LESSON 3 Activity 4

House of Pollution

Grades:

4th - 7th

Objective:

Students learn about household products that may be pollutants. Students learn how to minimize environmental impact through proper disposal.

Method:

Students read about common household waste disposal methods and trace the paths they take on a drawing. Students then suggest better ways to dispose of these wastes.

Materials:

Copies of (1 per student): Question Sheet, House Diagram (print out in "landscape" format), and the Water Consumption Table.

Time:

Preparation Time: Copying, 10 minutes
Class Time: 35 minutes

Procedure:

Note: Daily Water Consumption Amounts is not part of the activity. It is included as relevant information for students.

  1. Have students read the information about storm drains, septic systems, and sewers on the worksheet.

  2. Students trace the path of each pollutant shown on the house drawing. The motor oil and fertilizer flow into the storm drain and then the stream, or they can enter the groundwater. The toilet waste, drain cleaner, and paint (if disposed of improperly) are piped into the septic tank. From the septic drainage pipes, the pollutants enter the groundwater and from there flow to the stream or well.

  3. Students now think of ways to avoid these types of pollution and write them down. Students may exchange ideas with a partner once they have finished.

  4. Explain some ways communities can deal with these pollution threats. For example, household chemicals like paint can be taken to collecting sites where they are properly disposed of or shared with other people. A plumber's "snake" may be used as a non-polluting alternative to drain opener. Lawn chemicals are often unnecessary, may cause cancer in pets or humans, and should be used sparingly to reduce the amount that enters the stream. Over-watering lawns or plants or applying fertilizer before a storm causes chemicals to reach the stream more quickly. Motor oil or fuel leaks should be fixed, and used oil can be recycled at auto repair shops. Some communities stencil their storm drains to let residents know they drain to local streams.
Assessment:

  1. How would you dispose of used motor oil or an old can of paint?

  2. Would you fertilize your lawn?

  3. What would you do with a leaky gas can?

  4. There are other pollution sources on the diagram that are not mentioned on the worksheet. Find one that is not labeled and color it in. Trace the route it might take to reach the water.

NYS Learning Standards:

Math, Science, and Technology
Standard 4 - Science: The Living Environment 7
Standard 5 - Technology: Technological Systems; Impacts of Technology
Standard 6 - Interconnectedness: Patterns of Change

Social Studies
Standard 5 - Civics, Citizenship, and Government 3


Source: Activity devloped by Nathan Chronister.