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This manual contains background information, lesson ideas, procedures, data collection and reporting forms, suggestions for interpreting results, and extension activities to complement a water quality field testing program. Information on testing water temperature, water pH, dissolved oxygen content, biochemical oxygen demand, nitrates, total dissolved solids and salinity, turbidity, and total coliform bacteria is also included. (WRM)

This activity guide, developed to provide hands-on environmental education activities geared to Singletary Lake State Park in North Carolina, is targeted for grades 6, 7, and 8 and meets curriculum objectives of the standard course of study established by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Three types of activities are included: pre-visit, on-site, and post-visit. The on-site activity is conducted at the park, while pre- and post-visit activities are designed for the classroom. In these activities students will have the opportunity to learn water quality testing methods, visit a bay lake and perform actual tests, and discover and test water sources at school. Major concepts included are: water quality, data collection, pH, water testing, animal adaptations, and geomorphology of a Carolina bay lake. Includes a vocabulary list, scheduling worksheet, parental permission form, North Carolina Parks and Recreation program evaluation, and information about Singletary Lake State Park. (MKR)

This activity guide, developed to provide hands-on environmental education activities geared to Jones Lake State Park in North Carolina, is targeted for grades 6, 7, and 8 and meets curriculum objectives in the standard course of study established by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Three types of activities are included: pre-visit, on-site, and post-visit. The on-site activity is conducted at the park, while pre- and post-visit activities are designed for the classroom. Major concepts included are: water quality, data collection, pH, animal adaptations, and geomorphology of a Carolina bay lake. Includes an introduction to the water cycle, a vocabulary list, scheduling worksheet, parental permission form, North Carolina Parks and Recreation program evaluation, sources of information on water resources, and information about Jones Lake State Park and Carolina bays. (MKR)

This learning packet, one in a series of eight, was developed by the Eno River State Park in North Carolina for Grades 5-6 to teach about various aspects of water life on the Eno River. Loose-leaf pages are presented in nine sections that contain: (1) introductions to the North Carolina State Park System, the Eno River State Park, and to the park's activity packet; (2) a summary of the activities that includes major concepts and objectives covered; (3) pre-visit activities on map trivia and dichotomous classification keys; (4) on-site activities on river flow, pH values, water bugs and river sediment; (5) post-visit activities on water pollution; (6) a list of 69 related vocabulary words; (7) park and parental permission forms for the visit; and (8) blank pages for taking notes. Contains 24 references and includes a separate educator's guide. (MDH)

This lesson plan is intended for use in conducting classes on the effect of pH on plant growth. Presented first are an attention step/problem statement and a series of questions and answers designed to convey general information about soil pH and its effect on plants. The following topics are among those discussed: acidity and alkalinity; the meaning of the numbers on the pH scale, the major components of soils, factors affecting soil pH, the effect of geographic area on pH, the effect of pH on plant growth, sources of plant nutrients, the relationship between soil pH and nutrient availability, the relationship between pH level and bacteria in soil, and methods of increasing and decreasing soil pH. Also provided are the following: a glossary of pertinent scientific terms, 4 worksheets, answers to the worksheets, 2 quizzes, answers to the quizzes, 12 overhead transparency masters, and a lesson plan for teaching students to test the pH of soils. Included in the lesson plan are an objective, list of equipment needed, detailed steps for completing the activity, and student activity record sheet. (MN)

The purpose of this guide is to help students better understand the science, citizen action, and research issues that are part of the acid rain problem. The guide is designed for students in grades 4-8 and their teachers. Following an introduction, the first seven sections are informative in nature. They include: (1) "Observations about Acidity"; (2) "Defining Acid Rain"; (3) "Effects of Acid Rain on Forests"; (4) "Effects of Acid Rain on Water"; (5) "Effects of Acid Rain on Human-Made Materials"; (6) "Effects of Acid Rain on People"; and (7) "What Can Be Done." The last two sections "Experiments" and "Activities," provide the students with hands-on experience of the instructional content. The nine experiments emphasize measuring and testing pH content in various substances and observing the impact of acid rain on plants and metals. The 11 activities which may be carried out by the class as a whole or by small groups, or by individuals, include field trips, role-playing exercises, individual research projects, and planning and discussing ideas for scientific projects. A bibliography of 13 readings and 11 audio-visuals is provided; a glossary of terms concludes the guide. (PR)

A series of science experiments and activities designed for secondary school students taking biology, chemistry, physics, physical science or marine science courses are outlined. Each of the three major sections--chemistry, biology, and physics--addresses concepts that are generally covered in those courses but incorporates aspects of marine science. Within each section, major concepts such as density, pH, photosynthesis, respiration and sound are supported by student activities. Each activity contains background reading materials, a materials list, procedures for completing the activity, and extension ideas. At the end of each concept division, references, resources, and education competencies are listed. The chemistry section includes activities on chemical reactions in the marine environment; density dynamics and estuaries; pH, equilibrium and ocean buffering; and behavior of gases in the marine environment. The biology section includes activities on new discoveries; biochemistry; animal adaptations; geologic history and the oceans; seashells and scientific names; behavior of ocean creatures; and man and the ocean. The physics section includes activities on the motion of the ocean, sound, and light in the sea. (KR)

Presents a science experiment in which students test the buffering capacity of household products such as shampoo, hand lotion, fizzies candy, and cola. Lists the standards addressed in this experiment and gives an example of a student lab write-up. (YDS)

Introduces units on water quality developed by a team consisting of teachers of first grade, high school biology, middle school science, high school mathematics, and a librarian. Focuses on Content Standards D and F of the National Science Education Standards(NSES). Lists the standards emphasized in the school science program. (YDS)

Presents four activities that involve chemical reactions with vinegar, lemon juice, or orange juice. These activities can be used to teach about acid-base reactions and acids as chemical catalysts. (WRM)

Describes an open-ended activity in which students try to determine the factors that contribute to an unusual chemical reaction. Uses a case study approach to show students how the presence of chlorine in tap water can interfere with a pH indicator. Includes assessment guidelines and extension activities. (WRM)

The purpose of this teacher's resource guide is to help science teachers incorporate the topic of acidic precipitation into their curricula. A survey of recent junior high school science textbooks found a maximum of one paragraph devoted to the subject; in addition, none of these books had any related laboratory activities. It was on the basis of this near void that this manual was developed. The guide includes introductory material designed to give an overview of causes and effects of acidic precipitation, its relation to energy production, and some possible ways of reducing or eliminating it. In addition, six laboratory activities (independent of one another) are included. These investigations are appropriate for students utilizing concrete operational patterns. Some are modifications of activities published by the Acid Precipitation Awareness Project. The guide also references several additional resources for teachers and students who wish to pursue the topic further. In addition, instructions are provided for preparing acid rain (using solutions prepared from nitric or sulfuric acids) should this be necessary to complete the investigations. (JN)

This document is an instructional module package prepared in objective form for use by an instructor familiar with pH, measurement of pH with a pH meter and maintenance of pH meter electrodes. Included are objectives, instructor guides, student handouts and transparency masters. This module considers the definition of pH, types of electrodes and their components, electrode maintenance, and procedures for using a pH meter to determine the pH of a water or wastewater sample. (Author/RH)

States that the ecological role of Sphagnum species in peatlands is enormous. Presents a cation exchange experiment and background information on the characteristics and economic importance of Sphagnum. Contains 42 references. (DDR)

This autoinstructional program deals with the study of the pH of given substances by using litmus and hydrion papers. It is a learning activity directed toward low achievers involved in the study of biology at the secondary school level. The time suggested for the unit is 25-30 minutes (plus additional time for further pH testing). The equipment needed is itemized. With the student script there is included a pH worksheet that can be used for recording the observations made and answering suggested questions relevant to observations made. (EB)

Describes a titrator system, constructed from a computer-interfaced pH-meter, that was designed to increase student involvement in the process. Combines automatic data collection with real-time graphical display and interactive controls to focus attention on the process rather than on bits of data. Improves understanding of concepts and familiarity with modern technology and instrumentation. Contains 25 references. (JRH)

Presents a laboratory exercise that uses a simple imaging technique to illustrate the profound effects that living roots exert on the pH of the surrounding soil environment. Achieves visually stimulating results that can be used to reinforce lectures on rhizosphere pH, nutrient availability, plant tolerance of soil acidity, microbial activity, and plant susceptibility to diseases. (Author/JRH)

Describes an experiment to investigate chemical changes, pH, dissolved oxygen content, light intensity, and temperature in water containing aquatic plants. (MKR)

Provides real life assignments that can be used to help students apply chemistry laboratory techniques to solve environmental hazardous waste problems. Numerous diagrams are provided to aid in describing the experiments performed. (ZWH)

The goal of this mini-curriculum is for students to examine, discover, and compare the physical and chemical properties of soil. Seven units are designed to be presented as a lecture and to allow 30 to 40 students to perform every procedure, each testing their own soil sample. Games are provided in each section to reinforce the concepts presented in each unit. Unit 1 introduces students to the concepts of soil and topsoil, soil nutrients, and soil testing. Unit 2 involves students in classifying soil samples, recording data, and building a filtration apparatus. Unit 3 introduces the pH scale and testing for the pH of a soil solution. Units 4, 5 and 6 examine nutrient cycling, and extraction of a soil nutrient solution for nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus testing. Unit 7 activities include analyzing, summarizing, discussing and reporting test results. Instructional materials include teacher tips, materials needed, vocabulary terms with definitions, general preparation instructions, handout duplicating masters, lesson plans with activity procedures, soil test bags, and individually packaged tablets for chemical testing. Four appendices contain information on interpreting soil test results, eight additional resources, chemistry information, and a refill and replacement parts list. (LZ)

Describes inexpensive and safe activities centered around the chemistry of effervescent products such as Alka-Seltzer. Activities demonstrate the following: water-induced reactions, the influence of humidity, temperature and rate of reaction, particle size and rate of reaction, concentration and rate of reaction, the neutralizing power of alkalizing tablets, alkalizing tables as buffers, and buffering effect on deionized water. (PR)

Describes activities to help students understand pH scales and acid rain. (PR)

Presents the general theory to explain chemical movement in soil. Describes classroom demonstrations with visually stimulating results that show the effects of soil structure, soil texture, soil pH, and soluble organic matter on that movement. (MDH)

Describes an activity measuring the amount of dissolved carbon dioxide in carbonated water at different temperatures. The amount of carbon dioxide is measured by the amount of dilute ammonia solution needed to produce a pH indicator color change. (PR)

Discusses mathematical shortcuts that can be used to estimate the pH of most aqueous solutions. (WRM)

Describes an activity that demonstrates the effect of specific variables on the acidity of coffee. (ZWH)

Describes science experiments with the enzyme lactose, which is available commercially as Lactaid and Dairy Ease. Experiments show how the rate of reaction of lactose converted to glucose and galactose is influenced by temperature, pH, and substrate concentration. (PR)

Describes the use of the computer in the laboratory for data acquisition and analysis--specifically a method to measure the respiration rate in aquatic organisms. Demonstrates the use of computer-interfaced pH measurement in the introductory biology laboratory. (PR)

This activity takes students through the process of fermentation. Requires an entire month for the full reaction to take place. The reaction, catalyzed by bacterial enzymes, produces lactic acid from glucose. (SAH)