Environmental Engineering: Protecting Our Planet

Environmental Science Grades High School 10:14 Video
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Lesson Description

Explore the critical role of environmental engineers in addressing air and water quality, noise pollution, and waste management, using the Flint water crisis as a case study.

Video Resource

Preventing Flint - Environmental Engineering: Crash Course Engineering #29

CrashCourse

Duration: 10:14
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Water Quality (pH, dissolved oxygen, salinity)
  • Air Quality (pollutants, filtration methods)
  • Environmental Engineering principles for public health and sustainability

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to define environmental engineering and its three main goals.
  • Students will be able to explain the causes and consequences of the Flint water crisis.
  • Students will be able to describe methods for maintaining and improving water and air quality.
  • Students will be able to identify sources of noise pollution and waste management strategies.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by introducing the concept of environmental engineering and its importance in protecting human health and the environment. Briefly mention the video's overview.
  • Video Viewing (13 mins)
    Play the Crash Course Engineering video: "Preventing Flint - Environmental Engineering #29." Instruct students to take notes on key concepts and examples.
  • Discussion: The Flint Water Crisis (15 mins)
    Lead a class discussion about the Flint water crisis, focusing on the causes, consequences, and potential solutions. Emphasize the role of environmental engineers in preventing similar disasters.
  • Water Quality Parameters (15 mins)
    Discuss the importance of water quality parameters such as dissolved oxygen, pH, and salinity. Explain how these factors affect aquatic life and human health. Use examples from the video to illustrate the concepts.
  • Air Quality and Pollution Control (15 mins)
    Explain different types of air pollutants and methods for controlling air pollution, such as filters and absorption towers. Relate to the video's discussion on factories and exhaust fumes.
  • Noise Pollution and Waste Management (10 mins)
    Briefly discuss noise pollution and waste management, highlighting the importance of recycling and responsible disposal of hazardous materials. Reinforce the connection to environmental engineering principles.
  • Wrap-up and Q&A (7 mins)
    Summarize the key concepts covered in the lesson and answer any remaining student questions.

Interactive Exercises

  • Water Quality Testing Simulation
    Simulate a water quality testing scenario where students analyze water samples for pH, dissolved oxygen, and salinity. Students will record their data, and then determine if the water is safe for consumption, and how to remedy the water if it is not safe for consumption.
  • Air Pollution Filter Design
    Challenge students to design a simple air filter using everyday materials. They can test their filters' effectiveness using smoke or particulate matter and discuss improvements.

Discussion Questions

  • What were the primary causes of the Flint water crisis, and how could environmental engineers have prevented it?
  • How do different levels of dissolved oxygen, pH, and salinity affect aquatic ecosystems?
  • What are the main sources of air pollution in your community, and what steps can be taken to reduce them?
  • How can individuals and communities promote effective waste management and recycling practices?

Skills Developed

  • Critical thinking
  • Problem-solving
  • Data analysis
  • Collaboration

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

What is the primary goal of environmental engineering?

Correct Answer: Protecting people from the environment and the environment from people

Question 2:

What caused the water contamination in Flint, Michigan?

Correct Answer: Untreated river water corroding pipes

Question 3:

Which of the following is a critical water quality parameter for aquatic life?

Correct Answer: Dissolved oxygen

Question 4:

What is the ideal pH range for supporting most aquatic life?

Correct Answer: 6-8

Question 5:

What is the term for the amount of dissolved salt in water?

Correct Answer: Salinity

Question 6:

Which chemical is commonly used in coagulation to remove small particles from water?

Correct Answer: Aluminum sulfate

Question 7:

What is a major byproduct of combustion in factories that contributes to air pollution?

Correct Answer: Carbon monoxide

Question 8:

Which type of air filter uses charged metal layers to trap pollutants?

Correct Answer: Electrostatic air filter

Question 9:

Sound barriers along highways are primarily used to reduce:

Correct Answer: Noise pollution

Question 10:

What is a key benefit of recycling?

Correct Answer: Conserving natural resources

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

Environmental engineering combines natural sciences like chemistry and biology with __________ principles.

Correct Answer: engineering

Question 2:

In Flint, Michigan, _________ contaminated the water supply due to corroded pipes.

Correct Answer: lead

Question 3:

Fish and other aquatic creatures need to consume ________ from the water to survive.

Correct Answer: oxygen

Question 4:

The measure of how acidic or basic water is called the _________ level.

Correct Answer: pH

Question 5:

Adding salt to water can affect its _________ and reduce dissolved oxygen.

Correct Answer: salinity

Question 6:

The process of adding chemicals to clump small particles together for easier removal from water is called _________.

Correct Answer: coagulation

Question 7:

Factories produce chemicals like carbon monoxide and _________ as byproducts of combustion.

Correct Answer: sulfur dioxide

Question 8:

Absorption towers combine liquid falling from above with air rising from below to remove __________.

Correct Answer: particles

Question 9:

Sound barriers are built along highways to reduce _________ pollution.

Correct Answer: noise

Question 10:

Recycling helps to conserve natural _________ like timber and saves energy.

Correct Answer: resources

Educational Standards

EN.LS2.7:[Standard] Design, evaluate, and refine a solution for reducing the impacts of human activities on the environment and biodiversity.* EN.ESS3.4:[Standard] Evaluate design solutions for a major global or local environmental problem that reduces or stabilizes the impacts of human activities on natural systems.* EN.ESS3.1:[Standard] Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the availability of natural resources, occurrence of natural hazards, and changes in climate effect human activity.

Teaching Materials

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