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.

Total time: 3 hours (one hour outdoors)
Audience: 6-20 students, 4th grade through adult
Activity level: easy
Travel: 1/4 mile
Total uphill travel: none

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

The Acid Rain class will provide students with guided practice, in an authentic setting, to support the following Graduations Standards. We have chosen one to three “major focus” standards per grade level. Due to the holistic nature of environmental education, several other standards, not listed here, are addressed as well.

Task Management Skills: Resource Management, Safety.

H.S Sciences :Concepts in Chemistry, (B2-3, C1-3, 5-7, D)
H.S. Sciences: Environmental Studies, (A), B2-3)

6-8th Managing Resources : Informed Consumerism, (1-3, 6, 7)
6-8th Inquiry: Physical Systems, (2-3)

4-5th Sciences: Living and Non-living Systems, (A3-4, B1-2, 4)

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.

Classroom Connections*

• Journal page download
• Pre-visit activities
• Post-visit activities
• Links to Acid Rain information and activities on the web

*requires Wolf Ridge password