Air-ful! – Acid Rain Module
Module Leader(s):
Kelley Fischbach
Short Description:
(Include brochure
information on pages
following this chart.)
Students will be introduced to the topic of acid rain, through a brief
presentation, worksheets, demonstrations, and an experiment. Students
will learn the causes and effects of acid rain, as well as ways in which to
reduce these effects. Over the three meetings with these students, they
will be experimenting with plants to learn the effects of acid rain on plant
life. During the last meeting, the class will examine the plants and their
roots, and the students will present their findings and discuss how acid
rain affects the natural environment.
Acid Rain
Precipitation
EcoEd Concept(s):
Air Pollution
EcoEd Literacy Goal(s): EcoEd Literacy Goals taught during this module include:
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Intended Grade:
Module Objectives:
2
At the end of this center, students will be able to:
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Materials needed:
Timeline:
Thinking critically about acid rain and how it may affect the
environment, both visibly and invisibly
Scientifically looking at and interpreting data
Understanding that their actions can make a difference for the
health of the planet
Investigating alternative ways to reduce their dependence on
electricity and cars
Define acid rain
Understand the causes of acid rain
Understand the effects of acid rain on both human health and the
environment
Determine ways in which to reduce the effects of acid rain
Scientifically look at and interpret data
Computer with access to a
projector; worksheets – 1 set for
each student (see attachments);
3 potted pansies; three labeled
spray bottles; vinegar; water; a
lab notebook; two small bowls;
pennies; chalk
0-5 minutes
Introduction to Topic of Acid Rain
5-10 minutes
Causes of Acid Rain
10-15 minutes
Acid Rain Demonstrations
15-20 minutes
Introduction to Plant Experiment
1
Activity Description:
In this twenty-minute lesson, students will be introduced to the topic of
acid rain and learn about sources, effects, and possible ways to reduce the
effects of acid rain.
Part 1 – Introduction to Topic of Acid Rain
 Short introductions between students and instructor
 Begin PowerPoint presentation to introduce topic, including i.)
Definition of acid rain, ii.) Causes of acid rain, iii.) Effects of acid
rain, and iv.) What can be done to prevent and reduce acid rain
o Take pauses to ask students what they already know and
what they do not yet know
o Create a dialogue between instructor and students to keep
participation active and to increase understanding
 Ask students if they or any of their classmates or
friends have asthma – teach that asthma can be
greatly affected by acid rain and air pollution
 Take time to view the map of acid rain prevalence in
the United States (have student point to their location
on the map and discuss the impact of acid rain on
that part of the country)
Part 2 – Causes of Acid Rain
 Students will each receive a set of worksheets that will help them
recount what they have learned in the presentation
 We will then discuss the results and correct answers as a group
o Take time to clarify and explain any trouble areas
Part 3 – Acid Rain Demonstrations
 Remind students of images they were just shown depicting effects
of acid rain on buildings, plants, and statues
 First, fill a bowl with vinegar to represent acid rain
 Ask students what they think will happen when chalk are dunked
into the vinegar
 Dunk a piece of chalk into the bowl to represent limestone statues
 Let students observe the effects
 Discuss that this is similar to what occurs to some statues and
buildings in areas with a lot of acid rain
Part 4 – Introduction to Plant Experiment
 Show students the three potted pansies
 Explain that they will be experimenting to see how the plants are
affected by acid rain
 Tell students to water each plant (1, 2, and 3) with its own solution
(1, 2, or 3) which will contain water, a mixture of water and vinegar,
and vinegar, respectively
 Tell students to water plants each day and to record progress of
plants in their lab notebook
 have each student sign the lab notebook
2
Parent/Guardian
Follow Up:
Dear Parent/Guardian,
Your student recently participated in an environmental education program
about acid rain. Ask your child what he or she learned about…
- acid rain and its causes
- the effects of acid rain
- what can be done to prevent and reduce the effects of acid rain
Your student also began a multi-week experiment on the effects of acid
rain (simulated by vinegar) on plants. Periodically ask your child any
differences he or she has noticed between the acid rain plant and the
“healthy” plant.
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