BSCS Science Tracks: Connecting Science And Literacy: Solving Air Pollution Problems Student Guide

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY-Students investigate two types of pollution problems, one personal and one environmental. First, students investigate the effects on the respiratory system of cigarette smoking. They explore the respiratory system and determine how it helps us meet our needs for air. Then, they determine that smoking interferes with the functioning of the respiratory system and reduces its ability to function. Second, students investigate some causes of air pollution in the environment, explore the harmful effects of air pollution on the respiratory system, and propose ways that our society might reduce air pollution, improve air quality, and thereby promote a healthy environment.

BSCS Science TRACKS includes a comprehensive Student Guide and resource book at every level, 1-5. The Student Guide is not a "read-about-science" book; rather, it serves as a guide to help students learn to do the following things.

• Conduct scientific inquiries within a collaborative team and on their own
• Become more responsible for their own learning
• Manage the hands-on activities themselves
• Structure collaborative learning tasks
• Develop science and technology concepts and skills
• Reflect on their learning and assess their own conceptual and skill development
• Conduct independent inquiries related to questions or topics of personal interest
• Develop skills for reading in the content areas
• Follow and interpret directions

In addition, the Student Guides reinforce components of basic literacy, including shared reading and writing, guided reading and writing, continuous assessment, skills instruction, reading procedural text, listening and speaking skills, journal writing, record keeping, hints and reminders, reading and writing in a social context, and reading and writing in a content area.