LOGO - PULSE

Love Canal - A Man Made Disaster

Part of an Access Excellence Lesson
Author: Laura Ziegenhirt
Modifications/Edits: Rachel Hughes


Time: 4 class periods
Preparation
Time:

4 hours

Materials:

Video and printed reports.

Abstract
As a result of this lesson, students will understand the need for efficient waste disposal. They will be aware of the hazards when waste is not disposed of correctly. They will use their knowledge of chemistry to make informed choices and consider waste disposal issues in Tucson.

Objectives
Students will be able:

  1. Evaluate scientific reports;
  2. Use nomenclature to understand scientific reports
  3. Understand the importance of EPA guidelines and the role of superfund.

National Science Education Standard
Content Standard E – Science and technology
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN LOCAL, NATIONAL, AND GLOBAL CHALLENGES

Individuals and society must decide on proposals involving new research and the introduction of new technologies into society. Decisions involve assessment of alternatives, risks, costs, and benefits and consideration of who benefits and who suffers, who pays and gains, and what the risks are and who bears them. Students should understand the appropriateness and value of basic questions – “What can happen?” – “What are the odds?” – and “How do scientists and engineers know what will happen?"

Teacher Background
During this exercise, students will use nomenclature and make a link between chemical structures and the real life affect of these chemicals when not properly handled.

Related and Resource Websites
None

 

Activity
Day 1
Watch Waste Management power point
Watch Love Canal Power point presentation; http://classes.colgate.edu/dkeller/geol101/pp/love/love1.htm
Love Canal Read the following sections of the Report; Chemicals identified and History;.

Day 2
Write the chemical formulae for each chemical and convert the contamination to grams using scientific notation. Make a list of chemicals, formulae, structures, max. contamination, epa guidelines and health effects.
Day 3
Read Animal toxicological studies and Epidemiological studies and chronology.
Make a power point to communicate the report.
What is superfund?

Day 4
Students use arc explorer to construct a map of Tucson which includes superfund sites and underground hazard plumes: Link to “Using Geographical Information systems to investigate chemical waste hazards in Tucson”.

Students use the internet to investigate the superfund sites in Tucson: http://www.azdeq.gov/environ/waste/sps/tucson.html

Day 5
Students communicate the importance of safe disposal of chemical waste using power point or podcast.

Embedded Assessment
1. Questions throughout the exercise allow for assessment of students’ understanding of nomenclature.

2. The presentations for an assessment of understanding.

 

 

 

PULSE is a project of the Community Outreach and Education Program of the Southwest Environmental Health Sciences Center and is funded by:


an NIH/NCRR award #16260-01A1
The Community Outreach and Education Program is part of the Southwest Environmental Health Sciences Center: an NIEHS Award

LOGO - SWEHSC LOGO - NIEHS Center LOGO - NIEHS

Supported by NIEHS grant # ES06694

© 1996-2007, The University of Arizona
Last update: March 13, 2007 		  Page Content: Rachel Hughes
Web Master: Travis Biazo