In 2016, the dollar value of volunteer hours in Fairfax County equaled
33.8 million dollars.
Begin Your Research...
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Your issues and which CFNV Community Investment Fund Focus Area to which it belongs,
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The 3 NoVA organizations or charities working to help with those issues
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Refer to your completed Exploration to find your issue, Part 2.
You have your 3 issues and charities! You know...
Explore these resources to find quality and useful information.
Analyze what you find by pushing your curiosity and asking questions.
Research to find evidence to support your ideas.
1
Identify and Researching Your Issue
You are gathering information on the BIG issue, so that you can relate it to what’s happening in our LOCAL community. Use this information to create context and understanding that you can communicate to classmates in your PSA.
Answer these questions to ensure you’re on track:
1. How can I write essential questions, related to my topic?
Remind yourself about the Driving Question for the project. Two key parts of the question are:
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Why is this issue a concern for Northern Virginia?
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What can private and public individuals do to address the issue?
EXAMPLE:
Eroding wetlands is an issue in Northern Virginia, where the Potomac River and its tributaries meet the land in many of our neighborhoods in Fairfax County. This issue impacts the quality of human life because flooding occurs when the wetlands are developed. Private and public individuals can raise money for organizations that help provide wetland conservation to protect this vital habitat, and they can also partner with groups that bring information and awareness to people in impacted areas.
2. What questions do I need to ask myself to get enough background information to share with others?
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Remember, you want this to be doable and interesting.
EXAMPLES:
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How many people are impacted by flooding?
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What are the causes of flooding in Northern Virginia?
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What districts in Fairfax County are impacted by this issue?
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What are the specific dangers of this issue?
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What’s more important to help combat this: money or volunteer work?
3. Where can I find this information?
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Think about online resources.
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EXAMPLES:
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Database focused on environmental and political issues.
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Reliable website about flooding and wetland management in the region.