Loading StandardsIn this lesson students will explore the concept of watersheds and how the reclamation of abandoned coal mines in Pennsylvania improves water quality. The suggested time frame for this lesson plan is three to four 50-minute class periods.
Students will know that
Students will be able to
Three to four 50-minute class periods
Underground Stream Water Treatment Systems QuickTime Video
Safe Drinking Water Act Poster PDF Document
History of Drinking Water Treatment PDF Document
Rasing the pH Word Document
1. Begin the lesson by showing two glasses of water (one from a polluted stream or swamp and one from the tap water at the school). Ask the students which glass of water is contaminated, why they think it is contaminated, and what may have caused the contamination. Have a discussion about where their water comes from (city water, a well, etc.) and what is done to make it drinkable.
2. Next talk about watersheds and how they affect water supply. Divide the students into groups of 4 or 5. Provide each group with the Watershed Discussion handout in
Rasing the pH Word Document
and the US Geological Survey’s (USGS) "Monitoring Our Rivers and Streams" Have the students Locate Your Watershed.3. Give the students 25 minutes for discussion on the questions below. Each group should identify a recorder to take notes and have the group prepared to share what they talked about.
Questions:
What is the watershed like that surrounds your school/community?
What factors affect your water quality? (economic development, mining, pollution, etc.)
What can be done to reduce our impact on watersheds?
4. Conclude the discussion by having students share their conclusions with the class by writing major ideas on a poster size paper for each group to hang in the classroom and wrap up by asking what can be done about pollution of water in their watershed.
5. Begin the lesson by reviewing the previous discussion on water pollution in the watershed and how water is treated to make it safe to drink.
6. Introduce the
Underground Stream Water Treatment Systems QuickTime Video
on acid mine drainage at Fran’s coal mine by talking about the mining industry in Pennsylvania. Talk about the number of abandoned mines in the state and one that might be near your community.Underground Stream Water Treatment Systems QuickTime Video
either as a group or have students view it on individual computers. As the students are watching the video ask them to record some thoughts or questions they have to begin a dialogue relating to how economic development has impacted our current water supply. (After viewing the video you may also schedule a field trip to an abandoned mine site if one is nearby.)7. Have students visit the EPA web site to look for information on contaminants in drinking water: EPA Site for Contaminants in Drinking Water or History of Drinking Water Treatment
8. Have students develop a poster presentation on abandoned mine reclamation of one of the mine sites in Pennsylvania using the information from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection site
9. While at the site have the students informally share the data they have collected and discuss whether the stream/river/creek is polluted and why.
10. Student groups present the results of their data collection on how abandoned mines are being reclaimed.
Standards