A Rising Tide Project for Grades 11 and 12

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Classroom Activities
   pH
   Ions

Resources and Links

Glossary

Main l Classroom Activity l Objectives l Standards Addressed l Background l Methods/Teacher Guide l Rubric l Resources

This activity was developed by Rebecca Ward, a high school science teacher at Socastee High School in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Heather Young, an undergraduate marine science major at Coastal Carolina University.  It is based on their research with Dr. Jane Guentzel, a marine science professor at Coastal Carolina University.  The activity was reviewed by Dr. Guentzel and revised after being tested in the classroom.   

Focus Question
Is there a difference in the major water-soluble ions between the rain that is collected in a marsh and rain that is collected in a forest? 

Activity Synopsis 

Students will:

1. graph and analyze data from actual rain samples that were collected and processed by Dr. Guentzel. 
2. construct plotted point graphs. 
3. interpret data and write  conclusions supported by scientific data. 
    

Time Frame
Two 90 minute class sessions

Key Terms
Acid Rain                                                      Leaching
Best-fit line                                                    Monthly
Chloride                                                        Nitrate
Dependent variable                                 Nitrite
Event                                                             Pollution                              
Extrapolate                                                  Polyatomic ion
Fluoride                                                          Precipitation
Foliar interactions                                       Seawater
Graph scale                                                 Sulfate
Horizontal axis                                              Throughfall
Independent variable                              Vertical axis
Ion