Assessment focus: AF2
Context
Following work on rocks and geological processes, pupils studied the properties and uses of limestone found in the local region.
As a class, they considered the implications of developing a limestone quarry in a particular area. Each group was given a scenario regarding the need to open a quarry, so that the class as a whole could explore the implications from a number of different perspectives. The pupils were given ‘information’ from three different people – the town mayor, the owner of the quarrying company and a local resident. They went on to record the pros and cons from these three perspectives and to make a final decision about whether the project should go ahead or not, giving detailed reasons.
Pupil's work
House Owner,I wish to express my great concern about the building of limestone quarry in my much loved town of Vincent. I have lived here all my life and worked hard to buy my own house. The speculation of this quarry has caused the value of my property to drop drastically. I am also not very well with my lungs and breathing system and I am very concerned that the air pollution and dust may bring my life to a premature end. Every day I get great pleasure in taking my dog Skip for a walk in the country side where we take in all the beautiful sites it would be a sad day for Skip to have nothing but horrible scares on the landscape to look at. Not to mention the fear and stress the loud noises from the explosions would cause him. We like our sleep and we
usually go to bed at nine O'clock after one man and his dog and I'm sure the noise and vibrations from the large lorries would ruin our beauty sleep. Skip and myself strongly oppose this quarry.Town MayorI have recently been appointed as the mayor of Vincent. This was not difficult as I was the only person to stand for the job because Vincent is a town in financial crisis. Unemployment is at an all time high and houses are being repossessed every day.No new investors are setting up in Vincent, not even Tesco, because the roads are still in the dark ages. I feel that it is my job to make the locals aware of the financial benefits that the quarry might bring to our town. With new jobs, new roads and new businesses not to mention improved leisure facilities our town could come back to life. However, there is a possible price to pay in the short term. With all the pollution noise and environmental scars that the quarry would bring. So
I am in a no win situation because what ever I do people who I represent will feel I am failing them. I have decided to quit my job and open a bar on the Costa del Sol.Company BossI am a nice man, a very rich nice man and I know what's best for Vincent and especially for me. I will make Vincent a thriving community with an excellent road structure and extensive investment from company's supporting our quarry. We will build schools and leisure facilities to help the increase in population that will come with all the jobs. We are a high tech company with a commitment to looking after the environment. We will use our state of the art dust control system to prevent air pollution. We will also build barriers to hide the scars of the quarry and keep the noise pollution down to a minimum.We will transport the limestone by trains to reduce noise and air pollution. We will also employ local landscape gardeners to restore the damaged hillside. Working together I will make Vincent a rich town where Tesco would be proud to open. P.S. I am also thinking of becoming Mayor.
