The Nitrogen Cycle: Human Influence and Global Significance

Introduction

Hello, students! In this WebQuest, we will be exploring how the nitrogen cycle impacts earth and how each member of this planet is influencing this important cycle. Your work during this journey will count as a test grade and a major part of our ecology unit.

As we proceed, continue to ask yourselves a few important questions. How does the nitrogen cycle affect the earth's prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms? Also, how are human beings impacting the nitrogen cycle?

Watch this video for a quick overview of the nitrogen cycle. This will help you start to see the key concepts of the process. Also, take a look at this detailed diagram and article to see the nitrogen cycle at work. Feel free to use this link as a source for your work during this WebQuest.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5EOZenSSB8

Task

The goal of this project is for you to learn the steps of the nitrogen cycle, the significance of the cycle on earth and the human impact on the cycle. The project consists of three important parts:

1. The Report:

You will write a three-page, double-spaced report on the nitrogen cycle in Times New Roman 12-point font. Your report must include all of the steps of the nitrogen cycle and a description of the organisms involved throughout the process. The following terms must be included and well-described in your own words: nitrogen fixation, nitrification, assimilation, ammonia, ammonium, ammonification, denitrification and decomposers. Also, answer how much nitrogen is present in the atmosphere and why nitrogen is important for living organisms. Take a look at this article for tips to use in writing an effective report.

2. The Diagram:

The next step of this project is to create a visual diagram that accurately outlines the steps of the nitrogen cycle. For your diagram, you will draw the steps of the nitrogen cycle above and below the earth's soil. Use either a white poster board or a white foam board to complete your diagram. Remember: include all of the above terms listed for your report in your diagram. Also, use colored pencils, crayons, markers, paints, etc. to make your diagram pop. Be creative!!! This is your chance to be artistic and create something unique that captures important class concepts. Visit this page for some useful tips on creating scientific diagrams.

3. The Plan

The last part of the project is to develop a plan that reduces the negative, human impact on the nitrogen cycle. For your plan, you will be creating a PowerPoint presentation that highlights #1: a negative aspect of human activity on the nitrogen cycle, #2 your proposed plan for solving the problem, and #3 a vision of the world with the problem being eliminated. If you are unfamiliar with PowerPoint presentations, visit this website and let me know if you have any questions. Your PowerPoint must include at least 10 slides and feature each of the three categories mentioned in the directions. Address one of the four categories of human activities at the bottom of this link in your plan to reduce nitrogenous waste in the environment.

Process

To complete the various parts of this project, you will need to review the following sources and further directions for each task. You are also required to find one additional source for your report and plan to include in your completed work. First, watch this video for a more detailed description of the nitrogen cycle. I suggest taking notes when key terms are discussed. The video contains a breadth of information for your report, but you should remember to focus on the terms and concepts outlined in the task tab. Here is another video you might also find helpful and entertaining. It provides some detail and clarifies the concepts.

The report process:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LS4rAyvmZ3U

Review both pages of this web page to see a summary of key concepts and the potential environmental hazards concerning nitrogenous waste. This article also includes many of the required terms for your report that are discussed in the above video. This would be a reliable source for you to use, but remember to include a reference page at the end of your report to acknowledge all work that you used. A list of all links featured in this WebQuest are presented in the Credits tab.

Report Tips: Keep all of your work organized by the different processes of the nitrogen cycle. Start your discussion with nitrogen fixation and continue your analysis through denitrification. Write in complete sentences and use transitional words when changing ideas (e.g., next, second, in addition, etc.)

The diagram process:

Now, let's talk about your diagrams. Here is a useful diagram of the nitrogen cycle you can use to create your own masterpiece! This diagram is colorful and informative, and I expect your diagram to convey the same message. I will provide three other examples for you to possibly use, but if you find another source that you like better, feel free to use it, but cite your work by writing the link on the back of your poster. Also, if you need help finding a poster board, foam board or tools to draw your work, please let me know.

Diagram Example #1

Diagram Example #2

Diagram Example #3

Diagram Tips: Be original! This is your chance to use your own color scheme and ideas to create a nice, scientifically sound work that represents mastery of the concepts. Remember to include a picture of the organisms involved in the process and the different steps of the nitrogen cycle.

The plan process:

Your plan to address the human impact on the nitrogen cycle should address one of the factors mentioned in the article in the task tab. However, review this video for a brief summary of the chief human activities affecting the nitrogen cycle.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Utlm8MekU7s

Also, this is a fascinating article that you may use to address your plan for reducing nitrogenous waste in the environment. But, remember, I want you to find at least one other article and cite the work in your response.

Plan Tips: Use your own ideas and feelings about the environment to construct your PowerPoint presentation about the negative human impact that nitrogenous waste is inflicting on our planet. If you are unfamiliar with PowerPoint or need additional guidance for creating an effective slideshow, please review these helpful suggestions. You may be asked to present your PowerPoint in class, so show your best work and follow the directions outlined in the Task section carefully!

Evaluation

	Excellent	Fair	Needs Improvement
The Report	Content (20-22 points): The report contains all of the required terms and thoroughly details the steps of the nitrogen cycle. The report also features a scholarly answer to how much nitrogen is present in the atmosphere and why nitrogen is important for living organisms. Writing Mechanics (10-12 points): The report contains no grammatical errors to distract the reader from the message. Thoughts flow well, and the nitrogen cycle is explained with ease. The report also presents and effectively cites information from all used articles in a reference page to strengthen the credibility of the writing.	Content (14-19 points): The report contains most of the required terms and somewhat details the steps of the nitrogen cycle. The report features a limited answer to how much nitrogen is present in the atmosphere and why nitrogen is important for living organisms. Writing Mechanics (6-9 points): The report contains a few grammatical errors to distract the reader from the message. Thoughts run together without transitional phrases, and the nitrogen cycle is explained with some difficulty. The report attempts to cite information from all used articles in a reference page to strengthen the credibility of the writing.	Content (0-13 points): The report contains none or a few of the required terms and insufficiently details the steps of the nitrogen cycle. The report does not answer how much nitrogen is present in the atmosphere and why nitrogen is important for living organisms. Writing Mechanics (0-8 points): The report contains several grammatical errors to distract the reader from the message. Thoughts run together without transitional phrases, and the nitrogen cycle is explained with great difficulty. The report makes little or no effort to cite information from the used articles in a reference page to strengthen the credibility of the writing.
The Diagram	Creativity/Originality (30-33 points): The diagram accurately pictures the steps of the nitrogen cycle above and below the earth's soil. The student's use of color, style and tips offered in the WebQuest demonstrate creative skills that contribute to a solid diagram.	Creativity/Originality (22-29 points): The diagram mostly pictures the steps of the nitrogen cycle above and below the earth's soil. The student's use of color, style and tips offered in the WebQuest demonstrate some creative skills that contribute to a satisfactory diagram.	Creativity/Originality (0-21 points): The diagram does not accurately picture the steps of the nitrogen cycle above and below the earth's soil. The student's use of color, style and tips offered in the WebQuest do not demonstrate the skills needed to produce a solid diagram.
The Plan	PowerPoint Quality (30-33 points): The student's PowerPoint details an effective plan that highlights all three elements described in the task tab. The PowerPoint contains the appropriate number of slides and addresses one of the four categories of human activities from the given article. The student has also included and cited an additional article to contribute to the plan's effectiveness.	PowerPoint Quality (22-29 points): The student's PowerPoint details a plan that highlights most of the elements described in the task tab. The PowerPoint contains slides and somewhat addresses one of the four categories of human activities from the given article. The student has also included and cited an additional article to contribute to the plan's effectiveness.	PowerPoint Quality (0-21 points): The student's PowerPoint does not detail an effective plan that highlights the elements described in the task tab. The PowerPoint contains an unsatisfactory number of slides and does not address one of the four categories of human activities from the given article. The student has not included or cited an additional article to contribute to the plan's effectiveness.

Student's Total Score: _____________

Teacher's Comments:

Conclusion

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

You have completed your digital journey through the Nitrogen Cycle WebQuest. I hope this journey has allowed you to appreciate the importance of the nitrogen cycle for our planet.

By now, you should:

Know the different steps and organisms involved throughout the nitrogen cycle.
Picture the different steps of the cycle above and below the earth's soil.
Realize the need for conservation efforts in reducing nitrogenous waste to maintain the integrity of our environment.

I would like for you to complete a brief questionnaire to express your thoughts on the WebQuest. Your response is very important to me, so please complete the questionnaire seriously.

Click here to access the link to the survey.