Introduction |
| Anchor Video |
| Concept Map |
| Project Calendar |
| Lesson Plans |
| Letter to Parents |
| Assessments |
| Resources |
| Modifications |
| Grant |
Target Audience: High School Chemistry and Biology
Background Information
The goal of this project is to engage students in environmental science and policy-making. During this process they will engineer an experiment, perform it over the course of three or four weeks, then compile and analyze their data. They will maintain contact with local experts and organizations in their field of research (water or air pollution) and present their finding to a panel of experts and civic leaders who may have an interest in environmental legislation. The hope is that students will observe science in the natural world and also the influence they can have in their community. Students will be graded on a series of benchmark lessons, such as a driving question, experimental design, and data findings and analysis. Their final presentation may be in the form of a poster session, but an online presentation would be preferable, because future students and people in the community could access the archived presentations to retrieve the information students uncovered.
To prepare for this project, it would benefit your class to make contact with scientific researchers and community leaders before the project begins. You will want to research environmental issues specific to your city, such as pollution of Edwards Aquifer in Austin. It is important for students to fell connected to the project. There may be organizations already established in your community to address these local issues. Opening a dialogue with them will not only provide you with relevant information, but may also provide you with technology or tools that would be helpful to your students. For example, Riverwatch in Austin will provide your class with high quality water testing equipment if you agree to monitor a body of water over the course of the semester. Included is a list of websites we found helpful in designing this project, some of which were specific to Austin’s problems, but others which would be helpful in accessing national standards for water and air quality.
The following sites were helpful in gathering information about local problems in Austin:
We would advise you to seek out similar sources pertaining to your community. The remaining sites are more generalized, and may be of use to you in researching the effects of pollution and the national restrictions meant to reduce it. There are also many teacher resources available for your use.
www.nrdc.org/health/effects/default.asp
Here you will find information about the health effects of various types of pollution.
www.umich.edu/~gs265/society/waterpollution.htm
This site contains graphs and information about the causes of pollution, how to identify pollution, legislation, and global water pollution.
edugreen.teri.res.in/explore/air/air.htm
Included information on smog, flyash, and acid rain. It also contains information on the health effects of pollution.
This has lots of teacher resources and information about government standards.
This project, when utilized to its full potential, can prove extremely beneficial to your class, fostering interest in environmental science, research, and community involvement.