NAME: ____________________________________________

University______________________________
Ecology Research Topics
Directions: Select a topic of your choice and follow class directions to
complete the research paper.
Standards:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.7.1 - Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant
evidence.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.7.7
-Conduct short research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question),
drawing on several sources and generating additional related, focused questions that allow for
multiple avenues of exploration.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.7.8
-Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, using search terms
effectively; assess the credibility and accuracy of each source; and quote or paraphrase the data
and conclusions of others while avoiding plagiarism and following a standard format
for citation.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.7.9
- Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.

Guidelines: Summative Grade- 30%

Expectations
Research Grid

Possible points
10

Thesis statement
(Claim)
Notecards with
references

Rough Draft

25

Research Paperincludes APA

formatting

50

Due Dates

10
April 13, 2015

Option 1:
Whether were fishing off a dock, swimming at Oak Street Beach or
sailing along the coast, we should be able to enjoy Lake Michigan
without worrying about sewage pollution and unsafe bacteria levels.
But each year, billions of gallons of sewage end up in Lake Michigan
and all the Great Lakes, resulting in hundreds of beach closings in
Illinois. Where do we get our drinking water?
How is the water purified? How does it affect the ecosystem?
How do we maintain accurate levels of safety?
What does the sewage do to Lake Michigan? How does it affect this
ecosystem?

Option 2:
The food we eat is one of our closest connections to the natural world.
Farms should be environmentally friendly and provide food that is safe
and healthy.
What does a genetically engineered crop do to the food web?
How do caged chickens and feeding hormones to animals to make
them bigger affect our food supply and the food web? Why are stores
selling and consumers purchasing organic food at higher prices?
Option 3:
As oil and gas become more expensive and harder to find, fracking or
the controversial issue of hydraulic gas drilling in suburbia has become
a big problem. What does fracking do to the
environment/ecosystem? What is Fracking? How is oil and gas used as
an energy source? What are the trade-offs for drilling offshore for oil?
Option 4:
Thousands of deer overpopulate areas such as Highland Park, River
Forest and the Northern Suburbs. Do we hunt them, or let them be?
Thousands die of deer disease for not having enough food to eat. Many
spread Lyme disease to humans by ticks. What is Lyme disease?
Should we disrupt the natural process of nature? What impact does
overpopulation of the human species and deforestation have on our
ecosystems? Why are coyotes coming to Chicago and Snowy Owls in
Illinois?
Diverse Learners Option- This option only applies to students that I
select.
Illinois is known for its native wildflowers and grasslands. We take
pride in our indigenous animals that help create our natural
environment. Many builders want to use our land to build and develop
these pristine (untouched) lands for commercial use.
Environmentalists say that we should not develop these lands. Millions
of dollars are spent to help preserve these lands by the state of Illinois.
Do you think its necessary to invest in our prairies? What is a prairie?
What are the animals and plants that are indigenous to Illinois prairie
ecosystem? Describe the prairie food web? What are the producers,
composers, and decomposers?
Draw the food web.