Environmental Issues and Solutions Curriculum Module

Expand students’ understanding of the environmental issues that affect their everyday lives

Students investigate landfills; effects of radiation on plants; bioremediation techniques (oil-degrading microbes); climate changes/greenhouse effect; water treatment processes; airborne, soil, and water pollutants; food webs; energy pyramids; and predatory-prey relationships. They learn how to determine the carrying capacity of a population and how to calculate a biodiversity index.

The module concludes with three comprehensive culminating activities which delve into water treatments processes, bioremediation, and qualitative water assessment.

Environmental Issues and Solutions includes:

• Investigation literature and student guide, comprehensive Curriculum Guide, and a Curriculum Resources CD-ROM with a virtual lab
• Four units of study (labs), each with 1-5 activities (12 activities total):
  • Unit 1: Environmental Issues
  • Unit 2: Air, Water, and Soils
  • Unit 3: Ecosystems, Energy, and Biodiversity
  • Unit 4: Comprehensive Inquiry Investigations
• A poster on food webs
• Storage cabinet with materials for 40 students in clearly labeled drawers