Bridge
Mercury - Mercury is Rising
Hold a discussion in your class about the increase in mercury being found in fish that are caught commercially as food for humans. Given a worksheet, learners then calculate how much fish a person can safely eat each month to remain...
Curated OER
Something Fishy - Bioaccumulation of Mercury
Students explore the dangers of eating high levels of mercury and how small amounts of mercury in water accumulate in greater quantities in organisms higher in the food chain. They list the health of effects of high levels of mercury on...
Curated OER
The Aquatic Environment
Fifth graders focus on the various types of fish living in different water environments. In groups, they research the different methods used to fish and participate in experiments to determine the effects of mercury on fish, the...
Curated OER
Mercury Emissions: "Cap and Trade" Game
Students identify the role of government in protecting the environment, and participate in a game where they run a profitable or unprofitable power plant in changing market conditions. They summarize the pros and cons of emissions credit...
Curated OER
Lead and Mercury: Comparing Two Environmental Evils
High schoolers in chemistry or health courses look at the material safety data sheet (MSDS) and periodic table of elements to gather information about mercury and lead, two toxic materials that have been found in food products. They read...
Curated OER
Ecological Dilemmas in Wetlands
In this ecological dilemmas in wetlands worksheet, students select a topic, use the links to websites for research, describe the topic, explain its impact on wetlands, identify alternatives and decide on possible...
Curated OER
Aquatic Organisms and Their Habitats
Middle schoolers investigate the presence of specific organisms in a freshwater habitat to determine the quality of that habitat. They conduct a field study and distinguish and classify organisms found during the field study.
Curated OER
Biomagnification
Students use real data to create an algebraic equation. They explain how the build up of small levels of contaminates can quickly become detrimental to species higher in the food chain.
Curated OER
A Fishy Environment 'We need 'em Clean!' Web Lesson
Students create a website. In this technology lesson, students use digital cameras and video to document their field trip to a local fish hatchery. Students use the photos and videos to create an instructional website.
Curated OER
Adaptations-What a Concept
Learners study the pink river dolphin and how it has adapted to its environment. In this adaptations lesson students construct a map that represents certain relationships.
Curated OER
Hands Off
Middle schoolers perform a handwashing experiment to see if a difference can be detected in the number and types of microbes on our hands after various types of cleaning. They will also demonstrate that they have learned the whys and...
Curated OER
Wetlands Project
Young scholars 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...
Other
Pollution Probe: Mercury in the Environment [Pdf]
High levels of mercury exposure can cause birth defects, permanent brain or kidney damage, and/or death. This resource focuses on the impacts of mercury in the environment. Learn how mercury can reap havoc on lakes and other aquatic...
Environmental Education for Kids
Eek!: Water Wonders: Mercury in Homes and Schools
Learn where mercury can be found at home and at school, how exposure affects humans, ways to protect yourself from it, and the damage it is doing to the natural environment.
US Environmental Protection Agency
Epa: Choose Fish and Shellfish Wisely
Information on what you need to be aware of when eating fish, how to protect oneself, what the Environmental Protection Agency is doing to safeguard consumers, and research that has been done in this field of study.