Get Outside!

Acid Rain

Class Description

After students learn about chemistry and pH and testing household samples, they will visit a precipitation monitoring site, gather and test outdoor samples, and evaluate the chemistry of the water cycle, do experiments on natural and man-made buffering, and investigate their own role in the acid rain cycle.

Outcomes

Upon completion of the Acid Rain class students will be able to:

  • Identify 3 causes and 3 effects of acid rain.
  • Understand the pH scale and the relative strengths of acids and bases.
  • Use pH meters to test samples.
  • Describe the role of soil buffering in natural systems.
  • Trace the effects of acidification in aquatic systems.
  • Propose practical solutions to the acid rain problem and adopt personal lifestyle changes that reflect increased concern for the environment.

Minnesota Graduation Standards

Wolf Ridge has aligned the Center's entire curriculum to Minnesota Department of Education Academic Standards. As the primary student audience at Wolf Ridge is from 4th-12th grade, the matrices address these grade levels. Teachers may request that their students focus upon a specific benchmark while attending Wolf Ridge. The Wolf Ridge Curriculum Standards Matrix addresses benchmarks in

  • Science
  • Math
  • History and Social Science
  • Language Arts
  • Arts

Wolf Ridge Curriculum Concepts

  • Gases (O2, CO2, SO2, NOX) and energy all change location and form in a predictable cyclic pattern.
  • Humans have a great ability to alter natural systems, and a responsibility to consider the effects of our actions.
  • A growing human population is making increasing demands on natural resources.
  • Economic and political considerations have an influence on human actions.
  • Stewardship of the earth benefits humans as well as the environment.
  • See entire Wolf Ridge Curriculum Framework


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Time
3 hours total
1 outdoor / 2 indoors

Audience
4th grade - adult

Activity level
easy

Travel
1/4 mile

Total uphill travel
none