Nine Square Assignments Overview

 

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Nine Square Activity

During this semester, you will have the opportunity to choose which activity you would like to complete each module. We call this the Nine Square activity because each week you can select among 9 different options! See the Nine Square table below for brief descriptions of the options. 

Please Note:  The Nine Square activities will give you the opportunity take some control of what and how you are learning and to explore a variety of different topics in a variety of different ways. The only catch is that you need to try each one of the options at least once during the term. Detailed instruction is included in the link below to explain exactly what is required in each activity.  I would suggest that you plan ahead for some of these activities since you may want to start earlier to be able to accomplish the goals of the activity.

We will post this Nine Square reminder at the beginning of each week to remind you to begin thinking about what you want to do for upcoming weeks. The one you selected for that week will be due by midnight on the Saturday of that week. 

Survey

From the module this week, select a topic that is of interest to you. Develop a eight-question survey to measure others’ opinions in this area. Create a graph or diagram showing your findings.

Interview

Find someone who works in the topic area of the module this week and interview them to determine what their job is like. 

 

Make a Video or Podcast (to explain a concept.

Select an area of interest from the topic area for the module this week. Create a video or podcast explaining the topic. Assume you are making a presentation to a group that knows nothing about it.

 

Make a Poster/Infographic

Select an area of interest from the topic area of the module this week and create a poster or infographic describing it for someone not familiar with the topic.

Write a Letter to a Congressman or Political Group

Select a topic from this module that you feel passionate about. Write a letter to your congressman expressing your feelings and what action you would like to see the government take.

Write a Research Paper 

Choose a specific topic from the module this week and determine a specific question you have about the topic. Research the topic and then write a three-page paper outlining your findings. 

Design or Complete an Experiment (Scientific Method)

Using the scientific method, develop a hypothesis regarding an environmental issue related to the module and design a simple experiment to test it.

Write a Position Paper 

Choose a controversial environmental issue that is related to the module and explore the arguments on both sides of the controversy.

Do a Service-Learning Activity

Spend some time volunteering in some way that fits the theme of the course.

Detailed Instructions for Completing Each of the Nine Assignments.

Below are detailed instructions for each of the options for the 9-Square Assignments. They include resources to help complete each type of assignment.

Survey

If you choose to complete this assignment, you will be creating a survey based on a topic of interest to you from the weekly module and then administering it to others.

This will involve the following:

  • First, select a topic from the readings for this week that could provide a variety of responses from different individuals. For example: Do you think global warming is a real issue in the world today?
  • Decide what types of questions you want to have on your survey. The questions should elicit a response that is more than just a yes and no response (i.e.short answers) or you can have them rate things on a scale? For example, for the question on global warming, you could ask “In two sentences, can you give your opinion on whether or not addressing global warming is a real issue of concern.” Or, “On a 1 to 10 scale (with 10 being the highest), considering all of the issues we face as a country, how high would you rate the importance of addressing global warming.”
  • Develop a minimum of 8 questions for your survey.
  • Decide how you will administer the survey. Will they give written answers? Will you ask them face-to-face and you record their answers?
  • Ask at least 10 adults to complete this survey.
  • Analyze your data and create some sort of chart or graph to represent your findings. You could have a simple bar graph indicating how many answered in a positive or negative way or show a pie chart of areas of concern.
  • Then write up a 2-pg summary of the results from the short answer questions and/or scale questions and your conclusion about your findings.

Final Submission:

  • A copy of your survey
  • The chart/graph that shows your data
  • A summary of the results
  • A conclusion regarding the results of the survey

Resources

Interview

If you decide to complete this assignment, you will be asking questions to an “expert” concerning the topic of the weekly module.

 This will involve the following:

  • Identify someone who works in the field covered in the module for the week and arrange to meet with them. You can do this in person, over the phone, or online.
  • Ask the following questions:
    • Could you give me a brief summary of your work responsibilities as it relates to the environment?
    • What attracted you to this field?
    • What kind of training and education did you have to get?
    • How does what you do in your position impact our community?
  • Also come up with three additional questions of your own.

Final Submission:

  • Submit a write-up that includes
    • The name and position of the individual you interviewed.
    • Their answers to the first four questions.
    • Their answers to the three questions you developed.
    • In your 2-page write-up, be sure and include the questions being answered.

Create a Video or Podcast

If you decide to complete this assignment, you will be teaching a concept from the topic for the week. Make sure your video is an introduction created for individuals who are unfamiliar with the concept.

This will involve the following:

  • Identify the concept that you want to teach.
  • Make an outline of the information you will need to teach and the order you will use to present the concept. Remember this should be focused on someone with no background in the area.
  • If you are creating a video, do you need to create any charts or graphics to clarify the concept?
  • Film the video or record the podcast using the platform you are most comfort with.
  • Be sure and include a title at the beginning and the resources at the end.
  • The video should be at least 3 minutes long and the podcast should be a minimum of five minutes.

Final Submission:

Resources:

Make a Poster or Infographic

If you decide to complete this assignment, you will create a poster or infographic describing a concept for the module for someone not familiar with the topic.

This will involve the following:

  1. Determine which topic from the module you would like to focus on.
  2. Research the topic and make sure you have a clear understanding.
  3. Outline what information is most important to include to help someone not familiar with the topic to understand it.
  4. Create a professional looking poster or infographic presenting the information.
  5. You should always include any citations for any material that you use (Use APA format.

Final Submission:

  • Upload a file of your poster or infographic.

Resources

Write a Letter to an Elected Official

If you chose to complete this assignment, you will write a letter to an elected official (I.e. a member of the Senate or Representative at either the state or national level or a Mayor or City Council member for a local city or town. This type of communication is a right and an opportunity for active citizenship at the national, state, or local level.

This will involve the following:

  • Consider the different topics we have covered in this course. What is one that is particularly meaningful you.
  • Research the issue and determine what the government is currently doing to address the issue and what you feel they should be doing.
  • Outline the key points that you would like to make.
  • Identify the Elected Official from your area (see resources)
  • Hint: If you look at the links below for either the House or the Senate, you can see what committees each individual is serving on. That might help determine who you contact.
  • Once you have decided who to contact, you will need to search for this individual on Google to find the best email or physical address to use.
  • When you write your letter:
    • Explain why this issue is important to you and how it affects your life.
    • Be polite and positive.
    • Offer recommendations – this could be to vote for or against an upcoming bill.
    • Check the resources below to make sure you are addressing the member using the proper protocol.

 

Final Submission:

  • Upload a copy of the min 2-page letter you have written.

Resources - This is just a start and you may need to do more research for individuals in your area.

Write a Research Paper

The purpose of a research paper is to go into a particular topic in greater detail – to take a deep dive. If you choose to complete this assignment, you will not only be able to explore a topic of interest, but you will also work on valuable writing skills. You should select a topic that has been of interest to you in the current module you are in.

This will involve the following:

  • Think of an additional relevant question you have on the topic.
  • Research that area and find specific information that helps answer your question.
  • Write a minimum of three pages outlining your question and what you discovered.
  • On a separate page you should include a bibliography
    • You must use a minimum of four outside resources – including two peer-review journal articles. Be sure that all resources are from credible resources.
    • Your citations should be in correct APA formatting and include in-text citations.

Final Submission:

  • Your completed paper

Resources

 

Design or Complete an Experiment

The goal for this assignment is to help you use the scientific method to either design a research project (research proposal) or to complete a scientific experiment related to the topics that we will be discussing in the course. You will need to show how you would/or use the scientific method within your proposal/experiment.

For the Research Proposal/Design option you need to

  • Discuss the observations you have made regarding your topic.
  • Propose a scientific hypothesis for the questions being asked.
  • Explain the methods of collecting the data that you would need to answer your hypothesis,
  • Explain the expectations for your results and how it will answer your hypothesis (how will you know if the data falsifies your hypothesis or not).
  • Write a minimum of two pages of content for your proposal/design

For the Experiment option you will need to:

  • Discuss the observations you have made regarding your topic.
  • Propose a scientific hypothesis for the questions being asked,
  • Explain the methods that you used to collect the data that will help answer your hypothesis,
  • Explain the results and how it answered your hypothesis (did your data validate or falsify your hypothesis or not).
  • Write a minimum of two pages of content for the experiment summary

Resources:

 

Write a Position Paper

The goal of a position paper is to identify a common issue that people often debate. You will research and get a clear view of BOTH sides of the issue and then make a decision as to which side you are most likely to agree with.

For this paper you will:

  • Write a minimum of three pages of content
    • The first page should give a detailed description of one side of the issue, including credible facts that could be used to bolster the argument of those favoring this opinion.
    • The second page should give a detailed description of the other side of the issue, including credible facts that could be used to bolster that argument.
    • The third page should cover what you feel is the best argument and detail why you selected that point of view.
  • You should have one more page that will be a bibliography for your citations.
    • You must use a minimum of four outside resources – including two peer-review journal articles. Be sure that all resources are from credible resources.
    • Include a list of your resources in correct APA formatting and you must use in-text citations.

Final Submission:

  • Upload a copy of your position paper.

Resources

 

Complete a Service-Learning Activity

The goal of the service-learning activity is to involve you in an activity that will aid our environment and community. As part of this assignment, you need to spend at least 2 hours completing the service-learning activity. You will then need to write a 1-pg reflection paper regarding the experience. Do not just tell me what happened but you should reflect on how the experience helped you become more aware of environmental issues within your community. Here are some examples of questions that you should reflect on:

  • Describe what you have learned about yourself as a result of your service.
  • What have you learned about your community and or the environment as a result of the service?
  • What have you contributed to the community and environment as a result of this service?
  • What (if any) values, opinions, beliefs have changed?
  • Do you have a different picture of your community & local environment than you had before you began your service?
  • If you could do the project again, what would you do differently?
  • Talk about any disappointments or successes of your project. What did you learn from it?

For some topics in our course, it may be difficult to find an activity to contribute to; however, others may be easier. These service-learning opportunities could include assisting in a citizen scientist project online or in person, writing letters of support and encouragement to the homeless or those in poverty, going out to pick up trash at Utah Lake, serving at a community garden or food bank, etc...  We provide multiple resources to find a way to serve below.

Many of these resources are based in Utah. These can be adapted to any place around the world and you may need to do additional research to find an opportunity in your region.

Resources:

Volunteer Opportunities -

Student Clubs

Students for the Prevention of Climate Change at UVU Links to an external site. - Student Club

Green Wolverines for the Environment Links to an external site. – Student Club