problem.

Project Wild "Wild Bill's Fate"

This is the time this file has been accessed since 11/01/02.

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