GIS In Education: GIS Activities and Projects
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Hazardous Waste GIS Projects
Understanding Hazardous Waste: SUPERFUND?!

Based on activity developed in summer workshops for educators by Nicole White, Davis Drive Middle School.

• National Standards
• Outcomes
• Focus Question
• Materials
• Procedures
• Extension/Enrichment

NATIONAL SCIENCE EDUCATION STANDARDS

4F3  Human activities also can induce hazards through resource acquisition, urban growth, land-use decisions, and waste disposal.

OUTCOMES

Content

• Conduct research on a topic of societal importance to the community, which impacts the environment
• Demonstrate knowledge of this current societal/environmental problem

Process

• Demonstrate the ability to observe, classify, communicate, infer, interpret data, and use spreadsheets

Performance Skills

• Use appropriate skills with computers and software
• Use appropriate research technique

FOCUS QUESTION

What is a superfund site and is there one close to me?

MATERIALS

Computer 

• Spreadsheet software
• Internet access

Map of your state

Plain paper

Markers

PROCEDURES

1. Search for information about Superfund sites on the internet.
   Places to start:
   http://wastenot.ehnr.state.nc.us
   http://atsdr1.atsdr.cdc.gov:8080/cx.html
   http://www.epa.gov/superfund/oerr/contact/index.htm
   http://www.bus.orst.edu/FACULTY/NIELSON/industry/env-law/superf.htm
   
   
2. Answer the following questions. State the internet resource used to answer each question.
   - Define a superfund.
   - Describe the process the government uses to identify a superfund.
   - What is the process to clean up a superfund site once the government recognizes it?
   - How is the process enforced? -
   - Describe any other information you find interesting.
   
   
3. Find a list of superfund sites.  List all the ones in your state.
   
   
4. Using a spreadsheet, create a table of information about each site in your state.  You could include information such as acreage, company name, location, type of waste, how far along in the clean-up process, etc.
   
   
5. Mark all the superfund site locations on a state map.
   
   
6. Measure the distance of each site to your location and record this information in your spreadsheet.
   
   
7. Develop an plan to disseminate the information you have gathered and present it to the class.

EXTENSION/ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES

Create a map of your area using ArcView and include it in the brochure/flyer.