Thursday, May 3, 2012

If you could resist the Corporatocracy would you?

Read the first three paragraphs and the last paragraph of the article "10 Steps to Defeat the Corporatocracy" and then read the two steps your table is assigned. Try to figure out what they mean. You may use the computer to look up terms and do more research. You will then report out to the class about the steps. Take notes so you know what you want to say. You will turn in your notes when done as evidence of your thinking. 

When you report be sure to: 

1. Explain what the steps are and what people would actually have to do to achieve them. 

2. Explain what you think of the steps. Do you think they could make a difference to the corporations? Do you think they would make a difference to the people who are taking those steps?

3. If you have extra time, skim through the other steps and think of questions you have about them.

10 Steps to Defeat the Corporatocracy

By Bruce E. Levine, AlterNet
Posted on May 20, 2011, Printed on May 31, 2011


    •    Television
    •    Isolation and bureaucratization
    •    "Fundamentalist consumerism" and advertising/propaganda
    •    Student loan debt and indentured servitude
    •    Surveillance
    •    The decline of unions/solidarity among working people
    •    Greed and a "money-centric" culture
    •    Fear-based schools that teach obedience
    •    Psychopathologizing noncompliance
    •    Elitism via professional training
    •    The corporate media
    •    The US electoral system

3. Side Each Day in Every Way With Anti-Authoritarians

4. Regain Morale by Thinking More Critically About Our Critical Thinking

5. Restore Courage in Young People



8. Unite Populists by Rejecting Corporate Media's Political Divisions


10. Do Not Let Debate Divide Anti-Authoritarians

© 2011 Independent Media Institute. All rights reserved.
View this story online at:

Friday, April 20, 2012

Energy Policy Presentations

The year is 2020. You work for the United States Department of Energy and the president has asked you to create a presentation to give to Congress on what our future energy policy should be.

Your 4 team members are:
Team Leader/Manager (keeps team on track)
Research Coordinator  (finds info and checks facts)
Graphic Designer (ensures clear and persuasive visuals)
Lead Writer (creates persuasive and professional text)

You must explain the following:

1. Why we need a coherent energy policy.
(consider energy needs, population growth, pollution, the economy, climate change)

2. What our energy future should look like to best meet our needs
(consider short-term and long-terms needs of people and the planet.)

3. What 4 sources of energy should we most rely upon? List a percentage for each and explain why.

4. Summarize your points clearly so very busy members of congress will remember your main points.


Your overall presentation will be graded for persuasiveness and scientific accuracy (10 points)

You must create two visual aids and do a 7 minute presentation.

You must create a PowerPoint (at least 8 slides, but no more than 12) AND a one page handout with your main points on it. (10 points each)

Each person must present at least two slides and will be graded for presentation skills. (eye contact, clearly understanding the material, not reading from notes or slides, speaking loudly and clearly) (10 points)

Save your work often. E-mail your rough drafts to me ( AND to all your team members at the end of the period. You will have to work on it outside of class and in class today.

Presentations will be on Thursday, April 26th at 9:00 SHARP! 

Everything's Cool - Politics of Climate Change

Watch the documentary "Everything's Cool" which is available on Netflix
and may be available on YouTube or other sites.


Visit the website from the film.

and then...


Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Sources of Energy

We learned how energy moves through the ecosystem from the sun to producers to consumers, but what about the energy we use to heat our homes, run our factories and fuel our transportation? This unit is about those sources of energy.


Use the following websites as well as others you find to answer the questions below on your worksheet. You may use other sources as well, but start with some of these. 

Energy Quest’s Energy Story site is at Chapter 6-20 are good resources.

The butons on the left side show many different types of energy resources including fossil fuels, nuclear, solar, wind, tidal, hydroelectric, wave, geothermal and biofuels. has some great sites that were made by students for students:

You MUST use your own words. Do not copy from websites or from other students.

1. What is energy?

2. What is the difference between chemical, potential and kinetic energy?

3. What is a “non-renewable” resource? Define it and give 3 examples.

4. What is a “renewable” resource? Define it and give 3 examples. 

5. Explain do you think we still use mostly non-renewable resources? Is this good or bad? Why?

6.  Describe advantages and disadvantages of the following: 
Oil, Coal, Natural Gas, Nuclear, Hydro, Geothermal, Solar, Wind, Biofuels, Others? 

7. What 4 types of energy sources do you think will be used most in the future? Explain your reasons for each source you select. 

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Our Ecological Footprint


Follow the steps below and answer the questions as you work. 










10. Summarize your ecological footprint:
Which 2 areas do you have the most control over? _____________________________________________



You can learn more about how the Ecological Footprint idea got started by watching all or part of the movie at the following link.

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Population Ecology - How does competition affect population size?





3. Make a line graph of your data - put "days" on the X axis and number of cells/ml on the Y axis. You will need a key to identify the lines for each type of paramecium gown alone and grown in the mixed culture.


Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Local Activism and Environmental Justice

What is Environmental Justice?

Delegates to the  First National People of Color Environmental Leadership Summit came up with these Principles of Environmental Justice:

What do you think about these principles? Are they fair? Are they useful? Are they realistic? What would the pros and cons be if these principles were to be adopted?

The Environmental Justice Leadership Forum crafted this statement about climate change and environmental Justice  

What do you think about these Principals of Climate Justice? How are they similar to and how are they different from the First National People of Color Environmental Leadership Summit principles?

This article about asthma rates in children in the Humboldt Park Neighborhood makes the point of the negative impacts environmental conditions can have on kids.

Some Local Chicago environmental groups:

 P.E.R.R.O. Pilsen Environmental Rights and Reform Organization

Video about the Greanpeace / PERRO action at the Fisk Coal Burning PowerPlant

The Little Village Environmental Justice Organization  gives "Toxic Tours" of their neighborhood to highlight the serious sources of pollution. The other programs their organization supports are listed below:

Current Campaigns:
  • Climate Justice - A vision to dissolve and alleviate the unequal burdens created by climate change.
  • Clean Power – We sought to have the two largest polluters (Crawford and Fisk Power Plants) in our backyard removed.
  • Public Transit – Works to improve fair access for all Chicagoland riders, but focuses special attention on helping transit dependent, low-income riders in Chicago’s poorer communities. A city that works, is a city that serves the needs of ALL it’s riders.
  • Water Wars A campaign to keep our water in public hands, and defend everyone’s right to safe, clean and affordable water.
  • Urban LandPooling our common knowledge and interests, and working with Mother Earth to produce healthy and safe local food sources.
  • Open Spaces - Little Village, (95,000 residents), has been fighting for a park for over 10 years. In June ’07 the City of Chicago and Chicago Park District announced they would build a park on the Celotex Superfund toxic waste site. We want a SAFE park!
  • YAOTL -Youth – Work on issues that support a fair environment for the community members. Some of the tools we use to combat these injustices are embracing our artistic abilities , making documentaries, videos, newsletters, and most important building ourselves into strong leaders through our community for our community.
  • Toxic Tours – Take a Toxic Tour of the former Celotex Superfund.
    See the danger in your own backyard – for real!

The Healthy Schools Campaign fights to improve health of students in low income communities in Chicago... their issues include obesity and asthma

Climate Justice Chicago has fought against the dirty coal power plants in the city as well as other environmental justice issues.