University of San Francisco Microplastics Research Paper

Question Description

Descriptions of most of the steps below can be found in chapter 1 of your Engineering Economic Analysis textbook in the “The Decision-Making Process” section.

Step 1: Background Research (“Recognize the problem,” Ch. 1 of your Engineering Economic Analysis textbook)

Read/watch/listen to/view the resources provided for you on the Canvas Page: “Microplastics Problem Background Information“(linked here and available in the Weeks 3 & 4 module). Familiarizeyourself with the microplastics issue, and the 2019 study onmicroplastics in Tampa Bay. You should conduct additional backgroundresearch as necessary, ensuring that you use only credible sources.

Step 2: Research Global Approaches (“Assemble the relevant data,” Ch. 1 of your Engineering Economic Analysis textbook)

This is where you will begin toassemble the relevant data (see the “Decision-Making Process” sectionof your economics textbook). You will continue to assemble the relevantdata in future assignments; for now, focus on the questions below. Inyour submission, number your answers 1-5, and include the bolded titlepreceding each question; for questions that ask for several specificexamples, label each example (a, b, c, or as bullet points) below thetitle.

Conduct research to find out how the microplastics issue is being addressed globally and answer the following questions:

Research: What researchis being conducted on microplastics around the world? (Think aboutfields/areas of research, research on cleanup and prevention, healthimpacts, etc.) List 3 specific examples of micropalstics research being done in 3 non-US countries.
- Country 1: Description of research
- Country 2: Description of research
- Country 3: Description of research
Inventions and Solutions: Whatkinds of inventions or solutions have been or are being developed toaddress the issue of marine plastics and microplastics? Include the 3inventions listed on the information page, as well as 2 additionalinventions you find through independent research (put these at the top).For all 5 examples, include the following:
- The name/title of the invention/solution
- The name(s) of the inventor/creator and where they are from
- A description of the invention/solution (~2-4 sentences)
- An explanation of how the invention/solution is being or will be implemented (~2-4 sentences)
- An image that shows the invention/solution
Global Government Interventions: Froma policy/governmental perspective, offer 2 examples of how non-UScountries are addressing the plastics and microplastics problem. Includethe following:
- The name of the country and, if applicable, the name of the specific city/region/etc. where the intervention/policy is in place
- A description of the intervention/policy (~2-6 sentences)
US Government Interventions:Describe examples in 2 US states other than Florida that show how stategovernments are attempting to address the microplastics problem.Include the following:
- The name of the state and, ifapplicable, the name of the specific city/county/perish/etc. where theintervention/policy is in place
- A description of the intervention/policy (~2-6 sentences)
Florida Government Interventions: What official measures (policies, interventions, initiatives, etc.) have been taken by government in Florida and the Greater Tampa Bay Area (Links to an external site.)that address plastic pollution? Include 2 specific examples of officialpolicies, interventions, etc., 1 of which must be from the GreaterTampa Bay Area. Include the following:
- The name of the city/county where themeasure (intervention, policy, etc.) was proposed and approved, and thename of the official or governing body that proposed and approved it
- A description of the measure (~2-6 sentences)
- How the measures were received, and what kind of backlash or resistance they faced (~2-6 sentences)
- Whether or not the measure is still inplace, and the name of the official or governing body that eitherimplemented or discontinued the measure
  - Note: “propose and approve” and”implement” are different and may have been completed in different waysor by different leadership

Step 3: Define the Problem (“Recognize the problem,” Ch. 1 of your Engineering Economic Analysis textbook)

Define the problem: In 1-2 paragraphs, offer a clear, detailed,specific definition of the microplastics problem as you understand it.Include all relevant contextualizing information, including wheremicroplastics come from,
- Note: You are being asked to describe/define what the problem is, you are notbeing asked to define the term “microplastic.” Responses that describewhat microplastics are rather than what problem(s) arise from theirexistence will earn 0 points
Define the microplastics problem as specifically related to TampaBay: In ~1 paragraph, specifically define the problem as it relates toTampa Bay.

Step 4: Propose an Engineering Solution

The microplastics problem isextensive, and through your research, you have learned about a varietyof ways that it is being addressed, and about some of the engineeringsolutions being developed to tackle plastic pollution. Now you willconsider and propose a potential engineering solution that you willpresent to your team. Your proposed engineering solution must satisfyand include the following:

Your solution must be clearly linked to the problem statement, and must be designed to alleviate the stated problem in some way.
Your solution must be an engineering solution; whilestarting a nonprofit or encouraging policy changes might serve as partof your overall plan, you must propose some kind of tangible solution.
- Solutions can span all fields ofengineering and computer science, and your team’s final proposal may be acombination of team member ideas that include the integration ofseveral fields of engineering.
Your solution must be designed specifically for the Tampa Bay area,but with the long term vision of broadening the solution (probably withsome modifications) to other cities, states, and/or countries.

Include a sketch, diagram, illustration,map, etc. that acts as a visual aid to help readers/viewers understandhow your solution works. thoughtfully rendered, and labeled. You will label the visual aid as a figure and include a short description of what the figure is showing.

Step 5: Formatting and Submission

Formatting:

Include a cover page with the title, your name, and the date. You may use appropriate visuals as part of your cover page.
- Provide a clear, specific title that communicates the content of your work
Include an introduction to your document (~1 paragraph).
- Under your introduction heading, you will include subheadings for your problem statement and proposed solution.
  - Your problem statement will be 1-2 paragraphs under its own subheading, under the ~1 paragraph introduction.
  - Your proposed solution will be a verybasic overview at this early part of the document — you want yourreaders to know that you have a solution in mind and give them a basicidea of what it is, but this is not the time to go into detail yet. Thisoverview should be ~2-3 sentences.
Include a conclusion to your document (~1 paragraph).
Format your work using these or very similar headings, and in the order listed below (Note:the sequence in which you complete the work and the order in which youpresent your work are frequently different. In this case, you had toconduct research before you you could define the problem, but whenpresenting this work to an audience, it is logical to provide generalbackground and to articulate the problem first, offer a basic overviewof your proposed solution, then discuss global approaches to the problemand things that are already being done, THEN articulate your solutionproposal in detail and explain why/how, considering the problem andcurrent approaches, your solution makes sense and will work):
- “Introduction” (introduction) ~1 paragraph
  - “Problem Definition” (Step 3) 1-2 paragraphs
  - “Proposed Solution” (Step 4), basic overview, ~2-3 sentences
- “Global Approaches” (Step 2)
  - In this section, be sure to numberyour answers 1-6, and include the bolded title preceding each question;for questions that ask for several specific examples, label each example(a, b, c, or as bullet points) below each title
- “Proposed Solution” (Step 4), specificdetails and justification – take your research and what is alreadybeing done into consideration and justify why/how your solution makessense and will work ~1-2 paragraphs
  - Extra credit illustration will go here
- “Conclusion” (conclusion) ~1 paragraph
Check your document for widows and orphans (Links to an external site.), formatting errors, etc., and correct any issues
- Ensure that your document is clear and easy to navigate