The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is pleased to release its latest edition of the Acid Rain Teacher’s Guide. With feedback and contributions from teachers across the nation, EPA has updated and enhanced this educational resource for the 2008 school year. Designed for middle school teachers, Learning About Acid Rain: A Teacher’s Guide for Grades 6 through 8 provides a basic overview of acid rain, its effects on ecosystems, and ecosystem recovery. The guide includes nine laboratory-based science experiments to enhance the students’ understanding of acid rain and the problems it causes, as well as create a greater interest in its resolution and in applied environmental science in general.
The guide includes:
· Key definitions of acidity, acid rain and air pollution
· Illustrations depicting how both natural and man-made pollutants contribute to the formation of acid rain
· Effects of acid rain on diverse ecosystems
· Effects of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide pollution on humans
· Effects of acid rain on man-made materials
· EPA programs and monitoring systems that address acid rain
· What individuals can do to help prevent acid rain and address other environmental problems
· Nine science experiments investigating various aspects of acidity and acid rain
· Cross-disciplinary activities that explore other aspects of the acid rain issue
· Crossword puzzle and word search of key terms
Committed to keeping the nation informed about environmental issues, the EPA hopes that this guide will be an informative and interesting tool which teachers can use to educate students on the harmful effects of acid rain as well as provide information on current EPA programs created to address this important environmental problem. To obtain a copy of the Learning About Acid Rain: A Teacher’s Guide for Grades 6 through 8 visit Here or request a printed copy by calling the Acid Rain Hotline (202.343.9620).