Abstracts of Curriulum Units from Weighing Environmental Risks
Environmental Contributors to Asthma
Why Can’t I Breathe?
Mary E. Deaguero
This unit is intended for a sixth grade B level Language Arts and Literature class.
Although many students have asthma, it is not a subject that is talked about in the classroom. Many students are embarrassed by the their asthma, and some won’t use their nebulizers when they need them. Asthma related problems are often the cause of school absences.
The unit is intended to present facts about asthma. The unit begins with an introduction to environmental pollution. Students will learn about outdoor pollution and indoor allergens and other factors found inside the home, school or any building, which may contribute to asthma. Students will be presented with research that explains how weather and climate and possibly global warming may affect asthma.
Students will learn about the efforts of the EPA and Clean Air Act and how they are working with legislation to make the air cleaner.
Finally, we will discuss professional help that is available to children with asthma and their families that can help them lead active, normal lives.
Hopefully, the facts presented in the unit will help students replace their embarrassment and fear about asthma with healthy attitudes and tools for taking positive control of the disease.
Population: Too Many People?
Rachel Horwitz
This curriculum unit is on population. It covers the basic information about recent,
rapid growth in human population. The idea for the unit came in October 1999, when the
world’s population reached six billion. Most American teen-agers think six billion
people is a big number, but they don’t know what it means. This curriculum unit is an
attempt to teach high school freshmen science students some recent information about what
it means to live on a planet with so many people. Besides introductory information about
population; also covered is information on family planning, biodiversity, immigration,
food, living standards and short reviews of three science fiction books dealing with
population issues. Instructions for two weeks of lesson plans such as lectures, inside and
outside classroom activities, and three homework assignments are included. An extensive
bibliography divided by type of reference material can be found at the end of the unit.
Lets Glow!:
An Illuminating Look at the Realities, Risks, and Rewards of Nuclear Radiation.
Steven P. Kaestner
This curriculum unit was designed to be used with gifted seventh grade physical
science students. The unit is intended to be approximately five weeks in duration
(assuming one class period per day). For teachers unfamiliar with nuclear radiation, an
extensive narrative section attempts to explain important concepts. These concepts
include: atomic structure, nuclear reactions, nuclear radiation (with an emphasis on
alpha, beta, and gamma radiation), half-life, ionizing and non-ionizing radiation,
biological effects of nuclear radiation, measurement of nuclear radiation, human exposure
to nuclear radiation, nuclear weapons, nuclear power, nuclear waste, and various examples
of nuclear technology. The narrative might be used to supplement teacher lectures and
provide support for the unit’s lesson. Sixteen lessons are presented ranging from
laboratory experiences, nuclear math, problem solving, to student research projects.
Ideally, teachers will need a Geiger counter for students to get optimal benefit from some
of the lessons. A list of possible radioactive sources that teachers can use is given. A
detailed guide towards calculating student’s annual radiation dose (for Albuquerque)
is included. The unit also includes references (teacher friendly resources are noted), a
film list (with APS film numbers when available), web links, and a glossary. Taken as a
whole, the unit tries to give students a knowledge base and a framework for thinking about
the risks and potential benefits of nuclear radiation.
Global Warming:
Should We Sweat this Environmental Response?
MaryAnn Lee
This curriculum unit covers the issues surrounding global warming. Students will examine present and future social and environmental impacts of rising temperatures across our planet. Students will also examine the viewpoints of global warming skeptics and global warming believers. Solutions to environmental problems will be frequently addressed through future problem solving activities.
This interdisciplinary unit covers science, creative writing, critical thinking activities and geography. Opportunities for artistic expression are provided in lesson plans.
This global warming curriculum unit has been designed for high school students. This curriculum unit was written for students with academic deficits, but is easily adaptable for all levels of learning.
Waste Isolation Pilot Plant
Maureen Senetra
This unit is intended for use in the middle school as a brief overview of the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP). We will discuss the WIPP from inception of the idea that something had to be done with these low-level radioactive wastes, the selection of the salt deposits in Carlsbad, New Mexico, through to the actual shipping of wastes to that site. We will review the structure of the atom and how it happens to emit radiation. We will discuss the environmental and social issues surrounding the physical location of the WIPP site. The students will study the packaging of these wastes, shipment, and what occurs after the low-level radioactive wastes are received at the plant.
This unit is intended to help the students realize that they need to be aware of their
environment, weigh the pros and cons of storing low-level radioactive wastes, and make
informed decisions. This unit is designed to last approximately three weeks.