The Environment and the Community Ideal curriculum for high school courses dealing with science, technology, society and environmental issues. Through role play, group work, discussion and hands-on experiences, students critically analyze and address environmental problems that face communities today. Materials address environmental health risks and preventive actions, problem solving and consensus building skills, proper use and disposal of hazardous household products and solid waste issues. Students learn that a local company wants to implement a new industrial process that could adversely affect the environment and health of the community. Students explore the decision making process from various viewpoints including economic, business, community and government.
Students form research groups and discuss their findings through a simulated planning board hearing.
Solid Waste Issues in Business, Schools and the Community High school students develop critical thinking skills while exploring the impact of society and technology on the environment. The learning activities demonstrate how organizations must balance multiple factors with environmental health when making decisions regarding solid waste management. Students learn that scientific and technological advances occur in the context of varied and complicated agendas, including social, political, environmental and economic. This three-part program documents how a business, school and two communities make decisions that affect the environment. Through these real-life events, students explore the decision making process from many viewpoints.