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Recommended for: Grades 9-12

Lesson Plan: Acid Rock WebQuest

Lesson
Standards

Overview

In this lesson students will learn about the impact of development on the quality of rivers and streams in Pennsylvania. Students will participate in an online inquiry of a real world problem affecting a local community in Pennsylvania. The suggested time frame for this lesson is three to four 50-minute class periods.

Content Objectives

Students will know that

water quality is affected by economic development
there are costs and benefits in cleaning up contaminants
there are local and state environmental regulations that impact environmental health
multiple perspectives impact decision making on environmental issues

Process Objectives

Students will be able to

identify the effects of humans and human events on watersheds
escribe the effects on human health of air, water, and soil pollution and the possible economic costs to society
explain the costs and benefits of cleaning up contaminants
explain how human practices affect the quality of the water and soil
analyze and evaluate changes in the environment that are the result of human activities
make judgments about alternative solutions to environmental problems

Assessment Strategies

Individual student position papers
Student participation in class discussions
Peer assessment on the Acid Rock I-99 inquiry project
Evaluation of I-99 debate presentations

Grade Level: 9-12

Suggested Time

Three to Four 50-minute class periods

Multimedia Resources

Watershed Associations QuickTime Video
I-99 Interview with Senator Jake Corman QuickTime Audio
I-99 Interview with Mike Joseph QuickTime Audio

Materials

I-99 Handout Problems and Solutions PDF Document
Acid Rock Mine Drainage Handout PDF Document
Computers for individuals or groups of students to view videos and complete the WebQuest activity
I-99 Acid Rock WebQuests
Pennsylvania Highways I-99 History
I-99 Project Documents
Geological Report on Skytop Road Cuts, Penn State Department of Geosciences
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
I-99 Project Documents

Procedures

Part I: Part 1: Introduction to Acid Mine Drainage (1, 50 Minute Class Period)

1. Begin the lesson with an image of acid mine drainage in a stream (see image here). Ask students if they know what the orange color represents. Continue with a discussion on mining and it’s historical significance for the Pennsylvania region and the impact of acid mine drainage..

2. Show the Watershed Associations QuickTime Video video to the class or have them watch it in small groups on individual computers. Provide each student with the

Acid Rock Mine Drainage Handout PDF Document

. Have students think about the following and make notes on the handout as they watch the video:

a. What is acid mine drainage?
b. What is its impact on the quality of the Susquehanna River?
c. What is being done to solve the problem?
d. How long will it take to clean up the river?
e. What costs are associated with acid mine drainage?
f. What is your responsibility in keeping waterways from becoming polluted?

3. After the video have students in small groups discuss the questions for 10-15 minutes and then have a class discussion to share their findings.

Part II: Part 2: Acid Rock: I-99 Highway WebQuest (1, 50 Minute Class Period)

4. Give an overview of WebQuests and have students go to the Acid Rock: I-99 Highway WebQuest. For information on WebQuests visit: http://webquest.org/

5. Divide students into groups of 4-5 to collaborate on the WebQuest inquiry. Provide each student with the

I-99 Handout Problems and Solutions PDF Document

6. Homework: At the completion of the WebQuest have each student group take on a perspective of one of the stakeholders (government officials, Department of Environmental Protection, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, newspaper reporter, local community members) and prepare a position paper reflecting their position. Have the students use the criteria in the WebQuest in completing the position paper.

Part III: Part 3: Presentation (1, 50 Minute Class Period)

7. Use one class period for students to meet as a group and discuss their position on the acid rock issue and synthesize their position papers. Using the position papers, have the students develop a 5-7 minute presentation using PowerPoint or other medium outlining the problem and a viable solution.

Part IV: Part 4: Debate (1, 50 Minute Class Period)

8. Arrange for a town meeting debate of the acid rock issue. Each group will make a 5-7 minute presentation using PowerPoint or other medium outlining the problem and a possible solution.

9. Have students evaluate the presentations and vote on the most feasible solution to the problem.

10. Have students do peer evaluations on individual’s effort in the preparation and debate.