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A Model Aquifer
Students build a model that depicts how water is stored in an aquifer. They examine ways in which groundwater can become contaminated.
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Testing Your Water
Students perform several water quality tests on groundwater from their area. They use test strips to determine the pH, hardness, alkalinity, nitrates, iron and chloride levels.
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Finding and Measuring What You Can't See
Young scholars determine how scientists measure pollutants in food and the environment. Students discover how scientists remove one material based on its physical properties. Young scholars figure out how much of a pollutant is present...
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Science: Testing Water for Toxicity
Students investigate the potential toxicity of water samples using California blackworms to test water quality. They observe the worms' behaviors in different water samples and determine which sample has the highest toxicity. At the...
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It'll Go With the Flow...
Students construct a water table elevation contour map and consider the direction and rate of groundwater flow to predict the actual runoff pattern. They discuss their findings and evaluate a hypothetical landfill site based on data...
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What's in My Water, and How Did it Get There?
Students analyze water samples to see the contaminants and then use the Internet to find the sources of the contamination. For this investigative water lesson students analyze water and work together to solve the mystery of contaminants.
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"Soil Hide and Seek"
Students comprehend the basics of soil testing. They relate the use of grids and plotting to soil samples. Students comprehend how contaminants flow through soil. They discuss factors such as: slope of the pan, time, and the amount of...
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Lead Particulate Simulation
Learners visualize contaminate particles as they are released into the air and observe their ultimate settling. They watch a demonstration about lead particles and discuss the various ways that lead particles can be introduced into the air.
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Groundwater as Part of the Water Cycle
Ninth graders study the effects of soil and rocks on filtering groundwater. In this groundwater lesson students complete a lab activity that includes sources of contamination.
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Food Chains and Webs
For this food chains worksheet, students identify the producers and consumers in the given food chains and describe how contaminants can biologically accumulate. This worksheet has 4 short answer questions.
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Lead Extraction
Students investigate one method used in the detection of lead in the soil. They use a Lead Check Soil Kit to safely obtain results in 30 minutes or less in levels of 400 ppm or above. In addition, they write a brief description of what...
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Lead Detection
Learners explore one method for the detection of lead in soil. The detection of the presence of lead in soil can be determined sensitively using inexpensive swabs. Pupils collect several spoonfuls of soil from various parts of their...
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THE FARMER CARES FOR THE LAND
Students will identify cause and effect relationships in issues relating to Agriculture and the environment.Ask students to describe what farmers do. Then ask students to define the word "environmentalist." Ask students if they have...
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Water Pollution
Students explore the causes of water pollution. In this environmental lesson, students conduct experiments with natural filtration systems.
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What is Groundwater Pollution Doing to the Neighborhood?
Students explore the impact of groundwater pollution on health. They examine the carcinogenic contaminants and their possible sources. Students develop methods to lessen or eliminate the pollutants from the environment.
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Lead Detection
Young scholars hypothesize whether the soil sample may have lead contamination and why. They describe what they see happening with the soil samples and the corresponding swabs. Pupils write a brief description of what they observe as the...
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Storm Drain Dumping
Learners develop an awareness of what happens to water contaminated through neighborhood runoffs. Students perform an experiment that shows what happens to runoff when it's diverted to different places.
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Contaminated Water
Students review and use the steps in the scientific method to complete the experiment. In groups, they research the importance of water to plants and animals in their local area. They examine how water can become contaminated and take...
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Wetlands Project
Students discover how wetlands filter out contaminants before they can reach other bodies of water. In groups, they design and build a model of a stormwater wetland. They test the water quality and inform their classmates about the...
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Is It Safe To Go In?
Students examine acceptable levels of toxins in swimming areas. Working in groups of four, students dilute a salt or sugar solution to 1 part per 1,000,000 (ppm) solution. Students taste test their diluted liquids and record at which...
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Investigate Factors Affecting Nitrates in Groundwater
High schoolers participate in an experiment in which they investigate the factors affecting the levels of nitrates in groundwater. Using examples, they explain the nitrogen cycle and identify the sources of chemical nitrogen...
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ECOLOGICAL BIOASSAY OF COPPER SULFATE IN DAPHNIA MAGNA
Young scholars use this lab as a follow up to the introduction of the ecosystems and productivity levels, bioassays and what and how they measure, and Daphnia magna as an index organism, i.e., a species whose health within an ecosystem...
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Comparative Stream Quality
Young scholars examine water quality on a nearby stream. They collect water samples and test for various factors, including any contamination from the treatment plant, and present their information in a Powerpoint presentation.
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Ecology: Effects of Land Use on Natural Streams
Eighth graders examine how humans affect various ecosystems. In this ecology lesson, 8th graders discuss different ways that contaminants enter the stream. They explain the consequences of eutrophication in lakes.