ICT Integrated Lesson Plan

School Level: Middle School-Grade 7
Subject: General Science
Chapter: Air Pollution
Topic: Acid Rain
Objectives: Students learn the definition of acid rain.
Students use the Internet to research pH levels of rainwater for
their state and collect data from their community.
Students investigate the causes of and solutions for acid rain
Prerequisite skills: Basic research skills using Internet Explorer
Basic experience with Excel
Curriculum Areas: Thinking and reasoning
Working with others
Work skills
Class Time: 2-3 Periods
Tools:
Technology productivity tools: Students use productivity tools to collaborate in constructing technology-enhanced models, prepare publications, and produce other creative works.
Technology research tools: Students use technology to locate, evaluate, and collect information from a variety of sources. Students use technology tools to process data and report results.
Teacher guide:
Description
Students research a serious environmental problem—acid rain which affects many communities. They use the Internet to research pH levels of rainwater for their state, collect data from their community, and investigate the causes of and solutions for acid rain. Then, they present data in a Microsoft Office Excel spreadsheet and draw conclusions.
How to begin
Ask students what they think happens to the pollution in our air. Does it just stay there? Acid rain occurs when the pollutants in our atmosphere mix with rainwater and become acid rain, sleet, and snow. We can tell how much acid is in the rainwater by testing the pH level of rainwater. The lower the pH level is, the more acid there is present in the water.
Student activity:
Note: You may want to have students work in teams to complete the research and work individually to answer the questions.
Description
In this activity, you will research levels of rainwater and acid rain in your state, record your findings, and evaluate them.
Software: Microsoft Internet Explorer, Microsoft Office Excel
What to do
· Open Internet Explorer and go to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency acid rain Web site
· Read the information on the Web page regarding acid rain.
· Go to the National Atmospheric Deposition Web site to collect data for the pH levels of rainwater for your state.
· On the map, click your state. Click each NTN (National Trends Network) site in your state, and record the longitude, latitude, and pH level. To get the pH level, click Trend Plots, click Field pH, and then click Create Plot. Record the information in an Excel spreadsheet.
· Answer the following questions based on your research:
· How does your state compare to "normal" rainwater pH of 5.5?
· What trends in the data do you see for your state?
· What do you think are the major contributors of acid rain in your state?
· What can you do to help prevent acid rain?
Ways to extend the student activity
· Students can collect data from other parts of the country to compare rates of acid rain in different regions.
· Students can create posters or brochures explaining acid rain and what can be done to prevent it.
· Students can write letters to the major pollution producers in their state and express their concern about acid rain.
Assessment: Research, Data collection, Completion of the spreadsheet, Answers to the questions listed in student activity