Projects and Lesson Plans for Home and School
References and Activities:
www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/14/g912/tghazardous.html (Lesson plans and activities from the National Geographic)
www.water-ed.org/schoolprograms.asp (Water Education Foundation school programs)
www.stocktongov.com/MUD/education-conservation/documents/Fullbooklet_000.pdf (Only Rain Down the Drain activity book for children from the Stockton Stormwater Program)
www.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/1996/2/96.02.05.x.html Yale-New Haven Teacher's Institute, Environmental Health Hazards and Children by Sue Norwood
www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/teachers/lessonplans/science/pollution_10-3.html (PBS: Hazardous Chemicals in Your Neighborhood by Abey K. Tharian, Leonia High School, New Jersey)
www.epa.gov/kids/garbage.htm (Environmental Kids Club from the EPA)
www.epa.gov/recyclecity (Games and Activities from the EPA)
www.on.ec.gc.ca/greatlakeskids/morphie-home-e.html (Morphie's Great Water Ride Adventure from Environment Canada)
www.epa.gov/students/ (EPA Student Center)
www.recycling-revolution.com/recycling-facts.html (Recycling Facts)
Listing these organizations does not imply endorsement. Please review materials carefully to determine appropriateness for your audience.
Projects
Clean Up an Oil Spill (from Environmental Health Hazards and Children by Sue Norwood) Objective: To have a better understanding of why oil spilled in water is so difficult to remove.
Materials:
1. Shallow rectangular baking pan.
2. Cooking oil.
3. Cold water.
4. Baking soda, cotton balls, dish washing liquid, towels, and sponges.
Procedure:
1. Pour water into the pan so that it is half full.
2. Pour a small amount of oil into the water and notice the slick that form on the surface.
3.Try to clean the spill with the different cleaning materials.
4. Rate the effectiveness of the different materials
Surf Your Watershed
Go to http://cfpub.epa.gov/surf/locate/index.cfm to locate your watershed or any watershed in the country. Search by zip code, city, state, stream name or other parameters. The search yields a list of groups associated with that watershed, facts and other interesting information.
Encourage your children to investigate the watershed in your next vacation spot or where a distant relative or family lives. Or, adopt a local watershed or adopt a watershed in a distant location. Communicate with conservancy groups in that area, compare and contrast regions, or plan a visit to study the area personally.
