Support for long-term classroom planning and professional development. Information covering important topics for today's educators and parents. These materials have been developed to supplement and enrich an existing science course of study. This teacher guide and accompanying student guide contain activities that examine the problem of PCBs in fish. Students learn effects of PCBs on humans, how PCBs get into water, and how PCBs pass through the Great Lakes food chain.
Students examine variables affecting PCB concentration in fish found in Lake Erie.
They construct bar graphs relating PCB concentration in fish to fish size and consider the relationships between concentration and type of species, and between concentration and the site at which the fish were obtained. In Activity B, students participate in a role playing simulation. They represent various experts from government and interest groups and attempt to determine a policy regulating the use of contaminated fish from Lake Ontario. A set of role descriptions and supplementary background material is included. The teacher guide includes the student text with information for teachers enclosed in boxes, and the student guide includes worksheets for the activities.