Investigating Wastewater: Solutions and Pollution
This module focuses on concepts such as solubility, precipitation, acids, and bases. Students are introduced to a scenario involving wastewater disposal into a local lake. They make mixtures, investigate solutions, and neutralize acids and bases. They begin to identify the properties of water that make it such a useful solvent. Students then design and test a plan to treat acidic wastewater. They are assessed on their ability to design and conduct investigations.
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: Investigating Mixtures
Student Investigation: Making Mixtures
Activity 2: Investigating Solutions
Student Investigation: Does it Dissolve?
Activity 3: Reproducibility and Proper Use of Laboratory Equipment
Student Investigation: A Drop in the Bucket
Activity 4: Comparing Solubility
Student Investigation: Dissolving Duel
Activity 5: Parts Per Million
Student Investigation: Now You See It, Now You Don’t
Activity 6: Identifying Acid and Base Solutions
Student Investigation: Colorful Classification
Activity 7: Diluting Acids and Bases
Student Investigation: Water It Down!
Activity 8: Acid-Base Neutralization
Student Investigation: Neutralize This!
Activity 9: Removing Dissolved Substances from a Solution
Student Investigation: Sinking Solids
Activity 10: Treating the Acme Wastewater
Student Investigation: Cleaning the Acme Wastewater
Appendix A: Materials
Appendix B: Background
Appendix C: Assessment
Appendix D: Glossary