Designing Environmental Solutions

A

Air Quality Index (AQI)

A tool to help people understand how much air pollution is in their area each day.

ancestral Puebloans

People that were part of an ancient Native American culture. They lived in the area where Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah meet today. The people settled there around the year 550 and lived there for several hundred years.

B

bioremediation

The process of using biological organisms, such as bacteria or plants, to remove pollution. Bioremediation can occur in soil or in water.

boom

Long, floating lines made up of plastic floats. Booms can be used to contain oil spills.

C

carbon monoxide detector

A technology that alerts people to the amount of carbon monoxide in the air.

catalytic converter

A technology that reduces the amount of pollutants added to the air by car and truck exhaust.

compact fluorescent lightbulb

A type of lightbulb that uses electricity and a gas-filled tube to produce light. These lightbulbs use less energy and last longer than incandescent lightbulbs.

compost

Garbage that can break down into materials that add nutrients to soil. Compost piles can include items such as food products, newspapers, grass clippings, or fireplace ashes.

control

In a scientific investigation, this is used to compare to the tests. Everything in the control is kept the same as the experiment, except the independent variable. Not all investigations have a control.

D

dependent variable

In a scientific investigation, the variable that changes depending on the other variables. Typically, you cannot predict with accuracy how the dependent variable will change. A dependent variable is sometimes called the responding variable.

dispersal

The process of spreading something over a wide area. Waves, wind, and currents spread oil out when it is spilled.

E

electrostatic precipitator

A technology that reduces the amount of pollutants added to the air by factories.

engineer

A person who uses the process of technology to help people solve problems. Engineers develop tools and other objects to extend human limits. There are many types of engineers.

engineering

A branch of science and technology that is concerned with designing and building objects to help people solve problems.

F

G

groundwater

Water that moves through the soil and underground.

H

I

incandescent lightbulb

The most common kind of lightbulb. These lightbulbs use a wire filament to produce light. They also give off a lot of heat.

incinerator

A large furnace that burns garbage. Some cities use incinerators to dispose of garbage.

independent variable

In a scientific investigation, the variable that you change to see the results. An independent variable is sometimes called the manipulated variable.

J

K

L

landfill

A large pit or hole where people put garbage. A landfill can become so large it becomes a mound. Many cities use landfills as the primary place for garbage disposal. In some landfills, layers of garbage are covered with dirt each day to keep the garbage from blowing away.

M

N

O

P

photosynthesis

The process used by plants to convert carbon dioxide, water, and energy from sunlight into food and oxygen.

plagiarism

Copying work that someone else has done and using it as your own work.

precycling

A way to reduce waste by buying products that produce less waste. Examples are buying products that can be recycled or are made from recycled materials. Buying products that have less packaging is another example.

Q

R

recycling

The process of creating new products from used materials. Recycling helps prevent waste.

reducing

When people try to use products with less packaging or avoid using disposable products. Reducing helps prevent waste.

reusing

The process of using a product over and over. Products may be reused for the same purpose or for a different purpose. Reusing helps prevent waste.

S

skimmer

A technology that uses pumps and hoses to remove oil from the surface of water.

sorbent

Materials that soak up spilled oil.

stakeholder

A person with an interest or a concern about an issue.

T

technology

The process that helps people solve problems. Technologies extend human limits to help people solve problems.

U

V

variable

A factor or quantity in a scientific investigation that can change. A variable can be manipulated or it can remain the same during a scientific investigation.

W

wind power

A technology that can produce energy and does not produce air pollutants.

X

Y

Z