Lesson 1

Human Impact: Heavy Metals (Day 1 of 2)

Flint Michigan Water Crisis

Levels of heavy metals in waterways and their impact on aquatic life

Students will:

• analyze and interpret data to determine patterns and relationships of heavy metal toxicity in Colorado waterways and consider the limitations of this analysis.

• use evidence in data and maps to construct or support an explanation about the source of heavy metal pollution in Colorado waterways

• Adapted BSCS Invitations to Inquiry River Watch Lesson Resources

• Lead-laced Water in Flint: A Step-by-Step Look at the Makings of a Crisis (NPR)

• 5 Years After Flint’s Crisis Began, Is the Water Safe? (NPR)

• Flint Water Crisis Fast Facts (CNN)

• How Lead Ended Up in Flint’s Tap Water (Chemical & Engineering News)

• Heavy Metals Contamination Analysis Activity