Groundwater Contamination: Trouble in Fruitvale
This module focuses on earth science concepts such as the water cycle, groundwater pollution, map making, and map interpretation. These concepts are used in an investigation of groundwater contamination in the fictional city of Fruitvale. Students design and carry out a plan for testing water from different parts of the city to determine the contamination’s source, severity, extent, and rate of travel. These data are used to analyze the risk to Fruitvale’s water supply. Students then read about several clean-up options and participate in a role play of a town meeting to decide which clean-up option to use. Students are assessed on their ability to analyze data.
Each module includes a Teacher’s Guide containing reproducible student pages and a kit containing the equipment required to conduct the activities with five classes of 32 students. The Teacher’s Guide provides specific strategies to facilitate and assess student learning.
Overview
Shown below is the table of contents for the teacher’s guide, which contains reproducible student pages.
Introduction
Module at a Glance
Guide to the Module
Activity 1: The Fruitvale Story, Part One
Student Investigation: The Mystery of Fruitvale’s Water
Activity 2: Understanding Groundwater
Student Investigation: The Original Super Soaker
Activity 3: Exploring the Water Cycle
Student Investigation: Traveling with a Drop of Water
Activity 4: Interpreting Maps
Student Investigation: Maps and More Maps
Activity 5: Modeling Groundwater Contamination
Student Investigation: Points and Plumes
Activity 6: Understanding Concentration
Student Investigation: Disappearing Dye
Activity 7: The Fruitvale Story, Part Two
Student Investigation: Pesky Pesticide
Activity 8: Testing for Pesticide Concentrations
Student Investigation: Testing the Waters
Activity 9: Drawing Isomaps
Student Investigation: Mapping Plumes
Activity 10: Making an Isoconcentration Map
Student Investigation: Mapping It Out
Activity 11: Damage Assessment
Student Investigation: How Bad Can It Be?
Activity 12: Decision Making
Student Investigation: Choosing a Cleanup Plan
Appendix A: Materials
Appendix B: Background
Appendix C: Assessment
Appendix D: Glossary