Grade Levels: K-12
Objective: Educate students about the causes and effects of acid rain on ecosystems, particularly wetlands.
Resources: Acid Rain Educational Resources from the EPA, demonstration materials.
Lesson Details:
- Introduction (10 minutes): Explain what acid rain is and how it is formed.
- Activity 1: Simulating Acid Rain (30 minutes): Students create “acid rain” in a controlled environment and observe its effects on plant life and simple aquatic ecosystems.
- Activity 2: pH Testing (20 minutes): Use pH test kits to measure the acidity of local rainwater samples, and compare to normal pH levels.
- Conclusion (15 minutes): Discuss the impacts of acid rain on environmental and human health, and explore actions to reduce emissions that cause acid rain.
Assessment: Students will be assessed on their understanding of the science behind acid rain and their ability to conduct pH tests accurately.
For more detailed plans and resources, check out the EPA’s Acid Rain Educational Resources (US EPA).