Topic: Reporting Science

Introduction:

The way in which science is communicated depends on the topic, its context and the engagement with the audience. What is important is that science is communicated accurately and that readers/listeners can make sense of scientific information.

As part of this unit you will be conducting fieldwork in the local environment. The field work aims to consolidate and extend your growing knowledge of local plants and animals as well as assist you to identify and respond to environmental issues on campus. Your field observations may be incorporated into on-going environmental monitoring programs being conducted at the University.

This assignment provides an opportunity for you to formalise your field work experience in the form of two reports that will communicate your identification of an issue that needs to be addressed as part of on-campus sustainable management practice at the university in particular and in the general community

The purpose of this assignment is two-fold: First, to produce a field report assessing human impact on the natural environment at Macquarie University (Part A) and second, the use the findings from Part A along with recent related media reports to write a media article about the environment at Macquarie University of relevance to the local community (Part B).

Field Report: Part A. 1500 words

Participate in the on-campus fieldwork scheduled for tutorial days. Using data collected from your fieldwork prepare a report, which contains the following.

1. A description of the original and current landscape where Macquarie University now stands. This will include an illustrated discussion (using images collected from the field trip) of vegetation, geology and hydrology (maximum 700 words).

2. Identification of an issue relating to human impact on this local environment. Provide evidence (including data collected from the field work) to support your case (maximum 550 words).

3. Propose an action plan that can be implemented to reduce or eliminate this human impact. (250 words).

Media article: Part B. (500 words)

1. Source two contrasting articles that have been reported in the media in the last 12 months dealing with biodiversity on the local (Ryde/Lane Cove), state or national level (If it is too difficult to find two contrasting articles, you may use one article that argues a position but also addresses the opposing view).

Attach copies of these media articles to your assignment (or provide the web-address).

2. Identify the science content reported in each article and sources of evidence provided. Comment on the validity and reliability of the science reported in each (250 words).

(Internet sites such as Wikipedia and the like are unacceptable).

3. Integrate this information with your experience of the fieldwork to prepare a media article that targets the local community. Your media article should integrate your results from Part A and the two relevant science reports from above. Your media article should aim at persuading your reader to agree with you on the environmental issue you identified in Part A or your action plan. You are encouraged to use a variety of text types along with photos and other visual representations (250 words).

Background Reading:

AAAS. (2009). Benchmarks on line. Communication. Retrieved on February 25, 2014, from http://www.project2061.org/publications/bsl/online/index.php?chapter=12
Benson, D., & Howell, J. (1990). Taken for granted: The bushland of Sydney and its suburbs. Kenthurst: Kangaroo Press.

Friends of Lane Cove National Park. (2007). A brief history of Lane Cove National Park. Retrieved on February 25, 2014 from

http://www.friendsoflanecovenationalpark.org.au/AboutThePark/History.htm

Friends of Lane Cove National Park. (2007).What's flowering. Retrieved on February 25, 2014 from http://www.friendsoflanecovenationalpark.org.au/Flowering/WhatsFlowering.htm

Rennie, L. (2007). Values of science portrayed in out-of-school contexts. In Corrigan, D., Dillon, J. and Gunstone, R (Eds.) The

Re-Emergence of Values in Science Education. Rotterdam: Sense Publications.
Further resources will be posted on the Unit iLearn site.