Mr. Alexander Branigan and Mr. Thomas Worthington--Social Studies Department--Environmental History and the Impacts of the Industrial Revolution

Library Digital Resources

Virtual Reference Collection 

ABC CLlO American History 

History Study Center

Opposing Viewpoints in Context
Proquest Historical New York Times
Proquest K12
SIRS Researcher

Online Catalog 

Academic Integrity   

NoodleTools Citations System

Citation Machine   

ACCESS MY LIBRARY SCHOOL EDITION APP

Log in to the Gelinas Information Center Using
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Environmental History and the Impacts of the Industrial Revolution                             

Environmental history is a fairly new subfield in the study of history as a whole.    The development of environmental history is often dated back to the industrial revolution.  Industrial technologies and developments in America and elsewhere represented the first time humans impacted the environment on a global scale.  Today, there is widespread acknowledgement that humans were both shaped by and help to shape the environment we live in. 

For this assignment, we will be using the Opposing Viewpoints database.  First, go to the Gelinas library blog.  Then, access the VRC and select “Opposing Viewpoints in Context” from the list of history resources.  Next, select “Energy and Environmentalism” on the Opposing Viewpoints front page.

At this point, you should select an environmental issue on this page to research.  Then, use the resources on that page to answer the following questions:     

Identify and explain your issue and how it affects people today.

Identify and explain solutions that people or governments have to address your issue.

For each question, you must write a one paragraph response.  In addition, you must have one citation per response (2 total) from Opposing Viewpoints.  You are free to use Noodle Tools, Citation Machine, Easybib, or the like to cite your research.

All citations should be in MLA format.  Remember, your industrial revolution project will also require you to cite all of your sources as well as a minimum of one VRC source.

You will have two days in class to complete this assignment.  If you finish early, you may use any extra time you have to work on the industrial revolution project with the rest of your group.

Mr. Alexander Branigan and Mr. Thomas Worthington--Social Studies Department--Industrial Revolution Project

Thomas A. Edison in his laboratory (New Jersey, 1901)

Library Digital Resources

Virtual Reference Collection 

ABC CLlO American History 

History Study Center
Proquest Historical New York Times
Proquest K12
SIRS Researcher

Online Catalog 

Academic Integrity   

NoodleTools Citations System

Citation Machine   

ACCESS MY LIBRARY SCHOOL EDITION APP

Log in to the Gelinas Information Center Using
Your Smartphone or Tablet (click here for directions)

The industrial revolution was one the most influential periods in American history.  One reason (among many) for this was the rapid technological advancement that helped define the period.  Many of the technologies and conveniences that are the foundation of modern society have some roots in the industrial revolution. 

For this project, you will be asked to work in groups of 2-3 prepare a presentation to give to your classmates on an invention of the industrial revolution in America.  Your project can take any of the following formats:

(1)  A five minute lecture with an accompanying PowerPoint presentation or other visuals that explains to your class what your invention is, why it was important, and how it changed America.

(2)  A drawing, painting, comic book, etc. depicting what your invention is, why it was important, and how it changed America. In addition, you will need to write a two page paper explaining your work and present it to the class.

(3)  A 4-5 page paper explaining what your invention is, why it was important, and how it changed America with a two minute presentation of your paper to the class.

(4)  A five minute long video skit or acting performance depicting what your invention is, why it was important, and how it changed America.     

If you wish to get more creative and have an idea of something you might like to do instead of what is listed here, you may discuss it with Mr. Branigan or Mr. Worthington.

Your presentation can be on any of the following topics.  However, your topic must be cleared with the teacher before you can begin working on it.  In addition, you can choose topics not listed on here if you ask the teacher first:

The telephone, the telegraph, the typewriter, the subway, public streetcars, electricity/the light bulb, the automobile, railroads, the airplane, the Bessemer process, the phonograph, the camera…

Your work will be judged based on creativity, effort/completeness, historical accuracy, and historical content.  See the rubric for more details.  Above all, be creative, choose a topic you are interested in, and have fun!