LEARN NC

K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Antibacterial pollution

http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/sci_update.cfm?DocID=178

Provider: American Association for the Advancement of Science

About this resource

Appropriate grades
6
Subjects
science (environmental science), thinking skills (information literacy)
Provider
American Association for the Advancement of Science

Legal

Creative Commons License

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In this Science Update, students explore how the compounds that kill viruses, bacteria, and germs can cause pollution when they are washed down the drain. University of Minnesota chemist Kristopher McNeill found that Triclosan, an antibacterial, converts to a dioxin when put in water and exposed to sunlight. These dioxins can be toxic for plants and animals that rely on stream water for nourishment. Science NetLinks provides a link to the audio file, a written transcript, and questions to engage students in a discussion about dioxins, Triclosan, and the possibility of antibacterial products causing more environmental harm than good. This activity also contains a link to an article about this topic from the Centers for Disease Control.

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

Science (2005)

Grade 6

  • Goal 1: The learner will design and conduct investigations to demonstrate an understanding of scientific inquiry.
    • Objective 1.01: Identify and create questions and hypotheses that can be answered through scientific investigations.
    • Objective 1.05: Analyze evidence to:
      • Explain observations.
      • Make inferences and predictions.
      • Develop the relationship between evidence and explanation.
    • Objective 1.08: Use oral and written language to:
      • Communicate findings.
      • Defend conclusions of scientific investigations.
    • Objective 1.09: Use technologies and information systems to:
      • Research.
      • Gather and analyze data
      • Visualize data.
      • Disseminate findings to others.
    • Objective 1.10: Analyze and evaluate information from a scientifically literate viewpoint by reading, hearing, and/or viewing:
      • Scientific text.
      • Articles.
      • Events in the popular press.
  • Goal 7: The learner will conduct investigations and use technologies and information systems to build an understanding of population dynamics.
    • Objective 7.03: Explain how changes in habitat may affect organisms.
    • Objective 7.04: Evaluate data related to human population growth, along with problems and solutions:
      • Waste disposal.
      • Food supplies.
      • Resource availability.
      • Transportation.
      • Socio-economic patterns.