Science Teaching: Science & Society

climate change

a change in the average atmospheric conditions, such as temperature and rainfall, over a long period of time

greenhouse gas

gas that blocks heat from escaping the atmosphere (CO2)

Greenhouse Efect

greenhouse gasses block heat from escaping the atmosphere, causing the surface and ocean temperatures to rise

Common greenhouse gases

CO2, CH4, N2O (nitrous oxide)

affects of global climate change (x6)

• increased average global temperature

• shrinking glaciers

• rising sea levels

• melting polar ice caps

• more frequent severe weather events like tornadoes, flooding and hurricanes

• increased drought and disruption of rainfall patterns

where are tropical forests?

between 23.5*N (Tropic of Cancer) and 23.5*S (Tropic of Capricorn)

deforestation

when trees are removed from an area to convert the land for other purposes

deforestation and CO2

tropical forests remove a significant amount of CO2 from the atmosphere via photosynthesis
as forests ae cut down and burned for fuel, CO2 is released in the atmosphere

effects of tropical deforestation (x7)

• less removal of atm CO2 by trees

• excess CO2 is emitted into atm by burning wood

• decreased biodiversity by habitat destruction

• accelerated soil erosion

• displacement of indigenous people

• increases in regional temperatures from loss of atm moisture

• disruption of global rainfall patterns from changes in atm moisture

desertification

permanent reduction in the productivity of land (no longer can support the same level of plant growth it historically had)

effects of desertificaiton (x5)

• reduced yield from farming and agriculture

• food shortages and hunger

• decrease in drinking water reserves due to the loss of aquifers

• loss of biodiversity and species extinction

• destruction of habitats

acid rain

when sulfur dioxide or nitrogen oxides are emitted into the atmosphere and react with water, oxygen and other chemicals to form sulfuric acid or nitric acid, then fall to the ground as rain, snow or other types of precipitation

what is causing acid rain

burning fossil fuels, refining crude oil, industrial manufacturing

how is acid rain harming aquatic environments

harmful to many plants and animal
- kills aquatic plants
- prohibits fish eggs from hatching

how is acid rain affecting terrestial environments

harming leaves, stems, trunks
removing mineral from the soil that are needed for plant growth and reproduction

effects of acid rain (x5)

• loss of biodiversity

• decreased air quality due to damaged plants and trees

• decreased crop yields due to acidic soil

• poor water quality due to acid rain and runoff of acidic soil

• eye and respiratory issues when acidic fog is inhaled

effects of waste disposal (x4)

• destruction of habitat to create landfills

• pollution of water, soil and air

• global climate change

• production of acid rain by gaseous wastes

How much of Earth’s water is freshwater?

4%

effects of decreased water quality (x6)

• destruction of aquatic habitats

• depletion of local surface and groundwater reserves

• reduced mountain snowmelt to feed surface and groundwater reservoirs

• potential loss of biodiversity

• illness from from consuption of polluted

• decreased crop yields

ozone

O3- a layer of the Earth’s atmosphere that protects Earth from UV-B

primary cause of ozone depletion

chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), aerosols, aircraft fire suppression systems

effects of ozone depletion (x4)

• decreased rate of photosynthesis for plants and phytoplankton

• inhibited growth of many plants and trees

• decreased food supply from UV-B damaged crops

• eye and skin damage to animals and humans

Which of the following is a distinction between desertification and other forms of land degradation?
a) Desertification results when land is located in naturally dry climates.
b) Desertification results when vegetation does not recover.
c) Desertification results when land is affected only by human activities.
d) Desertification results when damage occurs over a short period of time.

b) Desertification results when vegetation does not recover.

renewable resource

can be replaced as quickly as they can be used

green energy

water, wind, solar energy- renewable resource

nonrenewable resources

are gone once used or replenish too slowly to recharge

Why is the reliance on fossil fuels not sustainable long-term?

Fossil fuels are used faster than they can be replaced

carbon footprint

measurable impact that humans have on the environment due to actions such as driving cars and using electricity- releasing greenhouse gases

pollution reduction

taking steps to decrease the amount of pollution

Pollution Prevention Act 1990

encourages individuals, businesses and industries to reduce waste at the source by using fewer hazardous materials, reusing products and recycling

energy conservation

saving energy to help the enviornment and lower household costs

sustainable living

practice of reducing the demand for natural resource by making sure to replace what is used to the best of one’s ability

• join a community garden

• changing lightbulbs to more efficient ones

• become efficient with errands

  • spend mroe time reading and board games vs electronics

A city encourages carpooling, biking, and public transportation. What is the primary environmental benefit of these actions?

lower air pollution and greenhouse gases

fossil fuels

nonrenewable energy that is inexpensive but produces high carbon emissions, pollution and acid rain

nuclear fuels

nonrenewable, low carbon emissions, clean energy but have nuclear pollutionhy

hydropower

renewable energy that is sustainable, no pollution, no fuel but expensive to start

wind power

renewable energy that is sustainable, little environmental impact, no fuel but somewhat expensive and limited to areas with high winds

solar power

renewable energy, sustainable, long lasting, relatively affordable but dependent on availble lights

biomass energy

renewable energy, sustainable, lower carbon emissions but expensive

geothermal

renewable energy, sustainable, no fuel but expensive to star, can release greenhouse gases

engineering design process

1. define the problem

2. identify the constraints

3. research the problem and possible solutions

4. brainstorm

5. develop possible solutions and select the best

6. determine the specificaitons

7. build models

   1. test, evaluate, optimize and redesign

Which of the following best describes a resource that, once used, cannot be replaced or reused?
a) renewable
b) nonrenewable
c) recyclable
d) nonliving

b) nonrenewable

Which of the following energy sources is not renewable?
a) solar
b) geothermal
c) nuclear
d) wind

c) nuclear

Mr. Klement's seventh-grade class is studying renewable and nonrenewable resources. He would like to encourage the students to apply their knowledge of resources to a real-world scenario and make an ethical judgment. Which of the following activities would best allow him to do this?
a) Ask students to write a letter to their local city council encouraging increased use of renewable energy.
b) Lead students in a debate about whether individuals should be required by law to use renewable energy sources.
c) Show a video about ecosystems destroyed by the irresponsible use of resources.
d) Have students research the several types of renewable and nonrenewable energy and prepare pro and con lists for each.

b) Lead students in a debate about whether individuals should be required by law to use renewable energy sources.

City planners are deciding which actions would most effectively lower carbon emissions. Which of the following options best supports long-term environmental sustainability?
a) expanding recycling programs while maintaining current levels of energy consumption
b) increasing tree planting without addressing transportation or household energy use
c) promoting energy-efficient appliances without reducing overall consumption or waste
d) encouraging residents to reduce energy use and reuse existing products whenever possible

d) encouraging residents to reduce energy use and reuse existing products whenever possible

All of the following are effective ways to reduce pollution on days when ozone levels are high except:
a) avoid excessive idling of your car.
b) conserve electricity.
c) commute with others or use public transportation.
d) refuel your car in the afternoon.

d) refuel your car in the afternoon.

Terrance lives near a river and is concerned about the pollution caused by burning fossil fuels. Which alternative energy in his area would be the best solution for his concern?
a) geothermal energy
b) hydroelectric energy
c) wind energy
d) solar energy

b) hydroelectric energy

Recently, scientists at NASA developed a new space telescope that was to be shipped across the country before it was launched into space. The scientists contracted with an engineering company to design specialized packaging to be used when transporting the telescope. Which of the following factors is one of the main constraints in their design solution?
a) the potential to fine-tune the telescope's optics when it arrives
b) the ability of the packaging to protect the telescope from vibration
c) the ease of assembling the packaging materials at various locations
d) the knowledge that they can hire skilled labor to manufacture the packing materials to specifications

b) the ability of the packaging to protect the telescope from vibration

Engineers are visiting the location for a new school playground. Which of the following steps should they do first?
a) review laws related to this project
b) research the age of the students
c) brainstorm multiple design options
d) build sample equipment

a) review laws related to this project

A team is designing new car seatbelts for passengers. Which of the following is an example of a design constraint?
a) The team prefers to complete initial sketches quickly.
b) The prototype must be tested.
c) The team prefers the final design to be black.
d) The final product must not reduce passenger safety.

d) The final product must not reduce passenger safety.

Which of the following power sources does not emit any carbon dioxide into the atmosphere?
a) coal-powered energy
b) nuclear energy
c) biomass energy
d) petroleum-powered energy

b) nuclear energy