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This book uses a detective approach to teach about environmental issues. Student sleuths investigate many potential causes of fish dying including chlorine pollution, acid rain, erosion and sediment pollution, predator-prey relationships, phosphate pollution and algal blooms, and oil pollution. The text provides students the opportunity to grapple with complex, interdisciplinary scientific problems. They hear statements of various suspects in a crime, then study and discuss reference materials including records, newspaper articles, charts, graphs, and even secret documents to integrate all of this information with their own test results. Placing science learning in a real world context, the book conveys solid scientific content and research-related inquiry skills. Students become aware of the interconnectedness of the natural world and the complexity of many environmental problems. They discover that science and society are inextricably linked and that most solutions require compromise. Step-by-step instructions, assessment suggestions, literature connections, and background information for the teacher are also included. (SAH)

This curriculum unit revolves around the intriguing nature of dry ice and the incessant curiosity it provokes in all those who have the opportunity to interact with it. The activities featured in this book guide students toward being able to conduct their own independent scientific inquiry while presenting strong scientific content. Activities included in these materials are organized into the following categories: (1) Scientist's Mindset; (2) Systematic Observation; (3) Experimenting; and (4) Conducting Dry Ice Investigations. Information on obtaining and using dry ice and on locating related educational resources is included. (WRM)