Assignment: Our Dependence upon the Environment
Environmental Footprint
The purpose of this assignment is to provide you with an opportunity to learn more about how connected you are to the ecosystems and biosphere that you inhabit. You will learn how your everyday choices impact our environment. Most importantly, you will learn about the benefits of joining the increasing number of people who are making choices that reduce their environmental impact.
First, calculate your ecological footprint (If you are having difficulty getting any of the proper information from the calculator, you may need to try a different web browser. For instance, if you are using Google Chrome, you may need to use Internet Explorer, Safari, Mozilla, etc. If you are using one of these and are experiencing difficulties, you may need to try Google Chrome, etc.).
• Use the Footprint Calculator to measure your ecological footprint and learn "how many Earths" it takes to support your lifestyle. Be sure to choose the "detailed response" option for each question.
• Answer each question in the quiz honestly and record your answers and results in the Environmental Footprint Reporting form.
Second, calculate your household carbon emissions.
• Use the Household Carbon Footprint Calculator to measure your carbon emissions and determine your environmental impact and the benefits of solutions.
o Section 1: Estimate your current total household emissions (from home energy use, vehicle use, waste).
o Section 2: Explore actions you can take to reduce your greenhouse gas emissions, energy use, and waste disposal costs.
o Section 3: See how much you can save (in dollars and emissions) by taking the actions you chose in Section 2.
• Answer each question in the quiz honestly and record your answers and results in the Environmental Footprint Reporting Form. Complete Tables A and B as well as assignment questions 1 through 4 in complete sentences on the Environmental Footprint Reporting Form.
Once you have completed the required sections within the Environmental Footprint Reporting Form submit the document via Waypoint. The document does not need to include a title page or other APA formatting; however, if you utilize any outside sources in your answers, you must reference these sources in proper APA format as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
Lab- Introduction to Science
Exercise 1: The Scientific Method
In this exercise, you will answer the questions based on what you have seen in the videos throughout the lab. Be sure to pay careful attention to the videos - you will not only need them to complete this exercisesuccessfully, but also to have a firm understanding of the scientific method for future labs.
QUESTIONS
1. Make an observation - Write down any observations you have made regarding the effect of pollution on the environment.
2. Do background research - Utilizing the scholarly source (provided here), describe how pollution might affect yeast.
3. Construct a hypothesis - Based on your research from question 2, develop an if-then hypothesis relating to the effect of pollution on yeast respiration.
4. Test with an experiment - Identify the dependent variable, independent variable, and the controlled variables for the experiment.
5. Analyze results-Record your observations of the three test tubes before incubation and compare them to the observations provided in the video.
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Test Tube
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Initial Appearance
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Yeast with No Pollutant
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Yeast with Salt Water
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Yeast with Detergent
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6. Analyze results-Record your observations of the three test tubes after incubation.
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Test Tube
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Final Appearance
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Yeast with No Pollutant
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Yeast with Salt Water
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Yeast with Detergent
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7. Analyze results-The table below shows sample data regarding the amount of carbon dioxide produced by each tube. Determine what type of graph would be the most appropriate for displaying the data and explain why you chose that graph. Then, make a graph. Use Microsoft Excel or a free graphing program (for example, https://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/createagraph/) to create the graph. Submit this with your post-lab questions.
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Sample
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Amount CO2 Produced (mL) After 1 Hour
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Yeast with No Pollutant
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7 mL
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Yeast with Salt Water
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0.5 mL
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Yeast with Detergent
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0 mL
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8. Draw conclusions - Interpret the data from the graph in Question 7. What conclusions can you make based on this graph?
9. Draw conclusions - Based on your observations and your graph, would you reject or accept the hypothesis you made in Question 3? Why?
10. Draw conclusions - Imagine you are an environmental scientist employed by a city. Some residents have expressed concerns regarding how salt is applied to roadways in the winter because of the harm it may cause aquatic life in area streams. Propose an experiment using yeast to determine if salt pollution runoff is a potential concern in your community.
References
Any sources utilized should be listed here.