|
Human effects on
the Environment
|
| Subject
Area |
Environmental
Science |
| Age
or Grade |
7th Grade |
| Mass DOE Content Standard |
Identify ways in which ecosystems have changed throughout geologic time in response to physical conditions, interactions among organisms, and the actions of humans. |
| Prerequisite
knowledge/skills |
Scientific
Method. |
| Description
of New Content |
Plant
growth and life cycle, household pollutants |
| Goals |
Students
will recognize plant growth can be affected by materials humans they
release into the environment. |
| Materials
Needed |
Pots, potting soil, plant rack (opt.but will make plants grow quicker), fast growing seeds, Testable enivironemental problem : possiblities include salt water, vinegar, motor oil...let students decide. Human Effects on Environment Worksheet (pdf) (or students can keep a lab notebook) |
|
Procedure
|
Students
will follow instruction on work sheet. In summary, each group
will plant two plants. Until the plant begin to sprout, treat the
control and the experimental indentically. About one week later,
student will take intial measurements and treat their plants. The
control will receive water. The experimental will be watered with
"the environmental problem" instead. Every other day as class
allows, student should measure the plants and water the plants
appropriately. After one week, final observations will be made. |
| Evaluation |
Lab work sheets will be turned in along with a final lab report. The final lab report will include: Question Hypothesis Procedure Data Table Data Analysis Conclusion Grades will be based on completness all sections of the worksheet and lab report. Data analysis should correctly describe the Data table and Conclusion should address the question and hypothesis based on their observations. |
| Extensions |
Kits
are available to examine effects of air pollution on plants that can be
performed along side or after these experiments. |
| References | Holt Science and Technology Short Courses: Environmental Science. Chapter 4: Environmental Problems and Solutions. |