Environmental Health

High School Biology / 9th and 10th Grade

Students act as environmental engineers to address the driving question, How can plants and other organisms help restore the environments in our community? In Module 1, students learn about the impact of contaminants on humans and wildlife and investigate issues of contaminant pollution in their own communities. In Module 2, students learn about the process of bioremediation, which is the ability for plants and animals to remove contaminants from the environment. Students learn how bioremediation happens at the cellular and organismal level and research options for using plants to remove contaminants from their local project site. In Modules 3 and 4, students investigate how bioremediation is related to photosynthesis, respiration, and nutrient and water cycling. For their final product, students design a bioremediation plan for their local project site and present it at a simulated town meeting.

Unit length: 6 Weeks (30 hours)