Learning Activity 2 WHAT POLLUTES STORM WATER … · Learning Activity 2 WHAT POLLUTES STORM WATER...
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Learning Activity 2 WHAT POLLUTES STORM WATER AND WHAT CAN I DO TO PREVENT IT? INTRODUCTION: MATERIALS: Rain and irrigation water washes oil, dirt, and chemicals from our lawns, parking lots, and streets into storm drains. Because of these storm water- borne pollutants, runoff is a major source of river and stream pollution. The things we do each day can pollute runoff or help keep it clean. Because storm water runoff reaches canals, creeks, ponding basins, the San Joaquin River, and groundwater, it is important to help keep storm water clean. Stopping pollution at its source will require all of us to make changes. Three examples are: • Citizens must learn about the proper use and disposal of products used in home maintenance, automotive care and gardening. • Business and industries must learn how to properly store materials, control spills, and eliminate waste water discharges to the storm drain system. • Construction businesses must control soil erosion and sediments and prevent construction wastes from polluting runoff. The best place for each of us to begin to prevent storm water pollution is in our own home and in our own backyard. As your students complete this learning activity they will identify many ways to prevent storm water pollution. Objectives - Students will be able to: ¾ Identify at least four things we do that can pollute storm water. ¾ Describe at least four ways to help prevent storm water pollution. KEYWORDS: storm water runoff pollution prevention pollutants ¾ Writing supplies. ¾ Copies of student learning sheets 2-1, 2-2, 2-3, and 2-4. ¾ Clean Storm Water poster. ¾ Overhead transparencies (optional: include one of each handout). PART 1: GROUP D1SCUSSION (Time: 30 minutes) 1. Display the side of the poster, "What pollutes storm water?" 2. Divide the class into groups. Have each group select a leader. Pass out copies of the student learning sheets 2-1 and 2-2. Depending on the needs of the class, learning sheet 2-3 may be used to introduce pollution prevention early in the exercise, or to reinforce ideas in conclusion. 3. Use the poster to find answers to the question: "What pollutes storm water?" Have students circle polluting activities on learning sheet 2-1 as you go. 4. Ask the students to work in their groups on learning sheet 2-2 to: a. Make a list of polluting activities as dis- cussed by the class. b. Make a list of possible pollutants resulting from each activity. (Use Table TG-1 on page TG-5 of the Teacher's Guide for ideas and background information.) c. Describe at least one way to prevent pollu- tion for each activity listed. Have group leaders report to the class. Write student responses on the blackboard under the categories: Substances that Pollute, Activities that Pollute, and Ways to Prevent Pollution. LA 2-1
Transcript of Learning Activity 2 WHAT POLLUTES STORM WATER … · Learning Activity 2 WHAT POLLUTES STORM WATER...
Learning Activity 2 WHAT POLLUTES STORM WATER AND WHAT CAN I DO TO PREVENT IT?
INTRODUCTION: MATERIALS:
Rain and irrigation water washes oil, dirt, and chemicals from our lawns, parking lots, and streets into storm drains. Because of these storm water-borne pollutants, runoff is a major source of river and stream pollution.
The things we do each day can pollute runoff or help keep it clean. Because storm water runoff reaches canals, creeks, ponding basins, the San Joaquin River, and groundwater, it is important to help keep storm water clean.
Stopping pollution at its source will require all of us to make changes. Three examples are:
• Citizens must learn about the proper use and disposal of products used in home maintenance, automotive care and gardening.
• Business and industries must learn how to properly store materials, control spills, and eliminate waste water discharges to the storm drain system.
• Construction businesses must control soil erosion and sediments and prevent construction wastes from polluting runoff.
The best place for each of us to begin to prevent storm water pollution is in our own home and in our own backyard. As your students complete this learning activity they will identify many ways to prevent storm water pollution.
Objectives - Students will be able to:
Identify at least four things we do that can pollute storm water.
Describe at least four ways to help prevent storm water pollution.
KEYWORDS:
storm water runoff pollution prevention pollutants
Writing supplies.
Copies of student learning sheets 2-1, 2-2, 2-3, and 2-4.
Clean Storm Water poster.
Overhead transparencies (optional: include one of each handout).
PART 1: GROUP D1SCUSSION
( T i m e : 3 0 m i n u t e s )
1. Display the side of the poster, "What pollutes storm water?"
2. Divide the class into groups. Have each group select a leader. Pass out copies of the student learning sheets 2-1 and 2-2.
Depending on the needs of the class, learning sheet 2-3 may be used to introduce pollution prevention early in the exercise, or to reinforce ideas in conclusion.
3. Use the poster to find answers to the question: "What pollutes storm water?" Have students circle polluting activities on learning sheet 2-1 as you go.
4. Ask the students to work in their groups on learning sheet 2-2 to:
a. Make a list of polluting activities as dis-cussed by the class.
b. Make a list of possible pollutants resulting from each activity. (Use Table TG-1 on page TG-5 of the Teacher's Guide for ideas and background information.)
c. Describe at least one way to prevent pollu-tion for each activity listed.
Have group leaders report to the class. Write student responses on the blackboard under the categories: Substances that Pollute, Activities that Pollute, and Ways to Prevent Pollution.
LA 2-1
CLEAN STORM WATER LEARNING FRESNO METROPOLITAN FLOOD CONTROL
PART 2:
SUPPLEMENTAL ACTIVITIES:
(Time: 10 minutes, plus homework)
1. Pass out student learning sheet 2-4.
2. Briefly review areas to survey at home for activities or materials that might contribute to storm water pollution. Have students take notes. Use transparency 2-1 to ask:
In each area, what practices (things that we do) might cause storm water pollution?
What products do we use that could reach storm water?
What pollutants may be in these products?
Where should we look to find out if a product can cause pollution?
What could we do differently to keep storm water clean?
Perform a "School Pollution Prevention Survey" to identify practices, substances, and products that might contribute to storm water pollution at the school.
Produce a videotape presentation about substances, products and practices that contribute to storm
t ll ti Create a collage of labels and pictures that illustrate practices, substances, and products that can pollute storm water.
Volunteer to stencil storm drains in cooperation with the Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District. Storm drain stenciling is an important part of the area-wide effort to keep storm water clean.
A stencil painted on a storm drain spreads the message:
No Dumping Protect Your Water
It lets people know that only rain should enter the storm drain. Interested individuals, boy and girl scouts, sport teams, school clubs and church groups are all encouraged to participate in this worthwhile project. Volunteers must be at least 9 years old. For more information on how to participate, contact:
Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District 5469 E. Olive Ave., Fresno, CA 93727 (559) 456-3292
3. Be sure to let students know that this is only an exercise for them to learn more about common sources of pollution in everyone's home. They should share what they are learning with their parents and be sure they have their parents' permission to look into areas where materials are stored, handle containers for the purposes of reviewing labels, and record the information they have found for sharing with the class. Students should be told that if they are not permitted to record information from their homes they may use their understanding of the lesson and their imaginations to complete a survey of the "John and Jane Doe" household.
LA 2-2
Student Learning Sheet 2-1 WHAT POLLUTES STORM WATER?
LA 2-3
CLEAN STORM WATER LEARNING ACTIVITIES FRESNO METROPOLITAN FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT
Name: Teacher:
Student Learning Sheet 2-2
WHAT POLLUTES STORM WATER AND WHAT CAN I DO TO PREVENT IT?
DIRECTI0NS:
Make a list of activities that could pollute storm water. For each, make a list of the different substances or pollutants resulting from each activity. Then identify ways that you could prevent storm water pollution. Try to think of pollution prevention practices for each activity on your list.
Activities that Pollute Substances that Pollute Was to Prevent Pollution
1.
2
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
LA 2-4
CLEAN STORM WATER LEARNING FRESNO METROPOLITAN FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT
Student Learning Sheet 2-3HELP PREVENT STORM WATER POLLUTION!
Never Spill, hose, wash, or dump wastes or materials into the streets or Storm drains!
AUTOMOTIVE CARE HOUSEHOLD MAINTENANCE
Inspect and maintain your car regularly to prevent leaks of oil, antifreeze and other fluids.
Take used motor oil, antifreeze, and other fluids to an automotive center or gas station with a recycling program, or participate in a curbside motor oil pickup program.
Try to avoid pur-chasing oil-based paint! Unused oil -baoed paint, paint thinner, varnishes, and solvents are
hazardous wastes and must be taken to a household hazardous waste collection event. Save and reuse paint thinner and brush cleaners whenever possible.
Water-based paint (e.g. latex) brushes should be rinsed out in the sink.
Use kitty litter to clean up leaks and spills. Never hose down spills into the gutter.
Reduce automobile use by carpooling, riding the bus, riding your bike, or walking. Remember, when it rains, air pollution turns into storm water pollution.
Empty and dry oil-and water- based paint cans can be disposed of in the garbage.
Purchase household and garden products that are "least toxic" to the environment. Try to purchase only the amount of product you need and properly store leftovers for later use.
LA 2-5
CLEAN STORM WATER LEARNING FRESNO METROPOLITAN FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT
Student Learning Sheet 2-3 (continued)
HOUSEHOLD MAINTENANCE(continued)
Apply all household and garden products sparingly and in accordance with the instructions on the label. Do not apply lawn or garden products when rainis forecasted.
Rinse lawn and garden chemical containers three times. Each time, pour the rinse water into the applicator and use it in your last application of the product.
If you cannot use up your pesticides, fer-tilizers, weed killers, paints, etc., give them to a friend who may need them, or donate the product to a worthy group, or take it to a local household hazardous waste collection event.
Sweep sidewalks and patios rather than hosing them down into the gutter. Put leaves and clippings in a garbage can or a compost pile.
Shovel up animal wastes, seal in bags, and throw away in a garbage can. Animal wastes may also be flushed down the toilet.
MORE THINGS YOU CAN DO TO PREVENT POLLUTION
Remember to reduce, reuse, and recycle all materials whenever possible. Throw all litter and trash into covered trash containers.
Volunteer to stencil a storm drain and become an active participant in the solution to storm drain pollution.
LA 2-6
✦ In each area, what practices (things that we do) might cause storm water pollution?
✦ What products do we use that could reach storm water?
✦ What pollutants may be in these products?
✦ Where should we look to find out if a product can cause pollution?
✦ What could we do differently to keep storm water clean?
Transparency 2-1
LA 2-7
CLEAN STORM WATER LEARNING FRESNO METROPOLITAN FLOOD CONTROL
Name: Teacher
Student Learning Sheet 2-4
POLLUTION PREVENTION SURVEY
The things we do each day can pollute runoff or help keep it clean. Because storm water runoff reaches canals, creeks, ponding basins, the San Joaquin River and groundwater, it is important to help keep storm water clean.
Stopping pollution at its source will require all of us to make changes. Three examples are:
• Citizens must learn about the proper use and disposal of products used in home maintenance, automotive care and gardening.
• Business and industries must learn how to properly store materials, control spills, and eliminate waste water discharges to the storm drain system.
• Construction businesses must control soil erosion and sediments and prevent construction wastes from polluting runoff.
The best place for each of us to begin to prevent storm water pollution is in our own home and in our own backyard. As you complete the "Pollution Prevention Survey," think of as many ways as you can that could keep storm water runoff clean.
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. List all of the activities and substances that you can find at home that might contribute to storm water pollution.
2. Suggest ways to keep storm water clean.
3. Bring your survey back to class. Turn it in to your teacher.
4. As an extra challenge, and with your parent's permission, read a label on a household cleaning or paint product and record the information on the bottom portion of the survey.
SOME SUBSTANCES THAT CAN POLLUTE:
• detergents • chlorine, ammonia • paint
• oil and grease • animal wastes • paint thinner
• dirt, soil, and sediments • garbage, litter • acids and caustics
• yard waste, leaves • poisons, pesticides • car exhaust
• antifreeze and auto fluids • fertilizer • bacteria, viruses
LA 2-8
CLEAN STORM WATER LEARNING ACTIVITIES FRESNO METROPOLITAN FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT
Name:
Teacher:
Student Learning Sheet 2-4 (continued) POLLUTION PREVENTION SURVEY
ACTIVITIES SUBSTANCES WAYS TO
AREA THAT CAN POLLUTE THAT CAN POLLUTE PREVENT
STORM WATER STORM WATER POLLUTION
Alley/Driveway Parking Lot
Garden/Lawn
Streets
Garage/ Carport
Household Storage
Extra Challenge: With your parent's permission, read the label of a household cleaning product or paint,
and answer the following on a separate piece of paper: 1. Is the material dangerous or poisonous if mishandled?
2. What are the instructions for storing the material?
3. What are the instructions for disposing of leftover material?
LA 2-9
CLEAN STORM WATER LEARNING ACTIVITIES FRESNO METROPOLITAN FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT
Name: Teacher:
Student Assessment for Activity 2 WHAT POLLUTES STORM WATER AND WHAT CAN I DO TO PREVENT IT?
DIRECTIONS: Answer the following questions.
1. Explain four ways storm water can become polluted.
a.
b.
c.
d.
2. What are four ways a person can prevent storm water pollution?
a.
b.
c.
d.
LA 2-10
CLEAN STORM WATER LEARNING ACTIVITIES FRESNO METROPOLITAN FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT
Teacher Resource Student Assessment for Activity 2
WHAT POLLUTES STORM WATER AND WHAT CAN I DO TO PREVENT IT?
DIRECTIONS: Answer the following questions.
1. Explain four ways storm water can become polluted.
The poster illustrates all of the following: construction site runoff, animal wastes, littering, leaking vehicles, leaking drums, pesticide runoff, sweeping garbage or lawn waste into gutters, car exhaust, car and pavement washing, improper waste
d t i l t
2. What are four ways a person can help prevent storm water pollution? Student learning sheet 2-3 provides many examples of pollution prevention practices.
LA 2-11
