WASTEWATER TREATMENT – FRONTLINE ENVIRNMENTALISTS
Lesson 8: Waterworks WebQuest
OUTCOMES: Students will gain Internet research skills and factual knowledge of the history of wastewater treatment by participation in a structured web search.
CONDITIONS: Students will use classroom computers or the schools computer lab to complete the assignment. The lesson will require two 50-minute class periods.
TEACHER STUDENT
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v Teacher will demonstrate the use of browser software and direct the students to the assigned page. |
v Students will follow directions on assigned page to answer questions and complete assignment. |
MATERIALS: Access to the Computer Lab or to classroom computers with WebQuest web page posted on school intra-net
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT: Students will be assessed on language arts elements using the Access Academic Rubric and on the Life-skills elements using the Access Life-skills Rubric
MODIFICATIONS/ACCOMODATIONS: Special needs students will be accommodated by
v the use of text reading and word prediction software.
v being allowed to take longer to do any of the component exercises.
v allowing students with limited writing skills to be paired with a more able peer to complete exercise.
v allowing students who receive a one or a two any major component of the project to edit and rewrite a second time.
v helping individual students directly to organize ideas and sentences.
STANDARDS:
1. SCANS Standards
1. Use word processing; communications.
2. Use a graphics program; multimedia.
3. Use a spreadsheet; data base
1. Set up appropriate machines and equipment.
2. Produce a product using technology.
3. Maintain and troubleshoot technology.
Created by Max Driggs and Mike Eliot, De Anza High School,
Richmond, CA.
For thousands of years,
civilizations have used water to carry wastes away from homes and workplaces.
In the past, the guiding principle was that the "solution to pollution
is dilution". No matter how dirty something is, if you throw enough
water at it, it will disappear. Modern science has shown us that simple
forms of waste treatment like dilution only solve a small part of the problem.
You will investigate the
differences between modern wastewater treatment methods, the effects of those
methods on the environment, and predict the future evolution of wastewater treatment
as our government debates the seriousness of current water pollution.
You will produce an inventory of water polluting practices and substances that
can be distributed to homes in your neighborhood.
Water Online - Education Links
EPA Hazardous Waste Information
1. Within your small group of 2-4, identify the four major processes in wastewater treatment.
2. Using the links in the resource section above, find the following information for each of the 4 processes:
A. What activity takes place?
B. What is removed during the process?
C. What happens to what's removed?
D. Identify at least 2 approaches to each process.
3. Describe additional wastewater treatments that may be used in the future to better remove pollutants
4. Describe elements in the waste stream that would disrupt any of these processes
5. Describe practices and pollutants that can be stopped from entering the waste stream.
5. Using the information gathered, create a "pollutants and polluting practices" hand-out that can be distributed to homes in your neighborhood. This should be persuasive writing intended to convince people to help protect the environment.
You will receive one grade on this webquest assignment from the following rubric.
1. 10 points for complete identification of all major processes used in wastewater treatment.
2. 20 points for all processes
correctly described, including activity, what's removed, what
happens to what's removed, and at least 2 alternative methods being used to
carry out each
process.
3. 10 points for describing
any additional treatment
4. 10 points for describing at least 3 things that would disrupt the treatment processes.
5. 10 points for describing
at least 3 practices and/or pollutants that can be stopped from entering a
waste stream.
6. 40 points for the persuasive
hand-out containing all pollutants and practices disussed, including
proper disposal or alternative non-polluting practices.
Total = 100 points possible.
With the completion of this webquest, we hope you have gained insight into the problems faced by modern wastewater treatment and some solutions that can easily be implemented by you, your family, and your neighbors.
Last updated September 2000
Based on a template from the Webquest Page