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Middle School Outreach Programs

Grades 6-8 (45 minutes) Look for NEW Programs!

GROUNDWATER FLOW

(Science SOL: 6.1, 6.5, 6.7, 6.9, LS.7, LS.10, LS.12, 8.1, 8.2; Math SOL: 6.2, 7.5, 8.1, 8.7)

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 belowground 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. Remediation (pollution removal) of contaminated groundwater will demonstrate the connection between surface and groundwater. The Rainmaker model will demonstrate the Water Cycle as part of the surface to groundwater cycle. Follow-up activities for teachers include Percent Porosity, Density, and Volume calculations.

Vocabulary Introduced: Aquiclude, Aquifer, Artesian Well, Bedrock, Confined (Artesian) Aquifer, Discharge Area, Flow-Through Lake, Groundwater, Infiltration, Nonpoint Source Pollution, Permeability, Point Source Pollution, Porosity, 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, Electrical Outlet.

ENVIRONMENTAL JEOPARDY

(Science SOL 6.2, 6.3, 6.6, 6.9, LS.7, LS.12, PS.6, World Geography SOL: WG.1, WG.2, WG.6)

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 Stormwater, Water, Energy, Solid Waste, or Ecological Footprint.

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

Equipment Needed: None

THE CHEMISTRY OF RECYCLING

(Science SOL: 6.1, 6.4, LS.1, LS 6, PS.1, PS.2, PS.4)

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 /or ActivBoard, 16 small glass beakers.

DRAINS TO RIVERS (Excellent precursor to "Reeling in Runoff" Program)

(Science SOL: 6.7, 6.9, LS.11, LS.12, ES.9, World Geography SOL: WG.1, WG.2, WG.6)

Students will discover what happens to common household waste, as it becomes “runoff”. Solutions for cleaner and less runoff will be explored, using an Enviroscape runoff model or watershed demo pans that represent individual parts of a community.

Vocabulary Introduced: Litter, Solid Waste, Natural Resources, Storm Drain, Runoff, Nonpoint Source Pollution

Equipment Needed: None

REELING IN RUNOFF

(Science SOL: 6.7, 6.9, LS.11, LS.12, ES.9, World Geography SOL: WG.1, WG.2, WG.6)

Students will discover practical solutions for preventing water pollution. Best Management Practices (BMPs) are systems, activities, and structures that can reduce and prevent nonpoint source pollution. Solutions for cleaner and less runoff will be explored, using a model that represents individual parts of a community.

Vocabulary Introduced: Litter, Solid Waste, Natural Resources, Storm Drain, Runoff, Nonpoint Source Pollution, BMPs

Equipment Needed: None

OCEANS OF TRASH
(Science SOL: 6.9, LS.4, LS.7, LS.10, LS.11, LS.12)

Students will view a 35 mm slide presentation or 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

STREAM SCHOOL (offered in the 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.ll, BIO.3, BIO.9, CH.l)

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

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

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

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

(Science SOL: 6.2, 6.5, LS.12, Civics & Economics SOL: CE.11, CE.12, World Geography SOL: WG.7, WG.9)

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, and environmental impacts. These decisions will carry costs and benefits, value, 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 decision, and 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 of 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: None

Aluminum (Plastic, Paper, or Glass) Recycling

(Science SOL: 6.2, 6.6, 6.9, LS.12, Civics & Economics SOL: CE.3, CE.4, World Geography SOL: WG.1, WG.2, WG.6)

Students will 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.

Vocabulary Introduced: Recycling, Reduce, Reuse, Natural Resources, Machines

Equipment Needed: VCR / DVD/ or ActivBoard

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