The Core of the Issue…

1. The Core of the Issue… Primary Science Group Case synopsis Tom was excited. He was representing his school in the National Sailing Championship 2011 at Bedok Reservoir. Upon reaching the venue, he met up with his team mates and they decided to have a quick lunch before the competition. He had an apple and when he had finished, he decided to throw the apple core into the reservoir so as to feed the fish. His friends thought that it was not the right thing to do. Tom argued that there was no harm in doing this as it would decompose and is not as harmful as a plastic container. • Learning Objectives including 21st Century Competencies for your one investigation • - Responsible decision making, Critical inventive thinking • Science objectives • - Show concern for Man’s impact on the environment. • Give examples of man’s impact on the environment e.g., water pollution. • Show concern for water as a limited natural resource and the need for water conservation. • Investigation Ideas • Students can : • Investigate the effects of pollution on • water and suggest possible solutions to • solve problems. • Investigate their water usage. • http://www.pub.gov.sg/conserve/Pages/default.aspx • Investigation: • In group of 3, investigate the rate of decomposition of different kinds of food / different kinds of substrates. • Experiment on decomposition • Video on food decomposing • Waste decomposition rates • They will take photographs to compare the rate of decomposition. • Students will then apply their knowledge in writing up a lab report / poster / poem / rap / role play and present it to their class. • Some Other Useful Resources • www.waterfootprint.com • www.fcwa.or/story_of_water/html/story.htm • http://www.nparks.gov.sg/cms/index.php?option=com_visitorsguide&task=parks&id=6&Itemid=73