Home sweet “toxic” home

In today’s society there is a growing trend towards a moreenvironmentally friendly way of making and using consumerproduct through chemistry. Many companies have recognized that “greening” their products is good for business and home.

Environmentally Friendly Product Checklist:

Properties of Environmentally Friendly Products / Designed to be less hazardous to human health and the environment than regular products
Can be reused or recycled, or made of reused or recycled materials
Made from substances that are less hazardous to humans and the environment
Manufactured using a process that consumes less energy and material

The Issue

Chemical products are useful, but have negative effects on our health and the environment. There are many environmentally friendly alternatives to chemical products that can reduce the exposure of toxins. Our homes and communities are filled with hidden chemical toxins. Your assignment is to analyze the home and community and find the hidden toxins that are found in common products and in our environment. Once you do the research, you will create an informational poster/video to warn people about the toxin you think is most dangerous.

Part1:Investigate the problem:

  1. Go to:
  2. Investigate the following locations either City, Town or Farm
  3. Choose ONE location that interests you the most, this will be the area you decide to research
  4. Take a look at some of the toxins that can be found in these areas

Part2: Choose the toxins you would like to research

  1. Once you have chosen your location you will notice that there are various locations and chemicals in you location.
  2. Click on one of the chemicals and learn about where it is located and the problems associated. (located on the lower menu)
  3. Complete the research organizer (provided below) for this toxin.
  4. Repeat these steps for two additional (different) toxins.
  5. You can further research toxins using the information below

You may also use the library resources: Some resources are provided below. You must include a works cited and embedded citations.

Where to go for our resources

LIBRARY RESOURCES: (insert your school library resources here)

ADDITIONAL WEBSITES

use the search tool to search for articles

Part 3: Choose the worst toxin

-Identify the MOST dangerous toxin based on your research

-Provide a 1 paragraph reasoning about why you chose this toxin to be most dangerous

Part 4: Create a warning about your most dangerous toxin

This is the time to let your creativity shine!! Your poster may be digital or print. You may also choose to do a video or commercial outlining the dangers.

(you can use thinglink, google draw, wix, glogster or any other software that is approved by your teacher)

The poster/commercial should include:

-At least 1-2 photo representation of the toxin

-1-2 chemical and physical properties

-A short description of the dangers for the toxin (health and environment)

-How to reduce your exposure

The purpose of the poster/ commericial is to educate someone who is unaware of the dangers in their household. In order to make it practical please be sure to make it visually appealing and to the point. There should not be paragraphs and long phrases on a poster.

Research Organizer

In the following research sheets, write detailed point form notes that you have collected through your research. Don’t forget that you must cite your sources.

TOXIN #1 : ______

Physical and chemical properties / Sources and/or products where it is found
Health impacts / Environmental impacts
How to reduce exposure to toxin / Are there any alternative products that are safer?

Other notes:

TOXIN #2: ______

Physical and chemical properties / Sources and/or products where it is found
Health impacts / Environmental impacts
How to reduce exposure or impact of toxin / Alternatives and their effectiveness

Other notes:

TOXIN #3: ______

Physical and chemical properties / Sources and/or products where it is found
Health impacts / Environmental impacts
How to reduce exposure or impact of toxin / Alternatives and their effectiveness

Other notes:

Part 3:

Which toxin is most dangerous? Evaluate the three toxins you have research and pick the one you think poses the greatest risk to us. Explain why you have made this choice based on your research.

Marking Scheme

RESEARCH PROCESS / FINAL POSTER / TOTAL MARK
Inquiry
Use of critical/creative thinking processes, skills, and strategies , analyzing and interpreting the issue
-physical vs. chemical properties of the toxin…. / 3 marks
-sources of toxin … /3marks
Research organizers are provided ….. /3 marks
More than 1 source is used ….. /2 marks
Rational for most Dangerous Toxin /5 marks / Resources/ research have been used to create the poster …. /2 marks
Content is accurate, Insight is present, comprehensive and is well supported , main points are identified from research… /3 marks / /21
Communication
Use of conventions, vocabulary, and terminology relevant to science ….. /2 marks
Spelling and grammar ………………… /2 marks
Works cited provided and embedded citations are used …. /2 marks / The poster includes all required elements …/ 2marks
Page layout is attractive, neat and well organized… /3 marks
Several of the graphics used on the poster reflect
a exceptional degree of student creativity in their
creation and/or display and software is used effectively …. /4marks / /15
Application
Making connections between science, technology, society, and the environment
-health and environmental impact analysis …… /6 marks
-How to reduce exposure ….. /3 marks
-Alternatives… /3 marks / Poster focus on the correct information and conveys the correct warnings to reader… /4 marks / /16