Environmental Science : Active Learning Laboratories and Applied Problem Sets

by Travis P. Wagner; Robert Sanford

• ISBN13: 9780471671916
• ISBN10: 0471671916
• Edition: Lab
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-11-01
• Publisher: Wiley
• More Book Details
• Purchase Benefits

Summary

? Utilizes innovative learning techniques, such as problem-based, active, and critical learning. Group and cohort paths to knowledge are encouraged. As part of this approach, the authors stress student-initiated inquiry and experimentation as well as emphasizing civic responsibility in environmental science. ? Develops a variety of topics that mirrors the a variety of subjects found in environmental science, including urban ecology, global impacts, air pollution, solid waste, energy consumption, soils identification, water quality assessment, and the scientific method. ? Encourages students to grasp the big picture by relating the lab activity to real life conditions and their individual contribution to environmental problems. We have individual measures and descriptions, but we also nurture application of this learning to the larger ecological picture. ? Develops a variety of techniques that include traditional laboratory activities, field exercises, Internet research, calculations/extrapolations, and critical analysis. Because the pursuit of real-world environmental science involves all these components, so do the lab activities found in Wagner. ? Emphasizes the improvement of written and other forms of communication. So much of science has become participatory, particularly in making decisions about its application ( i.e. environmental policy). ? Contains relevant problem sets that can be used as labs, lab supplements, or as homework assignments (for courses w/out a lab) for environmental science lectures.

Author Biography

Travis Wagner is a Visiting assistant professor in environmental science and policy in the Department of Environmental Science, University of Southern Maine. He received his ph.D. in environmental and natural resource policy from The George Washington University, his M.P.P. in environmental policy from the University of Maryland-College Park, and his B.S. in environmental science from Unity College.

Robert Sanford is an associate professor of environmental science and policy in the Department of Environmental Science, University of Southern Maine. He received his Ph.D. and M.S. in environmental science from the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry and a B.A. in Anthropology from the State University of New York College at Potsdam.

Table of Contents

Introduction	ix
PART ONE General Information
Laboratory Health & Safety Procedures	3	(1)
Writing Laboratory Reports	4	(7)
PART TWO Labs
Environmental Awareness	11	(8)
Science and the Media	19	(4)
Field Trip: Greening of Business	23	(2)
Environmental Site Inspection	25	(8)
Life Cycle Assessment	33	(4)
Urban Ecosystems	37	(4)
Experimental Design: Law of Tolerance	41	(6)
Experimental Design: Environmental Contamination	47	(6)
Trophic Ecology of Humans: The Best Guess Breakfast Interview	53	(4)
Human Survivorship Changes	57	(4)
Dowsing for Water	61	(2)
Aquatic Species Diversity	63	(4)
Environmental Forensics	67	(6)
Field Trip: Sewage Treatment Plant	73	(4)
Field Trip: Wetlands Mitigation	77	(4)
Field Trip: Water Treatment Plant	81	(4)
Air Quality and Automobiles	85	(6)
Indoor Air Quality	91	(6)
Soil Characterization	97	(8)
Environmental Assessment and Project Planning: Desktop Research	105	(8)
Pollution Prevention: Solid Waste	113	(6)
Field Trip: Solid Waste Management	119	(4)
Toxicity Testing and the LC50	123	(8)
Environmental Risk Ranking	131	(4)
Public Awareness and Silent Spring	135	(2)
Energy Conservation	137	(68)
PART THREE Applied Problem Sets
The Scientific Method Part 1: Observations and Hypotheses	147	(4)
The Scientific Method Part 2: Results and Discussion	151	(6)
Quantification of Environmental Problems	157	(4)
Ecosystem Diagram	161	(2)
Biogeochemical Concept Diagram	163	(2)
Global Warming, CO2, and You	165	(6)
Recognizing Human Impacts	171	(4)
Ecological Footprints and Sustainability	175	(6)
Oil Consumption and Future Availability	181	(4)
Water Quality, Chemicals, and Consumer Choice	185	(4)
Local Environmental Risk	189	(2)
Society and Waste	191	(4)
Introduction to Environmental Modeling	195	(4)
Ecological Identity	199	(2)
Review and Reflection	201	(4)
PART FOUR Appendices
Glossary	205	(5)
The Metric System	210	(1)
Conversion Factors	211	(2)
Numerical Prefixes	213	(1)
About the Authors	214