GIS In Education: GIS Activities and Projects
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Based on activity developed in summer workshops for educators by Luann Bridle, Hanes Middle School.

• National Standards
• Outcomes
• Focus Question
• Materials
• Procedures
• Assessment
• Extension/Enrichment
• References/Resources

NATIONAL SCIENCE EDUCATION STANDARDS

4F4  Important personal and social decisions are made based on perceptions of benefits and risks.

5F5  Natural and human-induced hazards present the need for humans to assess potential danger and risk.

OUTCOMES

Content

• Students will understand hazardous waste
• Students will be able to classify local hazardous waste and local sites
• Students will identify effects on human health

Process

• Students will do on-line research

FOCUS QUESTION

What is hazardous waste?

Has there been a hazardous waste release in my area?

MATERIALS

Computer 

• Internet access

Map of your state

Booklets related to hazardous waste

PROCEDURES

• Complete the Chemical Scorecard Research Sheet to record your knowledge of hazardous waste.  Use booklets and http://www.wastenot.enr.state.nc.us for your research.
• Log onto http://www.epa.gov/surf/
• Choose locate your watershed.
• Under QuickNAV on the left, in the box, type in your zip code.
• Choose 03040101.
• Record the name of your watershed on the Research Sheet.
• Observe the Environmental Profile.  Under Environmental Information, click on Toxic Releases.
• Choose one hazardous waste site or facility in your zip code.  Answer questions about that site on the Research Sheet.
• Click on the name of the chemical.  Observe the Envirofacts Warehouse Chemical Reference for the chemical.
• On the Chemical Scorecard Data Sheet, record the name of the chemical synonyms.
• Click on Chemical Summaries.  Use this information to answer questions on the Chemical Scorecard Data Sheet.
• Record effects on human health on the Human Health Sheet.
• Complete the Risk/Benefit Chart and questions on the Risk/Benefit Sheet.

ASSESSMENT

Orally present risk/benefit analysis.

EXTENSION/ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES

• Are there safe alternatives that  could be used for your chemical?  Research on the internet.
• Locate the GPS marked “manhole” covers, and fire hydrants for the location of your chosen hazardous waste release.
• Pretend you are the fire department chief near the air release of the hazardous waste.  Prepare an evacuation plan of the affected area.  What areas would be evacuated first?  What factors will affect how large an area to evacuate?  Make a map of the area you will evacuate.
• Invite the GIS department of your city to speak about how GIS is used by the city in planning and public safety.

REFERENCES AND RESOURCES

“Map Your Way to Discovery with GIS” poster from ESRI K-12 Education Program

Explore Your World with GIS.ESRI.

CHEMICAL SCORECARD

Name _________________ Period _________

RESEARCH SHEET

1. Complete the following statements and questions using booklets, the Internet, and other resources.
2. Define hazardous waste.
3. Describe 4 types of hazardous waste.
4. What is the name of your watershed?
5. Name the hazardous waste site chosen.
6. What is the EPA Facility Identification Number for this site?
7. Address of the facility.
8. Name the hazardous waste released into the air.
9. How much of the chemical was released?
10. Was it a fugitive or stack release?

CHEMICAL SCORECARD DATA SHEET

1. Name of hazardous chemical chosen.
2. Record any chemical synonyms.
3. Record the following
4. Date of the report
5. Molecular formula of the chemical
6. The Chemical structure (draw it)
7. Physical state
8. Molecular weight
9. Melting point
10. Freezing point
11. Solubility

HUMAN HEALTH SHEET

1. Name the hazardous waste chosen.
2. How is this chemical absorbed into the body?
3. List the human body systems that are affected by the chemical.
4. How is the chemical eliminated from the body?
5. Describe the effects on breathing caused by the chemical.

RISK/BENEFIT CHART

1. Name of hazardous chemical chosen.
2. In the chart below, record your opinion and 3 other opinions regarding your chemical.
3. Rate the chemical 1-5 as to its usefulness and its health hazard.
   * 1=low benefit(usefulness)/high risk(health hazard)
   * 5=high benefit/low risk
4. Find the sum for each person and record it in the table.
5. Describe what a “higher” total value (10) would mean about a chemical’s risk/benefit.
6. Describe what a “lower” total value (2) would mean about a chemical’s risk/benefit.
7. Analyze the table.
8. Would you try alternative chemical products?
9. If we were to discuss this chemical and the risk/benefit to society, what would the discussion need to included?