Instructional Materials Download (PDF files)
Description of Instructional Materials
Solid and Hazardous Waste
Per capita waste generation in the United States has been increasing for more than 40 years. Increasingly, scientific and mathematical skills are required to determine the overall impacts on the environment of source reduction, reuse, recycling, and other solid and hazardous waste management alternatives. How can scientific and mathematical concepts be utilized to assess and improve local solid and hazardous waste management practices?
This set of materials covers the following topics:
- Household Hazardous Waste
- Composting
- Landfills and Leachate
- Generation and Collection of Solid Waste
- Recycling
- Location and Sizing of Landfills
Renewable Energy
Reliable sources of energy are important to the community and the local economy. Many people are unaware that renewable energy sources such as wind, hydro, solar and bioenergy can be economical when matched to an appropriate application. How can scientific and mathematical concepts be utilized to encourage the understanding and implementation of renewable energy resources? How much energy does the average household utilize and what are some potential opportunities to become more energy efficient?
This set of materials covers the following topics:
- Introduction to Energy Sources
- Home Energy Use
- Harness the Power of a Peanut
- Wind Energy
- Coal vs. Nuclear Power
- Resource Depletion
- Photovoltaic Cell Simulation
- Solar Cooking
PCBs/Contaminants
What are the quantities of PCBs currently deposited in the Fox River? What potential harm do these PCB deposits pose to the well-being of humans and ecosystems in northeastern Wisconsin? Can scientific models be developed to assess the impact of PCBs on human health? What alternatives exist for managing the PCB problem? What other types of environmental toxicants pose a threat to human and ecosystem welfare in northeastern Wisconsin?
This set of materials covers the following topics:
- Chemical Properties of PCBs
- Wisconsin Fish Lab
- Bioaccumulation and biomagnification of PCBs
- Calculations related to PCBs (e.g., ppm, ppb)
- Toxicity Exercises
- Environmental Commission Hearing
Trucking Industry
The logistics involved in the operation of the largest truckload carrier in North America presents a multitude of problems and challenges. Driver and load dispatching, tire wear, fuel consumption rates, and fuel prices represent a small number of these challenges. Scientific and mathematical skills are critical to assessing these challenges and identifying opportunities for continuous improvement. What are some of the principles and tools from science and mathematics that are involved in the logistics of a major trucking firm?
This set of materials includes the following:
- Over 50 exercises and approximately 10 projects (all with solutions)
relating to the trucking industry
- Varying levels of difficulty appropriate for middle and high school use
- Open-ended and Multiple-choice questions
- Mathematical skills used include Algebra, Probability, Statistics, and
Geometry
Molecular Biology
Recent advances in the field of molecular biology have impacted greatly on many facets of everyday life. Sensitive DNA cloning and sequencing techniques now allow us to solve crimes based on the DNA fingerprint of a single strand of hair left by the perpetrator at the scene of a crime, introduce new genes into vegetables to prolong their shelf-lives, and identify mutations in gene sequences that lead to specific diseases in humans. What are the scientific principles and techniques utilized by researchers to carry out these tasks? What businesses/institutions use recombinant DNA techniques on a daily basis in northeastern Wisconsin? What are some of the ethical and legal issues involved in the use of DNA cloning techniques?
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