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Lesson plan Acid rain is a major environmental challenge around the world. In this lesson, students will learn the definition of acid rain, research pH levels of rainwater for their state, collect data from their community, and investigate the causes of and solutions for acid rain. On This PageLesson plan information|
Instructional level | | • | Intermediate user | | • | Advanced user |
| School level | | • | Middle school (11-14 years) | | • | High school (14–18 years) |
| Curriculum areas | | • | Science | | • | Thinking and reasoning | | • | Working with others | | • | Work skills |
| Themes | | Class time | | Academic standards | | • | Math: Measurement | | • | Science: Physical science, earth and space science, science and technology | | • | Language arts: Reading for understanding, evaluating data, developing research skills |
| ISTE NETS Standards for students | | • | Technology productivity tools: Students use productivity tools to collaborate in constructing technology-enhanced models, prepare publications, and produce other creative works. | | • | Technology research tools: Students use technology to locate, evaluate, and collect information from a variety of sources. Students use technology tools to process data and report results. |
| Software required | | • | Microsoft Internet Explorer | | • | Microsoft Office Word | | • | Microsoft Office Excel |
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Teacher guideDescriptionStudents research a serious environmental problem—acid rain―which affects many communities. They use the Internet to research pH levels of rainwater for their state, collect data from their community, and investigate the causes of and solutions for acid rain. Then, they present data in a Microsoft Office Excel spreadsheet and draw conclusions. Objectives| • | Students learn the definition of acid rain. | | • | Students use the Internet to research pH levels of rainwater for their state and collect data from their community. | | • | Students investigate the causes of and solutions for acid rain. |
Prerequisite skills| • | Basic research skills using Internet Explorer | | • | Basic experience with Excel |
How to begin1. | Save the document Student Directions (28 KB Microsoft Word file)* to your classroom computers. Adjust the directions as needed for your lesson. When presenting your lesson to the students, have them use the student directions sheet to get started. You may want to create an assessment rubric to include with the student directions. | 2. | Ask students what they think happens to the pollution in our air. Does it just stay there? Acid rain occurs when the pollutants in our atmosphere mix with rainwater and become acid rain, sleet, and snow. We can tell how much acid is in the rainwater by testing the pH level of rainwater. The lower the pH level is, the more acid there is present in the water. |
Resources and Web links  Student Directions (28 KB Microsoft Word file)*
Get Office file viewers Student activityNote: You may want to have students work in teams to complete the research and work individually to answer the questions in step 5. DescriptionIn this activity, you will research levels of rainwater and acid rain in your state, record your findings, and evaluate them. | • | Software: Microsoft Internet Explorer, Microsoft Office Excel | | • | What to do |
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Open Internet Explorer and go to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency acid rain Web site. | 2. | Read the information on the Web page regarding acid rain. | 3. | Go to the National Atmospheric Deposition Web site to collect data for the pH levels of rainwater for your state. | 4. | On the map, click your state. Click each NTN (National Trends Network) site in your state, and record the longitude, latitude, and pH level. To get the pH level, click Trend Plots, click Field pH, and then click Create Plot. Record the information in an Excel spreadsheet. | 5. | Answer the following questions based on your research: | • | How does your state compare to "normal" rainwater pH of 5.5? | | • | What trends in the data do you see for your state? | | • | What do you think are the major contributors of acid rain in your state? | | • | What can you do to help prevent acid rain? |
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Ways to extend the student activity| • | Students can collect data from other parts of the country to compare rates of acid rain in different regions. | | • | Students can create posters or brochures explaining acid rain and what can be done to prevent it. | | • | Students can write letters to the major pollution producers in their state and express their concern about acid rain. |
AssessmentYou can assess students' progress in: 1. | Research | 2. | Data collection | 3. | Completion of the spreadsheet | 4. | Answers to the questions listed in step 5 of student activity |
Innovative teaching
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