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Sustainable Living Workshop

Sustainable Living Workshop

Posted 08-Feb-12 13:14

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City of Roanoke Green Academy

City of Roanoke Green Academy

Posted 08-Feb-12 10:55

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Students will use the Bedrock Simulator and Rainmaker models to examine the complete water cycle, and discover the movement and storage of water from the surface through below ground soil and bedrock. The Bedrock Simulator covers basic groundwater concepts to include aquifers, saturated and unsaturated zones and water table. Students will see the immediate effect of groundwater contamination from abandoned wells, underground storage tanks and septic tanks as it moves through different zones, wells, lakes, rivers, wetlands and springs. The surface water to groundwater connection and remediation (pollution removal) can be examined by showing how contaminated water percolates down into groundwater and can be drawn up into wells and surface water. Chemical contaminates with different densities or different pH (including buffering) can be demonstrated and discussed. The Rainmaker model demonstrates the above ground part of the water cycle and how it connects to the groundwater portion of the cycle. Follow-up activities for teachers include Percent Porosity calculations, Slope of the Water Table (Hydraulic Gradient) calculations, Potentiometric Surface (waterpressure and water level) measurements, and Average Flow Velocity of groundwater. 

Vocabulary Introduced: Aquiclude, Aquifer, Artesian Well, Bedrock, Cone of Depression, Confined Aquifer (Artesian),  Discharge Area, Flow-Through Lake, Groundwater, Hydraulic Gradient, Hydraulic Head, Infiltration, Nonpoint Source Pollution, Perched, Permeability, Plume, Point Source Pollution, Porosity, Potentiometric Surface, Recharge Area, Runoff, Saturated Zone, Unsaturated Zone, Water Conservation, Wetlands

Equipment Needed: Paper Towels, Sink

 

 

 

 WHY WATERSHEDS?

(Science SOL ES.7, ES.9, ES.11, BIO.3)

Students will follow a Power Point presentation that addresses five topics: Why Watersheds Matter, What Is a Watershed, Impacts of Impervious Cover, What Your Community Can Do to Protect Your Watershed, and What You Can Do to Protect Your Watershed.

Vocabulary Introduced: Aquatic Buffer, Aquatic Corridor, Green Parking Lots, Groundwater, Impervious Cover, Nonpoint Source Pollution, Point Source Pollution, Runoff, Water Conservation, Watershed, Wetlands

 Equipment Needed: Projection Screen /or ActivBoard

 

 

 

ENVIRONMENTAL JEOPARDY

(Science SOL: ES.7, ES.9, ES.11, BIO.5, BIO.8, BIO.9, PH.8)

Students will examine aspects of environmental issues, and then play a fun interactive game reviewing what they have learned. Topics to choose from (choose one) are Water, Stormwater, Energy, Solid Waste, or Ecological Footprint.

Vocabulary Introduced: Energy, Natural Resources, Renewable Resources, Litter, Solid Waste, Recycle 

 Equipment Needed: None

 

NEW! BAG IT!

(Science SOL: 6.2c, 6.3c, 6.5c, f, g, 6.6d, g, 6.7a,f, 6.9 a, c,  LS.4b, LS.7cd, LS.9a, LS.11b, LS.12e, PS.2d,e,f, ES.2e, ES.7, ES.9e, ES.11a,b,e, ES.12e, BIO.1e, BIO.3a, BIO.5.c,e, BIO.9b,d, PH.3c,e)       A DVD will allow students to become familiar with the impact of plastics on the environment, on human and animal health, and how to decrease their daily use of plastics. Social and political aspects will be discussed. Students will develop an understanding as to how they may influence a change in their environment regarding trash.

Vocabulary Introduced:  Recycle, Decompose, Biodegrade, Compost, Single-use, Disposable, Landfill, Plastic, Waste Stream, Reusable, Alternative Use, Conservation, Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP), Gyre, Marine, Photodegrade,  Bioaccumulation,  Biomagnification

Equipment Needed: DVD

 

 

WATER: WOES TO WONDERS
(Science SOL: BIO.9, CH.1, CH.6, PH.4, English SOL: 9.4, 11.4)

Students will discover why the overuse of groundwater has been described as a non-renewable resource that is being  “mined”.  Wetlands will be described and students will see what makes wetlands awesome natural wonders.  Activities and demonstrations will discuss their watershed address, and suggestions for the quality and quantity of water preservation will be discussed.

Vocabulary Introduced: Solid Waste, Natural Resources, Storm Drain, Runoff, Nonpoint Source Pollution, Groundwater, Water Conservation, Wetlands, Riparian, Watershed Address

Equipment Needed: Overhead Projector, VCR / DVD or AvtivBoard

 

NEW! RENEWABLE ENERGY!

(Science SOL: 6.2c,d, 6.3a, 6.5f,g 6.6d,g, 6.7f, 6.9, LS.7a, LS.12e,  PS.2f, PS.5b, PS.6,ES.7, ES.9e, ES.11b,e, ES12e, BIO.5c, BIO.8a, BIO.9d, CH.4g, PH.3d, PH.4, PH.5g, PH.6c, PH.8, PH.10a, PH.14f,i)

Students will view a DVD to discover how air, water, and fire are being harnessed for renewable energy.  See what’s happening with solar, geothermal, and tidal power. From tried-and-true methods to those in the experimental stage, discover which ones may be utilized on a mass scale in the near future.  Meet the scientists, politicians, and engineers that are at the forefront of research, development, and implementation and learn what is in store for the rest of the 21^st century.

Vocabulary Introduced: Natural Resources, Renewable Resources, Renewable Energy, Fossil Fuels, Solar Energy, Geothermal Energy, Tidal Power, Wind Energy, Nuclear Energy

Equipment Needed: DVD

 

AFTER THE STORM

(Science SOL: BIO.9, CH.1, CH.6, PH.4; English SOL: 9.4, 11.4)

Students will discover what happens after it rains, and what ends up in our streams, lakes, rivers, and oceans. How ecosystems can collapse due to turbidity and low oxygen levels will be outlined and suggestions for filtering runoff by use of wetlands and green roofs will be discussed.

Vocabulary Introduced: Solid Waste, Natural Resources Storm Drain, Runoff, Non-point source, Fecal Coliforms, Hypoxic, Groundwater, Water Conservation and Quality, Wetlands, Green Roof, Watershed Address

Equipment Needed: Overhead Projector, VCR / DVD / or ActivBoard

 

 

OCEANS OF TRASH

(Science SOL: ES.7, ES.9, ES.11, BIO.5, BIO.8, BIO.9)

Students will view a  Power Point and discuss the Roanoke Valley's connections to the ocean and ocean characteristics. Marine debris is a health hazard, presenting a threat for entanglement by marine mammals and aquatic life.

Vocabulary Introduced: Salinity, Estuary, Riparian

Equipment Needed: Screen or ActivBoard, Overhead Projector

 

 

LAND USE: FOR THE PEOPLE, THE GOVERNMENT, OR THE ENVIRONMENT?

(Science SOL:  ES.7, ES.11, BIO.5, 8, 9   Government SOL:  12.6, 12.8, 12.10, 12.13, 12.14, 12.15, 12.16)

Students will discover what decisions need to be made when they try to place a school on a tract of land that has many aspects to be considered:  citizens, government regulations, environmental impacts.  These decisions will carry costs and benefits, valueS, and personal choices.  Principles to be discussed include:  a) scarcity forces choices; b) resource management decisions are made by people acting alone or in groups; c) changes in rules and laws alter incentives and decisions; d) people value things differently.

Vocabulary Introduced: 

Costs and Benefits  = positive and negative factors involved as a result of choices

Natural Resources = all the Earth’s materials that make other products

Incentives = rewards or punishment for behavior

Hammock  = stand or preserved, original trees

Hazardous Waste = waste that is harmful to the environment and people

Groundwater = water found beneath the soil’s surface

Water Conservation  = the careful use and protection of water resources in quantity and quality

Wetlands = landforms that are wet at least part of the year and have a particular type of soil and plants

Scrub Habitat  = area with small trees, bushes or plants that have low moisture

Superfund = underground storage site of hazardous waste on a list to be cleaned up and restored by the government

Watershed Address = area you live in that drains to the nearest creek, stream, or river

Equipment Needed: Overhead Projector

 

 

THE CHEMISTRY OF RECYCLING

(Science SOL: ES.1, ES.7, BIO.1, CH.1, CH.2, PH.1)

This two-part program starts with the cycles of recycling. Students are given examples of recycled products and try to determine the identity of each product. The second part of the program is a mini-lab where students try to identify the type of plastic by testing the reaction of each plastic in different solutions. Students will see a variety of new products that were recycled from other materials.

Vocabulary Introduced: Recycle, Decompose, Biodegrade, Compost, Ingot, Extruded, Alloyed, Density, Resins

Equipment Needed: Overhead Projector, 16 small glass beakers

 

 

 

STREAM SCHOOL (Offered in Fall and Spring- see Alternate Indoor Program below)

(Science SOL: 6.5, 6.7, LS.7,LS.10, LS.12, ES.7, ES.9, ES.11, BIO.3, BIO.9, CH.1)

Students will participate in a field trip experience at a local stream to identify macroinvertebrates and perform chemical tests.  This will enhance their understanding of the factors involved in determining water quality, and the connection between point source and non-point source pollution in their waterways.

Vocabulary Introduced: Riparian Corridor, Litter, Erosion, Point Source Pollution, Nonpoint Source Pollution

Equipment Needed: Old sneakers or water shoes/boots

 

 

 

NEW! Alternate Program: INDOOR STREAM SCHOOL: Biological Monitoring Simulation

(Science SOL: 6.5, 6.7, 6.9a,c, LS.7, LS.10, LS.12, LS.14a,c, PS.1k,m, ES.1c,d,e, ES.2, ES.7, ES.9, ES.11, BIO.1, BIO.3a, BIO.9, CH.1

Students will participate in a simulation of bioassessment of a stream using ordinary objects to represent macroinvertebrates.  The activity will enhance understanding of the factors involved in determining the relationship between water quality and types of macroinvertebrates found in samples.  The connection between point source and non-point source pollution and the health of waterways will be discussed.

Vocabulary Introduced: Macroinvertebrate, Bioassessment, Erosion, Point Source Pollution, Nonpoint Source Pollution, Turbidity 

Equipment Needed: None 

 

 

 

ALUMINUM (Plastic, Paper, or Glass) RECYCLING

(Science SOL: ES.7, ES.11, BIO.5, BIO.9, PH.4)

Studentswill follow a can to a recycling center and learn about recycling, how it works, why it's important, what they can do to help. Trash can be dangerous when it's not in its proper place: the garbage can or recycling can. Students will keep one piece of litter (aluminum can) in mind as they follow it from the street to a new container or usable item. This program can also substitute "Paper Recycling" , "Plastic Recycling" , or "Glass Recycling" for the title. Students will see a variety of new materials that were recycled from other materials.