Human communities affect the quality of the natural and built environments. Students survey and map the area around their school to determine how land is used. They identify human-built environments and explore the ways they provide for some community needs. Groups conduct the research required for an environmental impact report of a hypothetical construction project for an area on or near their school grounds. The class simulates a city planning meeting as students role-play citizens for and against the construction project.
Students develop a list of questions concerning solid waste's disposal in their community.
They find out where their community's trash goes. They test whether several substances are acids or bases to determine which ones are safe to place in a landfill. Students simulate how a landfill can pollute groundwater, and they listen to a speaker or visit a solid waste disposal site and recycling center. Students observe a demonstration on garbage incineration. They become aware of the hazards to wildlife that litter can cause.