**Events recently added to the list
Below is a list of possible activities that you can complete for the 2 journal activities that you must complete during the quarter. You may only complete one activity from a single category (e.g., you can read a book and visit the zoo, but you cannot watch two films and have them count for both activities). Some of them require pre-planning or selecting specific dates, so choose your projects early and consider some back-ups in case something does not work out. If you find something else interesting and would like to have it count, please ask me -I am always open to new ideas. Check back for regular updates.
You must complete the first of these activities (including writing about it) by November 1 and the second by the last day of class (December 6). Plan ahead and get them done early. You have a lot of options, but rememebr you must choose activities from 2 different categories.
For each activity you complete you must write a 1-2 page (500-700 word) summary / analysis of your experience in your journal/blog. Summarize your experience and what you learned, but also provide an analysis of your experience. For example, how did it impact you, how did you impact the environment, how did it relate to the issues we have discussed in class, was it a worthwhile experience, etc.
Participate in a restoration project
Choose and attend an activity from the environmental volunteer opportunities web site. You must participate in an event that is at least 2-3 hours long.
Visit the Woodland Park Zoo, the Seattle Aquarium or Colossal Fossils at the Pacific Science Center
Take a trip to the Woodland Park Zoo or Seattle Aquarium and observe animals and plants in environments similar to those in which they actually live. Also learn about animal conservation activities. Or see evidence of past life at the **Colossal Fossils exhibit at the Pacific Science Center.
Read a recent book about an environmental issue
Choose and read a current (from the last 10 years - unless you check with me) book about an environmental issue. See the environmental reading list for ideas (although note that this list is by no means complete). A good choice would be the 2007-8 BCC reads book for this year - The Worst Hard Time by Timothy Egan. The Center for Liberal Arts offers an annual scholarship prize for a student project related to this book.
Watch a recent film about an environmental issue
Attend or rent and watch an environmental film. The film can be nonfiction or fiction, however, if you choose a work of fiction you must spend some time analysing the science in the film (e.g., what is corrent and what is made up, etc.). Some possible films include - An Inconvenient Truth, Life in the Undergrowth, March of the Penguins, A Crude Awakening, Who Killed the Electric Car, Black Gold, The 11th Hour, Oil on Ice, Planet Earth (at least 2 episodes), etc.
Attend an Environmental Science field trip
Attend a local field trip to observe environmental science in action. This could include trips lead by local organizations (e.g., East Lake Washington Audubon Society, Mountaineers Club, Issaquah Alps Club) or government agencies (e.g., Cedar River Watershed, Renton Waste Water Treatment Plant, Recycling Operation). Many places offer public tours, so all you would need to do is sign up. If there are a number of people in the class that want to do a particular tour, we can probably arrange a group tour for the class.
A couple of others that I am aware of include:
Attend a public lecture on an environmental issue
BCC, UW, the UW Bookstore, Seattle Town Hall Lecture Series, and many local organizations offer evening lectures on environmental issues. You may attend one of these lectures as one of your activities. I will try to announce or post any lectures that I am aware of, however if you hear of any, please let me know. Some sources of lecture info include:
UW Bookstore speaker list
UW Program on the Environment Schedule of Events
Seattle Green October activities list
A couple that I am aware of include:
Participate in an environmentally related event, workshop, or conference
Now and then various local and national organizations hold workshops, events and conferences in the Seattle area. Many of them encourage participation by students (and often make the cost reasonible). (If you really want to attend a conference, see me and I may be able to help cover the registration fee.)
A couple that I am aware of include:
Others
If you have other ideas, check with me. It will probably work out, but I need to approve it.
Seattle Green October has a list of several events in our area (including many I have listed above) - Seattle Green October activities list
EnvSc 204 Homepage / Science Division / BCC Home Page
Tuesday, October 16, 2007