CAT Practical Assessment Task : Save Our Planet
Abstract: How does the plastic waste crisis affects us as a
community as well as the environment around us, and how
we can contribute to solving this crisis?
Caitlin Hudson
Eunice High School
2/28/2019 12
Table of Contents
Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 2
Task Definition .............................................................................................................................................. 3
Content ......................................................................................................................................................... 4
Findings ......................................................................................................................................................... 5
Conclusion..................................................................................................................................................... 6
Bibliography ................................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Appendices.................................................................................................................................................... 8
Folder Structure ........................................................................................................................................ 8
Questions .................................................................................................................................................. 9
Biographical Information ........................................................................................................................ 12
Quality of Information ............................................................................................................................ 15
Declaration of Authenticity ..................................................................................................................... 18
Table of Figures
1
Introduction
2
Task Definition
For my CAT Practical Assessment Task, I will be investigating and researching the plastic waste
crisis to see how it affects our daily lives, as well as the environment. The focus of my
investigation is how this global issue impacts the world at and international, national, provincial
or local level and what we can do to help. I will research the topic and explore the advantages
and disadvantages, as well as possible solutions to the plastic waste crisis.
Considering the PAT requirements, I will be focusing on this one specific issue (the plastic waste
crisis) that can help towards saving the planet. I will identify various factors that contribute to
this problem, these problems will be analyzed to find out who or what is currently causing
them. Essentially these identified factors will help me find possible solutions to this topic that I
chose. I will then create ten questions, which will help me answer my focus question, and use
the information found in my sources to answer those questions.
Part of the PAT is to gather and analyze relevant data related to the topic being investigated,
this will be done in the form of a questionnaire sent out to various groups of people. The target
audience for my PAT are school learners who want to learn more about this topic and how it
impacts us as a community as well as the environment around us. This PAT will also help my
targeted audience understand the issue better, also inspiring them with ways in which they
could contribute, ultimately solving this crisis step by step. My PAT will be presented in a report
format with all the relevant sources credited.
Focus Question
How does the plastic waste crisis affect us as a community as well as the environment around
us, and how we can contribute to solving this crisis?
3
Content
4
Findings
5
Conclusion
6
Bibliography
7
Appendices
Folder Structure
8
Questions
An Introduction to the plastic waste crisis
No. Question Question Type of Source Biographical Quality of Summary of Information
Level Information Information
1 What is the Plastic Waste 1 Website Source 1 Source 1 The accumulation of
Crisis? plastic waste in the
environment around us,
negatively affecting
various aspects
2 What are the main causes of 1 Website Source 2 Source 2 Overused plastic products
the crisis? Fishing nets
People not recycling
Plastic pollution
3 Who and What does the 1 Website Source 3 Source 3 Animals in our
crisis affect? environment
Fish species and sea
animals
Human health
Fauna and flora in our
environment
9
Advantages and Disadvantages
No. Question Question Type of Biographical Quality of Summary of Information
Level Source Information Information
4 Are there any advantages to the 1 Website Source 4 Source 4 No real advantages
crisis? But plastic has advantages on
its own
Medical discoveries and 3D
printing
5 What are the disadvantages and 1 Website Source 5 Source 5 Numerous deaths of aquatic
effects of this crisis? animals
Blockage of plastic may lead
to many mosquitoes and
other insects
Plastic interacts with water
and creates bad chemicals
6 What will happen if the crisis 3 Website Source 6 Source 6 2050 more plastic in the sea
continues? than fish
Animal species extinct
Less plant life in certain areas
Contaminated water
10
Social and Environmental Impacts
No. Question Question Type of Biographical Quality of Summary of Information
Level Source Information Information
7 How does this crisis affect the 2 Website Source 7 Source 7 Pollution is visual pollution
environment around us? Environment suffers and
decreases worlds lifespan
Hotter climates and less plant
life
8 What creative solutions have 2 Website Source 8 Source 8 Heath Nash
other people come up with? Uses recycled plastic bottles
Created something functional
and beautiful
Easy to make so we can also
do it
9 What are some professional 4 Book Source 9 Source 9 Invest in plastic eating
recommendations of what we can bacteria
do? Uses sustainable packaging
Recycling and reuse
Stop purchasing plastic bags
10 What would be the best way to 4 Website Source 10 Source 10 Encourage there high targets
educate other people on this Powerpoints in assembly at
topic? school
Make a competition
Educate others on the serious
effects it has on our
environment
11
Biographical Information
Question 1 (Website)
Author(s)/organization/Publisher Encyclopedia Britannica, Charles Moore
Name of website and web page Plastic Pollution | Sources & Effect
Date created/updated /
Date accessed 24/02/19
URL [Link]
Question 2 (Website)
Author(s)/organization/Publisher Conserve Energy Future
Name of website and web page Causes, Effects and Solutions of Plastic Pollution - Conserve
Energy Future
Date created/updated /
Date accessed 24/02/19
URL [Link]
[Link]
Question 3 (Website)
Author(s)/organization/Publisher Earth Eclipse
Name of website and web page Plastic Waste: Environmental Effects of Plastic Pollution | Earth
Eclipse
Date created/updated /
Date accessed 24/02/19
URL [Link]
[Link]
9
Question 4 (Website)
Author(s)/organization/Publisher Barbara Bean-Mellinger
Name of website and web page [Link] - The Disadvantages & Advantages of Plastic
Material
Date created/updated October 25, 2018
Date accessed 24/02/19
URL [Link]
[Link]
Question 5 (Website)
Author(s)/organization/Publisher HelpSaveNature, Amruta Gaikwad
Name of website and web page Plastic Pollution: Causes and Effects of This Very Serious
Issue
Date created/updated /
Date accessed 24/02/09
URL [Link]
Question 6 (Website)
Author(s)/organization/Publisher Future Agenda
Name of website and web page Plastic Oceans
Date created/updated /
Date accessed 24/02/19
URL [Link]
Question 7 (Website)
Author(s)/organization/Publisher Bob Gorman
Name of website and web page Plastic Waste: Environmental Effects of Plastic Pollution -
Soulful Concepts
Date created/updated /
Date accessed 24/02/19
URL [Link]
nmental-effects-plastic-pollution/
13
Question 8 (Journal)
Author Yolande Hamer
Year Published 2017
Article Title Environmental Case Studies – Heath Nash
Date accessed 24/02/19
Question 9 (Website)
Author(s)/organization/Publisher [Link]
Name of website and web page Plastic Waste: Environmental Effects of Plastic Pollution
Date created/updated /
Date accessed 24/02/19
URL [Link]
effects-of-plastic-pollution/
Question 10 (Website)
Author(s)/organization/Publisher Waste Wise Products Inc
Name of website and web page 5 Ways to Educate the Importance of Recycling
Date created/updated /
Date accessed 24/02/19
URL [Link]
ways-to-educate-the-importance-of-recycling/
14
Quality of Information
Source 1
Criteria Motivation / Explanation
Authority Author is expert in field and information can be trusted
Currency Date not given but seems current based on information and findings
Accuracy Topic is accurately summed up and corresponds with other sources
Objectivity No bias in the web page and information presented is factual
Coverage Article covers the topic extensively
Source 2
Criteria Motivation / Explanation
Authority Organization specializes in field and information can be trusted
Currency Date not given but seems current based on information and findings
Accuracy Topic is accurately summed up and corresponds with other sources
Objectivity No bias in the web page and information presented is factual
Coverage Article covers the topic extensively
Source 3
Criteria Motivation / Explanation
Authority Organization specializes in field and information can be trusted
Currency Date not given but seems current based on information and findings
Accuracy Topic is accurately summed up and corresponds with other sources
Objectivity No bias in the web page and information presented is factual
Coverage Article covers the topic extensively
15
Source 4
Criteria Motivation / Explanation
Authority Author is expert in field and information can be trusted
Currency Source is current as it was updated in 2018
Accuracy Topic is accurately summed up and corresponds with other sources
Objectivity No bias in the web page and information presented is factual
Coverage Article covers the topic partially but still provides enough information
Source 5
Criteria Motivation / Explanation
Authority Author is expert in field and information can be trusted
Currency Date not given but seems current based on information and findings
Accuracy Topic is accurately summed up and corresponds with other sources
Objectivity No bias in the web page and information presented is factual
Coverage Article covers the topic extensively
Source 6
Criteria Motivation / Explanation
Authority Organization specializes in field and information can be trusted
Currency Date not given but seems current based on information and findings
Accuracy Topic is accurately summed up and corresponds with other sources
Objectivity No bias in the web page and information presented is factual
Coverage Article covers the topic extensively
Source 7
Criteria Motivation / Explanation
Authority Author is expert in field and information can be trusted
Currency Date not given but seems current based on information and findings
Accuracy Topic is accurately summed up and corresponds with other sources
Objectivity No bias in the web page and information presented is factual
Coverage Article covers the topic extensively
16
Source 8
Criteria Motivation / Explanation
Authority Author is expert in field and information can be trusted
Currency Source is current as it was published in 2018
Accuracy Topic is accurately summed up and corresponds with other sources, but could give
more detail
Objectivity No bias in the extract and information presented is factual, however it gives authors
personal opinions
Coverage Extract covers the topic extensively
Source 9
Criteria Motivation / Explanation
Authority Organization specializes in field and information can be trusted
Currency Date not given but seems current based on information and findings
Accuracy Topic is accurately summed up and corresponds with other sources
Objectivity No bias in the web page and information presented is factual
Coverage Article covers the topic extensively
Source 10
Criteria Motivation / Explanation
Authority Organization specializes in field and information can be trusted
Currency Date not given but seems current based on information and findings
Accuracy Topic is accurately summed up and corresponds with other sources
Objectivity Unbiased but gives more opinions than facts
Coverage Topic is not really covered that well and gives broad outlines
17
Declaration of Authenticity
Learner name Caitlin Hudson ID Number 01010201083
Grade 12 Year 2019
Subject Computer Applications Technology
Practical Assessment Task (PAT) Teacher Mrs Grobler
Did you receive any help/information from anyone to complete this project?
No Yes (provide details below)
Help/Information received
Nature of the help/information (provide evidence):
from (person):
I hereby declare that the contents of this assessment task is my own original work (except where there
is clear acknowledgement and appropriate reference to the work of others) and that I have not
plagiarised, copied from someone else or used work previously submitted for assessment by anyone.
Caitlin Hudson
_________________________ 28/02/2019
SIGNATURE OF LEARNER DATE
18