Environmental Chemistry - Let's Do Science Bundle

Let’s Do Science is a guide designed to assist generalist elementary teachers in delivering engaging science lessons, in which students can learn the science curriculum through the process of inquiry and problem solving. The Environmental Chemistry - Let's Do Science Bundle is ideal for grades 8-10 and contains 130 pages which include:
  • Background information for environmental chemistry
  • 2 lessons and 6 stations which include worksheets and additional materials (such as diagrams) to aid in lesson delivery
  • Additional information to aid in teaching science in the elementary classroom.

Downloadable (1 PDF - 130 pages)

The following activities are included in this guide. The list is not prescriptive and teachers may select activities that are most appropriate for their students.

Activity Overview Resources Included Additional Resources Required

Lesson:

Introduction

In the introductory lesson, students will see a real world oil spill. Based on class discussions, the teacher will have the opportunity to assess students’ background knowledge. The lesson with conclude with the introduction of the project.

Lesson plan

Crude oil and hydrocarbon chemistry cards

Crude oil data collection sheet

Computer with internet access and projector/Smartboard

Optional: devices for students with internet access

Station:

Wildlife Biologist

Using the beaver as an indicator species, students will study beaver pelts and liver test results to determine if the oil spill will have an impact on the health of mammals in Leamonston’s ecosystem and then predict possible future consequences to the food chain.

Station plan

Additional Information Bubbles

Beaver Pelt Card

Liver Damage Card

Beaver Pelt A and B Close Up

Data Collection Sheet
Incident Commander Report

Quadrant cards for Beaver A and B

ELISA Liver Test Results
Food Web

Eight envelopes

4 arrows printed

Optional: device with internet access

Station:

Aquatic Ecologist

Students will study river samples containing aquatic invertebrates (insects) to ascertain the effects of the oil spill on this part of the food chain.

Station plan

Insect Pictures

Aquatic Insects card

Emergence Traps card

Aquatic Insect Reference Chart

Data Collection Sheet

Incident Commander Report

Aquatic Insect Sorting Chart I and II

Emergence Trap Sorting Chart I and II

Food Web

4 arrows

Access to a laminator

Four glass jars

Water

Insect net

Tray

Optional: device with internet access

Station:

Hydro-geologists

Students will test water samples from various wells near the town site to determine whether oil from the spill has moved into the groundwater and contaminated local drinking water wells.

Station plan

Well Sites Map

Groundwater and Concentration card

Data Collection Sheet

Well Sites Cross Section diagram

Water Table Overlay

Benzene Gas Chromatograph Results card

Incident Commander Report

3 opaque glasses, mugs or other containers which can hold liquid

Water

Green food coloring

3 Cotton swabs for each group

Pencil

Optional: device with internet access

Station:

Soil Scientists

Students will determine which soils around the town site are most difficult to cleanup once contaminated, by studying soil properties (soil texture and organic content).

Station plan

Soil Properties card

Soil Components

Background
Information cards

Organic Matter Content card

Data Collection Sheet

Soil Texture Key

Incident Commander Report

Sand

Potting soil

2 trays or containers

2 sieves of differing hole sizes (very small and small)

2 bowls

4 Petri dishes

Scale

Flour, cocoa powder or another substance which somewhat resembles ash

Optional: device with internet access

Station:

Environmental Toxicologist

Students will ascertain possible risks to the local ecosystem by studying tissue samples of organisms for biomagnification of toxic components from this oil spill. Students will participate in a role playing game to understand how biomagnification occurs in ecosystems.

Station plan

Biomagnification Case Study card

Data Collection Sheet

Incident Commander Report

Sparrow Feeding Frenzy rules

Famished Falcon rules

Autopsy Results card

Mountain Valley Food Web

60 small bugs or small objects in
replacement for bugs

Small stickers, marker or paint

15 small containers or bags (representing the sparrows)

4 tweezers

4 tongs

4 large containers or bags (representing the falcons)

Optional: access to laminator
Optional: device with internet access

Station:

Recovery Specialist

Students will learn about a variety of clean up techniques in an oil spill simulation and then decide on the best method to clean up this oil spill.

Station plan

Data Collection Sheet

Incident Commander Report

Clean-up Methods Cards (x5)

Vegetable oil

Cocoa powder

Absorbent material (such as sponges,
diapers, puppy pads)

Cotton string

Feathers

Popsicle sticks

Dish soap

Dropper

Container and water

Ziploc bag

Optional: device with internet access

Lesson:

Indigenous Perspective

Indigenous people have a special connection with the environment and rely on the Earth to meet many of their needs. Therefore, environmental damage can have profound impacts on Indigenous people. In this project, students will investigate the impacts of toxins on the environment and the people living there. Lesson plan

Laptop or computer with internet access and projector or smartboard

Devices for students with internet access

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