Waste Disposal: Computers and the Environment
This module focuses on toxic waste produced during the manufacture and disposal of technology such as computers. Students etch simulated circuit boards. They then conduct several activities to investigate dilution, precipitation, and metal replacement as options for handling the resulting toxic waste. They consider a variety of options for handling obsolete computers and learn about integrated waste management. Students then select a computer company from which to purchase school computers. Students are assessed on their ability to use evidence and identify trade-offs when making a decision.
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: Producing Toxic Waste
Student Investigation: Creating a Computer
Activity 2: Dilution of Copper Chloride
Student Investigation: Diluting the Problem
Activity 3: Reclaiming Waste through Metal Replacement
Student Investigation: Reclaiming the Most Metal
Activity 4: Another Approach to Reclaiming Metal
Student Investigation: Precipitation Reclamation
Activity 5: Investigating Sanitary Landfills
Student Investigation: Landfills and Toxic Trash
Activity 6: Incinerating Toxic Waste
Student Investigation: Up in Smoke?
Activity 7: Recycling, Reuse, and Source Reduction
Student Investigation: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Activity 8: Purchasing Computers
Student Investigation: To Buy or Not to Buy
Appendix A: Materials
Appendix B: Background
Appendix C: Assessment
Appendix D: Glossary