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This website features work from the completion of Phase 1 of the SCALES Project.

We are currently seeking partnerships for Phase 2.

Active Citizenship

  • Final paper

    Option A: Option A: Expansion of paper 2. Based on feedback on paper 2, you will develop your argument in paper 3 (2500 words (10 pages)).

    Option B: Option B: New paper. You will write on a topic that you pose. Please use the same topic proposal form that was distributed for paper 2. 1250 words (5 pages).

    Read more: Final paper

  • Paper 2

    Paper 2 (1250 words (5 pages)): You have a choice of writing on topics distributed in class or on a topic you pose (original paper topics must be approved in advance). 

    Read more: Paper 2

  • Paper 1

    Write a 5-page (1250 word) argumentative essay on one of the following topics. Note that your paper must articulate a thesis in response to the topic and defend the thesis with argument(s). At the top of the first page of your paper – above your title (if you have one) and your first paragraph – please state your thesis in bold. This is the claim that you are arguing for in the rest of your paper. (You should also state the thesis in the body of your text.)

    Read more: Paper 1

  • Assignment 5: Personal Reflection

    Please write 250-500 words (total) addressing the questions below.

    1. Please describe one idea you encountered during this course that you found powerful.
    2. Please critically reflect on the idea in your own terms. What makes it powerful or meaningful to you? How is it related to things you had thought before taking the course? How does it connect (or disconnect) with ideas that you take to be common or popular?
    3. Is there any way in which the course has affected your actions and choices (note that “not at all” is an option!)? Do you think any of the arguments should prompt you to change your actions, even you aren’t inclined to change? Are there ways they may change your actions in the future? (Why or why not?)
    Read more: Assignment 5: Personal Reflection

  • Assignment 3: Activism

    Please read Brian Martin, “Activism, Social and Political.” and reflect on the question: do we all have a moral responsibility to be engaged in activism in the current social context, (and if not all, then who)? You may consider activism on any topic, e.g., food security, animal welfare, LGBTQ rights, feminism, antiracism, smaller government, pro-life, pro-choice, prayer in public schools, or any other topic that matters to you.

    Read more: Assignment 3: Activism

  • Legal and Business Actions, Methane Leak Data Debrief

    Objectives: Discuss two examples of how data can inform public decision-making: using citizen-collected data in legal cases, and developing a more accurate and consistent measure of the carbon footprints of goods and services. Debrief of methane leak data collected on the prior field trip session.

    Read more: Legal and Business Actions, Methane Leak Data Debrief

  • Methane Leaks Field trip

    Objective: Hands-on field activity collecting data on real-word methane leaks from natural gas infrastructure in Cambridge and Somerville MA. Familiarize two sets of 5–8 participants with the tools and methods.

    Read more: Methane Leaks Field trip

  • Methane Leaks Hackathon

    Objective: Participants get practical background on methane leaks, and initial hands-on experience with the tools for detecting leaks, measuring the volume of gas released from a leak, and tracking and visualizing leaks.

    Read more: Methane Leaks Hackathon

  • Citizen Science & Climate Action

    Objective: Provide an overview of citizen science and other collaborative approaches to science-based climate action.

    Read more: Citizen Science & Climate Action

  • Final Exam

    You will need to write three short essays for the final:

    • Choose any three questions from the options below.
    • Your responses should be approximately 500 words. Do not exceed 800 words for any answer. Include your word count below each response.
    • Please include your name at the top of the document and the question number next to each response.
    Read more: Final Exam

Notice something that doesn’t seem right? Want to make a suggestion or provide feedback about how something is classified? 
Please reach out to esi [at] mit.edu and include SCALES Website in the subject of your email.
Feedback and any actions taken with regards to the feedback, will be shared as they are addressed.